# DevOps Meets the Drive-Thru: How IBM WatsonX Orders is Powering AI-Driven QSR Efficiency

By Daniel Litwin · Published 2025-03-14 · Updated 2026-05-19 · Energy on MarketScale
Canonical: https://www.marketscale.com/industries/energy/devops-ai-drive-thru-ibm-qsr-efficiency
Creator hub: Experts Talk

> AI automation is transforming how quick-service restaurants manage thousands of daily orders while reducing costs and improving consistency

## Key points

- IBM WatsonX Orders applies AI automation to QSR drive-thru and ordering workflows, reducing errors and improving throughput.
- DevOps methodologies are being adapted to food service technology, enabling faster iteration and deployment of AI ordering systems.
- AI-driven ordering can lower labor costs and improve order consistency across high-volume QSR locations.

Block Field

The drive-thru experience is evolving faster than ever, thanks to AI-powered automation and DevOps-driven innovation. Quick-service restaurants (QSRs) process thousands of orders daily, facing challenges like [labor shortages](https://www.netsuite.com/portal/resource/articles/human-resources/restaurant-labor-shortage.shtml), operational inconsistencies, and the need for rapid adaptation to customer demands. With AI-backed solutions, brands can optimize their workflows, cut costs, and improve customer experience. [**IBM WatsonX Orders**](https://www.ibm.com/products/watsonx-orders) is at the forefront of this transformation, integrating DevOps and Site Reliability Engineering (SRE) strategies to refine AI-powered drive-thru systems in real-time.

But how do development teams ensure these AI-driven solutions can continuously iterate and improve to meet the fast-paced demands of the QSR industry? How does DevOps accelerate AI adoption in restaurant operations while ensuring reliability?

Welcome to [*Experts Talk](https://marketscale.com/shows/experts-talk/).* In the latest episode, host [**Daniel Litwin**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/dannyjlitwin/), the voice of B2B, sits down with [**Kunal Khanna**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/kunal-khanna-64840815/), Head of DevOps & SRE at IBM WatsonX Orders, to explore the fusion of DevOps and [AI in QSR operations](https://marketscale.com/industries/experts-talk/qsr-connectivity-ibm-hughes-ai-networking/). They discuss how AI-driven order management systems are reshaping the drive-thru experience, how DevOps methodologies enhance scalability and reliability, and what the future holds for AI in restaurant technology.

### The key topics of discussion…

- **AI Automation in QSRs**: How AI-driven ordering systems can handle up to 90% of orders without human intervention, reducing labor costs and improving efficiency.
- **The Role of DevOps & SRE**: Strategies for rapid iteration, model retraining, and edge deployment to ensure seamless AI operations in high-pressure environments.
- **Scalability & Future Innovations**: The potential of agent-to-AI models and how IBM WatsonX is optimizing hardware and software for future-proof QSR solutions.

### About the Guest

**Kunal Khanna** is a technology leader specializing in DevOps, Site Reliability Engineering (SRE), and AI-driven solutions, currently serving as Head of DevOps & SRE at IBM WatsonX Orders. With over a decade of experience, he has led large-scale deployment and automation initiatives at companies like McD Tech Labs, Poynt by GoDaddy, and Synopsys, focusing on AI-powered operational efficiencies. His expertise spans cloud infrastructure, edge computing, and CI/CD systems, making him a key driver in the evolution of AI-enhanced automation in QSR and enterprise technology.

Tags: Daniel Litwin, Experts Talk, IBM WatsonX Orders, Kunal Khanna, QSR industry

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