Google Cloud Press Corner

Wendy's Taps Google Cloud to Revolutionize the DriveThru Experience with Artificial Intelligence
Wendy's is piloting Google Cloud's generative artificial intelligence technology with the goal of creating aquicker and more consistent drive-thru ordering experience
DUBLIN, Ohio and SUNNYVALE, Calif., May 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Wendy's® and Google Cloud today
announced an expanded partnership to pilot a groundbreaking artificial intelligence (AI) solution, Wendy's
FreshAI, designed to revolutionize the quick service restaurant industry. The technology has the potential totransform Wendy's drive-thru food ordering experience with Google Cloud's generative AI and large language
models (LLMs) technology.
"We'rethrilled
to With 75 to 80 percent of Wendy's customers choosing the drive-thru as theircontinue our work with preferred ordering channel, delivering a seamless ordering experience using AI
Google Cloud to bring a automation can be difficult due to the complexities of menu options, special
new wave of innovation requests, and ambient noise. For example, because customers can fully customize
tothedrive-thru their orders and food is prepared when ordered at Wendy's, this presents billions ofpossible order combinations available on the Wendy's menu, leaving room forexperience."
miscommunication or incorrect orders. Google Cloud's generative AI capabilities can
now bring a new automated ordering experience to the drive-thru that is intended to enhance the experiencethat customers, employees and franchisees expect from Wendy's.
"Wendy's introduced the first modern pick-up window in the industry more than 50 years ago, and we're thrilled
to continue our work with Google Cloud to bring a new wave of innovation to the drive-thru experience," said
Todd Penegor, President and CEO of Wendy's. "Google Cloud's generative AI technology creates a huge
opportunity for us to deliver a truly differentiated, faster and frictionless experience for our customers, andallows our employees to continue focusing on making great food and building relationships with fans that keepthem coming back time and again."
In June, Wendy's plans to launch its first pilot of Google Cloud's AI technology in a Columbus, OH-area,
Company-operated restaurant, using those learnings to inform future expansions to more Wendy's drive-thrus.
The pilot will include new generative AI offerings, such as Vertex AI and more, to have conversations withcustomers, the ability to understand made-to-order requests and generate responses to frequently asked
questions.
This will all be powered by Google's foundational LLMs that have the data from Wendy's menu, establishedbusiness rules and logic for conversation guardrails, and integration with restaurant hardware and the Point ofSale system. By leveraging generative AI, Wendy's seeks to take the complexity out of the ordering process so
employees can focus on serving up fast, fresh-made, quality food and exceptional service.
"Wendy's has always been at the forefront of innovation, and we're thrilled to build upon our partnership withthe company with our new generative AI technologies," said Thomas Kurian, CEO at Google Cloud. "Generative
AI is fundamentally changing how people interact with brands, and we anticipate Wendy's integration of Google
Cloud's generative AI technology will set a new standard for great drive-thru experiences for the quick-service
industry."
Today's update builds upon Google Cloud's and Wendy's long standing partnership to enhance the Wendy's
restaurant experience. Since 2021, Wendy's has leveraged Google Cloud's data analytics, AI, machine learning(ML), and hybrid cloud tools to make it faster, easier, and more convenient for customers to access the brand.
Additional Resources
Keep up with the latest Google Cloud news on Google's newsroom and blog.
Learn more about generative AI on Google Cloud here.
Learn more about Wendy's on The Square Deal blog here.
About Wendy's
Wendy's was founded in 1969 by Dave Thomas in Columbus, Ohio. Dave built his business on the premise,"Quality Is Our Recipe®", which remains the guidepost of the Wendy's system. Wendy's is best known for its
made-to-order square hamburgers, using fresh, never frozen beef, freshly-prepared salads, and other signature
items like chili, baked potatoes and the Frosty® dessert. The Wendy's Company (Nasdaq: WEN) is committed todoing the right thing and making a positive difference in the lives of others. This is most visible through theCompany's support of the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption® and its signature Wendy's Wonderful Kids®
program, which seeks to find a loving, forever home for every child in the North American foster care system.
Today, Wendy's and its franchisees employ hundreds of thousands of people across approximately 7,000
restaurants worldwide with a vision of becoming the world's most thriving and beloved restaurant brand. For
details on franchising, connect with us at www.wendys.com/franchising. Visit www.wendys.com andwww.squaredealblog.com for more information and connect with us on Twitter and Instagram using @wendys,
and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/wendys.

****Fresh beef available in the contiguous U.S., Alaska and Canada.
About Google Cloud
Google Cloud accelerates every organization's ability to digitally transform its business. We deliver enterprisegrade solutions that leverage Google's cutting-edge technology – all on the cleanest cloud in the industry.
Customers in more than 200 countries and territories turn to Google Cloud as their trusted partner to enablegrowth and solve their most critical business problems.

SOURCE Google Cloud
For further information: press@google.com
https://www.googlecloudpresscorner.com/2023-05-09-Wendys-Taps-Google-Cloud-to-Revolutionize-the-DriveThru-Experience-with-Artificial-Intelligence