MIAMI / NEW YORK — Burger King is taking the “Home of the Whopper” into the age of artificial intelligence with the debut of “Patty,” an OpenAI-powered digital assistant integrated into employee headsets. Restaurant Brands International (RBI), the parent company of Burger King and Popeyes, announced on Thursday, February 26, 2026, that it is currently testing the system in 500 restaurants across the United States, with plans for a nationwide rollout later this year.
“Patty” acts as a real-time operational hub, whispering instructions and alerts directly into the ears of staff and managers. The system can recite complex recipes on demand, notify managers if the soda fountain is running low on syrup, and instantly relay customer complaints—such as a messy bathroom reported via QR code—to the appropriate team member. Beyond logistics, the AI allows employees to update digital menus instantly by voice if an ingredient runs out, streamlining a process that previously required manual entry.
However, the most discussed feature of the new technology is its ability to monitor “hospitality signals.” The system tracks the use of key courtesy words like “welcome,” “please,” and “thank you.” While this has raised concerns regarding workplace surveillance, Burger King clarified in a statement to the Associated Press that the intent is coaching rather than tracking. The company emphasized that “Patty” is designed to reinforce great hospitality and provide managers with insights to recognize team performance more effectively, rather than enforcing rigid scripts or scoring individuals.
Burger King joins a growing list of fast-food giants betting big on AI to solve labour and efficiency challenges. While McDonald’s recently pivoted its AI strategy to partner with Google after a drive-thru trial with IBM, and Yum Brands (KFC, Taco Bell) continues its partnership with Nvidia, Burger King’s approach focuses on the internal “BK Assistant” platform. By integrating AI into the daily workflow of the kitchen and front-of-house, RBI aims to reduce administrative friction, allowing human staff to stay “more present” with their guests.
