Cantaloupe in the News

If you're a frontline manager in a quick-service restaurant or a decision maker overseeing multiple locations, you know the drill. You're constantly posting job ads, interviewing folks who seem promising, and then watching them walk out the door after a few weeks. It's exhausting, right? That high turnover rate isn't just a headache; it's costing your business big time in training, lost productivity, and even customer service dips. Let's talk about why this happens and how simple AI tools, like our Clio at Cantaloupe AI, can help you build a team that sticks around.

First off, let's look at the numbers. In the hospitality industry, employee turnover hovers around 70 to 80 percent annually, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. For restaurants specifically, it's often closer to 75 percent in 2025, as recent reports show. That means for every four people you hire, three might leave within a year. Why? A lot of it comes down to mismatched expectations. Candidates apply because they need a job, not because they want your job. They might not fit the fast-paced environment, or their pay hopes don't line up with what you offer. Poor communication during hiring adds fuel to the fire, leading to quick quits.

As someone who's been in the trenches managing shifts and dealing with no-shows, you get how this cycle kills morale. Your core team gets burned out covering for the revolving door, and suddenly you're short-staffed during peak hours. We've heard from managers just like you who say they've spent entire weekends on interviews, only to start over again.

That's where AI steps in without making things complicated. At Cantaloupe AI, our platform uses voice AI to screen candidates in a way that's fair and fast. Clio, our conversational AI interviewer, talks to applicants over the phone in real conversations. She asks about their experience, personality traits like reliability, and even commute details to spot potential red flags early. No resumes needed, which cuts out bias from things like names or backgrounds. Instead, you get a shortlist of folks who are excited about the role and have a low risk of turning over, based on data patterns we've built from real hires.

Take one of our pilot partners, a chain with 25 locations. In just a few months from late 2024 to early 2025, they saw hiring speed up by five times, with better matches that reduced early quits. Imagine getting a daily summary in your inbox with top candidates, each scored on fit, like an 85 percent match with low turnover risk. You review, interview the best, and move on. No more wasting time on mismatches.

But it's not just about speed. This approach builds trust. Candidates love it too; one told us, "Very easy process," because it feels natural, not like filling out endless forms. For you as a manager, it means more time focusing on your team and operations, not endless recruiting.

If this sounds like what your restaurant needs, check out our ROI calculator to see the potential savings for your setup. Or better yet, schedule a quick demo with us here: https://cal.com/lanedegenhardt/a-slice-of-cantaloupe-ai. We're based in New Orleans, serving folks just like you in QSRs and hospitality. Let's chat about making your hiring smarter and your team stronger. What do you say?