Russian Expert Outlines How AI Could Revolutionize the Restaurant Industry

In a vision straight from a data-driven future, Russian restaurateur Ilya Sukhikh believes artificial intelligence isn’t just a buzzword — it’s a bottom-line game changer. Speaking with RIA Novosti, the founder of a domestic restaurant chain detailed how AI could slash operational costs in the restaurant business by up to 30%.

Sukhikh argues that while roughly 70% of food service tasks still rely heavily on human hands, the remaining 30% are ripe for digital disruption. His first target? Reservations.

“AI should be deployed in reservation management right out of the gate,” he said. “A neural network can easily analyze average bills, item pricing, and order volume to predict — with five-minute precision — when a table will be free. It can also autonomously handle bookings.” The result: no more empty tables, and a projected 10–20% spike in guest traffic.

But Sukhikh doesn’t stop at seating. He envisions an AI-powered scheduling system capable of creating hyper-flexible staff rosters. By crunching data on prep times, customer flow, weather, and even traffic patterns, the system would calculate the exact number of chefs, servers, and bartenders needed at any given moment.

Hiring, too, could fall under the algorithmic umbrella. “A bot-agent could monitor job platforms and screen applicant submissions,” Sukhikh noted, describing a streamlined, always-on recruitment pipeline.

The message is clear: in Sukhikh’s model, the future of food isn’t just about taste — it’s about tech.