Restaurant Operators Expect AI to Matter, Cost Slows It
Most operators still use AI tools rather than deploying it companywide, with cost and training gaps the main barriers.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Artificial Intelligence
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A National Restaurant Association 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. Adoption remains early: 38.6% of operators use AI tools, while only 3.2% are implementing AI projects companywide. This is survey-based research, not a product launch.
Why it matters
The gap between expectation and deployment is the story: operators broadly see technology as central to their future, but cost, business fit and workforce gaps are slowing rollout. Nearly half expect technology to raise labor productivity, which makes the adoption barriers a practical constraint on where food-service automation heads next.
The figures come from a survey of 212 restaurant operators, with 38.6% reporting use of AI tools and 3.2% implementing AI companywide. The survey does not report measured productivity gains, and it is unclear how the sample was drawn.
The players
National Restaurant Association
The restaurant industry's primary trade group, which conducted and released the operator survey on technology and AI adoption.
The details
The survey asked operators about their use of technology, automation and data, then tracked both their expectations and the obstacles they face. Cost is the leading barrier, cited by 48.8%, followed by business fit and value at 43.8% and workforce and expertise gaps at 41.3%. Training and education was the most-requested support, named by 56.5% of operators as what would help them adopt technology.
Timeline
June 18 to July 18: the survey of 212 restaurant operators was conducted.
Over the next five years: operators expect technology and AI to become critical to their businesses.
The Tech Race
Restaurant operators are signaling that AI is moving from optional to expected, but the survey shows most are still at the tool-use stage rather than company-wide rollout. The 3.2% figure for companywide AI implementation marks how far the sector has to go before automation reshapes operations at scale.
Restaurant workers may see training on new technology more often as operators prioritize support for adoption. Diners are unlikely to notice a direct change from this survey alone, since most operators are still at the early-use stage.
The takeaway
Watch whether the 3.2% companywide AI implementation figure rises in the association's next operator survey. Operators planning technology investments should weigh training and integration costs alongside the tools themselves.
Further reading
For broader context on how businesses are weighing AI tools, see Artificial Intelligence.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Chain Store Age.
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