Restaurant Operators Expect AI to Be Critical

A National Restaurant Association survey of 212 operators finds cost and training shape how restaurants adopt technology and AI.

Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Artificial Intelligence

Restaurant Operators Expect AI to Be Critical

Live Poll

Do you think AI and new technology will make everyday jobs and services better?

A survey of 212 restaurant operators, conducted June 18 to July 18, found that 77.9% expect technology, automation, data and AI to be at least moderately critical to their businesses over the next five years. Only 3.2% are implementing AI projects companywide, and 38.6% use AI tools today.

Why it matters

The findings show a gap between expectation and execution in the restaurant industry, with cost, business fit and workforce gaps slowing adoption. Operators who want to close that gap are looking most of all for training and education support.

Operators reported 42.4% cautious and 26.2% excited about AI, while 56.5% named training and education as the support that would most help adoption. The survey does not report whether these shares differ by restaurant size or segment.

The players

National Restaurant Association

The National Restaurant Association is the trade association representing the restaurant industry in the United States.

The details

Operators were asked about their use of technology, automation and data, and nearly half expect these tools to improve labor productivity at their restaurants. More than a third expect employee roles to shift toward greater technology skills.

June 18 to July 18: Survey of 212 restaurant operators conducted.
Next five years: Operators expect technology, automation, data and AI to be critical to their businesses.

Industry Trajectory

The survey extends the National Restaurant Association's series of operator technology surveys into AI, a focus that the association's earlier technology research did not center on. Restaurants are being asked to weigh AI investments against the same cost and staffing constraints that shaped earlier technology decisions.

For a restaurant owner, the survey signals that training and clear business fit matter more than the technology itself when deciding on AI tools. Diners may see the effects in staffing and service changes as operators pursue the productivity gains they expect.

The takeaway

Restaurant operators who expect AI to matter should treat training and a clear business case as the first steps, since cost alone is not what separates early adopters from the rest.