Starbucks rolled out an AI inventory tool to 11,300 stores, then shut it off
_fastcompany · reddit · 2026-07-28
Starbucks reportedly rolled out an AI inventory-counting tool to all 11,300 company-operated stores, then killed it about nine months later.
- The tool, called Automated Counting, used an iPad camera to identify items on shelves and was supposed to cut inventory counts from about an hour to 10–12 minutes.
- Baristas say it repeatedly miscounted items: reflections in stainless-steel fridges doubled oat milk counts, some items were mislabeled, and in one case a trash can was counted as food.
- In stores with unreliable Wi‑Fi, counts could be wiped mid-process, while manual counts were no longer accepted.
- Starbucks says the episode reflects its “test-and-learn” culture: listen, learn, adapt.
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