Published February 21, 2026, 7:00 a.m. EST
“Bar Rescue” host Jon Taffer told FOX Business that the decline in the male workforce is pushing operators toward technological solutions Artificial intelligence is slowly being reshaped catering operations, but not necessarily in the way diners might expect.
As labor shortages persist and costs remain high, “Bar Rescue” host Jon Taffer joined FOX Business’ Stuart Varney on “Varney & Co.” say that technology is becoming an essential tool in the background rather than a direct replacement for hospitality.
Taffer explained that staffing challenges are pushing operators to seek new efficiencies.
“We are having trouble finding people. the male workforce is decreasing in America…So it’s difficult to find employees…AI is a great way to ensure efficiency and streamline operations,” he said.
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Rather than placing machines between customers and staff, Taffer emphasized that human interaction remains at the heart of the dining experience.
“I don’t put AI in front of the house. I don’t want you to interact with the machine. I want you to interact with people. I think connectivity is very important,” he said.
Instead, AI is deployed behind the scenes, where it can directly impact margins.
“All of my AI is in the background. We manage inventory. We manage the ordering process. We track ticket times. We track all these incentives. We can track labor costs up to the present moment. But the AI in the background is a powerful, powerful asset for us. It can save us considerable dollars” Taffer said.
The financial case, he says, is simple.
“It doesn’t get sick.”
Taffer has decades of practical industry experience as a long-time pragmatic hospitality consultant. He has built a reputation for helping struggling restaurants while preserving the human connection that is at the heart of the business.
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