Lee Mira, RTN Staff Writer-9.3.2025
Starbucks is speeding up its push towards AI-powered back-of-house technology with the deployment of a new automated inventory counting system. The tool already lives in thousands of corporate operations locations, but by the end of September it will be rolled out to all Starbucks-operated stores in North America.
Developed in collaboration with Seattle-based Nomadgo, the system uses handheld tablets combined with computer vision, 3D spatial intelligence and augmented reality to scan shelves and instantly identify what's in stock. Low-stock items are automatically flagged to help the barista go ahead of the shortage. According to store partners, inventory counts can be completed in minutes, which once took about an hour – often 10-15 times, allowing inventory to be counted eight times more frequently than before. Starbucks executives say the technology can eventually automate refill orders.
“At Starbucks, technology is not about bells or whistles, it's about creating meaningful efficiency that maintains connections and strengthens craft,” said Debhall Lefeb, the company's chief technology officer, in a statement. “Automated counting provides a better experience for our partners and a more consistent and enjoyable experience for all our customers walking down the door.”
The meaning exceeds speed. With more frequent and more accurate counts, Starbucks offers near-real-time data pulses that can improve supply chain responsiveness, speed up delivery, and minimize stockouts. Lefevre said modernization sets the stage for a smarter restocking strategy, ensuring stores remain stocked and staff stay focused on customers rather than clipboards.
The inventory system marks Starbucks' third major technology announcement in recent months. In May, the company introduced a shift marketplace tool that allows baristas to swap and manage shifts more easily. In June, Starbucks announced Green Dot Assist, a generative, AI-powered assistant designed to support store operations, along with the pilot's new Next Gen POS system.
For Starbucks, Nomadgo's technology deployment demonstrates a deeper commitment to streamlining labor-intensive tasks using AI and AR. Automating automotive capabilities could unlock massive measurable efficiency gains, especially for brands that operate almost 17,000 stores in North America alone.
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Competitors are pursuing similar strategies. For example, McDonald's is rolling out the edge of its restaurant platform. It is a Google-powered cloud platform that currently lives in hundreds of US restaurants and is expanding globally. One of the widely publicized features is the “accuracy scale” equipped with AI. This flags outgoing order weight and inconsistencies before reaching the customer. The system is already in thousands of restaurants and is believed to boost order accuracy and customer trust. McDonald's can also pilot a “ready to arrive” feature based on jaw fencing, reducing wait times by more than half.
Meanwhile, Chick-Fil-A is experimenting with computer vision to monitor food quality, with Geofenciens' mobile ordering tools minimizing kitchen preparation and waiting times. The chain also invests in automation with a focus on drive-thru. This is one of the busiest things in the industry.
Together, these initiatives show clear trends. The biggest quick service brands are putting big bets on AI, computer vision and AR, not only to improve speed and personalization for customers, but also to streamline the operational backbone of their businesses. For Starbucks, a company that places partners and crafts at the heart of their brand identity, the goal is to empower employees as much as optimizing efficiency.
“Behind the scenes, these fast, accurate and frequent data pulses automate some of the operations, speeding up delivery and minimizing stockouts,” says Lefevre. “This modernization sets stages of smarter supply chain optimization and more frequent inventory restocking, all designed to keep coffee houses ready and empowering our partners.”
The success of Starbucks' latest AI deployments can be measured not only by saved hours but also by lower inventory, a more consistent guest experience, and the ability to reinvest staff in services rather than manual tasks. In an industry where missed latte ingredients and order delays can undermine trust, the combination of AI, AR, and real-time intelligence could prove to be a competitive differentiator in the coming months.
