TLDR: Fast Food & Quick Service Restaurants market projected to grow from $316.1B in 2024 to $384B by 2030 (CAGR 3.3%). Growth driven by urbanization, convenience demand, digital ordering, health-conscious menus, and sustainability practices in emerging markets. Technology enhances customer experience, operational efficiency, and menu variety, including plant-based options.
Samsung launches AI-driven personalized food service to simplify meal prep and ingredient ordering, contributing to the digital food management market growth, projected to reach $3.28 billion by 2025. Factors driving growth include increased internet access, smartphone adoption, and food delivery service demand. Future trends involve innovations like self-driving delivery, 5G impact, blockchain for food traceability, and augmented reality in menus. North America leads the market, with Asia-Pacific expected to grow fastest. Major players include Oracle, Uber, and DoorDash.
Restaurant POS market projected to grow from USD 21.49B in 2023 to USD 48.46B by 2032, at a CAGR of 9.5%. Growth driven by cloud adoption, mobile POS, digital payments, and automation. Mobile and software components dominate, ensuring improved efficiency and customer experience. North America leads, while Asia Pacific shows rapid expansion due to rising digital transactions. Full-service restaurants are key market players, leveraging advanced technology for customer engagement.
Sweetgreen plans to enhance its automated ‘Infinite Kitchen' system in 2025, with around 25 new locations deploying this technology. This shift follows a year of reduced menu innovation, focused instead on operational stability. The Infinite Kitchens, introduced in 2023, have shown promising results, improving speed, reducing labor costs, and increasing digital sales. The company aims to increase locations from 12 to 33, potentially maximizing efficiency in high-demand areas. Despite challenges in early 2025, including weather impacts on California stores, Sweetgreen anticipates revenue growth and a revamped loyalty program alongside new menu items, including “Ripple Fries” and collaborations with chefs.
Stadium eateries can enhance fan experiences by adopting restaurant technology such as mobile ordering and self-service kiosks, aimed at reducing wait times and boosting satisfaction. Implementing these tools can streamline service, improve menu offerings, and leverage data analytics for better operational decisions. It's crucial to balance technological innovations with personal service, particularly in premium areas. Overall, integrating tech with a human touch can create memorable dining experiences for fans.
https://www.qsrmagazine.com/story/what-stadium-eateries-can-learn-from-restaurants-tech-tools/
Self service technologies market expected to grow from USD 53.32B in 2025 to USD 131.83B by 2034, with a CAGR of 10.58%. Key growth drivers include increased adoption of automation, AI, and demand for contactless solutions. North America leads the market, while Asia Pacific shows fastest growth. Major segments include ATMs and vending machines. Consumer preference for speed and convenience presents opportunities, despite data security concerns.
https://www.precedenceresearch.com/self-service-technologies-market
McDonald's SWOT Analysis Overview:
Strengths: Strong global brand, extensive international presence, effective marketing, robust loyalty programs.
Weaknesses: Underperformance in the U.S. market, vulnerability to food safety issues, margin pressure from value strategies.
Opportunities: International recovery, digital program expansion, menu innovation, potential market share gains.
Threats: Sluggish U.S. quick-service restaurant market, increasing competition, health trend shifts, economic downturn risks.
Conclusion: McDonald's shows stability despite U.S. challenges, relying on international growth and new strategies to drive future performance.
C-stores are outpacing fast food in foodservice growth. Donna Hood Crecca of Technomic highlighted their competitive edge at the Convenience Retailing University. C-stores are now considered viable options for meals and beverages, appealing to consumers seeking quality and value. With nearly 140,000 c-stores offering foodservice and expected spending hitting $27 billion, c-stores can leverage their format variety and multi-tasking convenience to attract customers. To compete against QSRs, they must emphasize price, quality, and innovation, while developing signature menu items. They’re gaining ground in “share of stomach” from fast-food chains.
https://www.cspdailynews.com/foodservice/inside-convenience-store-playbook-beat-qsrs
Ranking of fast food French fries reveals surprising favorites; Checkers/Rally's takes first place for crispy, flavorful fries, followed by McDonald's. Other contenders include Chick-fil-A and Raising Cane's for decent fries, while In-N-Out and Shake Shack fall short.
https://www.delish.com/food-news/g63922201/best-fast-food-french-fries-ranked/
McDonald's Romania and OMD Romania tested Teads' new Omnichannel Brand Lift Study, achieving significant uplifts in key performance indicators (KPIs) including Brand Recommendation, Favorability, and Purchase Intent. This marks a first in the CEE region, demonstrating the effectiveness of Teads’ omnichannel approach in enhancing brand metrics and consumer engagement through advanced methodologies powered by Cint.
