Burger King Tests AI Headsets That Monitor Employee Politeness

Restaurant Brands International is piloting artificial intelligence-powered headsets in 500 U.S. Burger King locations that can track whether workers use polite phrases like "welcome" and "thank you." The AI system, called "Patty," also helps with inventory management and recipe guidance, though the company says it's meant for coaching rather than individual employee surveillance.

The fast-food giant Burger King is experimenting with artificial intelligence headsets that monitor employee interactions and can detect whether workers are using courteous language with customers.

Restaurant Brands International, the Miami-headquartered corporation behind Burger King, Popeyes, and other restaurant chains, announced Thursday that it’s currently piloting these OpenAI-driven headsets across 500 locations throughout the United States.

The technology gathers operational information and communicates through “Patty,” an AI voice assistant that speaks directly to workers via their headsets. When beverage dispensers run low on Diet Coke, Patty notifies management. Should a patron scan a QR code to report restroom cleanliness issues, supervisors receive immediate alerts.

Workers can inquire with Patty about preparation methods for different food items or instruct the system to temporarily remove menu options when ingredients are unavailable.

The restaurant chain revealed it’s also investigating Patty’s potential for enhancing guest relations. The technology monitors employee use of courteous language including “welcome,” “please,” and “thank you,” then reports this information to management.

During Thursday’s inquiry from The Associated Press regarding this feature, Burger King clarified that Patty serves as a training resource rather than a surveillance mechanism for individual workers.

“It’s not about scoring individuals or enforcing scripts. It’s about reinforcing great hospitality and giving managers helpful, real-time insights so they can recognize their teams more effectively,” the company stated.

Burger King emphasized that courteous language represents “one of many signals to help managers understand service patterns.”

“We believe hospitality is fundamentally human. The role of this technology is to support our teams so they can stay present with guests,” according to the company’s statement.

This AI assistant operates within the broader BK Assistant platform, an app-based system scheduled for deployment across all domestic restaurants by year’s end.

The burger chain joins other major fast-food companies exploring artificial intelligence applications. Yum Brands announced last spring its collaboration with Nvidia to create AI solutions for KFC, Taco Bell, and Pizza Hut.

McDonald’s discontinued its IBM partnership in 2024 after testing automated drive-thru ordering systems. The company has since begun working with Google on AI development.