The Labor Shortage Isn’t Going Away, But Technology Can Help Ease the Struggle

It’s tough out there. About 70% of U.S. Restaurant owners say it’s difficult to fill open positions. This shrinking labor pool is even harder on small-to-medium restaurant owners because they could be wearing a dozen hats. They’re the chef, the GM, the marketer, and sometimes even the dishwasher. It’s no wonder burnout is on the rise in the industry.

But here’s the good news: AI can fill in some of the gaps for small to medium restaurants without replacing your hospitality or that personal touch your customers love.

Automating the Tasks That Take You Away from the Guest

Let’s be clear: incorporating AI isn’t about removing people. It’s about removing the bottlenecks. Smaller restaurants typically don’t have large teams or extra shift managers. That’s where smart tech makes a difference.

With AI, you can automate:

• Phone answering and ordering taking with AI-powered voice

• Upselling and cross-selling so your average ticket grows without your team needing to lift a finger

• Customer follow-ups through AI remarketing that drives repeat visits

• Review monitoring so you’re never caught off guard by negative feedback

Real Examples from the SWIPEBY Community

A mom-and-pop Mexican restaurant in Connecticut uses AI phone answering to handle over 2,600 calls in a single month, helping customers calling in to quickly have their needs met without waiting on hold or trying to shout over a loud background.

A pizza place in Ohio uses online ordering with AI upselling/cross-selling and loyalty to bring in more than $13,000 in online order sales per month – and he doesn’t pay third party delivery commissions saving him up to 30%.

An upscale restaurant in Florida has used AI review management to answer 3,300 review comments saving hours of the general manager’s time while boosting customer loyalty.

AI Isn’t Just for Chains Anymore

Big brands have had tech advantages for years: digital order screens, loyalty apps, data-driven promotions. But now, small to medium restaurants can tap into that same power with AI tools that are simple to launch, easy to manage, and designed for real-world operations.

The future of hospitality doesn’t belong to the most staffed; it belongs to the most efficient.

Let Your Team Focus on What Really Matters

Imagine a shift where you and your team can focus on prepping food, greeting customers, or crafting specials, not answering the phone or chasing reviews. That’s not a fantasy. It’s what AI delivers when it’s built for independents.

With SWIPEBY, you don’t need a tech team. You just need your team.