Is agentic AI in foodservice just another buzzword, or is it already reshaping how the industry works? When I was younger, (I won’t say how long ago that was… it might give away my age!) I used to watch films and documentaries that imagined the future with science fiction – spaceships, blinking lights, and machines with eerie robotic voices. But back then, AI was always something visible, dramatic, and slightly terrifying.

But the reality we’re seeing today (especially in foodservice) is far less flashy and far more subtle. No blinking lights. No robot overlords. Just quiet, intelligent systems working behind the scenes, making decisions, and getting things done without anyone noticing.

 

What is Agentic AI, Anyway?

By now, most people have some idea of what AI is (tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, or whatever else is trending) offering answers, summaries, or suggestions at the click of a button.

But agentic AI takes it one step further. Instead of just giving you information or automating a single task, these AIs can actually get things done. Think of them as invisible assistants or virtual colleagues, who don’t just respond when asked. They notice things, make decisions, and carry out actions in the background. Quietly. Automatically.

Agentic AI In foodservice might look like:

• Placing an order when stock levels run low
• Reworking a delivery route when traffic builds up
• Flagging a mismatch between orders and actual inventory
• Or tweaking equipment schedules to save energy during quiet periods.

They’re not here to replace us, but they’re absolutely here to take things off our plates (pun fully intended).

 

Real‑World Example: Foodservice Agentic AI’s in Action

Agentic AI in foodservice isn’t just a theory. It’s already here and already working behind the scenes in foodservice.

In the US, Wendy’s is rolling out FreshAI, a voice assistant for drive-thrus, across hundreds of restaurants. McDonald’s, KFC, and Pizza Hut are trialling similar tools – using AI not only to take orders but to streamline kitchen workflows and optimise restaurant layouts.

Closer to home, Popeyes UK became the first in Britain to introduce an AI-powered drive-thru. Back in summer 2024, they launched a system at their Rotherham site using a voice assistant named “Al.” During the pilot, it handled 97% of orders without any human help and it’s now being rolled out to more UK locations.

 

Why it Matters for our Work at CSD

We’re not just developers. We’re developers obsessed with tech. We build the systems that help foodservice businesses run smoothly, especially across logistics, planning, and distribution. And that’s why agentic AI has our full attention.

It affects the entire supply chain, from warehouse to kitchen to delivery, and that means it affects our users and their customers. So when virtual agents start handling tasks that once relied on human oversight, we have to ask: where does that leave the people doing those jobs? And where does it leave us?

 

Are Developers on the Way Out?

This is the part that gets a bit uncomfortable.

Because when AI starts writing bits of code (yes, even the small, satisfying ones we used to obsess over), or when it starts integrating systems without developer input, you have to pause. It’s creeping into the same spaces we work in. That’s unsettling.

But also, if we’re being completely honest, it’s a little bit thrilling.

We love tech. We love change. We love watching ideas become reality. And while agentic AI raises real questions about the future of our work, it also opens the door for us to build better, think bigger, and focus more on creativity than repetition.

We’re not just watching what AI can do, we’re learning what we can do with it.

 

Opportunities and Risks: The Messy Middle

Opportunities

There’s no denying the upside.

Agentic AI can:

• Free up time by taking on repetitive, admin-heavy tasks
• Increase accuracy and speed, especially in logistics and stock control
• Cut down waste by acting proactively (not reactively)
• Run 24/7 without fatigue, distraction, or needing a break.

In a high-pressure, fast-paced industry like foodservice, that kind of reliability is gold.

Risks and Concerns

But it’s not all seamless automation and efficiency. Agentic AI also raises tough questions:

• What happens to the roles it replaces?
• Are we becoming too reliant on systems we don’t fully control?
• Who’s accountable when something goes wrong – us or the AI?

And then there’s the wider issue: this tech is moving fast. Too fast, for many. One minute we’re experimenting with voice assistants. The next, we’ve got virtual workers managing kitchens and rerouting deliveries.

As this Guardian piece puts it, we’re not just redesigning how businesses operate, we’re reshaping how humans interact with the entire digital world.

 

So, Where Does That Leave Us?

We’ve written before about automation you can see; robots in warehouses and drones making deliveries. But this time it’s different. It’s invisible. And it’s everywhere.

For us, agentic AI (specifically in foodservice) is not just a tech trend. It’s something that affects the systems we build, the teams we support, and the future of work in foodservice.

We’re thinking about it. We’re talking about it. And we’re curious what others think too.