FamilyMart and Lawson use AI to develop new food products

Japanese convenience store chains are increasingly utilizing generative artificial intelligence to drive food product development. FamilyMart is set to launch a sweet potato canele with caramel sauce later this month, marking its first commercial AI-generated dessert. The company’s system analyzes point-of-sale data and product attributes to identify successful characteristics, such as portable, one-handed snacks with contrasting textures. FamilyMart aims to release approximately ten AI-driven products by the end of the fiscal year, estimating the technology will reduce workloads related to trend research and prototype planning by 20 percent.

Similarly, Lawson is using AI during brainstorming sessions to generate ideas unconstrained by existing market trends or past sales data. Lawson’s recent AI-assisted launches include a pickle-flavored lemon tart and a bun filled with red bean paste, margarine, and yogurt. In both companies, human specialists retain final approval to ensure manufacturing feasibility and ingredient sourcing.