Artificial Ingredients: How AI Is Changing Restaurants — and What You Need to Watch Out For
By Bill Sell — Former Chef, Cybersecurity Specialist, and AI Cowboy
🧾 1. Front-of-House: POS Systems Are Smarter — and Riskier
Modern AI-powered POS platforms like Peppr are doing way more than ringing up orders. They track customer behavior, recommend upsells, adjust menu pricing in real time, and give managers powerful analytics dashboards.
Sounds like a dream, right?
Until you realize these systems are also collecting sensitive customer data — names, emails, credit cards, loyalty history. Without proper security, your POS system becomes the easiest way for hackers to get their hands on your business.
🔒 Cyber Tip:
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Use encryption on all transactions.
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Enable 2FA for all POS logins.
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Perform regular security audits, especially after software updates.
🍳 2. Back-of-House: AI in the Kitchen Is Booming
Wingstop’s Smart Kitchen is a perfect example of automation done right. Using AI to forecast demand and organize kitchen workflow, they’ve significantly cut down service times — and likely boosted margins.
But let’s be clear: every “smart” fryer, oven, or prep station is an Internet-connected device. These IoT tools can be hacked if they’re not properly secured.
🔒 Cyber Tip:
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Segment your network: Keep kitchen devices on a separate Wi-Fi network from your admin systems.
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Change default passwords on every piece of smart equipment.
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Stay on top of firmware updates — out-of-date software is an open door.
🤖 3. AI Chatbots: 24/7 Service with a Side of Caution
Many restaurants now use AI chatbots to handle reservations, answer FAQs, or take orders after hours. It’s a great way to free up your team and serve your customers around the clock.
But as Klarna recently learned, these bots aren’t perfect. The Swedish fintech giant replaced hundreds of workers with AI — only to rehire many of them when customers started complaining.
🤝 Hospitality Reminder:
AI can answer questions, but it can’t build relationships. Make sure customers still have the option to talk to a real person — especially when something goes wrong.
🔐 Ask These 3 Questions Before You Add AI to Your Restaurant
Whether you're investing in smart equipment or upgrading your POS, ask yourself:
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Is this AI tool making my team better — or just replacing them?
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What kind of data is being collected, and how is it protected?
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If the system crashes mid-service, do we have a backup plan?
Final Thoughts
AI isn’t the enemy. It’s not coming for your job — but it is changing the game. If you’re going to bring AI into your restaurant, bring it in with intention. Train your team, protect your systems, and think about the guest experience first.
Technology can elevate hospitality. But it can also destroy trust if you’re not careful.
Hold the line. Stay sharp. And don’t let the robots run the kitchen unsupervised.
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Bill Sell
Host of Hold the Line, Kitchen Talk
Cybersecurity Specialist | Former Fine Dining Chef
