Can AI technology really help you run your hospitality venue?
Welcome to the future of hospitality, where the hot topic of AI (Artificial Intelligence) is ready to revolutionise the way we dine, run hospitality venues and so much in between. As we navigate the culinary landscape of 2023, it’s impossible to ignore the buzz surrounding AI. But how exactly will AI take a bite out of the world of hospitality and food?
Picture this: by the year 2028, the AI-hospitality industry is projected to mushroom from a $7 billion sector in 2019 to a staggering $38 billion in the United States alone according to Mordor Intelligence Market Research. And the excitement isn’t limited to the US; the rest of the world is following suit, with Asia Pacific leading the charge as the fastest-growing market. It’s clear that AI isn’t just a flash in the pan; it’s an ongoing revolution that’s transforming every industry – food service included – in a huge way.
In hospitality, staying ahead of the game is essential. To master the art of harnessing AI for your venue’s advantage, you’ll need to understand how this groundbreaking technology operates – and how Doshii can help! We’ve whipped up a tantalising menu of ways you can make AI work for your venue.
But First… What is AI Exactly?
AI, short for Artificial Intelligence, is a technology that enables machines to perform tasks that typically require human intelligence. Just like a rich bolognese, AI has been simmering for some time, evolving over decades into the modern, sophisticated models and tools we’ve heard so much about over the past year – and it’s getting better every day!
One of the most talked-about AI innovations of late is ChatGPT. If you haven’t tried it yet, imagine having a digital assistant or seasoned concierge, which uses magically can understand and respond to text-based queries, like “how many minutes of boiling does it take to get the perfect poached egg?” (Two and a half to three minutes in boiling water, by the way!)
ChatGPT, and AI tools like it, work by analysing the patterns in the input they receive, drawing from a huge amount of information they have been trained on – think the entire Internet! They then process this information to generate human-like responses, making it capable of engaging in conversations, answering questions, and providing assistance on various topics – its DALL-E functionality can even whip up images in seconds!
AI as we currently know it is an incredible tool – but it still needs plenty of human supervision to see it working correctly, especially alongside restaurant technology. Let’s take a look at some of the apps you can learn to use to take your hospitality venue to the next level.
1. AI-Powered Venue Concepts – the Future of Hospitality Innovation
In 2023, North Sydney venue (and Doshii customer!) Rafi unveiled a groundbreaking proposition – Australia’s first AI-generated restaurant concept. Applejack, the group behind Rafi, held a competition where participants could use AI to bring their restaurant concepts to life, with their pick being made into a real venue – called Luminary – at Rafi for one week. Inspired by the four elements, the concept integrated aspects of LED installations and light displays into every aspect of the dining experience, from the menu items to the presentation. The venue used AI-generated design for the concept and was influenced by AI suggestions for the menu – though that required some finessing from the Rafi chefs!
You can use AI to suggest concepts just like Rafi did with Luminary! Rafi used apps like ChatGPT and Mid-Journey to bring the winning concept to life visually – but they can also give you ideas for everything from your venue’s name, to the type of cuisine, menu offerings, decor and so much more. It’s an excellent place to brainstorm and customise before you roll your sleeves up and get started on the practical stuff. One AI restaurant – coming right up!
2. Have AI write your menu in seconds
Say goodbye to the days of painstakingly crafting menu descriptions item by item. With ChatGPT on your side, you can generate item descriptions effortlessly, ensuring that every dish on your menu is showcased in its best light. Plus, don’t forget the power of visuals! AI apps like Mid-Journey can whip up menu item photos that make your dishes leap off the page.
But the innovation doesn’t stop there. If you’re looking to spice up your menu with exciting new creations or plant-based alternatives, programs like Giuseppe can generate plant-based swaps in an instant. And let’s not forget about health-conscious dining. Apps like SnapCalorie are also able to calculate the nutritional information for every dish, ensuring your customers have all the data they need to make informed choices.
Once you’re ready to bring it all together, Doshii’s menu manager is your go-to tool for seamless menu management, manage your online menus across a range of ordering apps, in one place.
You can update items, change availability and perfect your pricing in one click across your online menus.
3. Look out, architects! AI can design your fit-out from the ground up
When it comes to outfitting your venue with the ideal ambiance, AI is the visionary experience designer you didn’t know you needed. Thanks to apps like Versy.ai, you can now seamlessly visualise and plan your space with architectural precision, ensuring it aligns perfectly with your venue’s unique vibe. The result? A dining experience that’s not only delicious but visually captivating as well.
But the AI magic doesn’t stop at aesthetics. It’s time to think about your kitchen – imagine having a kitchen assistant like Flippy from MisoAI. This automated kitchen extraordinaire can work side by side with your chefs, helping to flip burgers, fry fries, and keep your tasty creations sizzling to perfection.
4. No marketing team? No worries! Build an online presence with AI
You’re operating a hospo venue – you’re not a professional marketer! Luckily, AI can craft marketing copy and SEO writing that’s effortless, easy and on-point.
But that’s just the appetiser. ChatGPT can also whip up Google ads and social media content that’s not just good, but great – in a matter of minutes! And for those aiming to go global, its instant translation capabilities are a game-changer. Your restaurant’s offerings and content can now be served up to a worldwide audience, all thanks to AI’s language prowess.
5. Elevate guest experiences – harness AI for hospitality venue management
Running a hospitality venue in today’s fast-paced world calls for a dash of AI wizardry to dish up a little tech magic.
With apps like Lineup.AI you can create smarter rosters that ensure the right people are in the right place at the right time. It can help you predict how many people you’ll need per shift and help you run a tighter ship to keep your customers satisfied.
And for those bustling phone orders, consider AI ordering software, much like Taco Bell’s Taco Bot in the US. It’s not available yet in Australia, but the same kind of AI business tech will be on its way to our shores in no time.
Speaking of keeping customers content, AI can also amplify your customer engagement efforts. With apps like Mara you can respond to reviews three times faster, showing your customers that their opinions matter and encouraging repeat visits. This boost in engagement can translate into a significant business boost.
The Bottom Line
As we wrap up our journey into the world of AI, it’s crucial to remember that there’s no need to be worried about this digital revolution. With the right tools, you can harness the incredible power of AI apps and make it work for you, rather than the other way around. And with Doshii’s seamless app-to-POS integration, your venue will be ready to run butter-smooth.