Industry leaders will gather in Scottsdale this November to learn where AI is delivering real results, how leading operators are improving profitability, and what the future of restaurant operations looks like.
This article first appeared in Fast Casual.
Let’s start with the obvious: Restaurants using AI are pulling ahead of those that aren’t. If that headline alone doesn’t shock you, I’m not surprised. We’ve been watching this trend build for a while now, but mid-year research from Restaurant365 puts real numbers behind the gap.
Its 2026 State of the Restaurant Industry Mid-Year Report surveyed over 420 operators representing nearly 10,000 U.S. locations spanning quick-service, fast casual, casual dining, fine dining, pizza and coffee concepts. The company is calling the divide it uncovered the “Restaurant Profitability Gap,” and it’s not just a catchy label; it’s a measurable difference in how restaurants are performing depending on whether they’ve put AI to work in the back office.
So why exactly are AI-using operators pulling ahead? Below are four ways, according to the data.
Among operators actively using AI, 61% reported reduced food costs. Restaurant365 found that reporting and analytics lead AI adoption industry-wide, followed by scheduling and inventory forecasting — tools directly tied to how operators manage food spend, waste and supplier decisions.
Read more at Fast Casual.
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Restaurant365 brings together accounting, operations, scheduling, and more in a flexible platform—empowering restaurants to choose the solutions they need and scale with confidence.
