Our Take on the 2025 Restaurant Technology Outlook
The latest Restaurant Technology Outlook from Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Business reveals a clear message for operators: technology isn’t just an advantage—it’s a necessity.
We’re excited to see how closely the industry’s evolving needs align with the platform we've built. Operators today are prioritizing guest experience, operational efficiency, and scalable tech investments—principles that are core to everything we do.
Here are a few key takeaways from the report—and how GoTab is helping hospitality businesses stay ahead:
1. Technology is Critical to Growth
More than 70% of operators said technology is critical or very important to achieving business goals this year. It’s not just about adding tools—it’s about integrating solutions that unlock new efficiencies and better guest experiences.
How GoTab helps: Our entertainment commerce platform gives operators flexible, scalable tools—mobile ordering, self-service kiosks, kitchen display systems, and more—that prioritize both operational excellence and guest satisfaction.
2. Operators Demand Flexibility
Restaurant leaders are no longer looking for one-size-fits-all solutions. They want flexible, open solutions that integrate easily with existing and future tech stacks.
How GoTab helps: We built GoTab on an open API framework, making it easy to connect with the platforms operators already use—and future-proof their investments as they grow. Check out our integrations to see the numerous capabilities already available. Even if you’re not using the GoTab POS, we offer https://bespoke.gotab.com where you can craft customized experiences utilizing our tech.
3. The Guest Experience Matters More Than Ever
Increased competition, staffing challenges, and rising costs are pushing operators to focus even harder on delivering seamless, memorable guest experiences.
How GoTab helps: With features like shared tabs across guests and merchants, real-time service notifications, and customizable ordering flows, GoTab helps operators meet guests where they are—without adding friction or extra labor.
4. Expanding Digital Ordering Channels
38% of operators plan to invest in expanding their digital ordering channels.
How GoTab helps: Every GoTab pricing tier includes online ordering at no extra cost, delivering a seamless, intuitive guest experience. Our platform is fully integrated with KDS, POS, and Manager tools to keep service smooth, fast, and connected.
5. What We Think They Missed
One surprising gap in the report is the lack of focus on managing cost of goods and protecting margins. This may be because the survey was conducted early in the year, before the full impact of new tariffs was understood.
How GoTab helps: GoTab provides built-in tools to manage inventory, optimize menus and pricing, and track financial performance. With our recent acquisition of opsi—the intelligent kitchen and operations management platform—we give operators even more control over their margins and back-of-house efficiency.
The Bottom Line: Smarter Tech, Stronger Operations
Operators are moving full speed ahead on tech investment—but they’re demanding more flexibility, more integration, and more measurable impact from their tools. GoTab is proud to deliver a platform that helps restaurants, breweries, hotels, and entertainment venues not just adapt to these changes, but lead the way.
Looking to see how GoTab can power your guest experience and operational goals?
Request a Demo or visit us at Booth 2205 at the Craft Brewers Conference in Indianapolis this week!
