As restaurants become more technology-focused, new data-driven analytics and IoT-connected tools can provide operators access to a treasure trove of information never before available to them. 

Created by restaurant operators for restaurant operators, Rosnet is one of the most comprehensive and trusted multi-unit management solutions on the market. With Rosnet, managers can access real-time data, including task lists, labor and inventory management, payroll, budgets, and more, all from one streamlined dashboard. The platform has helped major restaurant brands achieve an average of 2 percent food cost reduction and 1 percent labor cost reduction—and it just got even better. 

Recently, the company released Rosnet Assistant, which uses Amazon’s voice-controlled virtual assistant Alexa. Now, operators can access their data with simple, straightforward voice commands right from their phones—a lifesaver for busy managers who spend much of their time on the road. 

“Even pre-COVID, we had to be more efficient and use our time wisely,” says Ryan Pilkington, vice president of strategic operations at RMH Franchise, who uses the Rosnet Assistant to increase operational efficiency. “Now, staffing challenges and access to data and understanding about our business is paramount.”

Now that district managers are back to in-store visits and audits, which require drive time, Rosnet Assistant can be a valuable tool. Instead of pulling over to check the dashboard manually—or worse yet, trying to check messages while driving—users can simply use commands like, “Alexa, tell me my real-time sales for today,” or “Alexa, tell me how much we’ve spent on labor this month.” Users can request data for a single store or an entire region. 

“The majority of our users are regional supervisors, area directors, and location managers,” says Satya Alluri, lead platform engineer at Rosnet. “They spend most of their day driving between locations to help franchisees run their businesses smoothly—for this, they need to know what’s going on with each of their locations. Rosnet Assistant makes it easy and safe to access their regional or location-specific KPIs just by having a conversation with Alexa, without looking at a mobile app while driving.”  

Equally, location managers are frontline workers who do whatever it takes to make sure the restaurant runs smoothly and provides a great experience for their customers. Quick access to metrics available on the Rosnet platform can save managers time and increase profits. These metrics can be quickly accessed via a quick conversation with Alexa instead of managers making so many trips to the office. 

Setting up Rosnet Assistant is easy: Simply download the Alexa app, which can be easily linked with Rosnet. Setup takes just a few minutes. Pilkington says RMH Franchise sees the most benefit at the area director level—his favorite way to use the Assistant is to manage inventory.   

“From an administration standpoint, I need all inventories in by a certain time on a certain day—even one in 131 stores can delay processing reports. With Rosnet Assistant, you can see which stores haven’t finalized inventory and follow up with the appropriate people.” 

Rosnet can be customized according to a restaurant or brand’s specific needs. In addition to real-time data that is updated every 15 minutes, Rosnet integrates with drive-thru timers, allows users to perform “soft” inventories multiple times a day, maintain checklists to encourage accountability, and provide theoretical costing, including paper products. Rosnet also provides 24/7/365 customer support to clients at no additional cost. 

“Despite the additional challenges of the COVID environment, managers are still held accountable for everything that happens in their restaurants,” Pilkington says. “Rosnet does a good job of staying on the cutting edge in terms of where efficiencies need to be in our restaurants—the Assistant is one more tool to help us do that.”  

Written By Davina Van Buren for QSR Magazine