1. • Advances in restaurant-related technology
continue at breakneck speed and opera-
tors are adjusting to this new environment.
• One in four consumers say that they
factor in the availability of options like
smartphone apps, tablets, ordering ki-
osks and free Wi-Fi when choosing a
restaurant.
• A significant number of consumers say
that some technology options make
dining out more complicated.
• It remains vitally important to carefully
consider the user experience when
adding new technology.
HIGHLIGHTS
RESTAURANT INDUSTRY 2016:
TECHNOLOGY
TRENDS

2. 2National Restaurant Association | Restaurant.org/Forecast
Restaurant Industry 2016:
Technology Trends
The National Restaurant Association each year prepares a comprehensive
overview of and outlook for the restaurant industry. The NRA’s research is
considered the most authoritative source for restaurant industry sales projections
and trends. It is based on analysis of the latest economic data and extensive
surveys of restaurant operators and consumers. See the inside back cover for
notes on methodology, and visit Restaurant.org/Research for additional industry
trends and analysis.
The 2016 edition of this report is divided into six parts by topic: Sales and
Economic Forecast, Workforce Trends, Tableservice Restaurant Trends,
Limited-Service Restaurant Trends, Technology Trends, and Food and Menu
Trends. These chapters can be used separately or combined into a 360-degree
view of the U.S. restaurant industry in 2016.
The NRA’s research and analysis have a long-standing reputation of the highest
credibility, neutrality and accuracy inside and outside the industry. It is considered
a leading authority on industry statistics, analysis and trends. Proceeds from
research publications are applied to conducting additional industry research.
This report was prepared
by the National Restaurant
Association Research
and Knowledge Group:
Hudson Riehle
Senior Vice President,
Research & Knowledge
Bruce Grindy
Chief Economist
Annika Stensson
Director, Research
Communications
Tim Smith
Art Director
2055 L Street, NW,
Suite 700
Washington, D.C. 20036
(800) 424-5156
Restaurant.org
NationalRestaurantAssociation @WeRRestaurants RestaurantDotOrg
© 2016 National Restaurant Association. All rights reserved. The National Restaurant Association logo is a registered trademark of the
National Restaurant Association.

3. More likely The same
Less likely
Don’t use/
Don’t know
A
bout a third of consumers say they are
more likely to use technology options
in restaurants now than they were two
years ago. This is the same proportion that said
the same a year prior. Consumers in the
Northeast are more likely to agree than
consumers in other regions (41 percent versus
32 percent in the Midwest and West, and 36
percent in the South).
In addition, 14 percent of consumers 65 and
older say they are more likely to use restaurant
tech options than they were two years ago.
When asked the same question a year earlier, 9
percent said they were, indicating that older
consumers are beginning to accept technology
as part of their dining experience. However,
they’re still far behind millennials, half of which
say they use more tech now than they did two
years ago.
NRA research also shows that roughly three
in 10 consumers report using in-store ordering
and payment options within the last year, with
the practice being more common among
younger consumers and households with
children. Half of Americans say they logged
into a restaurant’s free Wi-Fi in 2015.
TECH-SPECTATIONS
According to NRA research, four in five
consumers say they are willing to use technolo-
gy like self-service kiosks and ordering stations.
While still relatively uncommon, tableside
payment stations and devices in particular have
Only Handful of Young Consumers Opt Out of Tech
Consumer usage of restaurant technology compared to two years ago
Children
All Age Age Age Age Age under 18 in
adults 18-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65+ household
More likely to use tech 35% 50% 46% 34% 25% 14% 45%
Less likely to use tech 15% 8% 14% 16% 19% 22% 11%
Same amount of tech use 39% 39% 39% 39% 38% 43% 36%
Don’t use/Don’t know 11% 3% 11% 11% 18% 21% 7%
Source: National Restaurant Association, Technology Consumer Survey, 2015
What’s Your Wi-Fi Password?
Consumer who have used these technology options at restaurants in the last year
Children
All Age Age Age Age Age under 18 in
adults 18-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65+ household
Free Wi-Fi 49% 67% 66% 47% 33% 21% 67%
Tableside payment
terminal or device 32% 45% 34% 31% 23% 19% 39%
Electronic ordering kiosk
at a fast food place 27% 42% 30% 24% 15% 14% 36%
Electronic menu and ordering
station or tablet at a
sit-down restaurant 28% 39% 38% 24% 17% 13% 36%
None/Don’t know 35% 17% 20% 38% 51% 63% 21%
Source: National Restaurant Association, Technology Consumer Survey, 2015
Most Consumers
Use Tech
Consumer usage of restaurant
technology compared to two
years ago (%)
Source: National Restaurant Association,
Technology Consumer Survey, 2015
3National Restaurant Association | Restaurant.org/Forecast
%
%
%
%

4. gained hypothetical acceptance; 63 percent of
consumers say they would be willing to use it.
When asked a year earlier about their likeli-
hood to use such an option, only 48 percent
said they would.
Similarly, three in five now say they’re willing
to use an electronic ordering kiosk at a limit-
ed-service restaurant, while only two in five said
they’d be likely to do so a year earlier. Looking at
it from the opposite perspective, one in five
consumers say they would not be willing to use
any of these options — a number that rises to
two in five among consumers 65 and older.
While a majority of consumers agree that
customer-facing technology can help increase
convenience, speed up service and increase
order accuracy, trends indicate that the
industry might be experiencing some growing
pains in this area, as is not uncommon when
adopting new systems at a rapid pace.
When surveyed in 2014 and 2015, the
proportion of consumers who say that
technology makes restaurant ordering more
complicated has increased. Meanwhile, the
number of consumers who say it helps facilitate
the restaurant experience has decreased,
particularly among the group that answered
“strongly agree” to those questions; this holds
true even for tech-savvy younger consumers.
Despite these challenges, the number of
consumers who say that technology options
make them dine out or order takeout and
delivery more often is trending up.
Guests Are Game for Technology
Consumers who say they are willing to use these technology options at restaurants in the future
Children
All Age Age Age Age Age under 18 in
adults 18-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65+ household
Free Wi-Fi 67% 84% 81% 70% 53% 37% 83%
Tableside payment terminal or device 63% 79% 75% 58% 55% 39% 76%
Electronic ordering kiosk at a fast food place 61% 78% 63% 62% 52% 38% 72%
Electronic menu and ordering station or tablet at a
sit-down restaurant 57% 72% 69% 53% 50% 35% 69%
None/Don’t know 20% 8% 9% 19% 31% 42% 9%
Source: National Restaurant Association, Technology Consumer Survey, 2015
(Mostly) Yes to Tech
Consumers who agree with the following statements
Children
All Age Age Age Age Age under 18 in
adults 18-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65+ household
Technology increases convenience 72% 83% 80% 69% 65% 57% 77%
Technology speeds up service 67% 76% 75% 63% 64% 55% 72%
Technology increases order accuracy 65% 74% 72% 63% 62% 48% 66%
Technology makes dining out more fun 39% 46% 46% 38% 32% 28% 41%
Availability of technology makes you choose one
restaurant over another 34% 40% 43% 28% 26% 29% 37%
Technology makes you dine out or order takeout/
delivery more often 37% 51% 40% 37% 25% 25% 40%
Source: National Restaurant Association, Technology Consumer Survey, 2015
¼ Factor in Technology Options
Consumers who say the availability of
technology options is an important factor
when choosing a restaurant
Tableservice restaurant Limited-service restaurant
Source: National Restaurant Association, National
Household Survey, 2015
All
adults
Age
18-34
Age
35-44
Age
45-54
Age
55-64
Age
65+
Children
under 18 in
household
23% 23%
28%
32%
19%
22%
28% 27%
20% 21%
17%
10%
25%
28%
4National Restaurant Association | Restaurant.org/Forecast

5. SERVICE AT THE TAP
OF A FINGER
NRA research found that three-quarters of
consumers own or regularly use a
smartphone or tablet computer; ranging from
87 percent of those age 18-44, to 49 percent
among those 65 and older.
When it comes to consumers who frequent-
ly use their smartphones for restaurant services,
it’s markedly more common among those
under 35, with a sharp drop occurring after age
45. Adults in households with children are also
more likely to use their phones for restaurant
services.
Mobile payment is another rapidly growing
trend. As more platforms become available in
the marketplace, restaurants are starting to
incorporate these systems and
consumers are growing
more accustomed to the
idea. Among consumers
who say they would use a
mobile payment option if
available, the age gap is not as
wide as with many other
technology options.
All
adults
Age
18-34
Age
35-44
Age
45-54
Age
55-64
Age
65+
Children
under 18 in
household
Kicking It Old-School
Consumers who say technology makes restaurant visits and ordering more
complicated
2015 2014
Source: National Restaurant Association, Technology Consumer Survey, 2014 and 2015
42%
37% 38%
28%
40%
33%
42%
37%
43%
48%
50%
47%
36%
30%
Everyone Has a
Smartphone … Almost
Consumers who own or regularly use
smartphones or tablets
Age
45-54
Age
35-44
Age
18-34
All
adults
Children
under 18 in
household
Age
65+
Age
55-64
87%
49%
65%
79%
87%
87%
75%
Source: National Restaurant Association, Technology
Consumer Survey, 2015
Some Consumers Are Still Offline
Consumers who have used the internet
for the following activities
Source: National Restaurant Association, Technology Consumer Survey, 2015; National Household
Survey, 1999, 2005, 2010
Visit a restaurant website
View a restaurant menu
Place an order
Make reservations
9%
3%
3%
36%
31%
11%
10%
59%
58%
32%
27%
68%
65%
33%
45%
THE INTERNET – THEN AND NOW
The past decade and a half has yielded great advancement when it comes to the
Internet, but there is a number of Americans who haven’t yet surfed their way to
restaurants on the World Wide Web.
37% of consumers say that tech
options make them dine out or order
delivery more often, up from 34%
who said the same in 2014.
1999 2005 2010 2015
5National Restaurant Association | Restaurant.org/Forecast

6. Mobile Restaurant Interaction
Consumers who use smartphones or tablets for these activies at least a
few times a year*
Mobile Payment
Gaining Acceptance
Consumers who would pay
restaurant or bar tabs via
smartphone app if offered*
Look up location, directions
or hours
View menus
Read online reviews
Use rewards or special deals
Order from restaurant’s
website or app
Look up nutrition information
Make reservations
Pay for meals
Order via aggregate website or
app, like Seamless or GrubHub
2014 2015 *Of those who own or regularly use smartphones or tablets
Source: National Restaurant Association, Technology Consumer Survey, 2014 and 2015
Frequent Swipers
Consumers who use smartphones or tablets for these activities*
Look up location, directions
or hours
View menus
Read online reviews
Use rewards or special deals
Order from restaurant’s
website or app
Look up nutrition information
Make reservations
Pay for meals
Order via aggregate website or
app, like Seamless or GrubHub
At least monthly At least weekly *Of those who own or regularly use smartphones or tablets
Source: National Restaurant Association, Technology Consumer Survey, 2015
88%
83%
70%
75%
57%
55%
54%
50%
54%
51%
49%
42%
43%
43%
26%
32%
22%
24%
58%
31%
50%
23%
36%
14%
30%
7%
30%
8%
24%
12%
19%
4%
20%
6%
14%
5%
2015 2014
Source: National Restaurant Association,
Technology Consumer Survey, 2014 and 2015
*Of those who own or regularly use smartphones
or tablets
All
adults
Age
18-34
Age
35-44
Age
45-54
Age
55-64
Age
65+
Children
under 18 in
household
39%
32%
46%
37%
45%
36%
35%
27%
31%
25%
20%
19%
43%
32%
6National Restaurant Association | Restaurant.org/Forecast

7. DIGITAL SOCIALIZING
It might seem like everyone is taking pictures of their restaurant food to post on social media, but
that is a bit of an exaggeration. In fact, only a quarter of consumers do. Restaurant guests are
more inclined to leave positive feedback than negative comments on social media, despite those
platforms’ reputation as public forums for complaints.
Women are slightly more likely than men to use social media for restaurant-related activities,
and not surprisingly, consumers under 45 are significantly more likely to use social media than
older adults. Facebook remains a more common a platform than Instagram and Twitter when it
comes to restaurant interaction, but it does vary somewhat depending on the type of activity. A
third of consumers also say they factor in information they find on social media when choosing a
restaurant.
Social Marketing
Operators’ plans for social media marketing resources in 2016
More resources About the same
Source: National Restaurant Association, Restaurant Trends Survey, 2015
Social Decisions
Consumers who say these items factor into their decision when choosing
a restaurant
Information on review sites like Yelp and TripAdvisor Information on social media
Source: National Restaurant Association, National Household Survey, 2015
Family dining Fast casualCasual dining Fine dining Quickservice
38%
44%
31%
51%
53%
37%
32%
46%
39% 40%
36%
34%
54%
43%
46% 47%
30% 31%
29%
31%
13% 13%
37%
41%
Children
under 18 in
household
All
adults
Age
18-34
Age
35-44
Age
45-54
Age
55-64
Age
65+
What Filter Are
You Using?
Restaurant operators who say
their restaurant encourages
guests to share photos on social
media
Family dining
Casual dining
Fine dining
Quickservice
Fast casual
Source: National Restaurant Association, Food
and Menu Trends Survey, 2015
77%
82%
80%
67%
80%
7National Restaurant Association | Restaurant.org/Forecast

8. Sharing on Social
Consumers who have used Twitter, Facebook and/or Instagram for the following activities in the last 6 months*
Children
All Age Age Age Age Age under 18 in
adults 18-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65+ household
Shared photos of themselves, friends or
family in a restaurant or bar 31% 51% 40% 26% 18% 8% 41%
“Followed” or “Liked” a restaurant or
restaurant brand 27% 43% 39% 26% 12% 7% 41%
“Checked in” or “Tagged” a specific
restaurant location 25% 40% 34% 21% 16% 7% 36%
Shared photos of their food and drinks 25% 45% 32% 18% 12% 4% 33%
Shared positive feedback with a restaurant 22% 35% 27% 19% 15% 9% 32%
Shared negative feedback with a restaurant 12% 19% 14% 9% 8% 4% 16%
Source: National Restaurant Association, Technology Consumer Survey, 2015
*Survey conducted in October 2015
RECENT SOCIAL MEDIA ACTIVITY:*
Source: National Restaurant Association, Technology Consumer Survey, 2015
*Survey conducted in October 2015
10% of consumers have
shared photos from
a restaurant or bar
on Instagram.
26% have done so on
Facebook.
4%of men have followed a
restaurant on Twitter.
19%have liked a
restaurant on
Facebook.
16%of 18- to 34-year-olds
have tagged a
restaurant location
on Instagram.
30%have done so
on Facebook.
25%of 18- to 34-year-olds
have shared photos
of their food and drink
on Instagram.
28%have done so on
Facebook.
3%of consumers
have shared positive
feedback with a
restaurant on Twitter.
18%have done so on
Facebook.
1%of 35- to 44-year-olds
have shared negative
feedback with a
restaurant on Twitter.
12%have done so on
Facebook.
8National Restaurant Association | Restaurant.org/Forecast

9. CONTINUED
INVESTMENT IN
TECHNOLOGY
Thirty-one percent of restaurant operators
say they will devote more resources to
service-based technology in 2016, and 19
percent plan to invest more in customer-facing
devices and hardware. Nineteen percent also say
they will devote more resources to back-of-the-
house technology in the year ahead.
Mobile payment continues to gain momen-
tum, especially among quickservice and
fast-casual restaurant operators. Less than one
in three operators across segments currently
offer mobile payment options, but in quickser-
vice, it’s more than two in five. In addition,
roughly a quarter of limited-service operators
plan to add that option within the next year.
Mobile Payment Gains
Traction
Restaurant operators who offer
or plan to offer mobile or wireless
payment options, like PayPal,
Apple Pay or Square
Currently offer Plan to offer within the next year*
Source: National Restaurant Association, Restaurant Trends
Survey, 2015
*Of those that currently don't offer mobile or wireless payment options
Family dining
Casual dining
Fine dining
Quickservice
Fast casual
Restaurants Are Investing in Technology
Restaurant operators who say they will devote more resources to technology in 2016
Family Casual Fine Fast
dining dining dining Quickservice Casual
Customer-facing, service-based technology (online or app ordering,
reservations, delivery management, etc.) 29% 26% 26% 31% 37%
Customer-facing technology devices or hardware (iPads/tablets,
tableside ordering, ordering kiosks, etc.) 18% 22% 16% 17% 22%
Back-of-the-house technology (POS, inventory, table management, etc.) 20% 13% 21% 19% 22%
Source: National Restaurant Association, Restaurant Trends Survey, 2015
16%
12%
16%
7%
12%
10%
43%
26%
31%
25%
It’s a Bird, It’s a Plane, It’s … My Pizza?
Consumers who say they would be likely to use drone delivery of
restaurant food if available
Source: National Restaurant Association, National Household Survey, 2015
THE DRONES ARE COMING
Some retailers are exploring the use of unmanned aerial vehicles — or drones, as
they’re commonly known — to deliver online purchases, and the restaurant
industry is getting curious as well. Perhaps for good reason. More than a quarter of
consumers say they would likely use a drone delivery option if restaurants offered it.
Children
under 18 in
household
All
adults
Age
18-34
Age
35-44
Age
45-54
Age
55-64
Age
65+
27%
40% 39%
27%
16%
9%
33%
9National Restaurant Association | Restaurant.org/Forecast

10. ABOUT THE NATIONAL RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION
Founded in 1919, the National Restaurant Association is the leading business association for the restaurant industry. Together with the National Restaurant
Association Educational Foundation, our shared vision is to lead America’s restaurant and foodservice by elevating its prosperity, prominence and
participation, enhancing the quality of life for all we serve. The National Restaurant Association mission is to serve our members by advancing and
protecting America’s restaurant industry.
We create value for our members in five ways:
• Advocacy and representation: Building and sustaining positive public opinion and a favorable political environment.
• Tools and solutions: Helping grow revenues, increase profitability, and develop employees.
• Education and networking: Providing opportunities to connect and learn from each other.
• Research and insights: Anticipating and preparing for emerging trends that could impact restaurants.
• Responsible stewardship: Providing thought leadership to inspire community involvement and impact.
For additional restaurant industry research beyond the scope of this report, visit Restaurant.org/Research,
or contact the National Restaurant Association’s Knowledge Center at 800-424-5156. For information on
joining the National Restaurant Association, visit Restaurant.org/Join.
METHODOLOGY
Restaurant Trends Survey: The National Restaurant Association commissioned SSI to conduct a
telephone survey of 800 restaurant owners and operators in December 2015, asking questions
about their business and operating environments.
National Household Survey: The National Restaurant Association commissioned ORC International
to conduct a telephone survey of 1,012 American adults Dec. 10-13, 2015, asking questions about
consumer interaction with restaurants.
Technology Consumer Survey: The National Restaurant Association commissioned ORC International
to survey 1,008 adults Oct. 19-22 2015, about their use of technology in restaurants.
Food and Menu Trends Survey: The National Restaurant Association conducted an online survey
of 503 restaurant owners and operators in November-December 2015, asking about food and
consumer trends that impact restaurant menus.