Taiwan franchise expo showcases agentic AI and smart drinks machines as foodservice automation moves into back-office management

The 2026 Taiwan World Chain Store and Franchise Exhibition opened on 2 October at Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center, Hall 2, with foodservice technology among its highlights. According to FTV News, the agentic AI systems on display covered stock ordering and staff scheduling, while an AI-powered smart drinks machine promised personalised drinks in under a minute. These applications raise a practical question for Taiwan’s franchise community: beyond handling front-of-house service, can automation also help organise a store’s day-to-day operations?

Agentic AI extends into stock ordering and staff scheduling

FTV described the agentic AI applications at the exhibition as enabling operators to ‘open a shop at the touch of a button’. Its report highlighted stock ordering and staff scheduling functions, and quoted an exhibitor’s claim that staffing requirements could be halved. Rather than focusing on a single piece of service equipment, these demonstrations showed how technology is expanding into back-office management for food and drink outlets.

However, the claim of ‘halving staffing requirements’ should be understood as an industry claim quoted in the report, not an outcome that every foodservice franchise can achieve. Store sizes, food preparation processes and peak-time staffing arrangements vary, so prospective franchisees should not simply build that percentage into their start-up budgets.

During discussions, ask the brand or system supplier whether stock-ordering recommendations require a manager’s approval, how staff scheduling handles unexpected absences, and which tasks remain the responsibility of employees. Rather than asking only how many staff the system can save, establish exactly which processes it takes over.

Smart drinks machines promise rapid personalisation

Another application on display was an AI-powered smart drinks machine. According to FTV, it can create a personalised drink in under a minute based on a customer’s preferences and mood. Its pitch combines speed with personalisation, offering a different application from back-office ordering and scheduling tools.

For entrepreneurs considering a drinks franchise, the ‘under a minute’ claim is worth testing at the exhibition, but it should not be taken as a measure of the whole outlet’s drinks throughput. Ask for a demonstration involving consecutive orders, and check the arrangements for refilling ingredients, cleaning and dealing with breakdowns before deciding whether the equipment suits the service model of your planned outlet.

Personalisation features also deserve a closer look: how do customers enter their preferences, which options can they adjust, and what assistance must franchise staff provide? These questions help turn a hands-on demonstration into operational criteria that can be compared across suppliers.

Official forum also explores how AI can free up staff

The technology demonstrations echoed the themes of a forum held alongside the exhibition. Taiwan’s Administration of Commerce, under the Ministry of Economic Affairs, announced that the summit forum on 2–3 October would focus on two main themes: ‘AI solutions to labour shortages’ and ‘Turning ESG into impact’.

The first day’s programme focused on how AI can free up staff capacity in chain businesses. Participants included Japan’s Curves Holdings, the Canadian Franchise Association, and franchise representatives from Central and South America and Indonesia, who exchanged views on labour shortages, ageing populations and operational efficiency.

Forum discussions and equipment demonstrations serve different purposes: the former offer management experience from different markets, while the latter show visitors what individual tools can do. Prospective franchisees can consider them together, but should not treat the forum’s interest in AI as an endorsement of any particular machine’s performance.

From product demonstrations to franchise terms

The exhibition ran from 2 to 5 October, bringing together more than 250 brands across nearly 800 stands. For prospective franchisees looking to introduce foodservice technology, discussions at the event offer an opportunity not only to compare brands but also to check the scope of technical support provided by the franchisor.

Before signing, ask for a clear breakdown of equipment and system costs, training, maintenance responsibilities and fallback procedures if the system becomes unavailable. If a brand uses staffing savings as a recruitment pitch, request the relevant store conditions and calculations behind those claims. A successful demonstration should not be mistaken for a guarantee of profitability.

The practical priority is to list the processes your outlet most needs to improve, then check the AI functions, costs and support responsibilities against each one. Reliable integration into daily operations matters more than the appeal of ‘opening a shop at the touch of a button’.