Bi-line: Michael L. Atkinson: ResTech Entrepreneur, Investor, and Co-founder of ARI Venture Studio | @michaelatkinson | michael@arivs.ai.
So, another week and more AI innovation…it’s hard to keep up with the changes and there are many! Let’s look ahead anyway. AI is evolving rapidly, and the future of restaurants will be shaped by those who embrace innovation. Imagine a world where AI-powered robots prepare and serve food, where personalized menus are generated in real-time, and where customer feedback is instantly translated into actionable insights. This future is closer than you think. By staying informed and embracing new technologies, you can position your restaurant for success in the AI-driven era.
Use Case: AI-Powered Voice Ordering and Personalized Dining Experiences. Imagine customers placing orders via voice commands through smart speakers or mobile apps, with AI understanding and processing their requests. Furthermore, imagine AI generating personalized dining experiences based on individual customer preferences, including menu recommendations, ambiance adjustments, and personalized service.
Why it Matters: This improves convenience, reduces wait times, and opens up new ordering channels. AI can also be used to create immersive and interactive dining experiences, enhancing customer engagement and satisfaction. Furthermore, AI can help you identify emerging trends and technologies, allowing you to stay ahead of the competition and adapt to changing customer preferences. By embracing AI and innovation, you can create a restaurant that is not only efficient and profitable but also a leader in the industry.
There is something new being announced this month that can be (maybe will be) game changing for the restaurant industry in the area of Gen AI operational intelligence and on-the-fly real time actionable insights. This platform is purpose-built for the restaurant industry, so not just another generic LLM. Here are a few examples of what’s coming.
User Stories:
Here are a few “user story” examples for restaurant managers using this Gen AI operational intelligence platform, along with "Why this is important" for each:
Predictive Staffing Optimization
As a restaurant manager
I want to predict staffing requirements based on historical sales data.
So that I can schedule the right number of staff for peak and non-peak hours to optimize labor costs.
Why this is important: Accurate staffing prevents overstaffing (which raises labor costs) and understaffing (which lowers service quality and guest satisfaction), helping balance costs with customer service needs.
Real-Time Sales Tracking
As a restaurant manager
I want to view real-time lunch time sales data and compare it with every Monday for the past 8 weeks.
So that I can monitor performance during each shift and adjust the daily sales goals and know immediately how sales are trending on Mondays.
Why this is important: Real-time insights allow for immediate action, enabling managers to respond quickly to changing sales conditions, boosting efficiency and improving decision-making during a shift.
Menu Performance Analysis
As a restaurant manager
I want to know which menu items are performing best in terms of sales and profitability.
So that I can make data-driven decisions on menu adjustments or promotions.
Why this is important: Understanding which menu items drive profitability helps maximize revenue and can inform decisions around promotions, menu updates, or removing underperforming items.
Inventory Usage Forecast
As a restaurant manager
I want to forecast ingredient usage based on upcoming reservations and past sales.
So that I can manage inventory more effectively and reduce waste.
Why this is important: Accurate forecasting helps avoid food waste, ensures necessary stock levels, and contributes to more efficient cost management, which is essential in the restaurant industry.
Oh my…things will never be the same.