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In 2026, the restaurant industry will witness a significant transformation as automation and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies become increasingly widespread.

Amid rising labor costs and increasingly demanding customer needs, restaurants are seeking to optimize operations and enhance the diner experience through robots, automated kitchen systems, and ghost kitchens (also known as virtual kitchens or cloud kitchens – serving only online orders).

According to Restolabs, 73% of restaurant operators plan to invest in AI and automation solutions by 2025. Popular technologies include voice ordering, robotic servers, and data analytics systems to predict demand. Automation helps reduce reliance on manual labor, which is experiencing a turnover rate of up to 70% annually in the F&B industry.

Some restaurants have deployed robots to serve food to tables, while kitchen robots handle tasks such as frying, cooking, and mixing drinks. According to StartUs Insights, AI is also being used to personalize menus, helping to increase the average order value by 18 to 26%. Additionally, digital orders are worth 30% more than traditional orders.

The ghost kitchen model is booming. MrBeast Burger, founded by popular YouTuber MrBeast, has achieved estimated revenue of $100 million in just a few years. Kitopi, a startup from the UAE, operates cloud kitchens in the Middle East and Asia, with estimated revenue of $200-$300 million. Taster (France-UK), operating in London and Paris, focuses on delivery-only food brands, with revenue of around $50-$80 million. CloudEats, a startup from the Philippines, is expanding in Southeast Asia with estimated revenue of $30-$50 million.

Automation offers several clear benefits: reducing material costs by up to 15%, increasing revenue forecasting accuracy by 22%, and improving operational efficiency. However, the major challenges of this trend are the high initial investment costs and the risk of losing human resources.

Nevertheless, this trend is reshaping the global culinary industry. From large chains to tech startups, smart restaurants are becoming the new norm. In the near future, dining experiences may be driven by robots, AI, and data—faster, more accurate, and more personalized than ever before.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/dac-san-the-gioi-trai-nghiem-am-thuc-cung-robot-ai-730461.html