FILE: A Starbucks drive-thru sign photographed July 9, 2014. Photo: Christopher Tran / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0); cropped and resized. This file photo does not show the planned 2027 AI test.
Starbucks plans to add delivery to its app and begin testing AI that assists baristas taking drive-thru orders in early 2027, part of a digital roadmap that also includes expanded scheduled ordering and group orders later in the year.
The company outlined the plans in a November 11 statement by Paul Riedel, its senior vice president of digital and loyalty. The announcement describes planned tests and future features, not a nationwide rollout of automated drive-thru ordering.
Delivery and barista assistance planned for early 2027
Starbucks said customers would be able to order delivery directly through its app and earn Stars on those orders when the feature launches in early 2027.
The company also plans to begin testing AI in the drive-thru in early 2027. It described technology working in the background to help baristas enter orders while keeping employees focused on customers. Starbucks did not announce a chainwide launch or say the system would replace baristas.
Customers can already schedule an order for later the same day. Starbucks is working toward extending that option to the following day and adding group-ordering experiences later in 2027.
Conversational ordering and recognition remain exploratory
Other ideas are at an earlier stage. Starbucks said it is exploring conversational discovery and ordering in its app, allowing a customer to describe what they want, receive suggestions and potentially customize and place an order through a conversation.
The company is also exploring ordering directly from inside a car. It has not presented that idea as an available service or a confirmed rollout.
Personalized drive-thru recognition would require customers to choose to enroll through the app. Starbucks said participating customers could share preferences and information to support features such as being greeted by name, receiving suggestions based on usual orders or choosing automatic payment. Those experiences remain under development.
Refreshed app menu is already available
Unlike the planned 2027 features, a refreshed app menu is already available to all app customers. Starbucks said the update is designed to make browsing and customization easier, with more personalization planned throughout 2027.
The company reported a record 36 million U.S. Starbucks Rewards members active during the preceding 90 days. That figure measures recent activity, not the total number of people ever enrolled.
Starbucks also described a next-generation point-of-sale system intended to simplify everyday tasks for employees. Its claims about easier order entry and training are company expectations, not independent measurements of the planned drive-thru AI test.
JBizNews Desk | Business and Technology
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