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

  • From Surveillance to Intelligence

    Years ago, it would have been significantly more expensive to run an analytic like that — requiring a custom-built solution with burdensome infrastructure demands — but modern edge devices have made it accessible to everyone. It also saves time, which is a critical factor if a missing child is involved. Video compression technology has played a critical role as well. Over the years, significant advancements have been made in video coding standards — including H.263, MPEG formats, and H.264—alongside compression optimization technologies developed by IP video manufacturers to improve efficiency without sacrificing quality. The open-source AV1 codec developed by the Alliance for Open Media—a consortium including Google, Netflix, Microsoft, Amazon and others — is already the preferred decoder for cloud-based applications, and is quickly becoming the standard for video compression of all types. Read Now

  • Cost: Reactive vs. Proactive Security

    Security breaches often happen despite the availability of tools to prevent them. To combat this problem, the industry is shifting from reactive correction to proactive protection. This article will examine why so many security leaders have realized they must “lead before the breach” – not after. Read Now

  • Achieving Clear Audio

    In today’s ever-changing world of security and risk management, effective communication via an intercom and door entry communication system is a critical communication tool to keep a facility’s staff, visitors and vendors safe. Read Now

  • Beyond Apps: Access Control for Today’s Residents

    The modern resident lives in an app-saturated world. From banking to grocery delivery, fitness tracking to ridesharing, nearly every service demands another download. But when it comes to accessing the place you live, most people do not want to clutter their phone with yet another app, especially if its only purpose is to open a door. Read Now

  • Survey: 48 Percent of Worshippers Feel Less Safe Attending In-Person Services

    Almost half (48%) of those who attend religious services say they feel less safe attending in-person due to rising acts of violence at places of worship. In fact, 39% report these safety concerns have led them to change how often they attend in-person services, according to new research from Verkada conducted online by The Harris Poll among 1,123 U.S. adults who attend a religious service or event at least once a month. Read Now

New Products

  • AC Nio

    AC Nio

    Aiphone, a leading international manufacturer of intercom, access control, and emergency communication products, has introduced the AC Nio, its access control management software, an important addition to its new line of access control solutions.

  • Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation.

    Connect ONE®

    Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation.

  • 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