Technology

White Castle testing Mastercard AI-powered drive-thru platform

Photo: File

September 1, 2020

White Castle has partnered with Mastercard to launch an artificial intelligence solution that promises to take physical touch out of the drive-thru lanes. Meanwhile, another QSR, Dunkin' is using Mastercard's Shop Anywhere platform to extend a touchless, high-engagement checkout solution to its customers, a news release said.

At a Dunkin' restaurant testing the Shop Anywhere technology in a location that Mastercard did not disclose, Dunkin' customers who approach a store can retrieve their orders without any face-to-face interaction. In fact, diners can access personalized, dynamic menu offers through the system's use of historical purchasing trends at the store or individual customer level.

Last year, Mastercard said in today's release that it prototyped an AI-powered voice assistant and dynamic menu for Sonic Drive-In. The AI Powered Drive Through system Mastercard announced today is also going to start piloting at White Castle locations next month, with what the company said are additional QSRs signing on later this year.

"At White Castle, as a nearly 100-year-old family business guided by having a heart for hospitality, bringing technological empowerment to the drive thru is the next chapter in innovation for our industry," Susan Carroll-Boser, White Castle vice president, technology said in the release. "We're honored to partner with Mastercard on this important initiative, and eager for our customers to enjoy the benefits it will provide."

Additionally, Mastercard's Shop Anywhere platform, supported by AI and computer vision technology partner Accel Robotics, helps eliminate some of the friction points in that setting's purchasing procedures through inventory and participating shopper analytics that eliminate checkout lines and waiting, while providing secure payments. Mastercard is rolling out live pilots of the Shop Anywhere next month at the pump and in-store at Circle K in the U.S. and Canada, as well, while Delaware North will deploy standalone, frictionless food and drink stores powered by the Mastercard solution.