TLDR: Michael Chorey, the architect behind Wendy’s FreshAI, has moved to Presto as co-founder and president of its new Presto IQ division, aiming to transform fast-food drive-thrus globally with scalable voice AI solutions.
Michael Chorey, the visionary behind Wendy’s FreshAI, has embarked on a new venture, joining Presto as co-founder and president of its newly formed Presto IQ division. This strategic move is set to redefine the landscape of fast-food drive-thrus, leveraging advanced voice AI technology.
Chorey’s tenure at Wendy’s saw the successful implementation of AI-powered drive-thru ordering, with FreshAI deployed in approximately 300 locations and plans to expand to 600 by year-end. This system, developed in partnership with Google Cloud and utilizing Presto’s automation infrastructure, integrates digital menu boards with conversational AI to dynamically personalize upsells, accelerate service, and alleviate staff strain.
At Presto IQ, Chorey’s primary mission is to customize voice AI to seamlessly handle orders across a multitude of restaurant brands, aiming for the precision and finesse of an experienced human team member. Presto IQ is designed for agility, featuring dynamic data integration that adapts in real-time to various user types—be it a parent with children, a new employee at the window, or a regional operator monitoring performance. These contextual cues enable the system to personalize upsells, manage pacing, and adjust tone, ultimately striving for higher order accuracy and faster throughput.
This development signifies a major shift in the industry, moving away from fragmented pilot programs towards modular, scalable platforms that can be deployed across multiple restaurant brands without the need for costly rebuilds. As one industry observer noted, ‘Rather than continuing to test AI, we’re starting to operationalize it.’
The impact of such technology on the workforce is a growing discussion. Presto’s co-CEO has predicted that human order-takers could largely disappear within three years as voice AI assumes routine tasks. However, companies assure that this technology is not intended to replace staff but rather to redeploy them to focus on critical areas such as food quality, customer care, and operational precision.
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Beyond Wendy’s, other major players are also embracing AI in their drive-thrus. CKE Restaurants, the parent company of Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s, has been conducting real-world trials of voice-based AI with Presto Automation, OpenCity, and Valyant AI across select drive-thru locations. These tests have yielded substantial positive outcomes, including improved order accuracy, enhanced upsell performance, significant labor productivity gains, and positive feedback from staff. Presto’s AI, in particular, has demonstrated noticeable revenue increases during its pilot runs. Furthermore, Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s are exploring innovative operational optimizations, including the use of drones and ‘game film’ analytics.
