Restaurants Increasing AI Investments to Improve Operations and Customer Experience
According to a recent Deloitte survey, a significant majority of restaurant executives are planning to boost their investments in artificial intelligence (AI) technologies for the 2025-26 fiscal year. Specifically, 82% of respondents intend to increase AI spending, with key benefits expected in enhancing customer experience (60%), streamlining restaurant operations (36%), and strengthening loyalty programs (31%).
The survey reveals that AI is already integrated into daily operations for many businesses: 63% of executives report using AI daily to support the customer experience, while 55% utilize AI for inventory management. Additionally, 26% are conducting pilots or limited implementations focused on customer experience improvements.
Challenges and Risk Factors in AI Adoption
Despite the enthusiasm, restaurant leaders also acknowledge several obstacles. Nearly half (48%) cite difficulty in identifying the right AI use cases and managing associated risks as top concerns. Technical skill gaps affect 45% of respondents, indicating that talent acquisition and workforce readiness remain critical issues.
When evaluating organizational readiness, fewer than half feel prepared across key areas such as strategy (43%), technology infrastructure (39%), operations (34%), risk and governance (28%), and talent (27%). Intellectual property concerns (20%) and potential misuse of customer data (16%) are also notable risk factors cited by executives.
Interestingly, lack of executive commitment is not viewed as a major barrier, with only 20% indicating it as a challenge. Similarly, selecting the right technologies (29%) and computing infrastructure or data issues (31%) are seen as less significant hurdles.
Overall AI Preparedness in the Restaurant Sector
Strategy stands out as the strongest area of AI readiness, although a sizable portion—almost 40%—still feel their strategy is insufficient. Only 21% believe their risk and governance frameworks are adequate to support AI initiatives, while 29% feel confident in their technology infrastructure and 27% in their talent pool.
As AI adoption grows, restaurant leaders face the dual challenge of fostering innovation while maintaining operational discipline. Strengthening governance and closing capability gaps will be essential to maximize the benefits of AI, improve margins, and secure long-term business sustainability across both front- and back-of-house functions.
For executives aiming to deepen their understanding of AI’s practical applications and build relevant skills, exploring comprehensive resources and courses may provide valuable support. Platforms like Complete AI Training offer targeted learning paths suited for various skill levels and job roles in AI.
Additional Industry Insights
- Seasonal Hiring Surge: Restaurants are expected to add approximately 490,000 summer jobs this year, with notable increases in the Northeast.
- Industry Momentum: After a slow start, the restaurant sector showed promising recovery signs in March, indicating positive trends ahead.
Your membership also unlocks:
