Enhancing efficiency with AI Panera Bread SVP & chief digital officer Meenakshi Nagarajan shares how the brand leverages AI, data, and digital strategy to stay ahead.
and all the buzz has them expecting big results. Vendors have responded by rapidly developing AI tools ranging from basic chatbots to more sophis - ticated predictive systems and even AI agents. Despite all the activity, some cautioned that AI is still not in a position to trans - form anyone’s business overnight. “I think we’re in the assisted driving stage of AI, not self-driving,” said Ivan Matkovic, founder and CEO of loyalty provider Spendgo. “A lot of vendors are overeager and have a lot of that Elon in them.” Operators said it’s important to set realistic expectations for higher-ups about what AI will be able to do in the near-term.
“In reality, it’s a long-term play. It’s not this quarter,” said Keith Canseco, senior director of national marketing for Cap - tain D’s. Being honest about that can help avoid the disillusionment that is so often part of the hype curve. Overall, restaurants remain excited about what AI can do, but not over - ly so. According to Technomic data presented at the event, 31% of operators believe AI will be the most impactful form of technology for their business in the future. But that ranked behind other, less flashy technologies, such as equipment that can measure temper- ature and food safety (35%) and POS integration (49%). As far as how they planned to use AI, most operators tended to place it be -
hind the scenes. Nearly half (48%) said they’d use it to analyze customer data, and 43% apiece chose staff scheduling and inventory tracking and prediction. Forty percent said AI phone ordering. On the ground, many brands praised AI’s ability to forecast sales and other tradewinds. Others agreed that it’s good for handling mundane tasks—“all the bullshit that we don’t want to do day to day,” said Jennifer Bell, CMO of Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises. That leaves more room for essentials like human connection and creativity. “If we’re not jumping on those oppor - tunities, we’re missing the mark,” she said.
Leading AI Use Cases for Restaurants
48 %
43 %
40 %
plan to use predictive analytics for customer insights
plan to use AI to help with staff scheduling
Plan to use it to help with food waste management
Source: Technomic
18 | FSTEC 2025
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