Smarter Week

AI and automation by role · frontline

How Restaurant / kitchen managers can use AI and automation

Below are 14 common tasks for Restaurant / kitchen managers, most common first. For each one you get the best fix (AI, automation, a feature in software you already have, or a simpler process), the steps to set it up and, for AI fixes, a prompt to copy.

Also called: Restaurant Manager, Kitchen Manager, General Manager, Front of House Manager, Café Manager

Find your own hour leaks, free See the fixes

Task 1 · typically 120 min, once a week

Build the staff schedule

Software featureBest fix

Build the schedule in a scheduling app and let staff swap shifts themselves

Scheduling apps build a first draft from your sales forecast and staff availability, let people swap and pick up shifts on their phone, and run the time clock that feeds payroll. You approve instead of arranging.

Typically saves about 50% of the time2 h to set up
  1. 1Check whether your company already pays for one: 7shifts, Deputy, Homebase, When I Work, UKG or Harri.
  2. 2Have staff enter their availability in the app.
  3. 3Use the auto-schedule or copy-last-week feature, then adjust.
  4. 4Turn on shift swaps and open-shift offers with manager approval.
  5. 5Use the app's time clock so missed punches show up before payroll, not after.

Tools: 7shifts, Deputy, Homebase, When I Work, UKG or Harri

One more way to fix it
Process fix

Keep a standard weekly schedule and only change the differences

Most weeks look alike. A core template that repeats, published two weeks ahead, means you only fix the gaps.

Typically saves about 35% of the time1 h to set up
  1. 1Build a core schedule that covers a normal week.
  2. 2Save it as a template in your scheduling app or spreadsheet.
  3. 3Each week, copy it and change only holidays, time off and busy days.
  4. 4Publish two weeks ahead so swaps happen early.

Tools: 7shifts, Deputy, Homebase, When I Work, UKG or Harri · Spreadsheet

How to automate this task

Task 2 · typically 60 min, a few times a week

Work out what to order and place supplier orders

Software featureBest fix

Let inventory software suggest orders, prep and recipe costs

Back-office tools link sales to stock, suggest order quantities and prep amounts, and keep recipe costs updated when supplier prices change.

Typically saves about 45% of the time4 h to set up
  1. 1Check whether your POS or back office already includes inventory (Toast xtraCHEF, Restaurant365, MarketMan, Craftable; for retail, Lightspeed, Square or Shopify).
  2. 2Load your items, par levels and suppliers.
  3. 3Use the suggested order or prep list and adjust it, instead of starting from scratch.
  4. 4Connect supplier ordering so orders go out from the app.

Tools: Toast xtraCHEF · Restaurant365 · MarketMan · Craftable · Lightspeed, Square or Shopify inventory

One more way to fix it
Software feature

Count stock with a phone or scanner that updates the system

Counting in an app by shelf or area, scanning barcodes, removes the count sheet and the typing afterwards. Stock levels in the system become reliable.

Typically saves about 40% of the time1 h to set up
  1. 1Set up count areas in the order you walk the store or kitchen.
  2. 2Use the counting app from your POS or inventory system on a phone or handheld.
  3. 3Scan or tap counts as you go.
  4. 4Submit and review only the big differences.

Tools: Toast, Square, Lightspeed, Clover or Shopify POS · MarketMan, Restaurant365 or xtraCHEF counts

How to automate this task

Task 3 · typically 60 min, once a week

Do stock counts or food inventory

Software featureBest fix

Count stock with a phone or scanner that updates the system

Counting in an app by shelf or area, scanning barcodes, removes the count sheet and the typing afterwards. Stock levels in the system become reliable.

Typically saves about 40% of the time1 h to set up
  1. 1Set up count areas in the order you walk the store or kitchen.
  2. 2Use the counting app from your POS or inventory system on a phone or handheld.
  3. 3Scan or tap counts as you go.
  4. 4Submit and review only the big differences.

Tools: Toast, Square, Lightspeed, Clover or Shopify POS · MarketMan, Restaurant365 or xtraCHEF counts

One more way to fix it
Software feature

Let inventory software suggest orders, prep and recipe costs

Back-office tools link sales to stock, suggest order quantities and prep amounts, and keep recipe costs updated when supplier prices change.

Typically saves about 45% of the time4 h to set up
  1. 1Check whether your POS or back office already includes inventory (Toast xtraCHEF, Restaurant365, MarketMan, Craftable; for retail, Lightspeed, Square or Shopify).
  2. 2Load your items, par levels and suppliers.
  3. 3Use the suggested order or prep list and adjust it, instead of starting from scratch.
  4. 4Connect supplier ordering so orders go out from the app.

Tools: Toast xtraCHEF · Restaurant365 · MarketMan · Craftable · Lightspeed, Square or Shopify inventory

How to automate this task

Task 4 · typically 20 min, every day

Fill in fridge temperature and food safety logs

AutomationBest fix

Use wireless temperature sensors so fridge logs fill themselves

Sensors in fridges and freezers record temperatures all day and text you if one goes out of range. Bluetooth probes record cooking and cooling temps straight to the log.

Typically saves about 60% of the time2 h to set up
  1. 1Trial wireless sensors from a food safety tool (ComplianceMate, Jolt, SafetyCulture, Crunchtime Zenput).
  2. 2Put one in each fridge and freezer.
  3. 3Set alerts to the manager on duty.
  4. 4Use a Bluetooth probe for cooking and cooling checks so readings save automatically.

Tools: ComplianceMate · Jolt · SafetyCulture sensors · Crunchtime Zenput

One more way to fix it
Software feature

Run checklists, the manager's log and head-office tasks in one app

Task apps put opening, closing and safety checklists on a phone or tablet with photo proof, keep the manager's log, and let head office send tasks without emails and calls.

Typically saves about 40% of the time2 h to set up
  1. 1Check whether your company has a task app: Crunchtime Zenput, Jolt, YOOBIC, SafetyCulture or Connecteam.
  2. 2Move your opening, closing and cleaning checklists into it.
  3. 3Use the logbook for shift handover notes.
  4. 4Ask head office to send campaigns and resets as tasks with photo proof instead of emails.

Tools: Crunchtime Zenput, Jolt, YOOBIC, SafetyCulture or Connecteam

How to automate this task

Task 5 · typically 15 min, every day

Write prep lists and set par levels

Software featureBest fix

Let inventory software suggest orders, prep and recipe costs

Back-office tools link sales to stock, suggest order quantities and prep amounts, and keep recipe costs updated when supplier prices change.

Typically saves about 45% of the time4 h to set up
  1. 1Check whether your POS or back office already includes inventory (Toast xtraCHEF, Restaurant365, MarketMan, Craftable; for retail, Lightspeed, Square or Shopify).
  2. 2Load your items, par levels and suppliers.
  3. 3Use the suggested order or prep list and adjust it, instead of starting from scratch.
  4. 4Connect supplier ordering so orders go out from the app.

Tools: Toast xtraCHEF · Restaurant365 · MarketMan · Craftable · Lightspeed, Square or Shopify inventory

One more way to fix it
AI

Have AI build tomorrow's prep list from sales and stock

Give AI last week's sales by item, tomorrow's bookings and what is on hand. It suggests prep quantities with the maths shown, which you adjust.

Typically saves about 40% of the time10 min to set up
  1. 1Export item sales for the same day last week or two from your POS.
  2. 2Note bookings, events and what is already prepped.
  3. 3Paste into an approved AI assistant with the prompt below.
  4. 4Adjust using your own judgement and post the list.
Prompt to copy
Build tomorrow's prep list. Sales of each item on the same day for the last [2] weeks: [PASTE]. Tomorrow's bookings and events: [DETAILS]. Already prepped or on hand: [PASTE]. Recipes and yields: [PASTE OR DESCRIBE]. For each prep item, give the amount to prep with the calculation, rounded to [BATCH SIZE]. Flag anything we may run out of.

Tools: ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini or Microsoft Copilot

How to automate this task

Task 6 · typically 30 min, a few times a week

Enter supplier invoices and check prices

Software featureBest fix

Snap supplier invoices and let the app enter them

Invoice scanning tools read the photo, enter every line, update recipe costs and flag price rises. You take a picture instead of typing.

Typically saves about 65% of the time1 h to set up
  1. 1Check whether your back office has invoice scanning (Toast xtraCHEF, Restaurant365, MarketMan, Craftable).
  2. 2Photograph each invoice on delivery, or have suppliers email them to the app.
  3. 3Review flagged price changes.
  4. 4Let it sync to your accounting system.

Tools: Toast xtraCHEF · Restaurant365 · MarketMan · Craftable

How to automate this task

Task 7 · typically 30 min, a few times a week

Find cover for call-outs and sort out shift swaps

Software featureBest fix

Build the schedule in a scheduling app and let staff swap shifts themselves

Scheduling apps build a first draft from your sales forecast and staff availability, let people swap and pick up shifts on their phone, and run the time clock that feeds payroll. You approve instead of arranging.

Typically saves about 50% of the time2 h to set up
  1. 1Check whether your company already pays for one: 7shifts, Deputy, Homebase, When I Work, UKG or Harri.
  2. 2Have staff enter their availability in the app.
  3. 3Use the auto-schedule or copy-last-week feature, then adjust.
  4. 4Turn on shift swaps and open-shift offers with manager approval.
  5. 5Use the app's time clock so missed punches show up before payroll, not after.

Tools: 7shifts, Deputy, Homebase, When I Work, UKG or Harri

How to automate this task

Task 8 · typically 60 min, once a month

Cost recipes and menu items

Software featureBest fix

Let inventory software suggest orders, prep and recipe costs

Back-office tools link sales to stock, suggest order quantities and prep amounts, and keep recipe costs updated when supplier prices change.

Typically saves about 45% of the time4 h to set up
  1. 1Check whether your POS or back office already includes inventory (Toast xtraCHEF, Restaurant365, MarketMan, Craftable; for retail, Lightspeed, Square or Shopify).
  2. 2Load your items, par levels and suppliers.
  3. 3Use the suggested order or prep list and adjust it, instead of starting from scratch.
  4. 4Connect supplier ordering so orders go out from the app.

Tools: Toast xtraCHEF · Restaurant365 · MarketMan · Craftable · Lightspeed, Square or Shopify inventory

One more way to fix it
AI

Have AI cost recipes and suggest menu prices

Paste recipes and current supplier prices; AI works out the cost per plate, food cost percentage and price options. Check the maths before you change the menu.

Typically saves about 45% of the time10 min to set up
  1. 1Collect recipes with quantities and current supplier prices (from invoices).
  2. 2Paste them into Copilot in Excel or an approved AI assistant.
  3. 3Use the prompt below.
  4. 4Spot-check two dishes by hand before using the results.
Prompt to copy
Cost each recipe below. Ingredient prices: [PASTE]. Recipes with quantities and yields: [PASTE]. For each dish give: cost per portion (show the maths), food cost % at the current price [PRICE], and the price needed for a [TARGET]% food cost. Flag the five dishes with the worst margin.

Tools: Copilot in Excel · ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini or Microsoft Copilot

How to automate this task

Task 9 · typically 45 min, once a week

Fix timesheets and missed clock-ins before payroll

Software featureBest fix

Build the schedule in a scheduling app and let staff swap shifts themselves

Scheduling apps build a first draft from your sales forecast and staff availability, let people swap and pick up shifts on their phone, and run the time clock that feeds payroll. You approve instead of arranging.

Typically saves about 50% of the time2 h to set up
  1. 1Check whether your company already pays for one: 7shifts, Deputy, Homebase, When I Work, UKG or Harri.
  2. 2Have staff enter their availability in the app.
  3. 3Use the auto-schedule or copy-last-week feature, then adjust.
  4. 4Turn on shift swaps and open-shift offers with manager approval.
  5. 5Use the app's time clock so missed punches show up before payroll, not after.

Tools: 7shifts, Deputy, Homebase, When I Work, UKG or Harri

How to automate this task

Task 10 · typically 30 min, a few times a week

Reply to online reviews

AIBest fix

Have AI draft replies to reviews in your voice

Paste a batch of reviews and AI drafts a personal reply to each. Many review tools and Google Business Profile now suggest replies too. You check and post.

Typically saves about 55% of the time5 min to set up
  1. 1Collect this week's reviews from Google, Tripadvisor, Yelp or your review tool.
  2. 2Use your review tool's AI reply feature, or paste them into an approved AI assistant with the prompt below.
  3. 3Check every reply; fix anything that promises a refund or blames anyone.
  4. 4Post, and flag serious complaints to your manager.
Prompt to copy
Draft a reply to each review below for [BUSINESS NAME]. Thank them, mention one specific thing they said, keep each under 60 words, warm and plain. For negative reviews, apologise without blaming anyone and invite them to contact [CONTACT]. Do not offer refunds or discounts.

[PASTE REVIEWS]

Tools: ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini or Microsoft Copilot · Google Business Profile · Birdeye, Podium, Yext or ReviewTrackers

How to automate this task

Task 11 · typically 20 min, every day

Fill in daily sales and labour reports for head office

AutomationBest fix

Let the POS send the end-of-day and sales reports automatically

Your POS already knows sales, payments and labour. Set it to email the daily summary to head office and only count cash by hand.

Typically saves about 60% of the time30 min to set up
  1. 1Find the end-of-day, sales and labour reports in your POS back office.
  2. 2Schedule them to email to you and head office every day.
  3. 3Use the POS cash-up screen so card totals fill in themselves.
  4. 4Ask head office to drop any spreadsheet that repeats these numbers.

Tools: Toast, Square, Lightspeed, Clover or Shopify POS

One more way to fix it
Automation

Build the report once so it refreshes itself

Connect the spreadsheet or dashboard straight to the source so next week's report is already done.

Typically saves about 80% of the time4 h to set up
  1. 1List where each number comes from.
  2. 2Use Power Query (Excel), a connected sheet, or a Google Data Studio or Power BI dashboard pulling from the source.
  3. 3Schedule the refresh and send the link instead of an attachment.

Tools: Excel Power Query · Power BI · Google Data Studio (formerly Looker Studio) · Google Sheets connectors

How to automate this task

Task 12 · typically 15 min, every day

Write the shift handover or manager's log

AIBest fix

Talk your notes into the phone and let AI write them up

Speak for a minute about the shift, incident or visit; AI turns it into a tidy log entry or report. Faster than typing on a small screen between customers.

Typically saves about 45% of the time5 min to set up
  1. 1Use voice typing or an approved AI app on your phone.
  2. 2Say what happened, when, who was involved and what is still open.
  3. 3Use the prompt below to tidy it.
  4. 4Check it and paste it into the log, form or email. Do not include customers' card details or private data.
Prompt to copy
Turn my spoken notes into a [SHIFT HANDOVER / INCIDENT REPORT / STORE VISIT REPORT] with these headings: [HEADINGS]. Short bullet points, factual and neutral. Keep times and numbers exactly as I said them. Do not add anything I did not say.

My notes: [DICTATE OR PASTE]

Tools: ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini or Microsoft Copilot

One more way to fix it
Software feature

Run checklists, the manager's log and head-office tasks in one app

Task apps put opening, closing and safety checklists on a phone or tablet with photo proof, keep the manager's log, and let head office send tasks without emails and calls.

Typically saves about 40% of the time2 h to set up
  1. 1Check whether your company has a task app: Crunchtime Zenput, Jolt, YOOBIC, SafetyCulture or Connecteam.
  2. 2Move your opening, closing and cleaning checklists into it.
  3. 3Use the logbook for shift handover notes.
  4. 4Ask head office to send campaigns and resets as tasks with photo proof instead of emails.

Tools: Crunchtime Zenput, Jolt, YOOBIC, SafetyCulture or Connecteam

How to automate this task

Task 13 · typically 60 min, once a week

Train new hires and walk them through the basics

Software featureBest fix

Put new-hire basics into short phone lessons

Short training lessons on a phone cover the basics (tills, food safety, opening and closing) so you spend your time on hands-on coaching instead of repeating the same talk.

Typically saves about 35% of the time3 h to set up
  1. 1List what you explain to every new hire.
  2. 2Use your company training app (Axonify, Trainual, SafetyCulture Training, or the training in your scheduling app).
  3. 3Have AI turn your notes into short lessons and quizzes if the app allows.
  4. 4Assign the lessons before the first shift and coach the rest on the floor.

Tools: Axonify · Trainual · SafetyCulture Training (EdApp) · 7shifts or Harri training

How to automate this task

Task 14 · typically 30 min, every day

Answer the phone with the same questions (hours, stock, bookings)

Software featureBest fix

Let an AI phone answerer handle the routine calls

AI phone answerers for restaurants, stores and hotels answer hours, directions, bookings and simple questions, and pass the rest to staff. Staff stop leaving customers in front of them to pick up the phone.

Typically saves about 45% of the time2 h to set up
  1. 1Write down the 10 questions callers ask most and your answers.
  2. 2Trial an AI phone answerer that fits your business (Slang.ai, Loman or your booking system's AI host for restaurants; your hotel's AI voice agent; Goodcall or similar for stores).
  3. 3Connect it to your booking system and set when to transfer to a person.
  4. 4Listen to a sample of calls weekly and fix wrong answers.

Tools: Slang.ai · Loman · OpenTable or SevenRooms · Goodcall

How to automate this task

Quick wins

Have you tried…

Do your staff swap shifts and pick up open shifts in an app?
Apps like 7shifts, Deputy, Homebase or When I Work show the schedule on everyone's phone. Staff sort out swaps themselves and you just approve.
Do wireless sensors record your fridge temperatures for you?
Small sensors in each fridge log the temperature all day and text you if one gets too warm. No more clipboard checks.
Do you take a photo of supplier invoices instead of typing them in?
Tools like xtraCHEF, Restaurant365 or MarketMan read the invoice photo, enter every line and warn you when prices go up.
Have you had AI draft your replies to online reviews?
You paste the reviews and AI writes a short, personal reply to each. You check them and post.
Have you tried an AI phone answerer for the routine calls?
An AI answers questions like opening hours or bookings and passes harder calls to staff, so nobody has to leave a customer to pick up the phone.
Are your opening, closing and safety checklists on a phone or tablet?
Task apps put checklists on a phone with photo proof. Managers and head office can see what is done without calling the store.
Do you log food waste with a scale or app that shows what to cut back on?
Tools like Winnow or Leanpath, or the waste log in your inventory app, record waste in seconds and show which items you over-prep.
Have you let an AI notetaker write your meeting notes and action items?
Tools like Copilot in Teams, Zoom AI Companion or Otter join the call, write the summary and list who owes what. You just check it and send.

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