Outback Steakhouse

New Computer Vision Program Being Tested at Outback Steakhouse Location

As restaurants find new ways to measure employee performance and increase customer satisfaction, security companies like Presto Vision are offering artificial intelligence as the solution.

More casual dining chains are considering artificial intelligence and surveillance technology as tools to monitor and improve employee performance. The most recent example: a restaurant group’s decision to try out computer vision program Presto Vision at an Outback Steakhouse location in the Portland, Oregon area.

The software analyzes footage from pre-existing surveillance cameras to track different sets of metrics over the course of a worker’s shift, WIRED reported. Those metrics include excessively long waits for customers, untidy lobbies, a lack of available hosts and the number of potential customers who leave without being seated and/or greeted, according to a press release from Presto.

The Outback Steakhouse pilot is focused on lobby analytics and may expand to other parts of the restaurant, such as back-of-house, dining areas and curbside service. At the end of each worker’s shift, managers will receive an email of an employee’s metrics that can help them determine issues with employee performance or where to shift resources during busy periods.

“With this product, restaurants can now have access to critical insights on how their stores actually work,” Rajat Suri, founder and CEO of Presto, said in a statement, comparing the metrics system to how e-commerce sites conduct business. “This helps them provide better service, operate more efficiently, and reduce overhead.”

In anticipation of criticism of the surveillance tech, Presto said in its announcement of the Outback partnership that “security and privacy are important aspects” of the system. Data captured by cameras is stored temporarily for analysis and automatically deleted after 30 days, according to the company. The software is not equipped with facial recognition, and does not track personally identifiable information on any individual.

More criticism has been levied about the potential implications of the system, which could lead to staff cuts or decreasing the amount of people on a shift due to the efficiencies discovered by Presto. But executives like Evergreen Restaurant Group CEO Jeff Jones are not seeing it that way, instead promoting Presto Vision as a way for restaurants to retain guests and improve the customer experience.

“Deeper guest interactions and superior hospitality are top priorities for us,” said Jones, whose group operates nearly 40 Outback locations, including the Portland pilot restaurant. “Presto Vision brings cutting edge computer vision technology to the restaurant industry for the first time in my experience. It has the potential to set new standards for service and operations at our franchise restaurants.”

About the Author

Haley Samsel is an Associate Content Editor for the Infrastructure Solutions Group at 1105 Media.

Featured

  • Tradeshow Work Can Be Fun

    While at ISC West last week, I ran into numerous friends and associates all of which was a pleasant experience. The first question always seemed to be, “How many does this make for you?” Read Now

    • Industry Events
    • ISC West
  • New Report Says 1 in 5 SMBs Would Be Forced to Shutter After Successful Cyberattack

    Small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) play a crucial role in the U.S. economy, making up 99.9% of all businesses and contributing to half of the nation's GDP. However, these vital economic growth drivers face an escalating threat—cyberattacks that could put them out of business. Read Now

  • The Yellow Brick Road

    The road to and throughout Wednesday's and Thursday's ISC West was crowded but it was amazing. Read Now

    • Industry Events
    • ISC West
  • An Inside Look From Napco at ISC West

    Get a look into the excitement at ISC West 2025 from Napco. Hear from some of their top-tech executives live from the show floor. Read Now

    • Industry Events
    • ISC West
  • Upping the Ante

    I am not a betting man in terms of cards, dice, blackjack or that wheel with the black marble racing around the circumference of a spinning wheel, but I would bet on the success of ISC West this year. Read Now

    • Industry Events
    • ISC West

New Products

  • Unified VMS

    AxxonSoft introduces version 2.0 of the Axxon One VMS. The new release features integrations with various physical security systems, making Axxon One a unified VMS. Other enhancements include new AI video analytics and intelligent search functions, hardened cybersecurity, usability and performance improvements, and expanded cloud capabilities

  • Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden Door Controls has relaunched its CV-7600 card readers in response to growing market demand for a more secure alternative to standard proximity credentials that can be easily cloned. CV-7600 readers support MIFARE DESFire EV1 & EV2 encryption technology credentials, making them virtually clone-proof and highly secure.

  • Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden Door Controls is pleased to announce that, in response to soaring customer demand, it has expanded its range of ValueWave™ no-touch switches to include a narrow (slimline) version with manual override. This override button is designed to provide additional assurance that the request to exit switch will open a door, even if the no-touch sensor fails to operate. This new slimline switch also features a heavy gauge stainless steel faceplate, a red/green illuminated light ring, and is IP65 rated, making it ideal for indoor or outdoor use as part of an automatic door or access control system. ValueWave™ no-touch switches are designed for easy installation and trouble-free service in high traffic applications. In addition to this narrow version, the CM-221 & CM-222 Series switches are available in a range of other models with single and double gang heavy-gauge stainless steel faceplates and include illuminated light rings.