At the National Restaurant Show this year, we saw a few recurring themes regarding what’s new, exciting and innovative in the restaurant industry. From artificial intelligence to kitchen robotics, restaurants are working to stay at the cutting edge of technology to gain valuable insights and provide their customers with the best possible experience. Here are some of the big gest topics we saw:

Bringing AI and data-based decisions into the restaurant

Restaurants of all sizes are using artificial intelligence (AI) to help them with menu creation and design, as well as trying out new recipes based on what’s trending in food and analyzing customer preferences. Locations with drive-thrus are testing the use of chatbots to take orders. They’re also implementing new and faster ways to pay as part of an initiative to optimize the overall customer experience.

Introducing more inclusive drink options

Across the various exhibits, industry speakers and panels we noticed a growing trend towards zero-proof alcohol and mocktail options. According to a February 2024 NielsenIQ article, 45% of Gen Z (21+) say they've never had an alcoholic drink. With that in mind, many restaurants are looking to expand their non-alcoholic beverage options, whether it’s zero-proof liquors or creative and fun mocktails. Having those options available on the menu shows that the restaurant is inclusive and welcoming to non-drinkers and considers their preferences when putting together the options.

Investing in technology to create elevated experiences

Across the industry, customer experience innovation is top of mind. Over the course of the show, sessions on tools to help restaurants elevate their customer experience were abundant, highlighting new payment trends, such as allowing diners to save time by utilizing QR codes and other pay-at-table tools.  These topics are indicative of a focus and interest in the industry on how to best manage rising costs and labor shortages while also meeting the needs of restaurant customers. New technology such as kiosks and pay-at-table solutions are helping diners choose their own experience when it comes to how they order and pay.

Although the last few years have brought many unforeseen challenges for restaurants, this year’s conference made it clear that dining is a resilient industry, and one that is ripe for innovation. As customer needs continue to change, embracing the wide range of new solutions allows opportunities to evolve, meeting diners’ expectations in new and exciting ways.

Whether it’s implementing a new payment system or just exploring how you can improve the customer experience with technology, we are here to help. Learn more about our restaurant technology: https://www.ncrvoyix.com/resources/restaurant.