Market Leader Report
Which tech strategy will best help your organization grow its revenue this year?
January 2026
17%
Adding off-premises channels
A third of restaurant operators surveyed for this year’s report intend to invest in data analysis and insights to refine their strategies in 2026.
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For every new solution a restaurant builds or buys, the next and more important challenge is to integrate it into an already complex technology stack. Asked which kind of application or program is most important for incorporating with core hardware like the POS or KDS, respondents most often identified tools for online ordering, inventory management, and data analysis.
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One in five operators say online ordering is the most important piece of the tech stack they must integrate, slightly more than those focused on inventory management or data reporting.
19%
See How Your Tech Stacks Up
As foodservice leaders head into what they expect to be a difficult year for their customers, they expect to re-evaluate their tech investment strategies for every facet of the business. Operators will be under more pressure to quickly prove the ROI of new systems and solutions, which will likely put renewed focus on tools that control costs. A subset of data-savvy respondents led the way in prioritizing new tools for analysis and insights.
Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Business surveyed nearly 500 people from all industry segments to study their needs and planned upgrades for their technology stacks.
Operators Prioritize ROI
Insights Report
23%
Improving loyalty programs
33%
Enhancing guest data analysis
Which software category is most critical to integrate with your core restaurant hardware?
A restaurant industry study of nearly 500 foodservice leaders
Sponsors:
2026 Restaurant Technology Outlook
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As the market leader in restaurant operations software, Crunchtime delivers the only complete, AI-powered operations management suite that connects inventory management, labor and scheduling, kitchen management, and operations execution—giving operators the insights and automation to improve profitability and guest experiences across every location.
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Olo is a leading restaurant technology provider with ordering, payment, catering, and guest engagement solutions. Over 800 restaurant brands trust Olo and its network of more than 400 integration partners to innovate on behalf of the restaurant community, creating a world where every restaurant guest feels like a regular.
27%
Adopting or expanding AI
PAR unifies restaurant technology to deliver real outcomes — from higher uptime and improved operational efficiency to increased traffic, loyalty, and profitability.
Bikky is a customer data platform built exclusively for multi-unit restaurants. With Bikky, teams have a clear understanding of how their marketing, menu, and operations impact traffic and frequency. With insight into up to 90% of the guest base, brands can make fast, informed decisions that drive incremental sales.
More than 450,000 restaurants—from single-unit independents to multi-unit national brands—use Square’s enterprise-class technology to cut costs, boost sales, and run healthier businesses. From improved cash flow and better margins to quicker delivery app payouts, Square helps money move faster and go further. All at an industry-leading price, with no hidden fees.