GoKawiilBuffalo café owner faces backlash after using AI-generated art for menu poster
Megi Endeladze, co-owner of Penny's Coffee Shop in Buffalo, New York, used ChatGPT to design a printed menu poster after the barista who usually hand-drew chalkboard signs moved away. She spent about $350 on printing and framing, then posted the result to Instagram, where customers quickly criticized the shop for relying on AI-generated artwork instead of human design.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
The episode highlights growing consumer sensitivity toward AI use in small, community-facing businesses where handmade craftsmanship is part of the brand identity. Even low-stakes creative tasks like a coffee shop sign can trigger public backlash if customers feel AI is displacing human labor or authenticity.
- A small business owner used ChatGPT to design a printed menu poster after losing her in-house artist.
- The AI-made poster drew angry comments on social media accusing the shop of cutting corners.
- The incident shows how AI adoption, even for minor tasks, can spark reputational risk for local businesses.
Source: businessinsider.com — Katie Notopoulos, 2026-09-16
Published there as: “A coffee shop owner used AI to make a menu poster. Then came the angry DMs”
Read the original report → The summary and analysis above are GoKawiil's own, written from reporting by the source above. Facts and quotes belong to the original publisher.