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Hello fellow foodies! As a food, drink, and tourism adviser, I’ve seen how the hospitality industry has taken a beating in recent times. But don’t despair my dear restaurant and cafe owners! Artificial intelligence (AI) is here to save the day! And as your trusty adviser, I’m here to help you how to get started.
First things first, let’s talk about what AI can do for your restaurant or cafe.
With AI, you can:
· Personalise your guests’ experiences: Imagine having an AI-powered chatbot that can talk to your guests, answer their questions, and make recommendations based on their preferences. Your guests will feel like VIPs! Plus, it frees up staff to focus on more important tasks, like preparing and serving your delicious food. PizzaExpress has implemented a chatbot called “Zoey” that can interact with guests via Facebook Messenger. When guests message the PizzaExpress Facebook page, Zoey engages in conversation with them, asking questions about their preferences and recommending dishes based on their responses. Zoey can also make reservations and answer frequently asked questions.
· Improve efficiency: Who likes waiting in line to order or pay for their meal? Not your guests! AI can automate many tasks, like order taking and billing, freeing up your staff to focus on more important things, like making delicious food! McDonald’s have implemented self-service kiosks, mobile ordering and deliveries through their app in many of their locations, allowing customers to place their orders and pay without the need for a cashier.
· Enhance safety and security: Your guests’ safety is your top priority, and AI can help you ensure that. With AI-powered cameras and sensors, you can monitor guest behavior and detect potential safety risks.
Now, you may be thinking, “That all sounds great, Linda, but where do I even start?” Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered with these tips:
· Identify what you need help with: Do you need help with order taking? Inventory management? Guest interactions? AI can do it all, but it’s important to identify your specific needs before diving in.
· Do your research: There are a ton of AI-powered tools and platforms out there, but not all of them will be a good fit for your restaurant or cafe. Do your research, read reviews, and choose the ones that will work best for you.
· Train your staff: Your staff is the backbone of your restaurant or cafe, so make sure they’re comfortable using the AI tools and platforms you’ve chosen. Don’t worry, they won’t be replaced by robots…yet.
· Monitor and adjust: AI is not a “set it and forget it” kind of thing. Regularly monitor your AI-powered processes, analyse the data, and adjust accordingly. This will help you refine your processes and optimise your operations.
AI can really be a much-needed hero in the hospitality industry, and with a little bit of planning and training, it can be a game-changer for your restaurant or cafe. So go forth, my fellow foodies, and embrace the power of AI and get in touch if you need support in any way.
Linda Letford, Business Support Adviser—Food, Drink and Tourism, STEP, lletford@stepscotland.co.uk
