From Chaos to Cheers

As December bookings surge and holiday diners flood in, restaurants face their toughest exponential stress test of the year. This festive season, operators around the world aren’t just relying on grit and extra staff, they’re leaning on technology. What was once a nice-to-have has become a strategic imperative.

A Market Going Exponential

The scale of investment says it all. In 2024, the global restaurant technology market was valued at approximately US $59.3 billion and is projected to climb to US $314.85 billion by 2033; equivalent to a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.39 %.

At the same time, the food automation segment (covering robotics, smart kitchen equipment and control systems) is estimated at ~US $15.0 billion in 2024, with forecasts targeting US $23.2 billion by 2032, an 11 % CAGR. 

These expansions reflect not just more spending, but deeper shifts, operators are embedding tech across core operations, not just as peripheral add-ons.

The Rise (and Reinvention) of QR & Mobile Ordering

One of the biggest post-pandemic success stories is QR-driven ordering. In 2024, the global Restaurant QR Ordering market reached USD 2.84 billion, and analysts expect it to grow at a CAGR of ~16.7 % through 2033, reaching over USD 12 billion. 

Meanwhile, the broader QR code ecosystem is also booming. The QR code market overall is forecasted to expand ~20 % annually, possibly hitting US $3.1 billion this year.

Why is QR ordering so attractive? Beyond convenience, many early adopters report higher sales. Restaurants deploying smart ordering systems have observed up to 27 % increases in average basket sizes, guests browsing digital menus tend to click through more upsells, chef specials, and add-ons. Others report revenue boosts of up to 30% tied to digital ordering. 

That said, QR isn’t universally beloved, especially in fine-dining contexts. Some restaurants are rolling back QR-only menus amid customer backlash, reinforcing that the tech must integrate gracefully with service, not replace it. 

AI, Automation & Smart Systems

Technology’s evolution in hospitality is no longer incremental, it’s becoming anticipatory. A recent Deloitte survey found that 82% of restaurant executives plan to increase AI investments in the next fiscal year. Their top goals? Better customer experience, smoother operations, and smarter loyalty programs. 

Echoing that trend, a Popmenu study of ~362 U.S. operators found 79% have either implemented or are considering AI in tasks from order processing to predictive marketing. 

Major brands are already going “AI-first.” For example, Yum Brands (owner of Taco Bell, KFC and Pizza Hut) sees digital revenue now making up nearly 45% of total sales, and is embedding generative AI into forecasting, back-of-house automation, and shift planning. 

Elsewhere, robotics and automation in food prep are no longer sci-fi concepts. Chains like Chipotle and Sweetgreen are piloting robotic arms, automated conveyor systems, and “smart kitchens” to streamline volume cooking. 

Benchmarks, Analytics & Real-Time Decisioning

Technology isn’t just about speeding orders, it’s about insight. As competitive pressure intensifies, more operators are turning to benchmarking tools and live dashboards to track pricing, sales trends, and hiring efficiency relative to peers.

Solutions like these are becoming expectations in mature markets. Brands and independents alike recognize that data is as critical as the food itself, especially during holiday surges.

Tech as Team Support, Not Replacement

A recurring theme across interviews and operator case studies is that successful tech integration helps staff deliver better service, not just faster service. In a sector still navigating labour shortages, tools that reduce repetitive tasks, errors, and friction allow talent to focus on face-to-face hospitality, upselling, and crisis management.

A Festive Season with Future Impact

The holidays may come in a burst, but the momentum they create can carry through the new year. Restaurants that use this season to test, refine, and embed smart systems are not just managing December, they’re laying the foundation for 2026’s guest expectations and market challenges.