Jiefite Technology opens registration for multi-site AI partnerships in Taiwan, with free initial needs assessments

Jiefite Technology is inviting restaurant chains, retail chains and multi-site service businesses in Taiwan to submit their requirements for AI implementation partnerships. The first registration round closes on 31 October 2026, and the initial needs assessment is free. For franchise networks expanding their branch footprint, the focus is not on buying equipment for outlets, but on identifying the most time-consuming tasks in cross-site management before assessing suitable improvements.

Up to NT$30,000 in advisory support per outlet — partnership terms require confirmation

According to partnership information released on 20 October, Jiefite Technology plans to provide up to NT$30,000 per participating outlet in partnership advisory support to help businesses assess operational process improvements, cross-site management and AI applications. However, eligibility, the actual amount and how the support is provided will all depend on terms agreed by both parties.

The figure of ‘up to NT$30,000 per outlet’ therefore does not mean that every outlet registered will receive the same amount, nor should it be interpreted as an unconditional cash grant. The only service explicitly listed as free at this stage is the initial needs assessment. Interested head offices should clarify the advisory funding arrangements, scope of the partnership and subsequent implementation work before deciding whether to proceed.

Although the first registration round has a deadline, businesses should still base their assessment on genuine management needs. For franchise head offices, a clear list of problems to solve is more useful than simply estimating potential support based on outlet numbers.

More branches mean more coordination

Before this partnership announcement, the 2026 Taiwan World Chain Store and Franchise Exhibition, held in early October, showcased AI-powered tea-making, smart cooking and unattended vending equipment. These applications reflect brands’ efforts to address labour shortages and operating cost pressures, but front-line equipment is only one part of improving operations.

Another challenge for multi-site businesses is how head office manages staff rotas, training, franchise standard operating procedures and operational data. Related reporting used restaurant chains as an example: with just three to five outlets, owners or operations managers can still coordinate many day-to-day tasks themselves. Once a network grows beyond 20 outlets, staffing, orders and processes require more coordination. Dealing with each outlet through LINE messaging groups, Excel spreadsheets and telephone calls can then consume considerable time.

These outlet numbers illustrate different management scenarios; they are not eligibility thresholds for the partnership. Multi-site operators in sectors such as tea drinks, retail, beauty and hairdressing, optical retail and pet services may face similar coordination challenges.

A new system may not be necessary — start with the most time-consuming processes

Jiefite Technology says businesses do not necessarily need to replace their existing systems immediately. Instead, they should first review their most time-consuming management tasks, select suitable outlets for testing and then expand implementation gradually, based on actual results.

Potential applications listed in the reporting include smart staff scheduling, a company knowledge base and an assessment of integration between point-of-sale (POS), enterprise resource planning (ERP) and customer relationship management (CRM) systems. Smart scheduling can help with staff allocation, while a knowledge base can bring together franchise standard operating procedures and staff training materials so that different outlets use consistent guidance. The main aim of assessing system integration is to reduce the work head office spends repeatedly compiling information.

These are potential applications to assess, not a guarantee that every partnership will include all of these functions. Existing tools, workflows and management needs differ between brands, so the actual implementation scope must be confirmed during the needs assessment and partnership discussions.

Pilot first, then expand — measure results against everyday work

For interested franchise head offices, a practical first step is to identify one recurring task where improvements would be easy to observe, such as coordinating weekly staff rotas, helping employees find operating guidance or consolidating branch data at head office. Discussions can then focus on a specific workflow rather than a vague request to ‘apply AI across the entire business’.

Before launching a pilot, businesses should also clarify who will be responsible, what data will be needed and how results will be reviewed. They could compare processing times, the number of duplicate data entries or the steps involved in handling cross-site enquiries. These are suggested assessment measures, however, not published partnership results or commitments.

The practical priority is to document management pain points before the first registration round closes on 31 October, use the free initial assessment to explore feasible options, and confirm advisory funding, service scope and partnership terms in writing before deciding whether to expand implementation.