When I heard Checkers was now using an artificial intelligence-based ordering system in its drive-thru, I wondered about its accuracy, so I decided to put it to the test.
The first time I visited the Wrightsboro Road location across the street from the mall, I sat in line for several minutes waiting to place my order. But the line wasn’t moving, so I became impatient and left. To be fair, I went during the lunch rush, when most fast-food drive-thru lines are wrapped around the building.
When my wife, Rebecca, and I visited the restaurant the following week, the line moved quickly. She ordered two meals with hamburgers and French fries for her parents. Rebecca ordered both burgers without mayonnaise and one without pickles.
As expected, the robotic voice took her order, gave her the total cost, and instructed her to drive up to the next window. I expected the system to verify her order for accuracy, but it didn’t.
Then came the moment of truth. My father-in-law, Fred Rose, who’s very particular about his food, ate his meal.
“My order was completely accurate; the fries were hot, and the burger tasted good,” he said.
According to a January 2022 article from Digital Transactions magazine, Checkers, which has more than 800 locations nationwide, plans to install the system in all its corporate-owned locations. It was developed by two technology companies: Presto and Hi Auto.
“Tampa-based Checkers piloted the technology during a four-month period in 2021,” the article said. “During the pilot, 98 percent of drive-thru orders were completed with minimal intervention from restaurant employees, according to Checkers.”
