Technology has become an integral part of many restaurants and retail businesses. POS systems, delivery services, customer benefits, etc. are managed by various software systems.
Albuquerque business owners Corey Fiala and Lee Caperton discovered the problem. There were too many programs. At one point, one of Caperton’s restaurants had him using eight different software systems.
So Fiala and Caperton created Hospitality AI, a startup that integrates software programs for businesses and uses artificial intelligence to predict business and customer needs.
“What we decided to do was integrate all the platforms and software systems needed to run a retail or hospitality type business,” says Caperton. “One of our missions was to take back control of the restaurant through his online ordering and delivery website, all of which had previously been split across multiple systems.”
As online delivery surged due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many restaurants started using third-party delivery software such as UberEats and Grubhub. According to Caperton, hospitality AI will eliminate middlemen and allow restaurants to manage their own online ordering.
Both Fiala and Caperton have long careers in the hospitality industry. In 2009, Fiala, who has a programming background, launched Lavu, one of his POS software based on his first tablet. Caperton’s first job was in the restaurant business when he was 15. After working at TGI Fridays, he eventually opened several restaurants and went back to school to get a medical degree.
AI analyzes data using bots that run in the program’s background to, for example, set prices for ingredients or suggest popular new dishes and products. The bot can also suggest other purchases that the customer might enjoy.
“Part of what we’re doing with algorithmic thinking is AI, as you know, and finding out how to improve the experience for customers as well as business owners,” said Fiala. I’m here.
Hospitality AI is now on the market. The company has already signed deals with several companies, including Tamashi Sushi and Sushi King.
Fiala and Caperton set up meetings with all prospective customers to assess their needs. The program costs $99 a month, and Caperton says it’s a savings compared to stacking different types of software together.
