Case Study: AI Makeover for Brunch

Intro

I recently visited Manny’s Snack Shack (Twin Lakes, WI) for brunch — great company, amazing food, and beautiful weather. Honestly, one of those perfect days I’ll always cherish.

I’ve always loved the local café experience wherever I go. Watching people, guessing their favorite menu picks (every café has its quirks and style — the curiosity heightens every time), soaking in the ambience, the view, the crowd — everything was on point.

But of course, my geek brain kicked in right after ordering the food. It did what it always does: went off on a tangent.

The place felt like it had been around for decades — old, charming, full of character and quiet stories.

And then I thought:

“What if Manny’s had an AI makeover?”

I know, I know — from brunch to bots, classic me! 😄

So, Nimisha’s Agentic Mode turned on (yep, just like an agentic AI — you know, one that acts autonomously toward its goals), and

I started scanning my surroundings — 12 o’clock, 9 o’clock, 6 o’clock, and 11 o’clock — fully immersed in this little imagination experiment.

My Table – The Customer Experience Zone

I was at the first table, facing the road and the lake.

A view like that deserves its own five stars. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

But let’s start here — there were still manual menus. Big, heavy, and filled with memories. Charming? Absolutely.

Efficient? Not so much.

Here’s my mental AI makeover:

• Manual Menu → Smart Digital Menu

  Every table gets a QR code. Tap, browse, order.

  (AI Tool: EasyMenu.ai)

  
  

• Customer Experience Lamp

  Imagine a table lamp that changes color based on your needs:

  • 🔴 Red: Need assistance

  • 🟡 Yellow: Waiting for check

    
    

No more awkwardly waving at the server for water.

(AI Tool: OrderCube — yes, I know, I’m officially the person imagining LED lamps at brunch.)

12 O'clock – The Cashier’s Corner

Two cashiers juggling everything — billing, phone calls, takeout orders, reservations — all in a tiny, packed area.

AI could step in here:

• A voice/chat assistant to handle calls, FAQs (menu, hours, directions), reservations, and pickup orders

• Fully synced with the POS system

(AI Tool: Loman AI)

Result: fewer headaches, smoother service, and cashiers who can actually breathe.

9 O'clock – The Live Kitchen

This is where the real magic happens — sizzling burgers, happy chaos, and that addictive café aroma.

Currently, orders travel manually from front desk to chef. Classic, yes, but also… kind of a hassle.

AI solution: AI Powered Kitchen Display System (KDS) — instant, error-free communication between servers and the kitchen.(AI Tool: TechRyde)

Because even the best burgers deserve a little tech help.

6 O'clock – The Dining Buzz

More tables, more chatter, and that happy brunch energy.

Here’s where I imagined:

• Mood-based playlists adapting to the crowd’s vibe (jazzy mornings, chill afternoons)

• Smart IoT systems for lighting and temperature — subtle enough to keep the ambience right

(AI Tool: Reelmind.ai)

Tech that listens to the room without taking over.

11 O'clock – The Main Kitchen

Couldn’t see much from my spot, but another KDS setup here would keep things flowing smoothly too.

The Thought That Hit Me

As much as my mind had fun turning Manny’s into a futuristic café, another part of me knew — if this actually happened, Manny’s wouldn’t be Manny’s anymore.

Polished and efficient, yes. But the old frames on the wall, the worn-out menus, the way regulars chat with staff — that’s the heartbeat of places like this.

Tech can enhance an experience, but it can’t replace authenticity.

The modern and the vintage aren’t meant to compete — they just tell different stories.

Closing Thoughts

Would I love to do more of these “what if” experiments? Definitely.

PS: The Actual Brunch (Because, priorities!)

I had a cheese omelette and blueberry pancakes — yum, yum!

My friend had a strawberry shake (yes, I sipped it) — made with real strawberries, no heavy cream or drama.

If I wasn’t cutting sugar, I’d have easily downed two (or ten!) of those.

And yes, I’ll be back — as soon as I convince someone to drive the 1 hour and 10 minutes to get me there again.

Disclaimer / Collaboration Note:

Images Source: Google Images (Cause, I was living in the moment 🥲)

Note: None of the AI tools featured are paid promotions — I simply enjoy discovering and sharing interesting ideas. If you’re a café, creator, or AI startup who loves blending tech with real-world charm, let’s team up for a creative experiment sometime!