The $15,400 drive-thru disaster White Castle didn’t see coming
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Fast food mishaps aren’t exactly rare—maybe a missing fry here, the wrong drink there.
But at one drive-thru recently, a customer encountered something far more unexpected.
What should have been a routine order turned into a moment of confusion, followed by an eye-popping total that made its way to social media and sparked a wave of reactions.
The culprit? A glitch involving automation that’s becoming increasingly common in the fast-food world.
Here’s how it unfolded—and what it means for the future of drive-thru dining.
The customer had ordered two number 12 combos—chicken ring sliders with fries—at the White Castle drive-thru.
The total should have been $16.12, but instead, the AI system rang up nine extra number 12 combos and a staggering 100 number 7 combos, all added automatically.
The resulting total: $15,405.70.
The confused diner asked, “Why does it say that?”—a moment captured on the drive-thru camera and shared widely on social media, where it drew millions of views and waves of commentary.
White Castle has been using AI-powered ordering since 2020, following in the footsteps of chains like Sonic, which began testing the technology in 2019.
These systems are designed to streamline service, reduce wait times, and support employees by handling repetitive tasks.
But as this incident shows, the technology isn’t flawless.
One social mediacommenter said, “Can’t stand that they are implementing AI into everything, it’s so annoying, it’s like having to press one for English but at a drive-thru.”
Others expressed concern that automation may be replacing too much of the human touch.
Beyond the ordering lane, White Castle has also introduced Flippy 2, an AI-powered robot that handles deep-frying tasks.
Flippy can cook fries, chicken rings, and more—dropping baskets into oil, shaking them at the right intervals, and passing them along for human workers to finish.
Developed by Miso Robotics, Flippy is now in over 60 White Castle locations.
According to Jamie Richardson, White Castle’s Vice President, the robot is there to support workers, not replace them: “It’s about reducing stress in the kitchen and helping staff do more of what people do best.”
Source: TikTok / @truckerboyju
Whether your total spikes due to a robot error or human mistake, here’s how to respond:
Fast food chains are leaning into technology to speed up service and adapt to labor shortages.
AI tools and kitchen robots are becoming more common, but stories like this suggest there are still bugs to work out.
For some customers, the shift toward automation brings concerns about accuracy, service quality, and the loss of human interaction.
As one commenter put it, “This is when we start boycotting the places that have this.”
Others are more open to change—if it’s done right.
Technology is changing how we dine—but sometimes, it still pays to keep an eye on the screen.
Read next: Is AI getting better at being human? A new test has people talking
Have you ever experienced an order gone wrong—AI-related or otherwise? Do you welcome more automation in restaurants, or do you miss the personal touch? Let us know in the comments.
And whether it’s a $5 snack or a $15,000 burger bill, always double-check your receipt before driving away.
But at one drive-thru recently, a customer encountered something far more unexpected.
What should have been a routine order turned into a moment of confusion, followed by an eye-popping total that made its way to social media and sparked a wave of reactions.
The culprit? A glitch involving automation that’s becoming increasingly common in the fast-food world.
Here’s how it unfolded—and what it means for the future of drive-thru dining.
AI-driven ordering systems are becoming more common in fast food drive-thrus, aiming to speed up service—but not without occasional hiccups. Image Source: YouTube / CNBC.
A drive-thru surprise no one saw coming
The customer had ordered two number 12 combos—chicken ring sliders with fries—at the White Castle drive-thru.
The total should have been $16.12, but instead, the AI system rang up nine extra number 12 combos and a staggering 100 number 7 combos, all added automatically.
The resulting total: $15,405.70.
The confused diner asked, “Why does it say that?”—a moment captured on the drive-thru camera and shared widely on social media, where it drew millions of views and waves of commentary.
Also read: AI health advice gone wrong: When a chatbot’s answer leads to the ER
Automation on the rise in fast food
White Castle has been using AI-powered ordering since 2020, following in the footsteps of chains like Sonic, which began testing the technology in 2019.
These systems are designed to streamline service, reduce wait times, and support employees by handling repetitive tasks.
But as this incident shows, the technology isn’t flawless.
One social mediacommenter said, “Can’t stand that they are implementing AI into everything, it’s so annoying, it’s like having to press one for English but at a drive-thru.”
Others expressed concern that automation may be replacing too much of the human touch.
Also read: FDA’s new AI tool has blind spots—Could that be bad news for seniors?
Robots in the kitchen too
Beyond the ordering lane, White Castle has also introduced Flippy 2, an AI-powered robot that handles deep-frying tasks.
Flippy can cook fries, chicken rings, and more—dropping baskets into oil, shaking them at the right intervals, and passing them along for human workers to finish.
Developed by Miso Robotics, Flippy is now in over 60 White Castle locations.
According to Jamie Richardson, White Castle’s Vice President, the robot is there to support workers, not replace them: “It’s about reducing stress in the kitchen and helping staff do more of what people do best.”
Source: TikTok / @truckerboyju
Also read: A Supreme Court just replaced its news anchors... with AI?
What to do if you’re overcharged
Whether your total spikes due to a robot error or human mistake, here’s how to respond:
- Speak up immediately: Alert the cashier or manager right away.
- Keep your receipt: It can help resolve issues faster and protect your rights.
- Request a refund: You're entitled to the lowest advertised price for your purchase.
- Contact your bank: Dispute charges through your card provider if needed.
- Report repeated problems: If the issue isn’t resolved, contact your local consumer protection agency.
Also read: AI may soon help doctors catch Parkinson’s sooner
Tech-driven future or cautionary tale?
Fast food chains are leaning into technology to speed up service and adapt to labor shortages.
AI tools and kitchen robots are becoming more common, but stories like this suggest there are still bugs to work out.
For some customers, the shift toward automation brings concerns about accuracy, service quality, and the loss of human interaction.
As one commenter put it, “This is when we start boycotting the places that have this.”
Others are more open to change—if it’s done right.
Technology is changing how we dine—but sometimes, it still pays to keep an eye on the screen.
Read next: Is AI getting better at being human? A new test has people talking
Have you ever experienced an order gone wrong—AI-related or otherwise? Do you welcome more automation in restaurants, or do you miss the personal touch? Let us know in the comments.
And whether it’s a $5 snack or a $15,000 burger bill, always double-check your receipt before driving away.
