White Castle Customer Stunned After AI Drive-Thru Attempts $15,400 Charge
MIAMI, Fla. — A White Castle customer was left stunned after an AI-powered drive-thru register attempted to charge him $15,400 for a single order, highlighting growing concerns about automation in the fast-food industry .
A $15,400 Combo Order Glitch
The customer, known on TikTok as @truckerboyju, filmed the bizarre moment from inside his car. Initially, the screen showed a charge of $147.60, even though he had only ordered a single Number 12 Combo.
When he questioned the glitch, the system reloaded — and then made things worse. The AI mistakenly added 100 Number 7 Combos to the order, sending the total skyrocketing to $15,400.
As the screen displayed the massive bill, the AI’s automated voice calmly asked, “What drink would you like in your Number 12 Combo?”
Frustrated, the customer demanded to speak to a human employee, exclaiming, “What the f—, give me a team member?”
Viral TikTok Sparks Debate
The TikTok quickly went viral, amassing over 5.2 million views within days. Many commenters were quick to poke fun at the incident, calling it “next-level stupid,” while others argued that the story was no laughing matter.
@90daygrinder Follow meeee 🙏🏽Ai at fast food is so stupid bro I swear get rid of this shit man #ai #fastfoodai #whitecastle #annoying
One user quipped: “Killing the planet for this.” Another added, “Some fast-food workers were laid off for this technology, by the way.”
Others criticized the company directly, with one comment reading: “Stop going to places that replace people with technology. Do it for your community and the working class.”
White Castle’s AI Drive-Thru Rollout
White Castle introduced its AI drive-thru technology in the summer of 2023. At the time, Axios journalist Tyler Buchanan reported similar glitches, including random items being added to his order.
Two years later, the viral TikTok suggests little has changed. Despite promises of improved efficiency, AI assistants at White Castle appear to still struggle with even basic functions .
Automation Under Fire
The fiasco adds to a growing list of stories highlighting the shortcomings of AI in customer-facing roles. Critics argue that while automation may reduce payroll costs for corporations, it risks alienating customers with unreliable technology.
One commenter summed up the frustration bluntly: “AI is for data sorting. It was never for human interaction.”
Labor advocates have also raised alarms, saying AI systems not only displace human workers but also undermine customer trust in industries that rely on accuracy and personal service.
Will White Castle Upgrade Its AI?
As of this week, White Castle has not responded to requests for comment on the viral video. Nor has the TikTok creator provided an update on whether the company addressed the glitch.
But with AI adoption continuing across the fast-food industry, experts say companies like White Castle will have to decide whether cheaper automation outweighs the risk of public embarrassment and customer dissatisfaction.
Do you think fast-food chains should keep experimenting with AI technology, or should they bring back more human workers to avoid disasters like this? Share your thoughts at SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com.
