In today’s fast-moving restaurant world, efficiency and personalization are key. Toast is stepping ahead with two intelligent tools—ToastIQ and Sous Chef—that empower operators to optimize operations, boost sales, and build deeper connections with guests.
1. Meet the Power Couple: ToastIQ + Sous Chef
ToastIQ is an AI-driven intelligence engine built right into the Toast platform. It analyzes real-time and historical transaction data across thousands of restaurants to generate prompts, personalized recommendations, and automated workflows for every team member—from servers to managers.
Sous Chef, an NLP-powered voice and chat assistant, works alongside ToastIQ behind the scenes. It helps with data-driven insights, upsell suggestions, and even automates mundane tasks like marketing plans and shift summaries .
2. Boosting Revenue & Average Checks
Restaurants piloting the AI upsell feature reported a 6% increase in average order volume thanks to smart prompts delivered via ToastIQ and Sous Chef. For example, servers are nudged to suggest add‑ons during order-taking—like offering fries with a burger—generating higher check totals without extra effort.
3. Streamlined Operations, Smoother Service
Efficiency isn’t just about speed—it’s about insight. ToastIQ’s features like “Shift at a Glance” push critical updates (staffing changes, specials) directly to handheld devices, improving communication and reducing stress in busy shifts.
Meanwhile, Sous Chef helps busy operators query sales trends or labor forecasts using natural language—no data spreadsheets or dashboards needed.
4. Personalized Guest Experiences
Personalization is now core to service. ToastIQ provides digital chits that flag guest metrics, like birthday visits or past-order history—arming servers with context to provide smarter, more engaging interactions.
And with Sous Chef integrated into marketing workflows, operators can automate custom offers via SMS/email based on individual preferences and dining history—boosting loyalty, engagement, and repeat visits.
5. Supporting Staff & Filling Gaps
With ongoing labor challenges in hospitality, Sous Chef acts like a “non-human employee.” It handles some upselling and insightful suggestions via voice AI, giving human staff a voice-assisted teammate that boosts capacity during peak hours.
6. Broad Adoption & Future Growth
Toast is rolling these AI tools out in phases. So far, major brands like Topgolf and Applebee’s are already piloting the tech—proof of its scalability across varying restaurant formats.
During the Q1 2025 earnings call, CEO Aman Narang confirmed that Toast would continue enhancing its AI platform, noting early promising returns and a strategic focus on integrating more features over time.
Why It Matters
- Smarter Upsells = higher revenue (+6% check size in pilots)
- Better staff efficiency = fewer mistakes, smoother shifts
- Deeper personalization = happier customers, stronger brand loyalty
- Data-driven marketing = stronger ROI on campaigns
- AI-powered relief = staff • scheduling challenges easing
In short, ToastIQ and Sous Chef aren’t just flashy features—they’re operational multipliers. They help restaurants serve better, sell more, and scale efficiently—all without burdening staff or overhauling existing systems.
What Operators Can Do Next
- Explore AI pilots — ask Toast about early access to ToastIQ and Sous Chef.
- Monitor meaningful metrics — average check size, upsell success rates, labor efficiency, guest satisfaction.
- Train the team on using prompts, digital chits, and voice assistants effectively.
- Scale thoughtfully—start in one location or segment before wider rollout.
Final Thought
With ToastIQ and Sous Chef, Toast is transforming its platform into a proactive, intelligent partner—one that doesn’t just process orders but continually helps teams learn, improve, and personalize. For restaurants focused on the next level of efficiency and guest loyalty, these AI tools offer a compelling advantage.
