As 2026 is finally here, we’ve been reflecting on how technology has changed the restaurant industry, one trend at a time.
From best-in-class app design and restaurant SEO to top-notch online ordering systems and loyalty programs, 2025 advanced restaurant technology in ways we want to see much more of next year.
So, with a new year on the horizon and digital advancements continuing to grow…
Here are the five restaurant technology trends we’re expecting in 2026.
1 — Artificial Intelligence (AI Solutions for Staff Shortages)
AI has been used in the restaurant industry for over a decade, albeit with more humble beginnings; think less “robots of the future” and more automated voice systems.
However, since 2020 — and the unprecedented events that came with it — AI has skyrocketed in popularity. Now, AI remains one of the hottest technology trends the restaurant industry has ever seen… and we don’t see that slowing down in 2026.
Restaurant AI is evolving on an (almost) daily basis, with tech providers constantly upgrading AI’s use cases to better solve industry-wide problems — like the restaurant staffing crisis.
The National Restaurant Association (NRA) reported staffing as one of the leading challenges across restaurant segments in 2025, with 77% of operators naming “recruiting and retaining employees [as] a significant challenge for their businesses.” And, even for operators that do have job openings, they’re not always easy to hire for. 59% of operators report having openings that are hard to fill, especially chef and cook positions at full-service restaurants.
Luckily, that’s exactly where AI can help.
Restaurant owners can now look toward AI-powered solutions to bolster less-than-ideal staffing levels, from automating customer service with AI chatbots to reducing staffing pressure with digital and self-serve ordering options.
In 2026, we expect to see further exploration of how AI can relieve the restaurant industry’s staffing struggle, with new, tech-first solutions that eliminate the need for constant hiring.
2 — Hyper-Personalized Ordering Experiences
With country-wide restrictions limiting dine-in abilities over the past few years, it’s no surprise that guest preferences have changed.
And, in 2025, diners told us their preferences loud and clear: they want more out of their restaurant experiences than before (especially Gen Zs).
In June 2025, Yelp explored search data to see what people were looking for in the restaurants they dined at. Their data showed a boost in consumer searches for dining experiences, with increases in terms like “Le Petit Chef” (+509%) and “Hibachi catering” (+55%), among others. Menu Matters also reported that today’s consumers just want “something brand new” from restaurants — because they’re tired of seeing the same old stuff from every business.
So, how can you combine new experiences with exclusivity?
Tech-powered customization (like a Craver app).
Leveraging restaurant technology like mobile apps or online ordering puts the power of customization in your guests’ hands. Not only does this make it easier for your guests to upgrade their order with add-ons or edit for allergies and preferences, but it also allows them to enjoy that sense of exclusivity through “secret menu” customizations or “app only” options.
According to respondents from Menu Matters’ 2025 Need State of the Year Report, restaurants need to remember that “a good dining experience can make or break a meal,” so creating “memorable dining experiences” should always be top of mind — something tech-powered customization can really help with.
In 2026, we expect to see a lot more restaurants jumping on exclusive, technology-powered customization trends with mobile apps and exclusive recommendations.
3 — More Restaurant Automation Trends
Using technology to automate restaurant operations has been on the industry’s radar for years.
But, in 2025, many of those tech-powered automations turned from futuristic ideas to time- and money-saving realities.
Take Chipotle, for example.
In August 2025, the Mexican food brand announced a new tech partnership with Cava, testing out the tech brand’s “robotic makeline technology.” Throughout this year, Chipotle will be testing out Cava’s automated makelines, a move that CEO Brett Schulman says will help “[free] workers on [the] back-of-house lines” so they can focus more on “consumer-facing work.”
We’ve also seen industry-wide shifts toward ordering-focused automation, especially self-service tech like touch-screen kiosks.
According to Tillster’s 2025 Phygital Index Report, consumers seem to prefer self-service kiosks for ordering, too. 61% of respondents said they want to see more kiosks in the restaurants they eat at because they’re more accurate, more convenient, and faster.
And, the cherry on top of the “automation benefits” cake? 72% of kiosk users have noticed their order sizes increase when they order on a kiosk — a huge opportunity for restaurants to boost average order size without extra labor or overhead.
Because of automation’s ability to save operators and diners time, money, and effort, we expect to see more innovative restaurant automation solutions in 2026.
4 — Coffee Subscription Models Adapted for Restaurants
In their 2025 State of Subscriptions Report, Recurly shared that “subscriber counts across industries have grown by 15.4% year over year.”
With subscription growth of that caliber — and with 44% of diners ordering takeout and/or delivery at least once a week — it wasn’t long before restaurants connected the dots and launched their own restaurant subscription programs.
Throughout the year, we’ve seen a ton of success from “OG” restaurant subscriptions like Panera’s “Unlimited Sip Club.” But we’ve also seen some new-and-improved restaurant subscriptions hit the market — like Pret A Manger’s revamped Club Pret.
In mid-2024, Pret A Manger announced they’d be ditching their existing Club Pret subscription model, where £30/month got members up to five discounted drinks a day and a 10% discount on food. Then, in early 2025, the brand new Club Pret officially launched, offering members up to 50% off five drinks a day for just £5 a mon.
And, while it’s obvious that the new Club Pret subscription is extra appealing for consumers, it’s been delivering great results for the brand, too. In Q3 2025, Pret announced a 10% increase in growth from last year, thanks to a new strategy that “doubles down” onconsumer value.
“Our priority will be to drive transactions and sustainable growth by offering great value for money for Pret customers,” said the brand’s CEO, Pano Christou. “[In coming years, our] focus will be on growing Pret’s market share in the UK and internationally.”
In 2026, we’re looking forward to more coffee shop subscriptions as operators explore how effectively this strategy marries customer benefits with guaranteed monthly income.
5 — Advanced Delivery Systems
When stay-at-home orders were in full swing, many of us saw delivery cars and bikes dropping off our dinner orders… but what if it was a drone instead?
The development of advanced delivery systems — like drones — has been underway for years, with restaurants like El Pollo Loco testing drone delivery since 2021. However, 2025 saw these delivery systems go from “still in development” to launching and succeeding, with companies like Flytrex even hitting milestones like “[delivering] over 200,000 meals to suburban housholds” (and counting).
And, if you’re a restaurant operator whose jam isn’t drone delivery, don’t worry — this year has seen other, more grounded delivery advancements, too.
For example, Relay Delivery — a company offering courier services for restaurant delivery— has risen in popularity this year, most notably because of its commission-free, money-saving, and power-restoring features.
While Relay might be less “advanced” than drone delivery technologically, the company’s unique take on delivery is advanced in other ways. Unlike other third-party apps, Relay gives you access to all of your customer data, preferences, and order histories. They also pay their couriers ethically and integrate seamlessly into your restaurant’s new (or existing) mobile app!
So, whether you’re testing out drone delivery or just want more advanced ground delivery, we anticipate the adoption and refinement of exciting new delivery systems to continue in 2026.
Looking Ahead to The Future of Restaurant Technology
Since the beginning of 2025, the restaurant industry has undergone massive changes, from better online ordering and new subscription models to AI automation and advanced delivery.
But, despite the ebbs and flows in any given year, the restaurant industry saw a ton of growth this past year — especially in the restaurant technology department.
And, if this year’s digital advancements are any indication of what’s to come…
Then we’re extra excited to see what 2026 has in store.
Looking to stay ahead in 2026? See how a custom-branded mobile app from Craver can propel your restaurant into the future.
