Invisible, Yet Innovative Tech: Hannah Arner, dir- ector of restaurant digital and technology capabil- ities for The Coca-Cola Company, says today’s foodservice consumer is looking for more con- venient ways to engage with restaurants, but they expect much of the technology powering modern strategies to work behind the scenes. “Invisible” use cases include AI-powered demand fore- casting and data-driven loyalty that leads to greater personalization.
The Rise of Robotics: Juan George, co-founder of 858 Partners, says he expects a surge of activity around robotics in the next year, both for com- panies and for consumers. As consumers become more comfortable with robotics in their own lives, they’ll expect that kind of efficiency from the busi - nesses they patronize. The time for restaurants to start testing automation, he says, is now.
Consumers Shift Their Expectations for Tech: Rob Grimes, founder and CEO of the International Food and Beverage Technology Association, explains how restaurant customers have turned the tables on technology in the foodservice industry, often using their own devices to engage with brands in new ways and to order in ways that are more convenient. Learn what restaurants should do to appear more tech-forward to an increas- ingly savvy consumer.
16 | FSTEC 2026
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