AI systems can now connect the dots across multiple points throughout your business – we wanted to dive a little deeper into the opportunities this creates for you.
- past orders
- frequency of visits
- time of day guests usually dine
- dining style (delivery, takeout, dine-in)
- items commonly ordered together
- loyalty program activity
- location behavior (downtown vs suburbs)
- seasonality and specials
The goal isn’t “surveillance” – it’s pattern recognition.
Example patterns AI might detect:
“Guests who order the truffle fries often add a glass of Malbec if prompted.”
“This guest visits twice a month and orders vegetarian – suggest the new roasted cauliflower entrée.”
“Large ticket tables at lunch tend to order dessert if offered right before the check.”
The system then nudges either:
- the server (“try offering X”),
- the guest (via menu recommendations), or
- marketing automation (email/text promos that actually match behavior).
What This Looks Like in the Restaurant
A few real-world versions:
Smart Upsell Prompts for Servers
The POS quietly says:
“Suggest: parmesan truffle upgrade – 23% acceptance rate.”
It’s like a cheat-sheet for better hospitality, not a pushy script.
Personalized Digital Menus
When a guest scans a QR code:
- The menu shows “Recommended for you”
- Lists pairings based on what similar guests order
- Highlights items they haven’t tried yet
And if they’re loyal members, it may greet them by name.
Targeted Marketing Instead of Mass Blasts
Instead of sending everyone the same email, AI segments:
- “Wine lovers”
- “Brunch regulars”
- “High-spend occasional guests”
- “Family diners”
- “Vegetarian or gluten-free customers”
Then each group gets the right message at the right time.
Example:
“Hey Sam – we just launched a new Sangiovese by the glass. Thought of you.”
That’s a bit more hospitality, rather than spam.
Real Tools Doing This Today
Here are few systems already doing AI-powered personalization right now: (that we could find)
Thanx
Loyalty + personalization platform that uses purchase data to create individualized offers and predict behavior.
Delivers:
- Automated targeted campaigns
- Upsell suggestions
- “Likely to churn” alerts
Thanx doesn’t list flat fees online – you must talk to sales for a quote tailored to your business size, locations, and features needed. Pricing scales with restaurant count and platform usage (loyalty + CRM + automation).
SevenRooms
Known for guest profiles + personalized dining experiences.
Tracks preferences like:
- favorite table
- allergens
- dining frequency
- past spends
Servers see notes such as:
“First visit back since anniversary – offer dessert.”
According to third-party sources (like Software Advice), SevenRooms CRM and guest engagement platform pricing starts at about $499 per month, though final costs depend on module selection, scale, and contract terms.
Olo / Olo Engage
Used heavily in multi-unit restaurants.
Personalizes online ordering experiences and promotions.
Olo doesn’t publish pricing online for its Engage or marketing suite – it’s a module you request a demo and pricing quote for.
Toast Marketing + Loyalty
If you’re already on Toast, AI-driven segments create targeted offers based on guest behavior without manual list-building.
You’ll need the toast marketing, loyalty and CRM modules attached to the POS plan to get these loyalty add-ons so you’re looking at additional costs above the base plan’s approximately $90/month + ~$9/employee/month.
Bikky
Newer data platform focused on predicting guest lifetime value and churn – helping target who to re-engage.
Like the others, Bikky also does not publish pricing; it’s sold as a restaurant customer data platform (CDP) that centralizes data and helps with segmentation, marketing automation, and analysis.
The future of restaurant hospitality isn’t about sacrificing privacy for data, but about using smart technology to bring back the personalized service of a bygone era. By moving beyond generic promotions and empowering staff with timely, intelligent nudges, AI-driven personalization transforms transactions into relationships. The tools are already here, enabling restaurants to see the individual behind the order – creating loyal guests by making every single visit feel uniquely acknowledged and valued.