Consumer discomfort with AI in restaurants is rapidly declining, dropping from 41% in 2025 to 27% today, according to a survey from PAR Technology Corp.
The “2026 Industry Report: AI on the Diner’s Terms”, based on a June survey of 1,000 U.S. adults, indicates that nearly three in four diners are open to AI playing a role in their restaurant experience. Consumers are increasingly willing to accept AI for faster service, greater consistency and personalized offers, provided there is transparency and the option to reach a human worker.
“Consumers are giving operators clear direction — they are open to AI when it makes their experience better,” Savneet Singh, CEO of PAR Technology, said in a press release on the findings. “The operators who move now to build that trust will own the guest relationship. The ones who wait will be handing it to someone else. This is not about replacing humans. It is about making sure restaurants are present, relevant, and in control wherever their guests choose to order next.”
