But, like most things that are \u201cimportant but still kind of buzzword-y\u201d… <\/p>\n\n\n\n
There\u2019s a lot of information out there about digital transformation, and not a lot of defining, explaining, or demonstrating. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
That\u2019s why we\u2019re stripping \u201crestaurant digital transformation\u201d back and starting at square one. In this blog, we\u2019ll take you through:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- What restaurant digital transformation is (and a few examples),<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The two reasons your restaurant should invest in digital transformation, and<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Three case studies that demonstrate digital transformation in \u201creal life\u201d <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Ready for some actually <\/em>actionable advice?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Let\u2019s go. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
What is Restaurant Digital Transformation? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Restaurant digital transformation isn\u2019t just one \u201cthing\u201d or \u201cevent.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s the result of adopting multiple new digital technologies that change and improve your restaurant\u2019s operations, service, and customer value. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
What technologies earn a spot on your digital transformation roster depends on your restaurant\u2019s (and customers\u2019) needs and wants\u2026 but here are a few common ones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Inventory and ordering automations <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Staffing and scheduling software<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Apps and loyalty programs<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Online ordering systems <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Touch-screen kiosks <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Digital menus<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\t\t\t\tExplore the possibilities of restaurant digital transformation in our Restaurant Online Ordering Guide.<\/div>\n\t\t\n \n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tGet Your Copy!\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\n
![\"Craver](\"https:\/\/www.getcraver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Craver-Kiosk-Payment.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nWhy Should Restaurants Invest in Digital Transformation?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
There are two simple reasons your restaurant should invest in digital transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1 \u2014 Digital transformation is what your customers want.<\/em> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
As part of their \u201cFuture of Restaurants Report: 2024 Edition<\/span><\/a>,\u201d Square surveyed 4,000 customers around the globe, uncovering what people actually <\/em>want from the restaurants they dine at. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The results?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- 76%<\/span><\/a> of customers want restaurants to use automation and tech for better efficiency <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- 49%<\/span><\/a> of consumers prefer using contactless payment methods (like Apple Pay)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- 47%<\/span><\/a> of customers prefer making reservations online or with a restaurant app <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Similar digital-loving sentiments were shared by customers in The NRA\u2019s \u201cRestaurant Technology Landscape Report: 2024<\/span><\/a>,\u201d too. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Their survey revealed that:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- 80%<\/span><\/a> of customers said they\u2019d order delivery through a restaurant\u2019s app<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- 61%<\/span><\/a> of customers are \u201cgame for variable pricing\u201d (which is way<\/em> easier to do digitally)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- 96%<\/span><\/a> of customers enrolled in a loyalty program say it gets them \u201cmore bang for their buck\u201d <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
So, these stats make it clear that customers want to see digital transformation<\/a> in the restaurants they dine at\u2026 but what\u2019s in it for you<\/em>? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
That\u2019s a great question.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
(And an even better<\/em> segue into the second reason your restaurant should invest in digital transformation.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2 \u2014 Digital transformation is what your restaurant needs. <\/em> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Square and The NRA also surveyed restaurant owners and operators for their reports, exploring their opinions about (and experiences with) tech and automation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
And, as it turns out, digital transformation has proven to be a solid solution to industry-wide challenges like staffing shortages and operational efficiencies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Of the 2,000 restaurant owners that Square surveyed:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- 100%<\/span><\/a> said they use technology and automation to fill critical staffing gaps <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- 80%<\/span><\/a> said having a website or social media presence is \u201cvital for survival and growth\u201d <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- 54%<\/span><\/a> of restaurant owners plan to invest more in both tech and automation this year <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
And, of the restaurant owners and operators The NRA surveyed: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- 76%<\/span><\/a> said technology gives their restaurant a \u201ccompetitive edge\u201d <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- 57%<\/span><\/a> said they plan to invest in loyalty\/rewards technology this year<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- 73%<\/span><\/a> said tech has increased efficiency and productivity (compared to pre-pandemic)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Now, these stats make restaurant digital transformation sound good\u2026 in theory. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Don\u2019t worry, though.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The next section\u2019s case studies will show you how great digital transformation is in practice<\/em>, too. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\t\n\n\t\t\t\t\tReady to future-proof your restaurant with digital transformation? Reading our Restaurant Online Ordering Guide is the first step.\u00a0<\/div>\n\t\t\n \n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tGet Your Copy!\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\nMini Case Study 1: McDonald\u2019s Digital App<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
You can\u2019t talk about restaurant digital transformation without talking about McDonald\u2019s. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
From opening its first brick-and-mortar restaurant in 1955<\/span><\/a> to reporting $6B in digital sales in 2022<\/span><\/a>, McD\u2019s and digital transformation go together like nuggets and fries. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
One of the main drivers of McDonald\u2019s digital success has been its mobile app<\/span><\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"McDonalds](\"https:\/\/www.getcraver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/McDonalds-App.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nLaunched in 2015<\/span><\/a>, the McDonald\u2019s app was originally just a handheld menu browser. Users could peek through their local restaurant\u2019s offerings and redeem basic coupons\u2026 and that\u2019s about it. In 2017<\/span><\/a>, the brand launched new mobile ordering and payment options, designed to \u201ccut transaction times, reduce errors, and free up workers<\/span><\/a>\u201d by automating more orders. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
By the end of 2020, the McDonald\u2019s app had been downloaded 81.9M<\/span><\/a> times, a number destined to grow in 2021 with the launch of the brand\u2019s new loyalty program \u2013 MyMcDonald\u2019s Rewards. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fast forward to 2023<\/span><\/a>, and the McDonald\u2019s app has 150M active users, over $20B in system sales, and no signs of slowing down. As part of its Accelerating the Arches<\/span><\/em><\/a> growth strategy, McD\u2019s wants to expand its \u201calready-largest-in-the-world\u201d loyalty program, working to reach 250M users and $45B in system sales by 2027. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For McDonald\u2019s, the app has been \u2014 and will continue to be \u2014 a pillar of long-term digital transformation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe’re creating an environment that embraces bold [creativity] and we’re remaining connected to culture by tapping into the moments, memories, rituals, and behaviors that people have with our brand,\u201d says Chris Kempczinski<\/span><\/a>, McDonald\u2019s President and CEO. \u201cAs we continue to attract millions of new loyalty members, we can get even smarter with our pricing methodology and tailor our digital offers to our fans, making them even more personalized.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mini Case Study 2: Chipotle\u2019s Digital Kitchens & Chipotlanes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Another regular in the \u201crestaurant digital transformation\u201d conversation is Chipotle, a company that\u2019s always found itself ahead of the digital curve. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Mexican grill brand has already had a 15-year winning streak for digital transformation, having launched one of the industry\u2019s first and (and best<\/span><\/a>!) apps in 2009<\/span><\/a>, integrating third-party delivery in 2015<\/span><\/a>, and<\/em> adding digital-only make-lines to restaurants in 2018<\/span><\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since then, the brand\u2019s been \u201c[pouring] the gas<\/span><\/a>\u201d on digital transformation through initiatives like Chipotlanes and Digital Kitchens. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Chipotlanes \u2014 pick-up windows dedicated exclusively to digital orders \u2014 were first introduced in 2018<\/span><\/a>. Added to existing restaurants across the U.S., Chipotlanes perfectly married the more \u201ctraditional\u201d dine-in experience with a new, \u201cnever-leave-your-car\u201d one\u2026 and they generated 10-15%<\/span><\/a> more in sales, too. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In 2020<\/span><\/a>, with the success of Chipotlanes under its wings, Chipotle amped up its commitment to digital transformation with the introduction of Digital Kitchens. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Chipotle\u2019s Digital Kitchen concept was designed to \u201c[accelerate] digital business in non-traditional locations<\/span><\/a>,\u201d offering customers an easy way to pick up their digital orders without the massive footprint that a regular Chipotle location demands. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Three years ago, Tabassum Zalotrawala, Chipotle\u2019s Chief Development Officer, about Chipotlanes, said innovations like Chipotlane\u2019s were a \u201ckey growth strategy for the brand<\/span><\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Now, not much has changed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Chipotle Chairman and CEO Brian Niccol says<\/span><\/a> the brand continues to see \u201cvery strong results with Chipotlanes driving higher new restaurant productivity, margins, and returns.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
And, with plans to open over 300 new restaurants<\/span><\/a> in 2024 \u2014 80% of which will have Chipotlanes \u2014 it seems Chipotle\u2019s avenue of digital transformation is working. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
And it\u2019s not going anywhere, either. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mini Case Study 3: Rook Coffee\u2019s Digital Ordering & Payments (with Craver)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Writing a piece on digital transformation without talking about the success of Rook Coffee?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That\u2019s like ordering a \u201cregular\u201d Rook\u2019s Cold Brew instead of a \u201cbigger\u201d one \u2014 it just wouldn\u2019t happen. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Back in 2010, when Holly and Shawn founded Rook Coffee, they had one, simple goal: to foster genuine human connections through quality, simplicity, and experience. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
And foster human connection they did. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Over time, Rook became more than just a place to get coffee. You went to Rook Coffee to have your order remembered, your name spelled right, and your heart warmed with genuine, authentic conversation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But, despite Rook\u2019s top-notch customer experience, operations fell short. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In-store payment and ordering had become bottlenecks, slowing down payments and hurting their reputation for efficient, streamlined service. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
So, what\u2019s the solution for operations that can\u2019t measure up to your top-tier service?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Digital transformation, of course. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Rook](\"https:\/\/www.getcraver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Rook-Coffee-Mobile-App.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe Rook Coffee team reached out to Craver for a solution that integrated with their existing Square POS system, automated manual entry tasks, and streamlined order-to-payment workflows\u2026 and we created their perfect solution with a custom branded app<\/span><\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
With their new, Craver-powered app, Rook Coffee was able to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Free up staff from the register to focus on order fulfillment and customer service<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Increase sales by enabling customers to customize or add to their mobile orders<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Improve its value proposition, offering customers faster, more convenient experiences<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Now, repeat Craver customers make up 48% of Rook Coffee\u2019s total revenue<\/a>, spending 3x more through the app than ever before. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe’re not just offering coffee,\u201d says Holly Migliaccio, Rook Coffee Co-Founder. \u201c[We’re] offering a new level of convenience. That’s the transformation Craver has brought to Rook Coffee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\t\n\n\t\t\t\t\tReady to transform your restaurant like McDonald’s, Chipotle, or Rook Coffee? Start your digital journey today.<\/div>\n\t\t\n \n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tBook A Demo\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\nWrap Up <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s no secret that restaurant digital transformation answers your customers’ wants and your restaurant\u2019s needs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
But, when you look at the big players like McDonald\u2019s \u2014 and factor in the tech-forward trends we\u2019re seeing year after year \u2014 we\u2019re talking about something bigger than \u201cwants\u201d and \u201cneeds.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The truth is that restaurant digital transformation is the future of our industry. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
And, whether your restaurant embraces digital transformation to solidify your spot in a brand new restaurant industry\u2026 <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Well, that\u2019s up to you.<\/p>\n\n\n
- 57%<\/span><\/a> said they plan to invest in loyalty\/rewards technology this year<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- 80%<\/span><\/a> said having a website or social media presence is \u201cvital for survival and growth\u201d <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- 61%<\/span><\/a> of customers are \u201cgame for variable pricing\u201d (which is way<\/em> easier to do digitally)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- 49%<\/span><\/a> of consumers prefer using contactless payment methods (like Apple Pay)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- 76%<\/span><\/a> of customers want restaurants to use automation and tech for better efficiency <\/li>\n\n\n\n