3 Ways AI Technology for Fast Casual Restaurants Is Helping Overcome Labor Shortages

Fast food chains didn’t originate because of some American fondness for quick, salty, cheap meals – that was simply the effect. The cause of our love affair with fast food was the expansion of the U.S. highway system in the 1950s and 60s. 

Post-war Americans were on the move, building suburbs and fulfilling the American dream. Part of that dream included cars, convenience, and a deep respect for bootstrapping entrepreneurs who built empires on burgers. 

Sure, fast food titans brilliantly created iconic brands but the single biggest draw was convenience. Over the next several decades, fast food became synonymous with quick, affordable, but hardly nutritious meals. As consumers grew more savvy, and concerns about nutrition became more commonplace, fast food titans began to restructure their menus – and hungry competitors took note. 

In the late 19th century, as an obesity epidemic took root and fast food shouldered much of the blame, a new wave of restaurants focused on maintaining convenience with fresh, healthy ingredients began ushering in a new subset of fast-food: fast-casual restaurants.

What are Fast Casual Restaurants?

Like fast food restaurants (also now known as quick-service restaurants), fast casual restaurants offer quick and convenient meals. However what distinguishes them from traditional fast food are customizable menu options using healthy ingredients and a consideration for ambiance. Customers generally order at the counter but if they choose to dine-in, food is brought to their table. 

Chipotle, founded in 1993, is generally credited with the birth of the fast-casual restaurant movement. Luli Mello, for Harvard University writes, “the original idea [of Chipotle], preserved to this day, was to offer freshly prepared food with quality ingredients while keeping the “fast” part of fast food.” 

Since then, restaurants serving made-to-order food like salads, sandwiches, and rice bowls have become increasingly popular. The fast-casual restaurant market is expected to grow to a $186 billion industry by 2026.

Not Enough Workers to Satisfy Our Appetites

While labor shortages have impacted many industries, fast casual restaurants have been hit particularly hard. Toast’s 2023 Restaurant Industry Outlook Report found “44% of new restaurants are facing ‘moderate or extreme’ labor challenges.” There are several reasons why restaurants in particular, continue to struggle with labor issues. 

For restaurant employees remote work, that has become increasingly popular post-pandemic, is not an option. This has led to struggles with scheduling and maintaining a full staff of restaurant employees. Additionally, wages continue to lag, health care is often not included, and wage theft (not getting overtime pay, denying breaks, etc.), are all common issues across the industry. 

And yet, our appetite for fast casual restaurants grows even as labor shortages increase. To meet the gap between customer demands and order fulfillment capability, fast casual restaurants are turning to technology. 

AI technology for fast casual restaurants is increasingly being used to address this challenge and is transforming the way restaurants operate.

3 Ways Technology is Helping Fast Casuals Overcome Labor Shortages

With significant advancements in AI, technology has become a leading answer to labor shortage challenges. Automated payment systems, self-service kiosks and order confirmation screens are all being adopted by many restaurants but to really address labor shortages, fast-casual restaurants need to do more. 

Adopting computer vision in particular, is one of the most powerful and versatile tools to gain a competitive edge. Here are three ways technology is helping fast-casual restaurants overcome labor shortages. 

1. Computer vision improves processes and backend operations to streamline staffing needs. 

Computer vision detects objects, people, and events in the physical world through leveraging your existing cameras alongside edge devices or the cloud. This means you can train computer vision applications to detect food preparation at each step of the process. 

Restaurants can track the time it takes for orders to get into the hands of hungry customers and identify any choke points in the line. Computer vision can also identify staff and managers to better understand optimal staffing stations and times. Because computer vision works in real time, managers can make immediate adjustments for optimal efficiency. 

2. Real-time analytics provides invaluable and unprecedented insights.

The real value of AI technology for fast casual restaurants and computer vision in particular is the revolutionary analytics restaurants receive. Computer vision is like having extra eyes placed strategically throughout your restaurant. It enables cameras to interpret what is happening just as a human would, in real-time. 

This kind of immediate data allows fast-casual restaurants to better allocate staff. The original investment in computer vision pays dividends almost immediately.

3. Robots equipped with computer vision can be used to automate processes. 

There are several robots currently being piloted by various fast-casual restaurants. Chipotle is testing the use of “Chippy,” White Castle is using “Flippy,” and Nala Robotics unveiled “The Wingman” who can fry chicken wings and french fries. 

Many of these robots, like Chippy, are equipped with computer vision for improved accuracy and functionality. 

According to Forbes, these robots can add up to significant savings – less than half a human worker. The question is not if AI will be used to address labor shortages but rather how soon these investments will be the norm.

AI is Here, Now

AI technology for fast casual restaurants is playing an increasingly important role in helping restaurants overcome labor shortages. Computer vision, in particular, is driving dramatic value in terms of operational processes and ROI. Discover how alwaysAI can help your fast casual business unleash the power of real-time data with computer vision. Speak to an AI Expert.