Market Research: One-Third of Restaurants Have Already Adopted AI Technology; 48% Plan To Do So This Year

After contending with another year of high food and labor costs, financially stressed consumers, and fierce competition, U.S. restaurant operators are approaching 2025 with a focus on engaging more guests, more often. Consumers will see new pricing, ordering and marketing strategies, unique dining experiences, and increased usage of AI to enhance hospitality and bridge labor gaps.

This is according to recent studies of 359 U.S. restaurant operators and 1,000 U.S. consumers by Popmenu, a tech leader serving more than 10,000 restaurants.

Following are some of the technology-related research findings highlighted in the Restaurant Trends to Watch in 2025 report:

• From taking orders and preparing food to business operations and marketing, one third of operators (34%) have adopted AI technology at their restaurants while 48% plan to in 2025.
• More than half (54%) of operators believe AI will become a staple in restaurants over the next three years; 20% believe it’s already a staple.
• 59% of operators plan to automate more online functions while 43% plan to automate more on-premise functions.
• 45% will automate more front-of-house functions while 28% will automate more back-of-house functions and 31% will automate more management tasks.
• To bring in a steady stream of new and repeat guests, 3 in 4 operators plan to increase marketing activities this year.
• The same number plan to build out robust digital profiles of what each guest likes so they can send out more tailored messages and offers.

Popmenu conducted an anonymous, nationwide study of 359 U.S. restaurant owners and operators from November 20, 2024 to January 10, 2025. Popmenu also conducted an anonymous, nationwide survey of 1,000 U.S. consumers, ages 18 and older, from November 17 to 18, 2024.