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Free 2025 Report

How Your Restaurant Tech Stacks Up

New data from 500+ active restaurant operators reveals:

What separates top performing restaurants from the rest

The link between integrated tech and profitability

How to level up, no matter where you are in your journey

See how you stack up

Download the full report

Scroll down to preview key highlights!

The 4 stages of restaurant tech: at a glance

From our survey of 500+ restaurant pros, we spotted four clear stages of tech adoption in the industry

Stage 1

"This is how we've
always done it"

Stage 4

“One system,
one source of truth”

Stage 3

“I’m starting to connect the dots”

Stage 2

“I use software,
but the apps don’t talk to each other”

The 4 stages of restaurant tech: at a glance

The 4 Stages of restaurant tech:
at a glance

From our survey of 500+ restaurant pros, we determined four clear stages of tech adoption in the industry

Stage 1

"This is how we've always done it"

Around 1 in 5 restaurants are here. They’re running things on paper, relying on in-person chats, sticky notes, and gut instincts.

Stage 2

“I use software,
but the apps don’t talk to each other”

Roughly 3 in 10 restaurants fit in this stage. They've moved passed paper and spreadsheets, but the tools aren't connected.

Stage 3

“I’m starting to connect the dots”

Making up about 1 in 3 restaurants–this group are starting to use connected, restaurant-specific software for improved operations.

Stage 4

“One system,
one source of truth”

About 1 in 7 restaurants are here. They have a fully connected, and advanced tech setup. Data flows seamlessly, and workflows are optimized.

*hover to reveal

Take the quiz

Are you running on spreadsheets
and sticky notes?

Our research shows that about half of all restaurants are in the early stages, navigating the daily hurdles of manual operations:

Stage 1 - Starting (1 in 5 restaurants): Running on paper schedules, gut instinct, and manual logs.
47% still use a whiteboard for scheduling.
Stage 2 - Growing (3 in 10 restaurants): Juggling disconnected digital tools—like spreadsheets and group texts—that create information silos and hours of painful manual work.

It’s the kind of work that the industry is built upon, and it’s a starting point for transformative growth. Recognizing these hurdles is the first step top operators take before gaining control.

30%

20%

How does your tech stack compare to your peers?

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30%

20%

30%

20%

"We were losing money the first year, and it was all labor. I've spent a lot of time working on Excel spreadsheets to make sure that tips get distributed correctly."

Josh Bishop

Owner of Wildfire + Fork & Fire

Reliance on paper

47% of restaurants still use paper schedules or whiteboards for scheduling, and 32% track time with paper timesheets or written logs.

Reliance on paper in operations

Paper schedules or whiteboards

Track time with paper timesheets or written logs

Is your tech helping or hurting your bottom line?

Find out

Where top operators pull ahead

The most successful operators are moving to a more connected way of working:

Stage 3: Integrated (1 in 3 restaurants): Using restaurant-specific software and integrating key systems like scheduling and POS. This is where operators start saving serious time and money.
Stage 4: Strategic (1 in 7 restaurants): Operating with a fully integrated ecosystem. With one source of truth for data, workflows are smooth, decisions are data-driven, and managers are free to focus on growth. 49% of these operators describe their systems as "highly integrated."

The most successful operators are moving to a more connected way of working:

Stage 3: Integrated (1 in 3 restaurants): Using restaurant-specific software and integrating key systems like scheduling and POS. This is where operators start saving serious time and money.
Stage 4: Strategic (1 in 7 restaurants): Operating with a fully integrated ecosystem. With one source of truth for data, workflows are smooth, decisions are data-driven, and managers are free to focus on growth. 49% of these operators describe their systems as "highly integrated."

The most successful operators are moving to a more connected way of working:

Stage 3: Integrated (1 in 3 restaurants): Using restaurant-specific software and integrating key systems like scheduling and POS. This is where operators start saving serious time and money.
Stage 4: Strategic (1 in 7 restaurants): Operating with a fully integrated ecosystem. With one source of truth for data, workflows are smooth, decisions are data-driven, and managers are free to focus on growth. 49% of these operators describe their systems as "highly integrated."

33%

14%

"I can see who's clocked in... I can estimate how much labor I have left for the day... I'm using [7shifts] every day, non-stop."

Joanna Heart

Owner of The Palm Coffee Bar

Purpose-built tools are gaining ground

32% of restaurants have adopted basic scheduling software designed for the industry, and another 32% have implemented dedicated team communication apps.

Find out if you have a winning tech stack.

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Great tech is now a key ingredient for retention

Replacing staff is expensive—costing up to $2,611 to replace a single manager. Top operators know that a great employee experience is the secret to keeping their best people. Modern platforms give teams the tools they expect: mobile schedules, fair shift swapping, and transparent communication. This empowerment and respect for their time makes a real difference.

The combined pressure of these rising costs squeezes already-thin profit margins. Interestingly, staff turnover appears to be one of the top three concerns for 36% of restaurants.

After implementing an integrated system, a Jeremiah's Italian Ice location saved 27.3% in labor costs over two years.

1999

Cost to replace
a manager

hours managing tips

After implementing an integrated system, a Jeremiah's Italian Ice location saved 27.3% in labor costs over two years.

"You want all of your systems in one place... to see their time cards, dispute them if needed, check their pay stubs. Employees love that it's visible."

Avery Ward

Little Italy Ristorante

Your next best move is clear

Upgrading your tech doesn’t have to be overwhelming. From our survey, the operators who successfully leveled up all followed the same playbook: start with one system that solves your biggest pain point, then build from there.

With 65% of restaurants adopting new tech last year, the question isn’t if you’ll invest in your stack, but finding the level of technology that works for your operation and your vision.

restaurants adopted new tech last year

restaurants adopted new tech last year

restaurants adopted new tech last year

Ready to learn more?

Download the full report to learn how a strategic tech system can help you save time, reduce stress, and build a workplace your team loves.

Download the full report

About this report

We surveyed 521 restaurant professionals from quick service to fine dining to understand how they use technology in daily operations. Our analysis revealed four clear stages of technology adoption, which we validated through interviews with successful operators to ensure our model reflects real-world challenges and what works in today's restaurant industry.

Report by D.J. Costantino
Graphics by Cassie Cassell

Product

Pricing

Built for

Integrations

Resources

Start free trial

Login

Free 2025 Report

How Your Restaurant Tech Stacks Up

New data from 500+ active restaurant operators reveals:

See how you stack up

See how you stack up

See how you stack up

Download the full report

Download the full report

Download the full report

The 4 stages of restaurant tech: at a glance

Stage 1

"This is how we've always done it"

Stage 4

“One system, one source of truth”

Stage 3

“I’m starting to connect the dots”

Stage 2

“I use software, but the apps don’t talk to each other”

The 4 stages of restaurant tech: at a glance

The 4 Stages of restaurant tech: at a glance

Stage 1

"This is how we've always done it"

Stage 2

“I use software, but the apps don’t talk to each other”

Stage 3

“I’m starting to connect the dots”

Stage 4

“One system, one source of truth”

Take the quiz

Take the quiz

Are you running on spreadsheets and sticky notes?

30%

20%

How does your tech stack compare to your peers?

How does your tech stack compare to your peers?

Take the quiz

Take the quiz

Take the quiz

30%

20%

30%

20%

Josh Bishop

Owner of Wildfire + Fork & Fire

Reliance on paper

Paper schedules or whiteboards

Track time with paper timesheets or written logs

Is your tech helping or hurting your bottom line?

Is your tech helping or hurting your bottom line?

Is your tech helping or hurting your bottom line?

Find out

Find out

Find out

Where top operators pull ahead

The most successful operators are moving to a more connected way of working:

The most successful operators are moving to a more connected way of working:

The most successful operators are moving to a more connected way of working:

33%

33%

14%

14%

Joanna Heart

Owner of The Palm Coffee Bar

Purpose-built tools are gaining ground

Purpose-built tools are gaining ground

Find out if you have a winning tech stack.

Take the quiz

Take the quiz

Take the quiz

Great tech is now a key ingredient for retention

Cost to replace a manager

Avery Ward

Little Italy Ristorante

"This is how we've
always done it"

“One system,
one source of truth”

“I use software,
but the apps don’t talk to each other”

The 4 Stages of restaurant tech:
at a glance

“I use software,
but the apps don’t talk to each other”

“One system,
one source of truth”

Are you running on spreadsheets
and sticky notes?

Cost to replace
a manager