KFC customers in China can now pay for their food simply by smiling at a camera. This new method of payment is called “Smile to Pay” and is a collaboration between Alibaba’s Ant Financial and KFC in the Eastern Chinese city of Hangzhou. It takes KFC customers only about 2 seconds to have their faces scanned by a 3-D camera to verify their identity. An additional phone number verification option is available for added security and they are done paying for their Happy meal.
The technology is available to customers registered to the Alipay app – the mobile and online payment platform established in Hangzhou by Alibaba’s founder Jack Ma. KFC was targeted for the debut as it is a subsidiary of Yum China, one of Alibaba’s major investments. The launch sits in line with Yum China’s plans to attract a younger generation of customers. Joey Wat, Yum China’s president, said the store was aimed at “young, tech savvy consumers who are keen to embrace new tastes and innovations,” according to Reuters.
