Restaurants and bars run on crazy-thin margins. Staff is busy, owners are stretched, and too much energy gets wasted on repetitive tasks. That’s where automation earns its keep. The right workflows reduce human error, save labor, and keep guests engaged — all without adding headcount.

Here are ten automation workflows every hospitality business should have in place in 2025.

1. Missed Call Text-Back

• Capture lost phone calls with an instant SMS.

• Example: “Sorry we missed your call at The Copper Mug. Want to book a table or see tonight’s specials?”

• Ensures no guest slips through the cracks.

2. Review Requests

• Automatically trigger after a visit.

• Positive reviews go public; negative feedback gets routed privately.

• Builds reputation without staff chasing guests.

3. Birthday & Anniversary Campaigns

• Collect dates at signup and trigger personalized offers.

• “Happy Birthday! Come celebrate with a free dessert and glass of bubbly.”

• Keeps the bar top full with meaningful touches.

4. Event Reminders

• AI segments guests by interests (jazz, sports, trivia nights).

• Event-specific reminders sent only to the right groups.

5. Lapsed Guest Reactivation

• If a guest hasn’t visited in 45 or 90 days, trigger a special invite.

• Keeps the database alive and reduces churn.

6. VIP Recognition

• Top spenders flagged automatically.

• They get early access to menus, premium invites, or complimentary perks.

7. Table Confirmation & Upsell

• Reservation booked → confirmation SMS with a subtle upsell.

• “See you Friday at 8pm. Want to pre-order a Negroni pitcher for the table?”

8. Post-Visit Survey

• Short 1–2 question survey sent automatically.

• Feeds data into KPIs on guest experience and service.

9. Redemption Tracking

• Links or QR codes track who used offers and when.

• Helps calculate true ROI without messy spreadsheets.

10. Staff Scheduling Nudges

• Shift confirmations and reminders sent automatically.

• Reduces no-shows, saves manager time.

Automation doesn’t replace hospitality — it supports it. By taking the busywork out of operations, owners and staff can focus on what matters: creating experiences worth coming back for.