Workforce Challenges and AI Solutions in the Restaurant Industry

 


Restaurants such as Panera and Chipotle are embracing artificial intelligence (AI) to streamline food preparation and ordering processes. While the technology is still not widespread across major chains, it has the potential to automate tasks and enhance the interaction between restaurant workers and customers. One key advantage is addressing the challenges posed by a tight labor market. The National Restaurant Association predicts that by the end of 2023, the industry will have 500,000 job openings with only one job seeker for every two positions.

TD Cowen estimates that voice-enabled AI can increase sales by up to 15% through suggestive selling and reduce service times by 10 seconds. This adoption of AI in the restaurant industry parallels the emergence of third-party delivery services five years ago, where initial pilots eventually led to widespread implementation. However, there are still obstacles to overcome, such as getting franchisees on board and navigating language barriers and menu complexities that may pose challenges for AI systems.

Several pilot programs are already underway. CKE, the parent company of Carl's Jr. and Hardee's, plans to launch AI integrations nationwide through partnerships with Presto and OpenCity AI. Yum! Brands, including Pizza Hut, has been a leader in leveraging AI for operations, utilizing automation for kitchen flow, driver dispatch, customer order tracking, and recommended ordering. McDonald's sold McD Tech Labs to IBM to bring AI technology to drive-thru lanes, while Del Taco and Wingstop are using voice-activated AI for drive-thru and phone orders, respectively.

Panera Bread has invested in AI for both front-of-house and back-of-house operations. The company is collaborating with OpenCity AI for drive-thru voice ordering and Miso Robotics to improve coffee quality and temperature control. Panera aims to redeploy its workforce to focus on higher-value guest experiences, such as food preparation, quality control, and in-person interactions. Chipotle, known for its tech advancements, has partnered with Miso Robotics to introduce an autonomous kitchen assistant called Chippy, which makes chips using a robotic solution. Chipotle also utilizes AI on its app for suggestive ordering and employs camera systems to provide real-time data on product needs based on customer volume.

Both Panera and Chipotle view AI and robotics as tools to enhance human experiences, helping employees adapt to their roles while serving guests and maintaining restaurant operations. By automating certain tasks, workers can focus on providing quality service and meaningful interactions with customers.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

AI and data annotation: the hidden labor behind the AI revolution

Image
Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the world in unprecedented ways. From chatbots to self-driving cars, AI systems rely on large amounts of data to learn and perform complex tasks. But where does this data come from and how is it processed? The answer is data annotation, a labor-intensive and often overlooked aspect of AI development. Data annotation is the process of labeling data with relevant information, such as categories, keywords, tags, or coordinates. Data annotation helps AI systems understand and interpret the data they are fed, and enables them to produce accurate and reliable outputs. For example, data annotation can help a computer vision system recognize faces, objects, or scenes in an image; or help a natural language processing system understand the meaning and sentiment of a text. Data annotation is not a simple or easy task. It requires human intelligence, attention to detail, and domain knowledge. Depending on the type and complexity of the data, data annot
Read more

Here are the skills Business Analysts possess

Image
Business Analyst position has become increasingly indispensable in the AI-booming era. As organizations seek to maximize their value, optimize processes, and stay competitive, the demand for skilled professionals who can comprehend complex business problems and provide data-driven solutions has reached new heights. Business analytics, as a growing field, presents exciting opportunities for those looking to make a meaningful impact on the success of organizations across the world. As a senior business analyst with extensive experience in various industries, I am keenly aware of the criticality of communication skills in this domain. In this article, we will explore the key attributes and expertise required to thrive as a successful business analyst, emphasizing how effective communication plays a pivotal role in shaping a rewarding career in this ever-expanding and dynamic field. A skilled business analyst possesses a diverse and dynamic set of abilities that enable them to drive meani
Read more

This will fundamentally change the fast-food industry

Image
  AI-powered drive-thrus have gained traction in the restaurant industry, promising faster service and increased sales. However, challenges such as order accuracy and customer satisfaction remain. Discover the pros and cons of AI drive-thrus and their potential impact on employees and customers. AI drive-thrus have become a growing trend in the restaurant industry, with establishments like White Castle and Wendy's adopting artificial intelligence technology to enhance their drive-thru experiences. While restaurants see it as a solution to streamline operations and boost sales, customers and workers have expressed mixed feelings about this advancement. Implementing AI in the fast-food drive-thru setting comes with its fair share of challenges. Automated voice ordering, where AI takes customers' orders, has been tested since around 2021. However, AI technology struggles with speech recognition in noisy environments, making it susceptible to errors. Accents and background noise ca
Read more