March 06, 2025

Rising Tides Live: Restaurants And AI

1 hour 9 minutes

In this episode of Rising Tides Live, the conversation explores the evolving role of artificial intelligence in the restaurant industry. Featured guest Jesse Stein, co-founder of Hermetic AI, shares his insights on how AI-driven automation is transforming private event bookings, guest engagement, and operational efficiency. Jesse joins host Shawn Walchef to discuss the biggest opportunities and challenges AI presents for hospitality businesses, from enhancing customer interactions to streamlining operations without replacing the human element. Together, they examine real-world applications of AI, the future of AI-powered agents collaborating across restaurant functions, and how operators can embrace this technology to improve service, profitability, and long-term guest relationships.

Interview Takeaways:

AI Enhances Hospitality, Not Replaces It – Jesse Stein emphasizes that AI isn’t here to replace human workers—it’s here to help them. Tools like Mia, Hermetic AI’s virtual assistant, streamline private event bookings by handling repetitive tasks, allowing restaurant staff to focus on high-value interactions and delivering a better guest experience.

AI Can Drastically Reduce Response Times and Increase Conversions – Speed matters in hospitality, especially when responding to guest inquiries. AI-powered agents like Mia engage with inbound leads within seconds, answering questions, booking walkthroughs, and following up on proposals. By reducing the typical response time from days to minutes, restaurants can convert more leads into booked events while improving the guest experience.

Operators Who Ignore AI Risk Falling Behind – The hospitality industry is changing fast, and early adopters of AI-driven solutions will have a major advantage. Stein encourages restaurant owners to experiment with AI now, leveraging tools like CRM insights, demand forecasting, and automation to optimize operations before competitors force a last-minute scramble to adapt.

Episode Links:

Cali BBQ Media: https://content.calibbq.media/

Join Our Next Show: https://betheshow.media/rising-tides/

Jesse Stein LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessejstein/

Hermetic AI: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hermetic-ai/

About Our Sponsors

DAVO:

DAVO automates every step of the sales tax process — from collecting to filing to paying...

Click here to learn more

Marqii:

Marqii is designed to create unforgettable customer experiences...

Click here to learn more