Square's latest "Future of Restaurants 2025" report paints a fascinating picture of Canadian restaurant owners who aren't just surviving: they're thriving through smart tech adoption. With 78% of leaders feeling more optimistic than last year and 85% planning bigger tech investments, it's clear that automation isn't just a nice-to-have anymore. It's the secret weapon for staying competitive.
Here are the seven trends reshaping Canadian restaurants in 2025, plus how BK Touch is helping QSR, retail, and grocery operators turn these insights into real results.
The numbers don't lie: 73% of restaurant leaders are spending more time on operations than last year. Between labour shortages, rising costs, and increasingly complex customer demands, operators are drowning in administrative tasks.
AI is stepping in to handle the heavy lifting. From inventory management that predicts exactly what you'll need next week to kitchen display systems that optimize prep timing, automation is giving operators their time back. The Square report shows 75% of leaders believe AI will improve marketing, payments, and inventory management: and they're right.
Where BK Touch fits: Our integrated solutions don't just add AI features: they're built around reducing operational complexity. When your POS, inventory, and kitchen display systems talk to each other seamlessly, you're not managing three different platforms. You're running one smart operation that learns and adapts.
Here's a stat that'll surprise you: customer acceptance of kiosks jumped from 15% to 64% in just two years. That's not gradual adoption: that's a complete mindset shift. Canadian customers have realized that kiosks mean faster service, accurate orders, and no awkward small talk when they're in a hurry.
For operators, kiosks are solving multiple problems at once. They're handling labour shortages, reducing order errors, and: here's the kicker: they never call in sick or ask for overtime.
Where BK Touch fits: Our K-series kiosks aren't just order-taking machines. They're full-service customer engagement platforms that integrate with your loyalty programs, suggest upsells, and seamlessly hand off orders to your kitchen systems. Plus, they're built tough enough for high-volume Canadian operations: from Tim Hortons busy mornings to late-night pizza runs.
Remember when restaurants ran five different systems that barely talked to each other? Those days are over. Modern operators need everything integrated: billing, online ordering, staff scheduling, inventory, loyalty programs, and real-time analytics in one ecosystem.
The Square report shows 41% of operators are investing in technology specifically to offset wage and price pressures. Integrated systems aren't just convenient: they're cost-effective. When your POS handles everything, you're not paying for multiple software licenses or training staff on different platforms.
Where BK Touch fits: Our A8 POS system is designed as the central nervous system of your operation. It connects seamlessly with our kiosks, kitchen display systems, and back-office management tools. One login, one dashboard, one source of truth for your entire business.
The loyalty game has evolved. Square's research shows 83% of restaurants see loyalty programs increase both order size and repeat visits, while 69% of customers actually value personalized rewards. But here's what's really interesting: email (63%) and text messaging (44%) are customers' preferred communication methods: not social media.
Smart operators are using loyalty data to understand their customers deeply. What drives repeat visits? Which menu items have the highest margins? How can you turn a Tuesday lunch regular into a weekend dinner customer?
Where BK Touch fits: Our loyalty integration doesn't just track points: it builds customer profiles. When a regular approaches your kiosk, it recognizes them, suggests their usual order, and offers relevant promotions. When they pay at your A8 POS, it updates their preferences automatically. It's loyalty that actually works.
Online and in-app ordering are driving the most sales (78% and 77% respectively), but customers expect seamless experiences across every touchpoint. Whether they order on their phone, at your kiosk, or at the counter, the experience should feel consistent and connected.
The challenge isn't offering multiple ordering channels: it's making them work together smoothly. When someone starts an order on your app but finishes it at your kiosk, your system should recognize that journey and make it seamless.
Where BK Touch fits: Our omnichannel approach means your online orders, kiosk orders, and POS orders all flow through the same system. Your kitchen sees one unified queue, your inventory updates in real-time regardless of order source, and your customer data stays connected across every interaction.
Here's a trend that's picking up steam: 76% of restaurant owners believe non-core offerings are vital to growth. We're talking merchandise, cooking classes, catering packages, subscription services, even retail partnerships. The most successful operators are thinking beyond the plate.
This isn't just about diversification: it's about maximizing your existing customer relationships. If someone loves your coffee, maybe they'd buy your beans. If they're obsessed with your sauce, why not bottle it?
Where BK Touch fits: Our systems are built to handle complex product catalogs beyond traditional food items. Want to sell branded merchandise through your kiosks? Easy. Need to manage subscription services through your POS? No problem. Our retail-grade hardware and software handle whatever you're selling.
Here's the most important insight from the Square report: while customers embrace tech for ordering and paying, they still value human interaction during their dining experience. The key is using technology to enhance: not replace: genuine hospitality.
Successful operators are using tech to handle routine tasks so their staff can focus on what humans do best: creating memorable experiences, solving problems, and building relationships.
Where BK Touch fits: Our philosophy is "technology that amplifies humanity." Our kiosks handle routine orders so your staff can focus on complex requests and customer service. Our integrated systems give your team the information they need to provide better, more personalized service.
The restaurant operators thriving in 2025 aren't just adopting new technology: they're thinking strategically about how different systems work together. They're choosing partners who understand that modern restaurants need solutions that integrate seamlessly, scale easily, and actually solve real problems.
Whether you're running a quick-service restaurant, a retail operation, or a grocery store, the trends are clear: automation, integration, and customer-centricity aren't optional anymore. They're the foundation of competitive advantage.
Ready to see how BK Touch can help your operation embrace these trends? Let's chat about building a technology stack that actually works together. Visit our website to learn more about our integrated solutions for QSR, retail, and grocery operations.
Bolder > Boundless > Better > Together.
