Artificial Intelligence’s Impact on the Restaurant Industry

There has been a significant surge of Artificial Intelligence (AI) usage in the restaurant industry for providing improved services to elevate operations, trim cost and create a better environment for guests.  

How will AI use in the restaurant industry continue to evolve?

Sales Forecasting

To evaluate future sales, restaurant owners carry out a sales forecasting process. Most compare the sales report of the previous year with the current year, but factors such as holidays, international events, weather conditions and location, affecting the sales are variable so this traditional process of sales forecasting can sometimes go wrong. For more accurate sales reports, restaurant owners must take the help of technology and artificial intelligence can be a helpful tool for predictions.

Weather forecasts impact sales greatly because changes in weather conditions influence the customer’s food choices. For example, if it’s a dark and cold winter day a person would prefer enjoying hot coffee or a hot cup of tea. While on a sunny day, iced tea might be the best choice.

AI provides owners with a clear picture about the restaurant’s potential sales based on previous years sales history during a similar weather condition. The information enables them to make informed decisions owners to know busy times and food preferences for a particular season. It also gives them a handle on proper food ordering and staffing needs.

Food Waste Reduction

It has been found that whenever a restaurant invests a dollar into reducing wastage of food, it can save seven dollars in return on the investment made by it.

Using forecasting, restaurants can reduce the amount of food they waste. With the help of historical sales reports and known weather conditions, they can calculate how much raw material stock they will have to actually buy and eliminate the risk of spending extra to maintain inventory.

Forecasting for Holidays and Events

Using Artificial Intelligence properly, restaurant owners can precisely project their inventory, staffing needs and sales for holidays and events. AI helps in forecasting the customer traffic during events on the so that they have the opportunity to earn more sales.

Smart Inventory Management

Restaurants integrating AI in their POS systems can trim business operating expenditures thanks to a complete analytical data picture. It enables the tracking as well as ordering items on the basis of their usage eliminating shortages.

AI also monitors whether the restaurant staff is preparing the meal as per the recipe and delivering the food in proper quantity. Because AI keeps a close watch on inventory, it can help theft and waste be avoided.

Optimizing Delivery Routes

As food delivery is gaining in popularity, it becomes necessary to optimize the delivery routes for ensuring speedy delivery. With AI, the restaurant owner can monitor the progress of the driver and provide him guidance regarding the best delivery routes so that time and miles can be saved.

Staff Scheduling and Customer Experience

When AI is integrated with the POS systems, it can assist in formulating schedules and let the owner focus on guests.

A very significant role has been played by AI in enhancing numerous features of the software used by restaurants to calculate the customer experience. It can analyze feedback and develop detailed reports with insights for enhancing the overall customer experience.