Operations

Report: Restaurant brands increase tech spending despite margin pressures

March 27, 2026

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Restaurant brands are increasing investments in technology and artificial intelligence to counter declining guest traffic and high operating costs, according to the seventh annual Restaurant Technology Benchmark Report released by unified commerce platform Qu, according to a press release.

The study, which surveyed 168 brands representing 94,000 locations, found that 48% of brands plan to increase tech investment in 2026. This comes as 57% of operators report a decline in guest traffic, a figure that rises to 67% for quick-service restaurants.

The data highlights a disconnect between executive strategy and daily operations. While 53% of CEOs reported no major system instability, only 17% of operational leaders agreed.

"When restaurants face declining guest traffic, growth can't come from pricing alone. The guest experience must be improved across channels, from ordering to kitchen to fulfillment. To effectively address these challenges with technology, restaurants need intelligent systems built on unified data," Amir Hudda, CEO of Qu, said in the press release. "Without that foundation, AI becomes another tool layered onto disconnected systems rather than a true growth engine."

According to the report, 73% of operators are currently investing in AI or plan to begin this year. However, only 5% of respondents reported measurable operational value or guest impact from AI to date.

Improving order flow across all channels was cited as a top priority for 62% of respondents, as brands look to bridge the gap between order processing and food preparation.

"What's encouraging in this year's data is the clear shift from experimentation to execution. Restaurants are increasing technology investment, accelerating AI adoption, and prioritizing operational improvements at scale to improve guest engagement," Hudda added. "Operators recognize that the next phase of growth will come from modernizing how restaurants run across every channel and connecting the guest experience with smarter, more integrated systems."

The report also noted that QSRs are accelerating tech spending at a higher rate (54%) than fast-casual brands (44%), with a specific focus on voice ordering and drive-thru computer vision.

"Our insights support one eternal truth: hospitality wins. Brands that keep hospitality front and center while simplifying operations and thoughtfully integrating modern technology will lead the pack," Jen Kern, CMO of Qu, added in the press release. "The 2026 report builds on seven years of research, making this one of the restaurant technology industry's most trusted resources for helping operators stay ahead."

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Qu is the unified commerce platform helping quick-service and fast-casual restaurants boost efficiency and grow revenue. Purpose-built from the ground up with smart cloud technology, Qu puts real-time intelligence where it’s needed most—right in the restaurant—through its proprietary Business Edge, Qube™.

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