AI

Why restaurants don't really need fully automated kitchens

Transitioning to a fully automated kitchen can be unnecessarily costly and time-consuming, according to alwaysAI's Kathleen Siddell, who recommends testing computer vision for real-time, visual data to improve operational efficiency for significant ROI.

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September 6, 2023 by Kathleen Siddell — Content Specialist, alwaysAI

In November 2022, Sweetgreen announced plans to launch fully automated restaurants in 2023. Dubbed "Infinite Kitchen," CEO and co-founder Jonathan Neman said "We believe that automation will enable us to elevate the quality and integrity of our food while also providing a faster and more convenient experience for our customers and a better, more dynamic job for our team members." The first restaurant opened in May and plans for more to continue.

Just one year later (December 2023),McDonald's opened its first mostly automated restaurant in Fort Worth. Orders are delivered via conveyer belt, though employees are on hand (fulfilling orders in the kitchen). The goal is to improve speed of service and accuracy.

Coincidently, this was the same time OpenAI released ChatGPT into the wild.

AI technology has been dominating headlines since with no indications of stopping. The accelerated growth of AI, along with our post-Covid appetite for good food, fast, as well as persistent labor shortages, has created a perfect restaurant innovation storm.

It's no wonder many larger brands are looking at full automation. It's hard not to get swept up in the hype of cutting-edge tech, potential savings, and building a future-forward brand.

But neither Sweetgreen nor McDonald's were the first to test the waters of a fully automated kitchen. That honor goes to Mezli's, a San Francisco-based restaurant specializing in Mediterranean bowls that opened a location (something between a large vending machine and a food truck) in August 2022. As of the time of publication, Mezli's is listed as "temporarily closed," with the last corporate message noting they are closing for the winter but will reopen in the spring of 2023. There is no recent activity on their social channels and comments asking if they will reopen are unanswered.

It could be that Mezli is planning a massive resurgence to dominate the industry. Or it could be they've quietly closed their doors because fully automating a kitchen is difficult and time-consuming.

On a recent earnings call McDonald's CEO Chris Kempczinski voiced skepticism about the feasibility of total automation. "The idea of robots and all those things, while it maybe is great for garnering headlines, it's not practical in the vast majority of restaurants," he said.

Creating a fully automated restaurant requires significant changes to infrastructure. Retrofitting kitchens to accommodate technology is capital-intensive and the payoff is yet to be proven.But that does not mean abandoning all AI either. There is a better Goldie Locks-like solution: computer vision.

Computer vision provides practical AI solutions that directly address the pain points of fast-casual restaurants including streamlining backend operations to improve speed of service and customer satisfaction.

AI, generative AI, computer vision: What's the difference?

Reading any recent news without seeing AI in the headline is hard, but artificial intelligence is a sprawling term.

Artificial intelligence allows computers to mimic human intelligence, analyze complex data and make decisions based on patterns and algorithms. It can include analyzing and generating text, analyzing voice commands and analyzing visual data.

Traditional AI models are generally built to perform a specific task, such as voice recognition, natural language processing or predictive analytics. The more recent explosion of generative AI is focused on creating content or generating outputs that were not explicitly programmed into the model. Generative AI models are typically based on deep learning techniques, such as neural networks, and are trained on large datasets to learn patterns and generate new outputs based on those patterns.

While voice and text AI capabilities have proven to be invaluable, vision is proving to be truly transformative. Computer vision is a branch of artificial intelligence that focuses on the visual analysis of images or videos to extract meaningful insights. It is the only technology that facilitates real-time visual insights without any human input.

The challenges for fast casual restaurants

The fast casual restaurant industry is highly competitive and constantly evolving. Operators are always seeking ways to streamline their back-of-counter operations for better efficiency, customer satisfaction and profitability.

The growth of custom orders, delivery service apps and multiple avenues from which to place orders, has made order fulfillment increasingly complex. Delivery people may hang around to batch orders, custom order requests may require out-of-process steps, and ensuring orders placed in-store and online are both completed on-time is difficult. Restaurant managers cannot be everywhere at once.

Automating tasks is clearly a help, but full automation is not necessary. What restaurant operators truly need is the power of computer vision to unlock unprecedented visual insights in real-time. Below are six reasons tochoose computer vision.

1. Optimize operational efficiency
Fast casual restaurants can differentiate by cuisine, with enticing loyalty programs, specialty ingredients, and more. But speed of service and accuracy are still the driving forces of success for FCRs.Because computer vision delivers real-time data, it is the only technology that helps operators optimize their back-of-counter operations, thereby improving speed and accuracy.

Through object detection and tracking, computer vision identifies bottlenecks in the kitchen workflow, providing actionable insights to streamline processes. For example, in a sandwich shop, computer vision can identify when the first slice of bread is placed on a tray and then track each additional ingredient that is added to the sandwich for exact data on the time each step takes and for total order completion. It can also automate tasks like inventory management, ensuring smooth operations, reducing the need for human intervention, and minimizing errors.

2. Elevate customer experience
Customer experience is a critical factor in driving repeat business. Computer vision plays a pivotal role in this regard. Computer vision provides operators with real-time occupancy counting which can help identify peak hours, enabling operators to adjust staffing levels accordingly.

With computer vision, restaurant operators can also get real-time analysis of customer queues and most accurately monitor wait times. Computer vision applications can even be trained to identify customer preferences by analyzing their facial expressions, allowing operators to offer personalized recommendations, improve service speed, and ensure a delightful dining experience.

3. Enhance food safety measures

Maintaining stringent food safety measures is paramount in the restaurant industry. Computer vision augments existing protocols by continuously monitoring food preparation areas for potential hazards. It can detect open refrigerator doors, identify cross-contamination risks, and detect the use of gloves, hats, and other hygiene practices.

By leveraging computer vision, fast-casual restaurant operators can maintain compliance with regulatory standards and mitigate potential risks.

4. Gain immediate feedback for quality control
A significant challenge for restaurant operators is maintaining consistent quality across dishes. Because restaurant managers are pulled in a thousand directions, it's difficult to see everything happening in front of and behind the counter impossible. Computer vision acts as an extra set of eyes.

The real-time visual data from computer vision can help standardize portion size, monitor correct plating techniques, or confirm the freshness of ingredients. These quality control issues can have a big impact on overall efficiency and operational improvements.

5. Receive cost-effective implementation
Full automation in the kitchen is often associated with significant costs, both in terms of infrastructure and ongoing maintenance. However, computer vision provides a cost-effective solution that can be seamlessly integrated into existing restaurant setups. By leveraging existing (or investing in affordable high-resolution) cameras, operators can unlock a multitude of benefits without the need for complex AI systems. The upfront investment is lower, making it an accessible solution for fast-casual restaurants of all sizes.

6. Adapt to changing needs
The restaurant industry is dynamic, with evolving customer preferences and trends. With computer vision, fast-casual operators can easily adapt to changing needs without the limitations of AI. Computer vision systems can be updated and fine-tuned based on real-time insights and user feedback. Whether it's incorporating new dishes, altering plating techniques, or accommodating dietary restrictions, computer vision ensures that restaurant operations remain agile and responsive.

While the concept of fully automated kitchens may seem intriguing, the reality is that fast casual restaurant operators do not need complex AI systems to achieve their goals. Computer vision is a game-changer, offering unprecedented visual insights in real-time. By leveraging computer vision technology, operators can enhance quality control, optimize operational efficiency, elevate food safety measures, and deliver exceptional customer experiences. Moreover, the cost-effectiveness and adaptability of computer vision make it a practical solution for the ever-evolving fast-casual industry. Embrace the power of computer vision and unlock a new era of possibilities for your fast casual restaurant.

About Kathleen Siddell

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