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How Do Restaurants Solve Understaffing in 2023?


Looking to resolve understaffing with additional solutions towards improving customer experience and operation efficiency? The trick that many restaurants and chains such as Din Tai Fung, Hard Rock Cafe and TCB Dining are secretly adopting is through the use of ‘Robot Waitress’.

Restaurant understaffing

The perception of ‘robot’ may sound high-cost, but worry not, a popular robot waitress like BellaBot only costs less than £250 per week. These robots are designed to perform tasks like greeting customers and delivering food, aiming to enhance efficiency and customer experience. By employing robots for these duties, restaurants can free up staff to focus on other critical responsibilities, which can resolve understaffing and enhance service quality.


One major benefit of front-of-house robots is their ability to work long hours, similar to the BellaBot, a well-known hospitality robot that many restaurants have started using to provide reliable table service. Each BellaBot can work for up to 20 hours without taking a break, with a 4.5-hour charging time - improving productivity.


Another advantage of front-of-house robots is their ability to boost efficiency and improve customer experience. By automating food delivery and other tasks, robots can streamline the dining experience and ensure timely service. For instance, BellaBot comes with four trays and can cater to up to 5 tables. Furthermore, it has a personalized voice and expression, which enables it to greet customers and direct them to their tables. These features can minimize customer wait time, increase satisfaction, and generate repeat business, ultimately contributing to restaurants' revenue growth.


Front-of-house robots can also help restaurants reduce labor costs and increase profitability. The cost of acquiring a robot like BellaBot is surprisingly low, with a weekly cost of less than £250 for the first year, and no upfront purchasing cost for the rest of its lifetime. Additionally, robots don't require the same level of training, benefits, and other expenses that human employees do, reducing costs and increasing profitability. Moreover, purchasing a BellaBot from Neos Robotics includes free training and post-sale service for a period of time, eliminating maintenance worries.


While some people are concerned about potential collision risks due to robots' inability to detect objects, BellaBot incorporates Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) technology that employs lasers and cameras to offer advanced obstacle-avoidance. This technology makes BellaBot an ideal robot server in high-traffic areas, minimizing the risk of collision with fixed objects or people moving around. To facilitate better coordination among BellaBots, they're equipped with a Scheduler, allowing each robot to communicate directly with any other robot on the same network and make decisions quickly, boosting productivity.


In conclusion, front-of-house robots, such as BellaBot, offer a promising solution to address the challenge of understaffing in the restaurant industry in 2023. These robots can work long hours, streamline operations, enhance customer experience, and reduce labor costs, making them an attractive option for restaurants looking to improve efficiency and profitability. By embracing innovative technologies like front-of-house robots, restaurants can stay ahead of the competition, provide excellent service to their customers, and thrive in the dynamic landscape of the restaurant industry in 2023 and beyond.

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