Yum China, the company behind KFC and Pizza Hut in mainland China, is doubling down on AI to streamline operations and boost profits. Their new AI assistant, Q-Smart, helps managers cut waste, improve food quality, and save on labor costs—freeing them up to focus on customers. It’s part of a broader push to make restaurants run smoother without sacrificing service.

Editor’s Note: Fast-food chains aren’t just competing on who’s got the crispiest chicken or cheesiest pizza anymore—tech is becoming a huge differentiator. Yum China’s bet on AI reflects a growing trend where companies use automation not to replace humans, but to handle grunt work so staff can do what they do best: keep customers happy. For diners, this could mean faster service and better consistency, but it also raises questions about how far automation should go in an industry built on human interaction.