AI Deployment in Restaurants
Change Management is the Key to AI Deployment Success
By People are as crucial to AI adoption as the technology itself. More than just a tool, AI reshapes how we interact with technology and approach tasks. Success lies in thoughtful deployment to ensure its embraced, not resisted—and that starts with effective change management.
Change Management is Crucial for AI Success
AI offers a stark contrast to past technologies that often added more tasks to an already overloaded team. Its real value lies in simplifying work, processing massive amounts of data, and improving daily operations. The real challenge is not just teaching employees how to use AI but helping them understand why it’s valuable and how it enhances their role.
To counter skepticism and concerns about job displacement, it’s crucial to communicate that AI supports employees, rather than replaces them. Everyone—from managers to frontline staff—needs to see how AI will improve their work experience by reducing friction, streamlining operations, and providing valuable insights. By automating manual data entry and facilitating smarter decisions, AI enhances the customer experience and supports the team.
Communicate How AI Empowers Managers
The success of AI adoption depends on ensuring managers understand how it benefits their role. With high turnover and clunky knowledge transfer, managers are often overwhelmed by daily tasks. AI can alleviate that pressure—if designed with their needs in mind.
Managers will embrace AI if they see it as a tool to help, not an additional burden. Focus on solving their pain points and delivering actionable insights that improve workflows—such as notifying them of a spike in demand or alerting them when stock is running low—rather than bombarding them with data-heavy dashboards. When AI enhances their work experience, it becomes a trusted ally, not a stressor.
The Role and Styles of Pilots in AI Adoption
A successful AI deployment always begins with a phased roll-out. Pilot programs are essential, providing real-world feedback and helping teams understand AI’s value before full-scale implementation. Here are some effective pilot strategies used by Fourth customers:
- Start With Top and Low-Performing Locations: Compare results from your best and lowest-performing locations to see where AI provides the most value.
- Engage Forward-Thinking Locations: Use early adopters to build champions who can promote AI adoption across your business.
- Let Teams Experience AI Firsthand: Sometimes, the best way to build buy-in is to quietly implement AI and let teams experience its benefits without added pressure.
How Whataburger and Chili’s Adopted AI
Watch how Whataburger and Chilil’s used different pilot models to bring AI forecasting to their locations.
Assess Your AI Vendor for Change Management Support
Choosing the right AI vendor is about more than evaluating the technology—it’s about finding a partner who can support your change management efforts. Here’s how to assess potential vendors:
- Onboarding and Training: A strong vendor offers tailored onboarding and ongoing training to ensure your team is confident in using the technology.
- Pilot Program Support: Ensure the vendor supports pilot phases, provides guidance on structuring and measuring results, and helps identify key locations for testing.
- Feedback and Iteration: A good vendor embraces continuous improvement and incorporates user feedback into updates.
- Aligning with Business Goals: Choose a vendor who understands your specific challenges and goals and can demonstrate how their AI tools will deliver real, tangible benefits.
- Proven Track Record: Effective change management requires clear communication, and a good vendor will help craft messages that highlight AI’s value to your team. Additionally, choose a vendor with a proven track record of managing AI transitions in restaurants—testimonials and case studies can provide valuable insights into their ability to support your needs.
Scaling from Pilot to Full Implementation
Once the pilot phase validates AI’s value, builds employee confidence, and provides key insights, you’re ready to scale up. This is where true transformation begins, unlocking the full benefits of AI across your business.
Watch how Chili’s and Whataburger successfully adopted AI forecasting, deploying different pilot strategies and the impact not only on improved forecasting accuracy, labor costs, and customer satisfaction.
How AI Forecasting Cut $4M Labor Costs
Read how Noodles & Co cut $4M in labor costs and improved forecasting accuracy by 20% with HotSchedules and AI Forecasting.