# Starbucks Explores Personalized Drive-Thru Menus and AI Tests for 2027

By John Kim

Canonical URL: https://www.tokenpost.com/news/business/45051
Published: 2026-10-30T19:21:13.000Z
Updated: 2026-10-30T19:21:13.000Z
Section: Business

> CEO Brian Niccol called the menu concept early-stage. Separate background AI tests are meant to help baristas enter orders more accurately and efficiently.

Starbucks Chairman and CEO Brian Niccol said Thursday, Oct. 29, the company is exploring personalized drive-thru menus and separate AI order-entry tests for fiscal 2027, targeting a channel used by roughly half of customers.

Niccol described the menu concept as early-stage. The experience could recognize participating customers as they arrive, show them personalized digital menus and make payment easier. Starbucks has not given a timeline for the idea or explained how customer recognition would work.

Separately, Starbucks plans to begin testing background AI models in its drive-thrus in fiscal 2027. Niccol said the models are intended to help baristas enter orders more accurately and efficiently while interacting with customers. He did not say AI would power customer recognition or menu personalization.

Niccol described drive-thrus as an opportunity to make service faster, more convenient and more personal. The AI tests are planned for fiscal 2027; the personalized-menu concept has no announced timeline.