Hospitality turning to tech to tackle staffing issues

Three-quarters of hospitality professionals believe technology has made staffing management easier, according to new research by hospitality technology specialist Lolly, showing the increasing role it is playing in keeping teams running smoothly,

The study found that almost half (47%) of hospitality professionals said technology has made staffing management somewhat easier. A further 25% said it has made it much easier, highlighting the industry’s growing reliance on digital solutions to manage staff rotas, payroll and workforce communication. 

Peter Moore, CEO at Lolly, said: “Labour remains one of the biggest challenges in hospitality, as providers continue to navigate staff shortages and rising costs. The encouraging takeaway from this research is that operators aren’t standing still – they’re embracing practical tech tools to help teams work more efficiently.

“The findings underline a growing trend towards digital workforce management. Our own client partnerships reflect this trend, with operators using integrated platforms to simplify everything from shift management to customer service delivery. Whether through self-serve kiosks, smart kitchen displays, or automation like the Lolly Nova robot waiters, these tools are freeing up staff to focus on high-value, guest-facing tasks. At the end of the day it is about creating a better experience for both staff and customers.”

Speaking about the role of AI, Peter adds: “As AI increasingly underpins innovation, we will work closely with our clients to apply it with purpose – keeping sustainability front of mind and embedding AI only where it delivers genuine impact.”