Running a successful restaurant is challenging enough.
Equal parts culinary mastery, business know-how, and champion of all things guest experience, restaurateurs face tough decisions every day. Between thinning margins and rising costs, it’s never been a better time to explore restaurant automation to unearth efficiencies and boost revenue.
In this article, we uncover what restaurant automation is, some real-world examples, and top considerations to consider if exploring which solutions make sense for your business.
What Is Restaurant Automation? Restaurant automation is the application of software and physical devices that perform routine tasks in a restaurant. This process's importance lies in its potential to drive profits through efficient operations, improved customer service, and cost savings.
Integrating technology like AI and other forms of automation into everyday operations allows your restaurant to navigate the current landscape while personalizing and enhancing the guest experience.
Benefits of Restaurant Automation Inefficient operations can lead to long wait times to make a reservation, frustrated customers, and overwhelmed staff. It doesn’t have to be that way.
By optimizing your restaurant’s processes, you gain efficiency in everything you do while also creating better experiences.
But more importantly: one of the biggest benefits of restaurant automation is that you’ll be saving costs along the way .
Efficiency in Operations Automation tools and software can streamline many different everyday tasks in a restaurant. Finding the right use cases reduces human error and yields shorter wait times. Faster service times can have a meaningful and positive impact on customer satisfaction.
For example, reservation software like OpenTable and Resy can free up time for front-of-house staff to book more reservations and remind guests about upcoming reservations to reduce no-shows.
Better Customer Service Automation enables your restaurant to provide better customer service. For example, using Slang.ai virtual answering services means callers will never have to go to voicemail or make their way through a clunky IVR system. A virtual assistant like Slang.ai has the power to optimize your call experience for guests with:
Time Efficiency: With voice AI, a caller will get their answers sooner. Better yet, restaurants can ensure they don’t miss a call ever again.24/7 Availability: Unlike your human staff, AI answering means 24/7 coverage. Guests can call whether they’re wondering about menu questions at 3 AM or booking a reservation at 11 PM. Stress Reduction for Staff: By handling large volumes of calls at once, the virtual assistant helps your workers by taking the heavy workload off their shoulders, enabling them to focus on tasks that require a personal, human touch.Optimizing Touchpoints: Every customer interaction is unique, be it through advertising, online browsing, or making a phone call. Thanks to the power of automation, you can ensure your clients have all the possible touchpoints to contact you. Cost Savings Restaurant automation can also help reduce costs. In the case of voice AI tools , they can reduce staff time answering calls during busy service or lighten the workload of a reservationist capturing bookings across multiple concepts.
Digital tools like AI chatbots, SMS reminders, and a restaurant app can reduce costs by minimizing staff time spent on emails, reservations, and confirmations. These are great examples of reducing costs while optimizing your process.
And of course, there’s a lot to be said about automation that helps manage inventory. Food and supplied are among some of the highest costs restaurants face. Not to mention that food waste is a huge concern, so reducing food costs can be a win-win for everyone.
Examples of Restaurant Automation Technology Nowadays, the restaurant experience has changed significantly thanks to technological improvements in several areas. Let’s explore some examples of self-service kiosks, tablets, automated inventory management systems, and voice AI that improve guest experiences and streamline your restaurant’s operations.
Self-service Kiosks Self-service kiosks provide customers an efficient and convenient way to browse menus, place orders, and make payments at their own pace. With self-service kiosks, customers no longer have to wait long to place orders or worry about ordering errors.
Self-service kiosks have been widely used in various industries, and real-world examples can be found in restaurants, airports, and retail stores, among others. Some examples of self-service kiosk companies are:
Tableside Tablets and Ordering Tableside tablets have become increasingly popular, enabling guests to easily place orders, request refills, or pay their bills without waiting for a server’s attention. This innovative technology saves time and allows for a faster and more efficient interaction between the customer and the kitchen, ensuring that orders are communicated effectively and accurately.
With tableside tablets, guests can browse menus, customize their orders, and even leave feedback on a single device. Some examples of tableside tablets in the restaurant industry include:
Inventory and Staffing Management Systems Inventory management is the backbone of a successful restaurant. If you’re looking to automate your inventory, below you can find systems that automate aspects of inventory like tracking, staff scheduling, and recipe management:
GloriaFood : Food ordering and delivery system for restaurantsMarketMan : Restaurant inventory management systemWhenIWork : Employee scheduling and time management app7Shifts : Restaurant employee schedulingVoice AI By utilizing voice AI phone answering, you can free up staff to focus on in-house guests while creating consistent experiences for callers. Setting up the system by inputting your frequently asked questions and providing plausible answers and actions, you can configure the system to help your customers seamlessly.
Challenges and Considerations While automation promises smoother workflows and enhanced customer experiences, numerous challenges and considerations must be remembered. From the initial costs to staff training and managing data security, we cover some of the most significant aspects you should ponder.
Initial Costs The initial costs of integrating restaurant automation into your business operation can depend on your budget and company size. For example, self-service kiosks range from $60 to $399 per month, but they’re probably not a good fit for full-service restaurants. It’s best to know your restaurant’s needs when selecting the right technology.
Staff Training Employees need training in the automation tool(s) you implement. This will make their workflow more manageable and provide them with the tools they need to understand how to get the most out of it.
A straightforward way to start a training program is to design a learning strategy that assesses the current skills gap, strengths, and areas for improvement. Encouraging collaborative learning and knowing what your employees think about automation processes is a great way to teach them how to use them successfully.
Data Security Many software handle sensitive customer information, such as financial details and personally identifiable data. If you’re going to invest in these solutions, try to source software that prioritze robust data security protocols that comply with privacy laws and best practices.
The role of AI in restaurant automation It’s hard to talk about restaurant automation without also calling out the potential upsides and application of AI. Let’s explore how AI can be a crucial component to help your restaurant achieve greater efficiency.
Personalized Customer Experiences Some software use AI to analyze data collected from various touchpoints such as online orders, reservations, and loyalty programs. By analyzing this data, restaurants can tailor recommendations and offerings on a personal level in communications like email and SMS text message marketing.
Overall, AI can enhance guest interactions both in-person and online. AI phone answering and AI-driven chatbots can handle customer inquiries, reservations, and feedback in real-time, providing seamless and personalized communications.
Predictive Analytics for Menu Optimization Another advantage of AI in restaurant automation is tailoring menus based on predictive data, ensuring offerings always align with their wants. For example, introducing plant-based options or adapting your menu to incorporate the latest trends driving incremental revenue growth.
By using AI to garner customer feedback and predictive analytics for intuitive menu planning, restaurants can optimize profits, reduce waste, and better cater to their customers’ needs.
Taking Your First Steps Restaurant automation is a game-changer that brings many good things to the table. Lower wait times, happier customers, and saving costs—all at the same time.
There’s a ton to consider, but just getting started and learning what to look out for are challenging first steps. But the payoff is huge. Your restaurant becomes more efficient, and your staff have more bandwidth to do their best work. Building the best restaurant tech stack requires some experimentation.
Are managing your phones just a pain for you and your staff? Book a 10-minute demo to see how Slang.ai can help capture more revenue and streamline your operations.
