Restaurant Daily Insights with Gemini AI - Sales, Waste & Feedback Email Summary

In this guide, we’ll walk you through setting up an AI-driven workflow that automatically fetches daily sales, food waste, and customer feedback data from Google Sheets, generates actionable insights using AI, merges them into a comprehensive report, and sends it as an email draft. Ready to automate your restaurant’s daily insights? Let’s dive in!

What’s the Goal? Automatically retrieve daily sales data, food waste records, and customer feedback from Google Sheets. Use AI to analyze data and generate insights, including top performers, waste reduction recommendations, and feedback summaries. Merge the insights into a structured daily report. Send the report as an AI-generated email draft for review or sending. Enable scheduled automation for daily insights delivery.

By the end, you’ll have a self-running system that delivers daily restaurant insights effortlessly.

Why Does It Matter? Manual data analysis and reporting are time-consuming and error-prone. Here’s why this workflow is a game-changer:

Zero Human Error**: AI ensures accurate and consistent insights. Time-Saving Automation**: Instantly process data and draft reports, boosting efficiency. Scheduled Delivery**: Receive insights daily without manual effort. Actionable Insights**: Empower your team with data-driven decisions. Think of it as your tireless data analyst that keeps your restaurant informed.

How It Works Here’s the step-by-step magic behind the automation:

Step 1: Trigger the Workflow Initiate the workflow daily using the Daily Report Scheduler node (e.g., every day at a set time).

Step 2: Fetch Daily Sales Data Retrieve sales data from the Google Sheet using the Fetch Daily Sales Data node.

Step 3: Fetch Daily Food Waste Records Retrieve food waste data from the Google Sheet using the Fetch Daily Food Waste Records node.

Step 4: Fetch Customer Feedback Retrieve customer feedback from the Google Sheet using the Fetch Customer Feedback node.

Step 5: Normalize Sales Records Process and standardize sales data for AI analysis.

Step 6: Normalize Waste Data Process and standardize food waste data for AI analysis.

Step 7: Normalize Feedback Data Process and standardize customer feedback data for AI analysis.

Step 8: AI Sales Insights Generator Use AI (e.g., Google Chat Model) to analyze sales data, identify top performers, and provide recommendations.

Step 9: AI Waste Reduction Insights Generator Use AI to analyze waste data and suggest reduction strategies.

Step 10: AI Feedback Summary Use AI to summarize customer feedback and identify common themes.

Step 11: Format Sales Output Structure the sales insights into a readable format.

Step 12: Format Waste Output Structure the waste reduction insights into a readable format.

Step 13: Format Feedback AI Output Structure the feedback summary into a readable format.

Step 14: Merge & Create Email Combine all formatted insights into a single daily report email draft.

Step 15: Prepare Email Content Finalize the email content for sending.

Step 16: Send Daily Report Send the AI-generated daily summary email via Gmail.

How to Use the Workflow? Importing a workflow in n8n is a straightforward process that allows you to use pre-built workflows to save time. Below is a step-by-step guide to importing the Restaurant Daily Insights Automation workflow in n8n.

Steps to Import a Workflow in n8n

Obtain the Workflow JSON Source the Workflow: Workflows are shared as JSON files or code snippets, e.g., from the n8n community, a colleague, or exported from another n8n instance. Format: Ensure you have the workflow in JSON format, either as a file (e.g., workflow.json) or copied text.

Access the n8n Workflow Editor Log in to n8n (via n8n Cloud or self-hosted instance). Navigate to the Workflows tab in the n8n dashboard. Click Add Workflow to create a blank workflow.

Import the Workflow Option 1: Import via JSON Code (Clipboard): Click the three dots (⋯) in the top-right corner to open the menu. Select Import from Clipboard. Paste the JSON code into the text box. Click Import to load the workflow. Option 2: Import via JSON File: Click the three dots (⋯) in the top-right corner. Select Import from File. Choose the .json file from your computer. Click Open to import.

Setup Notes Google Sheet Columns**: Sales Data Sheet: Date, Item Name, Quantity Sold, Revenue, Cost, Profit. Food Waste Records Sheet: Date, Item Name, Waste Quantity, Reason, Timestamp. Customer Feedback Sheet: Date, Customer Name, Feedback Text, Rating, Timestamp. Google Sheets Credentials**: Configure OAuth2 settings in the fetch nodes with your Google Sheet ID and credentials. AI Models**: Set up the AI nodes (e.g., Google Chat Model) with appropriate API credentials. Gmail Integration**: Authorize the Send Daily Report node with Gmail API credentials to send emails. Scheduling**: Adjust the Daily Report Scheduler node to your preferred time (e.g., daily at 9 AM).