Wendy's AI Guru Joins Presto, Predicting Drive-Thru Revolution

Michael Chorey, former head of innovation at Wendy's, has joined Presto as cofounder and president of its new division, Presto IQ. Chorey helped Wendy's build an AI-powered drive-thru system and is betting that the same tech will reshape the entire fast-food industry. He plans to personalize and partially automate interactions between restaurants, workers, and customers. Wendy's had implemented AI ordering at 300 drive-thru sites and planned to roll out the tech at up to 600 locations by year's end.

Michael Chorey, the former Head of Innovation at Wendy's, has joined Presto as cofounder and president of its new division, Presto IQ. Chorey's departure from Wendy's signals a significant shift in the fast-food industry's approach to AI. He helped Wendy's develop FreshAI, an AI-powered drive-thru system, which has been implemented in 300 drive-thru locations and is set to expand to 600 locations by the end of 2025 [1].

Chorey's new role at Presto involves personalizing and partially automating interactions between restaurants, workers, and customers. He believes that AI can transform the fast-food industry by making orders faster and more efficient than human workers. Presto's technology is already being tested at major chains like Carl's Jr., Hardee's, Wienerschnitzel, and Yoshinoya, indicating a growing interest in AI-driven automation in the sector [1].

Krishna Gupta, the cofounder and co-CEO of Presto, expects that there will be no human operators taking orders at drive-thrus within the next three years. This shift aims to free up workers to focus on creating food and serving customers with a smile, rather than handling monotonous tasks [1].

The move by Wendy's and other fast-food chains to implement AI ordering systems is part of a broader trend in the industry. McDonald's, for instance, initially tested an AI ordering system in collaboration with IBM but had to roll it back due to technical flaws. However, they are revisiting AI integration with Google [1]. Yum Brands has also expanded the use of AI-powered drive-thru assistants at Taco Bell and KFC locations [1].

The integration of AI in fast food is not without its challenges. Early customer concerns about the ease of use and accuracy of AI systems have been noted, but improvements are being made. Wendy's CEO Kirk Tanner has personally tested the FreshAI system and noted that it is becoming more accurate over time [1].

As AI becomes more mainstream in the fast-food sector, brands are increasingly recognizing the need to adapt quickly. Fast food is a competitive landscape, and the ability to make decisions swiftly and adapt on the fly is crucial for success. AI agents can provide this agility, enabling brands to stay ahead in the rapidly evolving dining industry.

References:
[1] https://www.businessinsider.com/michael-chorey-wendys-freshai-presto-drive-thru-ai-automation-2025-8