Can hospitality coexist with AI ordering technology?

Can AI drive thrus coexist with restaurant hospitality?This week’s episode of the Restaurant Business podcast The Week in Restaurants looks at McDonald’s new business plan, called McDonald’s Next, including its newest test of AI drive-thru ordering technology. We ask whether that can coexist in a chain focused on more hospitality.Logan’s Roadhouse is adding a THC cocktail to its menus in Texas. We discuss the implications of that test.We also talk about the World Cup and how that might be a boon to restaurants this summer. On Tech Check, Senior Tech Editor Joe Guszkowski looks at the best restaurant companies on social media. Sign up for CREATE 2026: ⁠https://informaconnect.com/create/?utm_source=skot&utm_medium=radio&utm_campaign=create26⁠Want more from Jonathan Maze?⁠https://www.restaurantbusinessonline.com/profile/jonathan-maze⁠Tik-Tok @jonathandmaze⁠https://www.restaurantbusinessonline.com/article/deeper-dive⁠ Want more from Lisa Jennings?⁠https://www.restaurantbusinessonline.com/profile/lisa-jennings⁠Tik-Tok @jenningsswaine Want more from Joe Guszkowski?⁠https://www.restaurantbusinessonline.com/profile/joe-guszkowski