By Lea Mira, RTN staff writer – 9.3.2025
Starbucks is accelerating its push into AI-powered back-of-house technology with the rollout of a new automated inventory counting system. The tool, already live in thousands of company-operated locations, will be deployed across all Starbucks-operated stores in North America by the end of September, according to the company.
The system, developed in partnership with Seattle-based NomadGo, 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 flagged automatically, helping baristas stay ahead of shortages. Store partners say inventory counts that once took about an hour can now be completed in minutes—often 10 to 15—enabling them to count inventory as much as eight times more frequently than before. Starbucks executives say the technology will eventually be able to automate restock orders as well.
“At Starbucks, technology isn’t about bells and whistles — it’s about creating meaningful efficiencies that preserve and strengthen craft and connection,” Deb Hall Lefevre, the company’s chief technology officer, said in a statement. “With automated counting, we’re delivering both a better experience for partners, and a more consistent, delightful experience for every customer who walks through our doors.”
The implications go beyond speed. More frequent and more accurate counts provide Starbucks with near real-time data pulses that can improve supply chain responsiveness, speed up deliveries and minimize stockouts. Lefevre said the modernization sets the stage for smarter replenishment strategies, 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 lets baristas swap and manage shifts more easily. In June, Starbucks unveiled Green Dot Assist, a generative AI-powered assistant designed to support store operations, along with a new Next Gen POS system now in pilot.
For Starbucks, the rollout of NomadGo’s technology signals a deeper commitment to using AI and AR to streamline labor-intensive tasks. Automating back-of-house functions has the potential to unlock measurable efficiency gains at scale, especially for a brand that operates nearly 17,000 stores in North America alone.
[embedded content]Competitors are pursuing similar strategies. McDonald’s, for example, is deploying its Restaurant Platform Edge, a Google-powered cloud platform now live in hundreds of U.S. restaurants and expanding globally. One widely publicized feature is its AI-powered “Accuracy Scales,” which weigh outgoing orders and flag discrepancies before they reach the customer. The system is already in thousands of restaurants and has been credited with boosting order accuracy and customer trust. McDonald’s has also piloted a geofencing-based “Ready on Arrival” feature that can cut wait times by more than half.
Chick-fil-A, meanwhile, has been experimenting with computer vision to monitor food quality, as well as geofenced mobile ordering tools to better time kitchen prep and minimize wait times. The chain has also invested in automation around its drive-thru, which remains one of the busiest in the industry.
Together, these initiatives point to a clear trend: the largest quick-service brands are betting heavily on AI, computer vision and AR not just to improve customer-facing speed and personalization, but to streamline the operational backbone of their businesses. For Starbucks, a company that positions its partners and craft at the center of its brand identity, the goal is as much about empowering employees as it is about optimizing efficiency.
“Behind the scenes, these fast, accurate and frequent data pulses automate portions of our operations to speed up deliveries and minimize stockouts,” Lefevre said. “This modernization sets the stage for smarter supply chain optimization and more frequent inventory replenishment — all designed to keep our coffeehouses ready and partners empowered.”
The success of Starbucks’ latest AI deployment will likely be measured not just in saved labor hours, but in fewer stockouts, more consistent guest experiences and the ability to reinvest staff time into service rather than manual tasks. For an industry where a missed latte ingredient or a delayed order can erode trust, the combination of AI, AR and real-time intelligence could prove to be a competitive differentiator in the months ahead.
