For restaurant operators, maintaining profitability has never been more challenging. The industry is facing relentless pressure from rising food and beverage costs, labor shortages, and shifting customer expectations.
As costs continue to soar and staffing remains a persistent issue, operators are looking toward artificial intelligence (AI) as a solution to streamline operations and drive efficiency.
From AI-powered voice ordering at drive-thrus to predictive analytics that reduce food waste, AI-driven automation is helping restaurants adapt to economic challenges while improving both service and profitability.
“AI is transforming foodservice operations by handling routine tasks, optimizing resources, and ultimately freeing up staff to focus on delivering a great customer experience,” said Deborah Matteliano, Global Head of Restaurants and Food Technology at AWS.
Restaurants and foodservice operators are increasingly leveraging AI across multiple areas of their business. One of the most powerful advantages of AI is its ability to improve both efficiency and customer experience simultaneously.
“We’re seeing AI at every point in the foodservice value chain,” noted Matteliano.
“From real-time kitchen analytics that predict peak demand with high accuracy to smart POS systems that optimize guest data, AI investments are doing double duty—enhancing operations while keeping customers happy.”
One of the standout applications is AI-powered voice technology in drive-thrus, which not only speeds up service but also improves order accuracy. As an added benefit, employees report higher job satisfaction when AI reduces their workload on repetitive tasks, leading to an overall better guest experience.
AI is proving especially valuable in managing repetitive and time-consuming operational tasks such as order-taking, inventory tracking, and predictive ordering.
These functions help restaurants run more smoothly while reducing labor costs. “These are the tasks where AI shines,” detailed Matteliano. “AI anticipates inventory needs, streamlines ordering, and optimizes schedules automatically.
It works behind the scenes, giving teams the freedom to focus on perfecting their craft and delivering exceptional hospitality.”
By reducing the time employees spend on manual inventory checks or processing orders, restaurants can reallocate staff to higher-value roles, such as enhancing customer interactions or improving kitchen efficiency.
AI is also revolutionizing personalized dining experiences by learning customer preferences and tailoring recommendations accordingly.
Restaurants can now offer menu suggestions based on past orders, dietary restrictions, and even seasonal trends. “AI is creating the digital equivalent of a superstar server who remembers customer preferences and suggests the perfect meal,” explained Matteliano. “The difference is, now this can happen at scale.”
By leveraging AI to provide a more tailored experience, restaurants can boost customer loyalty, increase average check sizes, and improve overall guest satisfaction. With labor shortages persisting, many operators are turning to AI-driven solutions to fill the gaps while maintaining service quality.
“AI is taking over the tasks that no one aspires to do—like hours of fryer work or sorting through complex onboarding manuals,” said Matteliano. “With rising labor costs, reducing training and onboarding expenses is crucial.”
AI-driven employee chatbots, for instance, can assist with onboarding, training, and answering employee questions in real-time. This reduces dependency on managers for training, allowing them to focus on improving restaurant performance.
Rising ingredient costs mean precision in forecasting is more critical than ever. AI helps restaurants optimize purchasing decisions by analyzing sales patterns, local events, and even weather forecasts. “AI-powered forecasting goes beyond traditional demand predictors,” noted Matteliano.
“It can analyze everything from weather trends to local events to help operators make smart purchasing decisions that protect margins and reduce food waste.” By leveraging AI for smarter inventory and food cost management, restaurants can ensure they’re buying exactly what they need—no more, no less.
Not all AI tools are created equal, and operators must ensure they invest in solutions that integrate seamlessly with their existing technology stack.
“The best-performing restaurants are using AI systems that connect scheduling, inventory, and guest data,” explained Matteliano. “These platforms anticipate needs and suggest solutions before problems arise.”
Choosing AI solutions that integrate with a restaurant’s current operations helps maximize return on investment while minimizing operational disruptions.
Implementing AI at scale requires a technology partner that understands the restaurant industry’s unique needs. AWS has built AI solutions designed specifically to help foodservice operators navigate their toughest challenges.
“AWS was built to handle high-throughput, mission-critical operations—just like what we see in the restaurant industry,” said Matteliano. “We combine deep industry expertise with cutting-edge technology to help operators innovate efficiently.”
AWS’s cloud-based AI technology offers scalability for both small independent restaurants and large multi-unit chains, ensuring that AI solutions grow alongside business needs.
“Our infrastructure allows restaurant brands to scale seamlessly, whether they’re running one location or thousands,” Matteliano detailed. “At the same time, we ensure that our technology supports—not replaces—the hospitality experience.”
Matteliano brings a unique perspective to AWS’s restaurant technology practice, drawing from her experience at Uber Eats and Amazon Prime—both of which required deep understanding of food logistics, customer preferences, and digital optimization.
“Years in digital foodservice taught me that technology works best when it solves specific challenges without creating new ones,” she explained. “Operational efficiency and guest experience go hand in hand.”
Her experience scaling virtual restaurants and building sales enablement programs has provided valuable insights for AWS’s restaurant clients, helping them navigate the intersection of technology and hospitality.
“AWS works with some of the world’s largest restaurant brands, and my background in scaling food delivery technology has helped me advise operators on balancing digital innovation with operational realities.”
For restaurant operators interested in leveraging AI to streamline operations and enhance the customer experience, AWS offers tailored solutions to meet specific business goals.
“There’s a lot of noise in AI right now, so it’s important to focus on solutions that directly address your challenges,” said Matteliano. “Bring us your pain points—whether it’s labor optimization, supply chain intelligence, or guest loyalty—and we’ll help you find the right AI tools to drive measurable impact.”
AWS provides a Restaurant Solutions assessment to help operators forecast the ROI of AI investments, ensuring they get the most value from their technology stack.
“A great technology partner should feel like an extension of your team,” Matteliano noted. “At AWS, we work alongside our clients to design AI solutions that enhance their strengths while enabling world-class hospitality.”
AWS has helped some of the world’s leading restaurant brands harness AI to drive efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance customer experiences.
Major quick-service restaurant (QSR) chains have leveraged AWS’s AI-powered voice ordering to improve drive-thru accuracy and reduce wait times, leading to increased customer satisfaction and higher throughput.
Full-service restaurants have adopted AWS’s predictive inventory management tools, which analyze historical sales data and external factors like weather and local events to optimize purchasing and minimize food waste.
AWS has also supported large-scale food delivery platforms by enabling AI-driven menu optimization, ensuring that partner restaurants offer the most in-demand dishes while maintaining profitability.
“We’ve worked with global brands and independent operators alike, helping them implement AI solutions that solve real business challenges,” said Matteliano.
By partnering with AWS, restaurants gain access to scalable, secure AI tools that allow them to adapt to changing market conditions while preserving their unique approach to hospitality.
“AWS AI solutions are not one-size-fits-all—we work with restaurant operators to develop tailored strategies that align with their unique business needs,” Matteliano concluded. For restaurant operators looking to explore AI-driven innovations, AWS offers consultations and tailored technology roadmaps.
To learn more, visit AWS Restaurant Solutions online and start the journey toward smarter, more efficient restaurant operations.
