Ahmed Shabana
The Rise of AI on the Menu
Ordering food in 2025 is no longer just about browsing a static menu. Across the U.S., smart ordering apps are using artificial intelligence (AI) to recommend meals based on past preferences, dietary needs, and even mood.
From robot chefs in California to AI-powered salad kitchens in New York, restaurants are embracing personalization to enhance customer loyalty. According to Bloomberg, AI-driven restaurant tech investment surpassed $3.5 billion in 2024, reflecting how food and technology are merging.
The Numbers: How Big Is AI Dining?
- 65% of U.S. diners have used an AI-powered food app in the last year (Statista).
- The global foodtech market is expected to reach $342 billion by 2027 (Fortune Business Insights).
- AI-driven personalization increases average order value by 15–20% (McKinsey).
- Delivery platforms like DoorDash handled 2 billion orders in 2024, many using AI for smart menu curation (CNBC).
Key Startups Driving the Trend
1. Miso Robotics – The Robot Chef Revolution
Miso Robotics is famous for Flippy, the AI-powered robotic arm that cooks burgers, fries, and chicken wings. Partnering with White Castle and Chipotle, Miso is reshaping quick-service kitchens.
- Cuts kitchen labor costs by 30%.
- Improves food consistency and speed.
- Expanding from the U.S. to Japan and Europe in 2025 (TechCrunch).
2. Sweetgreen – Automated Salad Kitchens
Sweetgreen has built an Infinite Kitchen, an AI-powered assembly line that customizes salads and bowls. As Fast Company reports, the system can make 500 bowls per hour, reducing wait times and boosting accuracy.
- 30% faster service in pilot stores.
- Customers receive personalized recommendations via the mobile app.
- Aiming for automation in 25% of locations by 2026.
3. DoorDash AI Menus – Personalized Delivery
DoorDash is leading the charge in AI-powered menu recommendations. Using order history, time of day, and regional data, DoorDash now suggests meals likely to match customer cravings (The Verge).
- AI boosts re-order rates by 18%.
- Local restaurants benefit from increased visibility.
- 2025 rollout includes integration with voice assistants like Alexa and Siri.
4. Starship Technologies – AI Delivery Robots
While not menu-focused, Starship Technologies delivers AI-powered convenience. Their small delivery robots operate in over 50 U.S. cities, reshaping how AI integrates with dining logistics (Reuters).
How AI Personalization Works
AI apps rely on a mix of:
- Data mining: Past orders, location, and time-of-day preferences.
- Machine learning models: Predict new cravings based on patterns.
- Behavioral nudges: Suggest healthier or higher-margin items.
- Integration with loyalty programs: Tailored discounts and upsells.
According to MIT Technology Review, personalization is now the biggest driver of restaurant app engagement.
Consumer Experience: Why Diners Love It
- Convenience: No more scrolling endless menus.
- Personal touch: Feels like having a digital waiter who knows your taste.
- Health benefits: Apps can filter by calorie count or allergens.
- Exploration: Encourages diners to try new dishes aligned with their preferences.
A Pew Research study found 72% of diners trust AI suggestions if they save time and money.
Economic Impact on Restaurants
- Restaurants using AI ordering apps see 25% faster table turnover (HospitalityNet).
- AI-driven upselling boosts margins by 12% (Forbes).
- Small businesses using AI-powered delivery apps increased sales by 19% in 2024 (WSJ).
Challenges and Criticism
- Privacy concerns: How safe is diners’ personal food data? (NPR)
- Over-automation risk: Fear of losing the human element of dining.
- Algorithm bias: Some items get promoted more, disadvantaging smaller restaurants.
Still, as the Guardian points out, AI in food is “too profitable to ignore.”
Global Trends in AI Dining
The U.S. isn’t alone in embracing smart ordering apps:
- China: Alibaba’s Hema supermarkets use AI to recommend meals.
- Japan: Ramen shops use AI kiosks for personalized orders (Japan Times).
- Europe: Pizza Hut UK tests AI menus that track eye movement for recommendations (BBC).
This global adoption signals that AI dining is no longer a fad; it’s the future of hospitality.
The Road Ahead
Looking forward, smart ordering apps will expand through:
- Integration with wearables: Health-tracking watches linking calorie data to menu suggestions.
- AI voice ordering: Conversational apps like ChatGPT integrations offering spoken recommendations.
- Fully autonomous restaurants: Blending robotics and AI to deliver dining with zero human staff.
As the Financial Times notes, personalization is the next competitive frontier in dining.
Conclusion: A Smarter Way to Dine
Smart ordering apps are redefining what it means to eat out in America. With startups like Miso Robotics, Sweetgreen, and DoorDash leading the charge, personalization is becoming the new normal in restaurants.
For diners, it means faster, tastier, and healthier meals. For restaurants, it means higher margins and customer loyalty. For the industry, it signals a tech-powered transformation that’s just beginning.
As WSJ puts it: “The future of dining will be written in code as much as in cookbooks.”
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