In the restaurant industry, the promise of AI is everywhere, but the real measure of success is much simpler: does it help operators make better decisions and run better restaurants?
For Todd Kaufman, Chief Information Officer at SSP America, the answer comes down to impact. AI should not create more complexity or add another layer of information for restaurant teams to manage. Instead, it should simplify decision-making and free managers to focus on running great restaurants.
“If an AI tool can't reduce a manager's workload and deliver measurable ROI, it belongs in the ‘interesting’ category — not the investment category,” Todd shared.
SSP America is focused on AI solutions that create meaningful business results today by helping teams work more efficiently, make informed decisions faster, and spend more time on operations.
During a recent session of Crunchtime’s Ops Innovators Webinar Series, Todd shared how SSP America is approaching AI adoption, using technology to cut through operational noise, surface critical insights, and empower restaurant teams to make better decisions.
Turning Data Overload Into Decision Support
Restaurant operators have no shortage of data. The challenge is identifying what actually requires attention.
For years, managers have had to navigate countless reports, dashboards, and data points to understand what was happening in their restaurants. While visibility is valuable, too much information can make it harder to identify the issues that need immediate action.
“At SSP America, AI delivers the most value by cutting through the noise and highlighting what matters most to our teams,” Todd explained.
Rather than requiring operators to spend hours analyzing information, AI helps distill complex data into actionable insights. It identifies trends, highlights potential issues, and helps managers understand where to focus their attention.
The goal is not to provide teams with more information. It is to help them make fewer, better-informed decisions.
“Anyone who has spent a day in the life of a restaurant manager knows that you’re pulled in a thousand different ways,” Todd said. “Rather than needing to sift through data, AI helps distill it into what the manager needs to see so that they can do what they do best: make decisions and adjustments to help the business thrive.”
Helping Operators Focus on Facts, Not Assumptions
For SSP America, AI is not about replacing human judgment; it is about strengthening it.
In a fast-paced restaurant environment, operators make countless decisions every day. AI helps teams distinguish meaningful trends from isolated events, allowing them to focus their time and attention where it will have the greatest impact.
“At SSP America, AI helps us distinguish between real issues, one-off events, and the areas that deserve our attention,” Todd shared.
By turning operational data into actionable insights, AI enables more informed and consistent decision-making. Rather than relying on instinct alone, operators can make decisions backed by evidence while retaining full ownership of the outcome.
“At SSP America, AI provides focus and insight, but our people still make the decisions,” Todd emphasized.
Building Trust Through Practical AI Adoption
Introducing new technology into restaurant operations requires more than simply deploying a new tool. Successful adoption depends on building confidence with the people who will use it every day.
“When it comes to implementing new technology, operators want to know two things: Will it make my job easier, and will it improve results?” Todd said.
Rather than asking teams to embrace change blindly, SSP America focuses on demonstrating practical, measurable benefits early in the rollout process.
“If an operator can see the potential benefit of a new tool, ultimately, they will accept it, but you have to show them how it will save time and make their lives easier,” Todd added.
For SSP America, that approach starts long before implementation by clearly defining the operational challenge the technology is intended to solve and what success will look like.
Keeping the Focus on What Matters Most: Restaurant Teams
Ultimately, SSP America’s approach to AI is about empowering people.
The best technology does not add more work for restaurant teams. It removes friction, simplifies decision-making, and gives operators more time to focus on running successful restaurants.
“At the end of the day, any new tool that creates extra steps for the operator without showing ROI will not survive in the restaurant business.”
By using AI to transform complex data into clear, actionable insights, SSP America is helping teams spend less time searching for answers and more time acting on them.
Ready to see how practical AI built for restaurants can transform your operations?
Watch the full webinar recording here or explore the AI Buyer's Guide for more insights.