The next time you make a Taco Bell run, a computer — not a person — may take your order. Taco Bell plans to expand its use of artificial intelligence voice technology to hundreds more drive-thru locations in the U.S. by the end of the year.

Taco Bell has already been experimenting with AI at more than 100 locations in 13 states, and Yum! Brands said it’s found that the technology frees up staff for other tasks and also improves order accuracy. The company also seeks to reduce wait times.

“Tapping into AI gives us the ability to ease team members’ workloads, freeing them to focus on front-of-house hospitality,” Dane Mathews, Taco Bell chief digital and technology officer, said in a statement. “It also enables us to unlock new and meaningful ways to engage with our customers.”

KFC welcomed International Fried Chicken Day 2024 with a unique call to fried chicken lovers: Unleash your cravetivity and create the ultimate KFC snack. KFC’s promise in return: To turn 11 of the craziest and most exciting snack inventions into real finger lickin’ good food. Now, KFC has unveiled the winning KFC “Crave Generator” entries brought to life. From July 4 up until International Fried Chicken Day (July 6), KFC fans used the Meta’s AI sticker feature on Stories to design and share their dream KFC snacks on social media using the hashtag #KFCInternationalFriedChickenDay. The fans delivered on the ingenuity, so KFC delivered on its promise – bringing the 11 chosen creations from the virtual world to the real world.

Still haven’t purchased a Stanley Cup from Starbucks or Target? Waiting for the perfect item to come across your radar? Well, happy anniversary to you, because Taco Bell has a limited edition Stanley X they are giving away. Taco Bell is celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Mountain Dew Baja Blast with various giveaways and products, but one of the biggest may be a Stanley X Bajaversary Tumbler.

Taco Bell is giving away 100 Stanley X Bajaversary Tumblers to Taco Bell Rewards members. Members should watch the Taco Bell app’s Tuesday Drops page. The tumblers will drop at 5 p.m. EST on Tuesday, Aug. 13.

Two Kentucky-based brands are teaming up on a new finger-lickin’ good summertime collection of sunglasses. Shady Rays unveiled the new co-branded release of the “Kentucky Fried Chicken Collection.” It’s the second time the two brands have collaborated on a sunglass collection. The newest line features three pairs of shades that capture the spirit of KFC, with subtle nods to the famous red and white stripes and a custom lens etching featuring Colonel Sanders. The limited-edition collection is availble now in-store and online at ShadyRays.com and the KFC Shop.

On July 9, Taco Bell announced the opening of “The Cantinas,” an “early retirement community” the brand promises will be a particularly unique weekend getaway. Taco Bell says its latest experience, which will be located in San Diego, California, will highlight the leisurely lifestyle of septuagenarians, octogenarians and other folks of retirement age, without requiring an AARP card to do so. People of all ages are welcome. The Cantinas will be opening its doors from Aug. 17 — 18, inviting guests to indulge in sunny relaxation in the form of early morning tee times, afternoon aerobics, pickleball matches and, of course, plenty of Taco Bell, in what the brand says is a “community oasis that celebrates the diverse art of living más.”

Those eager to score a Weekend Membership or Day Pass to The Cantinas can stay up-to-date on booking, community and itinerary announcements at TheCantinas.net or through the Taco Bell rewards program.

KFC is celebrating National Fried Chicken Day in style — specifically, Kentucky Fried Chicken Style. KFC is launching a new Finger Lickin’ Good collection today in partnership with the clothing company BoxLunch to ensure fans have the perfect ’fit to celebrate chicken’s big day. The clothing line includes a little something for everyone, including a bucket crossbody bag, fanny pack, color-blocked windbreaker, and yes, a reversible chicken bucket hat that kind of makes it look like you’ve dumped a bucket of the fried stuff on top of your head. It’s an ensemble guaranteed to turn at least a few heads or at least one that will convince someone you’ve maybe found a new summer job.

Taco Bell announced a new $7 Luxe Cravings Box, which includes full-sized portions of fan-favorite menu items.

“With the launch of the $7 Luxe Cravings Box, we’re giving consumers our most craveable items at an affordable price point and living up to our commitment on value to satisfy cravings with fan favorite full-sized menu items,” Taylor Montgomery, the chief marketing officer at Taco Bell North America, shared in a statement. “Our Cravings Value Menu is one of the leading value menus within the industry, offering 10 items at under $3, because we believe consumers shouldn’t have to choose between affordability and abundance.”

The Luxe Cravings Box includes a Chalupa Supreme, Beefy 5-Layer Burrito, and Double Stacked Taco. But there’s more. The box also includes chips and nacho cheese sauce, and a medium fountain drink on the side. As Taco Bell explains, the box is a 55% discount off suggested menu prices if you were to purchase each item a-la-carte.

KFC is testing new frozen beverages in partnership with ICEE in 22 locations throughout Central Kentucky, including Lexington. They include Mtn Dew Sweet Lightning, blackberry lemonade, and blue raspberry flavors, the former two of which are only available at KFC. Frozen Mtn Dew Sweet Lightning blends the sweet peach and honey flavors, while frozen blackberry lemonade combines citrusy lemon with tangy blackberries.

KFC has also updated its menu to reflect new beverage additions for the season, including a Tropical Passionfruit Lemonade, a Tropical Passionfruit Sweet Lightning, Tropical Passionfruit Starry, and Tropical Passionfruit Sweet Tea, which can be ordered with the Colonel’s sweetened or unsweetened tea. All are listed for $2.49.

KFC is also testing chicken quesadillas in select restaurants in New York, New Jersey, and Tennessee. The KFC Chicken Quesadilla includes chicken shredded in-house and topped with gravy, and a three-cheese blend. It is toasted and served with a dipping sauce or hot sauce. KFC has been busy churning out new menu innovations for the past several quarters now, targeting new and younger consumers with more portable boneless chicken offerings.

Much of the Taco Bell menu buzz right now is about its Cheez-It Crunchwrap Supreme, but the recent beverage innovations are certainly newsworthy as well. Taco Bell just launched a Limonada Freeze lineup, featuring lemonade and strawberry lemonade flavors, as well as a vanilla creme Limonada Freeze, featuring lemonade swirled with vanilla crème. The lineup is available nationwide for $3.29 for a regular, 3.49 for a large (20 ounce), and $1 for a 16 ounce during Happier Hour.

KFC is releasing a limited-edition BBQ perfume that will leave you and the people around you “tipsy with hunger.” It’s called “No. 11 Eau de BBQ,” and it promises a “classic BBQ experience” in every bottle.  It has a smoky wood smell, with “charcoal notes.” But don’t get too excited about it, you should know that it’s just going to Europe for now.  It’s unclear why, maybe they think Europeans are fancy enough to appreciate a fragrance as fine as this.