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Fast Company
7 hours ago
- Business
- Fast Company
How AI can help restaurants provide better hospitality
At first glance, the idea of integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into the restaurant experience seems counterintuitive. After all, sitting down for a meal is one of the most fundamentally human experiences there is—from the warm greeting at the host stand, to the conversations at the table, and the feeling of eating food that someone else prepared for you with care. But when applied thoughtfully, AI doesn't detract from that—it enables more of it. And for restaurants, that's an operational game-changer. Despite macroeconomic conditions, people are still going out to eat—in fact, OpenTable data shows that dining is up 7% year over yearat the time of writing. But restaurants are feeling the squeeze navigating continued staffing shortages, shrinking margins, and the looming impact of tariffs. The National Restaurant Association's 2025 State of the Industry report revealed over a third (39%) of restaurants were not profitable in 2024. Meanwhile, 95% of operators said labor costs were a significant challenge last year, and 77% said recruiting and retaining employees remains a significant challenge. And that is where AI can help close the gaps. Take something as simple as answering the phone: 59% of customers hang up after being placed on hold for a minute or less and it's estimated that over 60% of calls to restaurants go unanswered during peak hours —that's money off a bottom line that's already running on a razor-thin margin of ~3-4%. AI phone agents like and PolyAI can help restaurants take reservations and answer pertinent dining questions, 24/7. This means less time spent manning the phone, and more revenue from increased bookings. Technology has even come so far that these voice agents can be trained on a restaurant's brand and tone-of-voice so that warmth and hospitality aren't lost to efficiency. Automating phone calls is a good example of how restaurants can start small with AI. With any business, a test-and-learn approach helps you figure out which tools are right for the job and helps get team members on board. Restaurant owners can start by implementing a single tool—say, one that only manages inventory or only optimizes staff scheduling. Or maybe you don't have resources for a full marketing team but could use large learning models like ChatGPT as a starting point to create marketing campaigns, social media content, and even help produce branded swag. You can see the themes that are appearing here: reducing operational friction and costs and streamlining processes. Because the less time restaurant managers spend in the office or hosts spend on the phone, the more time they can devote to the core part of the job: delivering great hospitality. Diners are the beneficiary of this upleveled dining experience—they will feel,but not see, AI behind the curtains. The use of AI will undoubtedly accelerate across the hospitality sector in the near and long-term future and it's promising and exciting to see a strong interest in adoption: 72% of restaurant operators plan to adopt AI soon, and nearly 94% acknowledge its necessity to remain competitive in the evolving landscape of food service. The future of hospitality isn't a trade-off between high-touch service and high-tech tools; it's a blend of both. It's my belief that by embracing these new tools to build stronger restaurants, we can, in turn, build a stronger industry.
Miami Herald
2 days ago
- Business
- Miami Herald
‘Black market' dining reservations sell for thousands. States want to stop that
NEW ORLEANS - This isn't just any old list. With tables spread across several distinct dining rooms at the storied Commander's Palace restaurant, managers must calculate precise labor needs and open up the reservation list for just the right number of rooms at the right time for each dinner service. "If I spread the reservations out too much, it feels like you're sitting in church," said operations manager Steve Woodruff. "We have an old saying: Nothing dresses up a dining room like customers." In recent years, emerging third-party online platforms selling hard-to-get dinner reservations have created headaches for popular restaurants like Commander's Palace. New platforms such as Appointment Trader auction off the most desirable tables for hundreds or even thousands of dollars. And unlike other platforms that contract with restaurants, such as OpenTable, the reservation trading apps work outside of a restaurant's control: Anyone can make a reservation (often for free) and sell it for a profit, with the platform taking a commission on the sale. During this year's Super Bowl weekend in New Orleans, one table at a French Quarter restaurant went for more than $2,100. When customers spend that kind of money before the meal, Woodruff said, it heightens expectations and alters a diner's perception of value without restaurants even knowing. He said the apps also can force restaurants to run a service with empty tables if those online platforms don't find buyers - putting the risk on the business, not the customer. "If you resell a concert ticket, you had to risk something to buy the ticket. There's no risk here," he said. The issue is increasingly gaining the attention of state lawmakers. Commander's Palace and the Louisiana Restaurant Association successfully lobbied for a new law banning the resale of reservations without the consent of restaurant operators. Recently, Republican Gov. Jeff Landry signed the bill, which gained unanimous approval in every committee and floor vote. The Louisiana law follows the signing of bills by New York Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul and Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis. A similar measure passed by the Illinois legislature is awaiting action by the governor. California and New Jersey are also eyeing such protections. "I know what it takes for people to build a brand," Republican state Rep. Troy Hebert, who sponsored the Louisiana bill, said in an interview. "I mean, think about it: You're making money off of my brand, and I didn't even know about it." He said online reservation platforms can use automated technology to quickly secure reservations, holding them hostage from other customers. Hebert noted that restaurants can still choose to work with any of the online reservation trading systems. "We're not preventing people from running those types of models," he said. "They just need to get the permission of the establishment. That's it." The new law allows the attorney general to issue platforms a $1,000 daily fine for each restaurant they're selling reservations for without permission. Appointment Trader founder Jonas Frey told Stateline that lawmakers are only hearing from powerful restaurant associations and the reservation platforms they contract with like OpenTable and Resy, which have pushed for these new laws. Frey said restaurants often show no availability online even when they have free tables. "It's one of the reasons why Appointment Trader works so well, because people with the relationship to the restaurant generally get these tables," he said. "We didn't make this problem - the restaurants are doing that." He said the site can actually help restaurants avoid no shows because most trades occur on the day of the reservation. And many restaurants require a credit card for a reservation, meaning a consumer could be charged even if schedules change and they can't use their reservation. "In my mind, it's atrocious: You're liable for something, but then you're not allowed to sell it," he said. Consumers completed 50,000 transactions on the platform last year, he said, with a no-show rate of only 1%. While restaurants have raised concerns about people making lots of reservations to flip a few online, Frey said his site blocks sellers who list too many openings without selling them. So far, these"black market" restaurant reservations have been most problematic in the nation's hottest dining destinations, including Chicago, Las Vegas, Miami, New Orleans and New York City, said Mike Whatley, vice president for state affairs and grassroots advocacy at the National Restaurant Association. "It's the places where there are those reservations that if you aren't logging on right at midnight a month out to get the reservation, you're not getting them, where these challenges have arisen, where you're seeing piracy take place," he said. Whatley added that this wave of state legislation is reminiscent of one that followed the rise of third-party delivery services such as DoorDash. In some cases, delivery platforms posted restaurant menus and sent drivers to pick up orders without permission. "And restaurants were going, 'Hey, why am I on this website? I didn't give authorization for that,'" he said. Whatley said some restaurants have responded to reservation traders by requiring deposits to make reservations, decreasing the likelihood of no-shows. "There's a lot of interest in states where this isn't a problem yet, getting ahead of it and just passing something on a bipartisan basis so that it never becomes a problem down the road," he said. Commander's Palace first learned of these platforms early last year when a customer asked why he couldn't get a table on the restaurant's website but saw one for sale on Appointment Trader. Woodruff said the new law is important because the restaurant and its reservation vendor struggled to tell which reservations came directly from customers and which came from reservation traders. "It didn't feel like we could fight it effectively on our own in house, because it's like a game of Whac-A-Mole," he said. Located among historic mansions and Victorian homes in the city's Garden District, Commander's Palace is more of a campus than a single restaurant. Nicknamed "Big Blue" among the staff for its striking teal paint job, the restaurant sprawls across nearly 12,000 square feet and is known for dishes like turtle soup and gumbo. In business for more than 130 years, Commander's Palace is among the city's most famous spots. Reservations can be difficult or impossible to land, especially between October and May when tourists and conventions fill the Big Easy. Proponents of reservation trading platforms argue they can provide customer flexibility. But Woodruff says it's only those websites that are winning - while consumers and restaurants lose out. In the foyer of the restaurant, Woodruff pulls up a big screen at the podium displaying the tables for every meal service. The restaurant is a must-stop for many tourists, but it's the locals that keep the place running year-round. Wearing a white shirt and black braided leather suspenders, Woodruff scrolls back to the recent Mother's Day brunch service. The screen shows the history of each customer. Some have dined here dozens of times, some more than 110. "These people spend every family special occasion with us," he said. "There's an awful lot of local goodwill that I try and cultivate." ____ Stateline reporter Kevin Hardy can be reached atkhardy@ Copyright (C) 2025, Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Portions copyrighted by the respective providers.
South Wales Argus
5 days ago
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Where to find culturally inclusive meals in Newport
Located at 92 Commercial Street, the project opened to a full house, with residents, volunteers, and a cross-party roster of politicians showing up to support. Among the dignitaries were Senedd members Natasha Asghar, Peredur Owen Griffiths and Plaid Cymru leader, Rhun ap Iowerth. 'This is what real community looks like,' said Asghar. 'People from all walks of life coming together to feed each other with dignity and love.' Ms Ashgar added that events like this bring the whole community together. The Open Table serves culturally inclusive meals in a café-style setting, while The Open Pantry offers affordable groceries via a membership model. Both sit under the Newport Multibank umbrella and are supported by the Welsh Government, WCVA, Comic Relief and countless local donors. The launch also revealed a Cwtch Chai a new on-site 'skills café' offering free barista training to boost employability in a supportive space. 'It's about confidence, culture, and community,' said Project Manager Tariq Khan. Tariq explained the services reach out across all of Newport and is not tied to any one group, faith or community. The day featured partnerships with organisations like the Salvation Army and Samaritans and previewed two upcoming creative projects: Sofa Stories, a platform for local voices, an d Men Tell, a mental health initiative using spoken word and conversation. Guests later visited nearby Feed Newport, witnessing the compassion and commitment behind Baby Basics and the Soup Kitchen, challenging recent negative portrayals of Pillgwenlly. Open weekdays, The Open Table & Pantry says it stands as a bold new hub of solidarity in Newport, where everyone is welcome, and no one is alone.
What's On
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- What's On
Dine at top Dubai restaurants from Dhs95 with Summer Restaurant Week 2025
Summer is in full swing, which means Summer Restaurant Week is almost here. Back with a bang for a brand new run, this exciting 10-day-long foodie event is bringing Dubai diners some of the best casual spots in the city for as little as Dhs95. Indulge in specially curated menus, two courses for lunch at Dhs95 and three for dinner at Dhs150. Back for a third year in a row, Summer Restaurant Week is all about those laid-back, family-friendly spots, 50 of them, handpicked to participate. This programme is designed to give foodies a chance to tuck into something old and something new for just a fraction of the usual cost. The best part is that there's something for everyone. A variety of cuisines and atmospheres are available to choose from, so pick one for every mood of every day and dine the heck out of these 10 days. The event is running from July 4 to 13; you can browse menus online and book your slot now on OpenTable. For some inspiration, start off with these top restaurants… Bistro Des Arts Bistro des Arts is a quintessential 1970 Parisian bistro overlooking the waters of Dubai Marina, serving a repertoire of classic 'Terroir' French home-style food with a rustic French décor and a garden vibe terrace. Guests can choose from of a well-curated wine list, a raw seafood bar and freshly baked bread and pastries. Lunch menu: Dhs95 Dinner menu: Dhs150 @bistrodearts Couqley Downtown A classic French favourite, the menu at Couqley highlights French classics like steak frites, escargots, and pain perdu, paired with well-priced wines and modern cocktails. Whether for a romantic dinner, casual gathering, or special occasion, Couqley offers an elegant, welcoming atmosphere with genuine hospitality and attention to detail. Lunch menu: Dhs95 Dinner menu: Dhs150 @couqleyuae Harummanis Dubai While there isn't much in terms of options for Singaporean Malay cuisine in Dubai, this restaurant is a deeply endearing tribute to Chef Akmal's roots and reflects a story of home and hardwork. This was the name his mother had chosen for their family's 32-year-old nasi padang hawker stall in Teck Whye, Singapore. Lunch menu: Dhs95 Dinner menu: Dhs150 @harummanis.51 Khadak Khadak is all about wholesome Indian food, made up of dishes from all regions of India. Chef Naved Nasir's year-long travels through the terrains took him to Bombay, Calcutta, Delhi, Hyderabad and beyond, and the food he ate there, he brought here. Some of the dishes belong to iconic food shops, some almost relics of time now. Lunch menu: Dhs95 Dinner menu: Dhs150 @khadak_ae Cucina Cucina aims at creating a re-visited and modernised old school trattoria that focuses on the freshest Italian ingredients, live cooking, and most importantly, on recreating an approachable and vibrant Italian atmosphere. Sample homely Italian fare, recipes used for generations and some of the best gelato in Dubai Lunch menu: Dhs95 Dinner menu: Dhs150 @cucinathepalm Images: Socials > Sign up for FREE to get exclusive updates that you are interested in
Yahoo
23-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Over a million people now have access to the gen-AI powered Alexa+
More invites to Amazon's upgraded digital assistant, Alexa+, powered by generative AI, have been steadily rolling out. The service, first announced in February, now reaches over a million users, Amazon confirmed to TechCrunch on Monday. However, Alexa+ is not yet publicly available. Instead, Amazon has been working through its waitlist, sending out invites to those customers who originally signed up to test the service when it became available. Over the past several weeks, many people have shared on social media that they've received an invite to try Alexa+, whose service offers more natural and personalized interactions, smart home integration, and expanded capabilities thanks to AI. Alexa+ is available for free during Early Access and will later be free for Prime customers. Non-Prime users will be able to use the service for $19.99 per month after it publicly launches. Amazon earlier this year noted that invites to try out the new system would roll out in waves in the months ahead. As of May 2025, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy said that Alexa+ had so far reached over 100,000 users, representing only a tiny fraction of the 600 million Alexa devices that had been sold. That number has grown significantly in the weeks since. Alexa+ represents a serious attempt by Amazon to create a generative AI experience for consumers that it can eventually monetize. Though Amazon created a market for smart home-connected, voice-based assistants through its Alexa-powered Echo devices, it wasn't able to turn that traction into a revenue-generating business. Meanwhile, Alexa lost its shine in more recent years as generative AI services, like ChatGPT, took off. Compared with modern-day AI, Alexa began to feel clunky, constrained, and underpowered. Alexa+ aims to bring the digital assistant new capabilities. The service allows users to chat with the digital assistant using more natural language, where you can phrase requests your own way. For instance, you could tell Alexa, 'It's too cold in here,' to have Alexa adjust their smart thermostat. You'll also more easily be able to create routines, search across your Ring camera footage, interrupt or pivot the conversation with the assistant, and more. The experience is more personalized, too, as it saves your preferences and remembers what you like, from favorite songs to recipes and beyond. With its generative AI component, Alexa can do things like summarize long emails you share with the service, create unique bedtime stories, generate quizzes from study guides, make travel itineraries, provide summaries of your smart home activity, and answer other questions, similar to how an AI chatbot might respond. Plus, the assistant will be able to help you take certain actions — like buying concert tickets, booking a dinner reservation, and notifying you when something you've been watching goes on sale, among other things. Initial partners on this feature include OpenTable, Ticketmaster, Uber Eats, Tripadvisor, Grubhub, Yelp, Priceline, Viator, Thumbtack, Atom, Fodor's, and others. While in early access, Alexa+ will initially be available on Echo Show 8, 10, 15, or 21 devices in the U.S. Over time, it will expand to more Echo customers, Fire TV users, and Fire tablet users. Customers who have been invited to try the product are reporting mixed results, with some praising the service, noting it's more advanced than Siri, while others said it's still rough around the edges. (Some early reviews agree with the latter.) It's worth pointing out that Alexa+ is not currently fully launched, but it's getting close. Amazon says nearly 90% of the features it previously announced have since shipped. Sign in to access your portfolio
