Will Robots take over restaurant workers jobs?
Published By
Mike Sorrentino
Published On
April 2024
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1.7 million estimated jobs have already been lost to automation since 2000.
In recent years, the restaurant industry has witnessed a significant transformation, driven by advancements in technology and changing consumer preferences. One of the most notable changes is the increasing trend of restaurants replacing human workers with machines. While this may raise concerns about job displacement and the future of traditional dining experiences, it's essential to explore the reasons behind this shift, the benefits, the challenges it presents, and what it means for the future of both restaurants and the workforce.
There are many contributing factors to the rise of automation in restaurants. Machines can perform repetitive tasks with precision thus ensuring a more consistent customer experience. Labor costs are a significant expense and increase every year. Replacing a human with a machine will save wages, benefits, breaks and HR costs to state a few; making machines much more cost effective. Machines also do not need to eat, sleep, or rest which can provide a more consistent experience even early morning and late at night or simply when humans get tired.
Some machines have already crept into restaurants and more are coming. One of the first automations came in the form of Kiosks. I believe the fast food counter employees demanding $15 started the kiosk movement and Covid accelerated it. Now there are even devices on full service establishments to order on your own from your own tableside. But the automations do not stop in the FOH. Some restaurants have adopted cooking robots capable of preparing a variety of dishes, from pizza to sushi. These machines follow precise recipes and cooking times which solves the time old problem of ensuring consistency. There are some early adopters of not so popular systems like food delivery robots, automated bartenders and baristas. However, these systems are picking up speed quickly.
These advancements come with some significant concerns. The most significant concern surrounding the automation of restaurants is the potential displacement of workers. As machines take over tasks previously performed by humans, there's a risk of job loss in an already competitive job market. While machines excel at consistency, they may lack the creativity and personal touch that human chefs and servers bring to the dining experience. Machines are not perfect; they can malfunction or require frequent maintenance, leading to downtime and potential service disruptions. Lastly, some customers may prefer the traditional dining experience with human interactions. Restaurants must carefully balance automation with maintaining a welcoming atmosphere.
In the future, we can expect to see restaurants embracing technology more than ever. For example, augmented reality (AR) menus, personalized recommendations based on customer preferences, and AI-driven customer service chatbots may become common features. The trend of restaurants replacing workers with machines reflects the broader shift toward automation in various industries. While automation offers undeniable benefits in terms of efficiency and cost savings, it also raises important questions about the impact on jobs and the overall dining experience. The key to the future success of restaurants lies in finding the right balance between automation and human interaction, ensuring that technology enhances, rather than replaces, the unique aspects of dining out. As the restaurant industry continues to evolve, both restaurateurs and diners must adapt to this new era of dining in a technology-driven world.