Stop Losing Hours Hand-Crafting Quotes for Every Catering Inquiry Automate It All with Custom AI
Imagine slashing 15+ hours per week on quote prep, turning around bids in minutes instead of days, and boosting your close rate by 30% without the manual hassle.
Join 250+ food service pros with faster, smarter quoting
The "Manual Quoting" Headache
Endless back-and-forth emails tweaking plated meal counts, appetizer platters, or dessert stations for weddings and corporate luncheons
Manually calculating costs for fluctuating produce prices, meat trims, or seasonal specials like summer salads during peak brunch rushes
Forgetting to factor in server ratios, kitchen prep time, or delivery van routes for off-site banquets and private parties
Dealing with inconsistent quote formats that confuse clients about per-head pricing or buffet line setups, making your restaurant look disorganized
Watching competitors snag deals because your team can't respond fast enough during busy dinner service rushes with full house turns
Struggling to upsell add-ons like signature cocktails, charcuterie boards, or floral cake toppers without a streamlined quoting process
Our Custom AI Quote Engine, Built Just for Your Kitchen Workflow
We've powered quoting for over 50 restaurants, from bustling bistros to high-volume caterers, delivering systems that feel like an extension of your team.
Why Choose Us
Let's be honest, quoting in food service isn't just about numbers—it's about nailing the vibe of a client's event while juggling your daily ops. At AIQ Labs, we build a tailored AI system that pulls from your POS data, menu inventory, and past orders to generate precise, professional quotes on demand. No more spreadsheets or guesswork. You're probably thinking, 'Will this fit my setup?' Absolutely—we map it to your exact workflow, whether you're handling walk-in reservations or large-scale events. Here's the thing: this isn't off-the-shelf software. We code it custom, integrating seamlessly with tools like Toast or Square, so you own a unified system that saves time and impresses clients every time.
What Makes Us Different:
Unlock Time and Revenue Without the Grind
Save 15-20 Hours Weekly on Quote Prep
Save 15-20 Hours Weekly on Quote Prep: Picture this: instead of your manager spending evenings recalculating costs for a 100-guest buffet with seasonal heirloom tomato salads, our AI handles it instantly, including waste factors and portion yields. That's like adding an extra server shift without the payroll hit. Restaurants using our system report reclaiming those hours for menu innovation or family time, directly boosting operational efficiency and work-life balance, with one client noting a 20% drop in overtime costs in the first quarter.
Boost Close Rates and Revenue by 25-35%
Boost Close Rates and Revenue by 25-35%: Faster quotes mean happier clients who say yes more often. We've seen spots like yours turn around event bids for 150-person galas in under 10 minutes, leading to more bookings and an average 30% increase in per-event revenue from included bar tabs. It's like having a secret weapon in a crowded market—your quotes arrive polished and personalized with menu visuals, edging out slower competitors and padding your bottom line within the first month of implementation.
Slash Errors and Cut Costs by 40%
Slash Errors and Cut Costs by 40%: Manual quoting is a recipe for mistakes, like underpricing a cocktail hour with premium liquors and eating the loss on inventory variances. Our AI cross-checks everything against your real costs, including labor multipliers and delivery surcharges, preventing overstaffing slip-ups or forgotten fees like linen rentals. Owners tell us this alone saves thousands yearly—up to $5,000 in the first six months—turning what was a costly headache into a reliable profit driver for high-volume seasons.
What Clients Say
"Before AIQ, quoting for our weekly corporate luncheons took my whole afternoon—pulling hors d'oeuvres menus, calling seafood suppliers for fresh shrimp counts, the works. Now, it spits out a full quote with bartender staffing estimates and AV setup fees in under five minutes. We landed three extra 50-guest events last month, and I'm actually getting home before 9 PM most nights."
Maria Gonzalez
Operations Manager, Bella Italia Catering & Events
"Our old system was a mess; we'd miss delivery details like chafing dish rentals and lose clients over it for off-site weddings. This custom setup integrates with our POS inventory tracker, so quotes are spot-on every time with accurate yield calculations. Saved us about 12 hours a week, and our error rate dropped to zero on the last 20 buffet proposals, boosting our win rate by 28%."
Tom Reilly
Owner, Riverside Grill House & Banquet Hall
"I was skeptical at first—thought it'd be too fancy for our small diner with just basic sandwich platters. But they tailored it perfectly, even factoring in our seasonal farm-fresh berry compotes and local craft beer pairings. Quotes now include upsell suggestions like add-on charcuterie that actually convert, adding 15% to our catering revenue in just two months and helping us book five more private parties."
Sarah Kim
General Manager, Harvest Table Diner
Simple 3-Step Process
Discovery Call: Map Your Workflow
We hop on a quick call to understand your quoting pains—like handling peak-season surges or custom vegan options. No fluff, just diving into how your kitchen ticks so we can spot the bottlenecks.
Custom Build: Engineer Your AI Engine
Our team codes a bespoke system pulling from your POS, supplier APIs, and event calendars. We test it against real scenarios, like a last-minute brunch quote, ensuring it's fast and flawless for your setup.
Launch and Train: Seamless Rollout
We integrate it into your daily ops, train your staff with hands-on sessions, and monitor the first quotes. You'll see immediate time savings, with full ownership handed over in weeks—not months.
Why We're Different
What's Included
Common Questions
How does this automation handle custom menu requests, like gluten-free options for a large party?
Great question—customization is where we shine in food service. Our AI is trained on your full menu database, including allergens and substitutions. When a client requests a gluten-free banquet for 50, it cross-references your inventory, suggests alternatives like quinoa salads instead of pasta, and recalculates costs automatically. We've built this for restaurants facing daily mods, ensuring quotes reflect accurate pricing without manual tweaks. Setup involves uploading your recipe book once, and it learns from past orders to get smarter over time. Clients love the precision; one caterer told us it cut their revision loops by 70%, letting them focus on plating perfection.
What's the ROI timeline for implementing this in my restaurant?
You're probably thinking about the bottom line, and rightfully so. Most of our restaurant partners see payback in 2-4 months through time savings alone—think 15 hours/week reclaimed at $25/hour, that's $1,500 monthly. Add in higher close rates from faster responses, and it's even quicker. For a mid-sized spot like yours, we target 3x ROI in year one by reducing errors that eat into margins. We provide a custom projection during discovery, based on your quote volume. No guesswork; it's grounded in data from similar food service ops we've automated.
Will this integrate with my existing POS and inventory tools?
Absolutely, integration is our bread and butter. We connect directly to popular systems like Toast, Square, or even older setups via APIs, pulling live data on stock levels and sales history. For inventory, it syncs with tools like MarketMan to flag low-stock items before quoting. This isn't superficial—it's two-way, so approved quotes update your orders automatically. We've done this for busy kitchens where downtime isn't an option, ensuring zero disruption during install. Your team keeps using what they know, but with AI superpowers underneath.
How much customization can I expect for my specific quoting needs?
As much as you need—nothing cookie-cutter here. We start by shadowing your process, whether it's quoting farm-to-table weddings or quick office lunches. Then, we tailor the AI: add fields for wine pairings, build in seasonal surcharges, or even voice-input for hands-free use during prep. It's like crafting a custom sauce—perfectly suited to your flavor. Past clients, like a BBQ joint, had us include smoker rental fees; now their quotes win more gigs. Full ownership means you can tweak it anytime with our support.
Is the system secure for handling client event details and payments?
Security is non-negotiable in food service, especially with sensitive event info like VIP guest lists. We build with enterprise-grade encryption, compliant with standards like PCI for any payment links. Data stays in your controlled environment—no cloud roulette. Access is role-based, so only managers see full quotes. We've audited this for restaurants dealing with high-profile events, and it passes with flying colors. Plus, regular updates keep it ahead of threats, giving you peace of mind while you serve up smiles.
What if my quoting volume spikes during holidays—can it handle the load?
Holidays are crunch time for restaurants, and our systems are built to thrive under pressure. Scalable architecture means it processes hundreds of quotes daily without slowing your service. For Thanksgiving catering rushes, we've handled 50+ bids per hour for partners, using cloud resources that auto-scale. No lag, no crashes—just reliable output. We stress-test during build against your peak patterns, so when the orders flood in, your AI is the steady hand in the kitchen chaos.
Ready to Get Started?
Book your free consultation and discover how we can transform your business with AI.