New restaurant technologies in 2025 will transform the dining experience. If you work in the restaurant industry, you need to be aware of these trends. They help you stand out and improve the way your restaurant operates, allowing you to serve customers more effectively. If you run a restaurant, keep an eye on these restaurant tech trends.

They can help you work smarter and give guests better service than your rivals.

Key Takeaways

• Digital menu boards can increase average order value by up to 30%, while self-service kiosks boost check sizes by 8-15%.
• AI-driven recommendations raise order values by 10-35% and improve customer retention by 20-30%.
• Cloud POS systems reduce setup time from weeks to days and offer remote access without heavy upfront costs.
• The food automation market reached $15 billion in 2024, with robots helping cut labor costs and speed up service.
• Advanced analytics can reduce food waste by up to 20%, and over 70% of operators have increased their tech budgets to support data-driven decisions.

Why Does Restaurant Technology Impact Sales?

Technology helps your team work more efficiently and makes services run more smoothly. Digital menu boards at drive-thrus, for instance, can increase average orders by approximately 30%. Self-service kiosks can boost check totals by up to 15% in fast-casual restaurants and around 8% in quick-service chains.

Tools like AI and data analytics show which dishes sell best. With that insight, you can promote high‑margin items and tweak your menu on the fly. One major chain saw its digital sales jump by about 15% after rolling out an AI system.

First‑party ordering platforms also play a significant role. When customers order directly through your site or app, you avoid extra fees and build stronger customer ties. In 2025, approximately 40% of brands reported that their online ordering drove the most significant revenue gains.

Mobile wallets and contactless pay speed up checkout. Quick taps or scans mean shorter waits and happier guests. Adding simple perks, such as loyalty points at checkout, can help turn first-time visitors into regular customers.

Top 5 Restaurant Tech Trends 2025

Trend 1: Contactless Ordering and Payments

Most diners now tap or scan instead of touching menus, cash, or cards. Many restaurants now allow guests to pay with their phones at the table. They also add QR-code menus, allowing people to order directly from their devices at their seats.

Over half of U.S. restaurants offer QR‑code menus. Nearly seven in ten let guests pay by scanning a code. Small spots know a smooth checkout is key, so they accept Apple Pay, Google Pay, and other wallets.

Table‑side tablets and self‑service kiosks are on the rise, as well. At the end of 2023, tablets accounted for almost $12 billion in orders. Guests can reorder or pay without waiting for staff.

Looking ahead, more brands are expected to roll out their digital wallets in the future. That is because it cuts transaction fees and ties in loyalty rewards. You get direct data on guest habits, boost repeat visits, and lower swipe costs.

Trend 2: AI‑powered Recommendations and Upselling

Approximately 95% of restaurants now utilize some form of AI, ranging from basic chatbots to advanced personalization engines. AI tools track what each guest likes and suggest add‑ons. If someone orders a burger, the system might offer fries or a drink. This can increase the value of average checks by 10-15%.

These suggestions show up on apps, kiosks, and online menus. Delivery platforms with intelligent recommendations can boost order values by up to 35%. In-store kiosks using AI for upselling can increase ticket sizes by 20-30% while reducing staff workload.

AI is not solely about pushing guests to spend more; it’s more than that. It’s about making visits smoother and more personal. Restaurants that use innovative suggestions often see 20-30% better customer retention. And more than 80% of operators plan to invest more in AI next year to sharpen these recommendations.

Trend 3: Cloud‑Based POS Systems

Point‑of‑sale systems now run online instead of on a single computer in your restaurant. This shift means you can:

• Check sales, inventory, and staff data from anywhere on a phone or laptop.
• Push menu updates or price changes live in a few clicks.
• Scale easily for one location or ten without extra hardware costs.

Cloud POS also ties into delivery apps and loyalty programs at the platform level. These systems include automatic software updates and remote troubleshooting. If your internet goes down, offline mode keeps sales flowing and then syncs data once you’re back online.

With data stored in the cloud, you reduce setup time from weeks to days. You also avoid hefty up‑front fees, since most providers work on a subscription model. That helps small and mid-sized businesses adopt full POS features, such as order management, inventory control, and customer profiles, without a heavy investment.

Cloud‑based POS puts your restaurant in your pocket. You get real‑time insights, easy updates, and a system that grows with you.

Trend 4: Automated Table-Side Service with Robots

Robotic servers can deliver meals, clear tables, and buss dishes while your staff focuses on guests. The global market for food automation, including service robots, reached $15 billion in 2024 and is projected to increase to $16.7 billion in 2025. In the U.S., half of all restaurants plan to add some form of automation in the next two to three years.

Models like PuduTech’s BellaBot cost around $15,000 each. They carry multiple trays and navigate dining rooms using sensors, which speeds up delivery and raises table turns. Some venues take it a step further: a California burger joint utilizes ABB Robotics arms to assemble a sandwich in just 27 seconds, then hands it off to either a human or robot server.

Automation can cut labor costs and shrink errors. Experts forecast that fast-food chains could save over $12 billion in wages each year by automating repetitive tasks with robots. Meanwhile, diners are growing more open to robots; about 40% say they’d be fine with robotic servers alongside human staff.

Over the coming year, expect more brands to test or roll out robots for table service and bussing, blending efficiency with a touch of novelty.

Trend 5: Advanced Data Analytics for Better Decision‑Making