Restaurant AI Adoption Survey

Understanding AI Use in Wisconsin Restaurants
The restaurant technology landscape is evolving rapidly. This survey explores the wide range of tools and solutions available today to understand what our operators are using. Your feedback will help us identify emerging trends and potential partnerships that could bring valuable resources and opportunities to Wisconsin restaurants.

1.What type of restaurant concept do you primarily operate?

Quick-Service (QSR) / Fast Casual

Casual Dining

Fine Dining

Bar / Nightclub / Brewpub

Other (please specify)

2.Which stage of AI adoption best describes your restaurant today?

Actively using AI in everyday operations

Piloting / testing AI software in select areas

Planning to implement AI within the next 6–12 months

No current plans to adopt AI (Skip to Question 19)

3.In which financial/back-office functions do you use (or plan to use) AI? (Select all that apply)

Dynamic menu pricing / revenue management

Demand forecasting (predicting daily sales patterns)

Inventory tracking & automated reordering

Vendor invoice audit & supplier cost optimization

We do not use AI for cost management.

Other financial / back-office functions you use:

4.What overall impact has AI had on your total operating costs?

Reduced costs by 6% or more

Reduced costs by 1% to 5%

Neutral (cost savings equal the software subscription costs)

Increased overall costs

Too early to tell / unsure

5.How is AI technology utilized to streamline labor in your restaurant? (Select all that apply)

We do not use AI for labor management

Employee scheduling (matching staff counts to projected foot traffic

AI phone / online ordering agents or chatbots

Automated shift briefs, employee onboarding, or training quizzes

Voice AI at the drive-thru or host stand

Kiosks with AI upselling prompts

Other way AI is utilized to streamline labor:

6.What has been the primary labor benefit of adopting AI?

Reduced total labor hours/overtime

Reduced administrative time spent by managers

Shifted staff focus from admin/prep tasks to guest interaction

Improved employee retention / reduced burnout

We have not noticed any labor impact.

Please specify other labor benefit:

7.How are you using AI or smart spatial analytics in your floor plan and kitchen layout? (Select all that apply)

We do not use AI for design or spatial planning.

Heatmaps/cameras to optimize dining room table layouts & flow

Kitchen line layout design based on workflow & ticket-time data

AI-driven queue and drive-thru traffic flow management

Smart HVAC / lighting control based on real-time occupancy

Other ways AI or smart spatial analytics is used in your floor plan and kitchen layout:

8.How is AI integrated into your food safety and inventory operations? (Select all that apply)

We do not use AI for food safety / waste management.

Smart refrigeration monitoring (automated temp tracking & alerts)

Computer vision/cameras for line monitoring (prep accuracy, hygiene compliance)

Predictive waste tracking (analyzing thrown-out inventory to adjust prep sheets)

Automated allergen tracking and recipe verification

Other ways AI is integrated into your food safety and inventory operations:

9.How effective has AI been in reducing food waste in your kitchen?

Highly effective (>15% reduction in food waste)

Moderately effective (5%–15% reduction)

Slightly effective (<5% reduction)

Ineffective / No change

Not applicable

10.How is your restaurant using AI tools to market to customers and drive repeat visits? (Select all that apply)

We do not currently use AI for marketing.

Automated review response and reputation management (generating replies to Google/Yelp reviews)

Personalized guest marketing and loyalty offers (AI analyzing order history to send targeted promos)

Social media and visual content generation (drafting posts, photo enhancement, design)

AI-driven local SEO and presence management (optimizing Google Business profiles and local search)

AI copy / content drafting for promotional emails, menu descriptions, or newsletters

Automated SMS / email win-back campaigns for lapsed diners

Other ways your restaurant is using AI tools to market to customers and drive repeat visits:

12.Ordering, Voice and Customer Service: Which specific AI-powered tools or platforms are you currently using in your operations? (Select all that apply)

We do not use AI for ordering, voice, and customer service.

SoundHound AI / Slang.ai (voice phone ordering)

ConverseNow / Valyant AI (drive-thru/phone AI)

Popmenu (AI marketing & messaging)

Chowly AI

HungerRush

Voicebit

Other (please specify)

13.Inventory, Pricing and Cost Control: Which specific AI-powered tools or platforms are you currently using in your operations? (Select all that apply)

We do not use AI for inventory, pricing and cost control.

ClearCOGS (predictive prep sheets)

MarginEdge (automated invoice processing & recipe costing)

Juicer (dynamic menu pricing)

Restaurant365 AI tools

Back Office Solutions

Other (please specify)

14.Food Safety and Kitchen Analytics: Which specific AI-powered tools or platforms are you currently using in your operations? (Select all that apply)

We do not use AI for food safety and kitchen analytics.

PreciTaste (kitchen vision & prep management)

OneServ / Dragontail (AI kitchen display & dispatch)

Thermonator / Smart Sensor AI (automated temp tracking)

Other (please specify)

15.All-in-one Restaurant Marketing and SEO: Which specific AI marketing, loyalty, or content platforms do you use? (Select all that apply)

Other (please specify)

16.Loyalty, Customer Relationship Management and POS-Integrated Marketing: Which specific AI marketing, loyalty, or content platforms do you use? (Select all that apply)

Other (please specify)

17.Visual Content and Design: Which specific AI marketing, loyalty, or content platforms do you use? (Select all that apply)

We do not use AI for visual content and design.

FoodShot AI (AI food photography / editing)

Canva Magic Studio

Midjourney / DALL-E

Other (please specify)

18.General Business Productivity: Which specific AI marketing, loyalty, or content platforms do you use? (Select all that apply)

Other (please specify)

19.What is your single biggest concern or barrier regarding AI adoption in your restaurant?

High initial cost / unknown ROI

Data privacy and security concerns

Accuracy or reliability of outputs

Resistance from staff or customers

Lack of time/knowledge on where to start

Please specify other ways your restaurant is using AI tools to market to customers and drive repeat visits:

20.Anything else you would like to comment on about AI adoption in restaurants?

21.Please tell us a little bit about yourself:

I am a restaurant/hospitality business owner or manager.

I am a restaurant/hospitality business employee.

I work for a restaurant/hospitality industry supplier company.

I don't work in the restaurant/hospitality industry.

None of the above

Restaurant AI Adoption Survey - September, 2026