Starbucks plans to test artificial intelligence tools designed to make drive-through ordering quicker and more accurate, potentially allowing baristas to identify a customer’s car and recent orders when they arrive with the Starbucks app open.

About half of Starbucks customers use the drive-through, according to the company. Starbucks said it intends to trial background AI models that could help baristas enter orders more efficiently while reducing errors.

Chief executive Brian Niccol described the concept as a possible “fast pass” for the drive-through in comments to Yahoo Finance after the company released its latest quarterly results. He said customers arriving in the drive-through lane with the app open could have their most recent orders displayed to staff, allowing a barista to ask whether they want their usual order.

“We’re going to have, almost, the ability to have a fast pass for the drive-through,” Niccol said. Once a customer confirms the order, he said, payment would already be completed before they continue to the pickup window. “It’ll be the fastest drive-through experience you can have.”

Customers must set up and sign in to a Starbucks account to order ahead, pay through the app and collect reward stars. Niccol’s use of the term “fast pass” prompted comparisons on X with Disney’s former FastPass system, although the Starbucks app is free to use.

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The proposed technology builds on Starbucks’ large loyalty base. The company said its loyalty program had a record 36 million members active over the previous 90 days in the latest quarter. Those customers tend to support transaction and sales growth, with sales rising 7.2% in the fourth quarter.

Starbucks is pursuing the drive-through improvements as it faces stronger competition from chains built around drive-through service, including Dutch Bros (BROS), 7Brew and Scooter’s Coffee. The company is also seeing more customers visit for afternoon drinks and smaller treats.

TD Cowen analyst Andrew Charles said the afternoon period could provide an important opportunity for Starbucks. “We expect a greater focus on the afternoon daypart, via beverage innovation and marketing support, where drive-thru competitors have found success,” Charles wrote in a note to clients. “We interpret a greater focus on caffeine-free refreshers to help drive engagement with kids.”

Source: Yahoo Finance quarterly results report