Across the city’s restaurant scene, artificial intelligence (AI) is quietly reshaping operations. From fast‑casual chains to historic dining institutions, restaurateurs are turning to tools like ChatGPT, demand forecasting software, and phone‑call automation, not to replace hospitality, but to give it breathing room.
At BnX Burgers, owner Tony Mistry says his staff used to wrestle with spreadsheets and rigid scheduling tools. Now, by leaning on AI for shift planning and food cost calculations, the business has shaved off labor overhead and seen a measurable drop in scheduling conflicts. Christie’s, Houston’s oldest restaurant, has turned AI loose on event catering: ChatGPT helps them estimate the amount of food needed for weddings or corporate dinners, reducing over‑ordering and waste.
Then there’s Mac Haik Restaurant Group. Their “Prep Assistant” system combines forecast data — including weather patterns and local event calendars — to help predict what foods need to be prepped each day. Every dollar invested in prep has come back many times over; managers report food waste has dropped by more than 50%, while training new cooks has become much simpler. Meanwhile, Pincho uses Slang AI to take phone reservations and pre‑order tasks, freeing up front‑of‑house staff to focus on diners rather than dialing and noting.
But Texas restaurateurs say AI’s not without its balancing act. Industry leaders caution that certain guest‑facing uses — such as automated responses or ordering bots — can dehumanize the experience if overused. In a business built on ambiance, smell, and face‑to‑face interaction, preserving the personal touch matters. As Emily Knight, President of the Texas Restaurant Association, put it: “If you’re still treating AI as optional, you’re risking falling behind — but forget to use it right, and you’ll lose what makes your place special.”
For now, the early adopters are reaping rewards: leaner operations, happier staff, fewer mistakes — all while refocusing on what customers came for in the first place: hospitality. The message seems clear in Houston: AI may handle the mundane, but good food, warm welcome, and a human touch still seal the deal.
Sources:
Houston Chronicle. (2025, September 13). How Houston restaurants are using AI to save time and money. https://www.houstonchronicle.com/food-culture/restaurants-bars/article/ai-restaurants-houston-20827829.php
Knight, E. (2025, September 10). The evolving role of artificial intelligence in Texas hospitality. Texas Restaurant Association. https://www.txrestaurant.org/ai-hospitality-2025
National Restaurant Association. (2025). Technology trends in foodservice: 2025 industry report. https://restaurant.org/research/techtrends2025
Pincho. (2025). How AI is streamlining guest experiences at scale [Case study]. https://www.pincho.com/casestudy-ai-customer-experience
Slang AI. (2025). Voice AI solutions for restaurants: Reducing friction, increasing satisfaction. https://www.slang.ai/restaurant-ai-overview