The report also highlights the increasing use of technology in the restaurant industry, with 95% of those surveyed using some form of AI, primarily in back-of-house operations. The most common uses of AI were in inventory management, menu optimization, and reservations/bookings. The report also notes a significant increase in the use of social media for restaurant promotion, particularly TikTok, and a rise in off-premise sales through online ordering platforms. Looking ahead, TouchBistro predicts trends for 2025 and beyond, including accelerating back-of-house automation, optimizing for off-premise sales, reframing restaurant loyalty, enhancing the online guest experience, and choosing future-proof technology.
Key takeaways:
- TouchBistro's 2025 State of Restaurants Report reveals that 89% of U.S. independent restaurant operators feel positive about the use of AI in their establishments.
- Operators reported spending 34% more on food costs compared to last year, and 82% have seen an increase in takeout/delivery sales.
- 78% of independent full-service restaurants report carrying some debt, an increase from 68% last year, due to rising food and labor costs.
- Almost all operators reported having at least one social media profile for their business, with TikTok usage doubling year over year.