Yum China Equips Store Managers with Wearable AI for Hands-Free Operations

• Q-Smart enables voice-controlled management of tasks like scheduling, inspections, and inventory via wearable devices.
• Initial rollout begins at select KFC locations, with plans for broader deployment following user feedback.

Yum China has introduced "Q-Smart," a hands-free AI assistant designed to support restaurant managers in daily operations. Deployed through wearable devices like earphones and smartwatches, Q-Smart allows managers to use natural language commands to manage labor scheduling, inventory, and food safety tasks.

"Q-Smart is not just an AI tool —it is a potential game-changer for how restaurants can be managed. We believe that Q-Smart will not only help Yum China improve its operational efficiency, but can also serve as an example for the digital transformation and smart development of the catering industry," said Leila Zhang, Chief Technology Officer, Yum China, in an official news release.

Managers can interact with Q-Smart entirely by voice, freeing up their hands while navigating store responsibilities. The system tracks inventory in real time, aligns stock levels with forecasted demand, and supports routine checks. It also taps into Yum China's operational database to deliver quick guidance during disruptions.

The AI tool is currently in pilot at select KFC stores and marks a milestone in Yum China's decade-long digital transformation. Its launch was announced during the company's first AI Day, which also unveiled a new Frontline Innovation Fund and recognized winners of an internal hackathon aimed at developing tech-driven business solutions. Yum China has been scaling its use of generative AI since 2023 across multiple areas, including supply operations, customer interaction, and administrative tasks.

🌀 Tom’s Take:

Q-Smart may not yet be spatially aware, but it marks a major step toward ambient AI operations at scale for Yum China, which runs KFC, Pizza Hut, and Taco Bell in China. It's a prime example of how wearable AI tools are reshaping frontline work across industries. Though the system currently relies on human input today, future iterations could incorporate cameras and other sensors, paving the way for it to become a fully physical AI solution.

Source: Yum China