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

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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).