Applied Expertise
Challenge
A leading quick-service restaurant (QSR) brand recognized the potential of generative AI to transform its business, but to move from inspiration to execution, the organization needed a structured approach. Leaders agreed that the first step was to establish a centralized function capable of driving innovation, aligning stakeholders, and accelerating adoption across the enterprise.
SEI was brought in to establish an AI Center of Excellence (CoE) and lay the foundation for long-term innovation. Working alongside cross-functional leaders, we:
- Defined a scalable framework to surface, assess, and prioritize AI product ideas
- Built a robust innovation pipeline, starting with more than 60 high-potential use cases
- Prioritized efforts based on deployment complexity and business value, balancing feasibility with long-term impact
- Aligned Legal, Compliance, Finance, and Technology teams to ensure appropriate guardrails were embedded from day one
- Focused resource allocation on fast-cycle experimentation and early value delivery
The CoE unlocked an enterprise-wide capability to scale AI thoughtfully and quickly. Together we:
- Conducted over 15 proofs of concept in the first 120 days, driving rapid testing and iteration
- Established a repeatable methodology for evaluating and advancing AI ideas across the business
- Created alignment across critical functions, embedding responsible AI principles into every step of the process
- Continually refined the product lifecycle, using real-time feedback to improve speed, structure, and success
