How the Foodservice Industry Is Actually Using AI Right Now

I recently read that AI in the restaurant market will reach $3.6 billion by 2026. If that's the case, I'd say the term "AI" has officially moved beyond buzzword status in foodservice. What was once experimental is now being deployed at scale. And not just by quick-service chains, but across corporate dining, higher education, healthcare, and other complex foodservice environments where consistency, efficiency, and experience matter deeply.

Here’s a snapshot of how AI is being used by the foodservice industry today, based on what operators, brands, and institutions are actively rolling out.

Smarter Forecasting, Less Guesswork

Demand forecasting is one of the most established and valuable applications of AI in foodservice. By analyzing historical sales, weather, academic calendars, patient census data, and local events, AI systems help operators anticipate demand with far greater accuracy.

Domino’s has publicly shared that its AI-powered forecasting tools, developed with Microsoft, significantly improved demand accuracy and reduced waste across its system (Microsoft case study; SP&D Tech). At the enterprise level, platforms like Fourth’s MacromatiX are widely used by multi-unit operators to optimize inventory, labor planning, and purchasing decisions.

For higher education and healthcare environments, where volumes fluctuate daily and waste reduction is critical, this kind of forecasting helps balance food quality with financial stewardship.

AI as a Decision Support Tool in the Kitchen

This advertisement was featured on Domino's Tamworth's Facebook page. The UK location and others have been using AI as a support tool in the kitchen, double checking every pizza order.

AI isn’t replacing chefs or foodservice teams, but it is increasingly supporting them. Some operators are using AI to analyze recipe performance, flag cost variances, or suggest portion adjustments that maintain quality while hitting budget targets. Others integrate AI with smart equipment to standardize cooking processes across locations.

When consistency, nutrition standards, and compliance are just as important as speed, AI functions as a second set of eyes. It helps teams make informed decisions without adding administrative burden.

Ordering, Throughput, and Guest Flow

AI-powered voice and ordering systems are most visible in Quick Serve Restaurants, but the implications extend well beyond the drive-thru.

Wendy’s FreshAI voice ordering system and Yum! Brands’ Byte platform (used across Taco Bell, KFC, and Pizza Hut) support order accuracy, suggest add-ons, and help managers respond to real-time operational issues (Reuters, 2025). Yum! executives have emphasized that the goal is not labor reduction, but freeing managers to focus on people and guest experience (Reuters).

In corporate campuses, hospitals, and universities, similar AI-driven ordering logic is being applied through kiosks and mobile platforms. Its reducing lines, improving accuracy, and supporting peak meal periods without additional staffing.

Personalization at Scale

Personalization is becoming increasingly important in foodservice environments serving repeat guests from office workers to students to hospital staff.

McDonald’s made headlines for using Dynamic Yield AI to personalize digital menu boards based on time of day, weather, and traffic patterns (McDonald’s / Dynamic Yield). Meanwhile, Dine Brands (Applebee’s and IHOP) has discussed using AI to personalize offers and recommendations through loyalty platforms (The Verge).

For many of elite|studio e’s clients, this same logic can support rotating menus, targeted promotions, allergen-aware recommendations, and smarter use of underutilized menu items, all while maintaining brand and nutritional standards.

Food Waste Reduction with Real Accountability

Waste reduction is one of the clearest return on investment cases for AI, especially in institutional environments.Platforms like Winnow, Leanpath, and Orbisk use cameras, smart scales, and machine learning to identify what’s being wasted, when, and why. Hotels and large-scale foodservice operations using these tools have reported waste reductions of 40–50% or more after implementation (Business Insider).

Yale University began using one of these tools nearly two years ago in its 14 dining resident dining halls. This video exemplifies how easy it is to work the technology and discusses some of the university's goals in using it.

When sustainability goals and budget accountability are increasingly intertwined, AI provides data that kitchen teams can actually act on, not just reports that live in spreadsheets.

AI Is Becoming Accessible to Everyone

What’s notable is how quickly AI is moving beyond enterprise-only adoption. Independent restaurants are using tools like ChatGPT for scheduling, training documentation, menu descriptions, and basic forecasting (Houston Chronicle). At the same time, new startups are building AI tools specifically for smaller operators and institutional teams with limited resources.

The gap between large chains and managed foodservice providers is narrowing fast.

The long-term opportunity with AI isn’t about adopting every new tool — it’s about understanding how technology, operations, and physical space work together.

AI is giving operators clearer insight into traffic patterns, production needs, and guest behavior over time, which can shape more resilient, adaptable foodservice strategies. This knowledge, when shared with the team at elite|studio e, is proven valuable when selecting menu, equipment, and laying out a new or renovated dining experience.

Organizations that think holistically — aligning data, operations, and environment — will be better positioned to make informed decisions that last well beyond the next trend cycle.

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 The technologies and platforms referenced here are simply examples of what’s happening across the industry — not specific recommendations. Every operation has its own priorities and constraints. Our approach is always to start by asking the right questions and then identifying the solutions that best support your people, processes, and long-term goals.