5 Ways Your Foodservice Operation Can Leverage AI in 2025
In early 2024 we stood at the precipice of a technological revolution, with AI poised to transform how we work, learn, and communicate…
And with that the restaurant industry has seen remarkable growth in AI solutions over the past year, with new tools emerging regularly to address our challenges. The question for operators today is clear: “How can AI support your foodservice business?”
Here are 5 ways your foodservice operation can leverage AI in 2025:
Staffing Solutions
Traditional scheduling challenges can drain manager time and impact employee satisfaction. AI-driven scheduling tools like Hotschedules analyze historical data patterns to predict staffing needs, helping restaurants optimize their labor costs while improving schedule consistency. These platforms can analyze patterns in your sales data, special events, and seasonal trends to suggest appropriate staffing levels.
Better Menus & Dish Descriptions
Menu development and description writing is a time-consuming but crucial task for any restaurant. AI tools like WriteCream’s Food Menu Description Generator can help streamline this process by transforming basic dish information into compelling descriptions. While the output should always be reviewed and refined by your team, these tools can significantly speed up the initial writing process and ensure consistency in tone across your menu.
Business Planning Sandbox
Whether you’re launching a new concept, expanding existing operations, or just noodling a big-picture idea, AI tools can help streamline the planning process. Platforms like Microsoft Copilot can assist in creating business plans by helping organize your thoughts, suggesting areas to consider, and providing frameworks for financial projections. Leveraged in this way, AI becomes a powerful amplifier of your expertise and market knowledge.
Training & On-boarding
In today’s tight labor market, efficient on-boarding and training are crucial. AI-powered platforms like GoCo.io can help automate administrative tasks in the hiring process, while training tools like NextThought offer customized video-based learning modules. These systems can help standardize your training process while allowing new hires to learn at their own pace. Invest the time saved on administrative work into workplace culture and reducing turnover–AI can help with ideas there too.
Customer Service Support
AI can now handle many routine customer interactions while maintaining and even exceeding service standards. Modern AI phone systems and chatbots like ConverseNow and Slang.ai can manage reservations, answer common questions, and process orders freeing your team to focus on creating exceptional in-person dining experiences and handling more complex guest needs.
Looking Ahead The AI revolution in foodservice is no longer a future possibility – it’s today’s reality. Success comes from thoughtfully integrating these tools to enhance and support your human workforce. Consider starting small with one area of your operation, carefully evaluating results, and expanding based on your specific needs and experiences.
By the numbers: AI-Powered solutions available online….
February 2024: Approximately 10,000
February 2025: Approximately 25,000