Consumers are increasingly turning to AI tools like ChatGPT and Google Gemini to decide where to eat, according to DoorDash’s new 2026 Restaurant Industry Trends Report.
The report, based on a nationally representative survey of more than 3,000 U.S. consumers and more than 500 restaurant operators, examined trends across restaurant discovery, ordering, reservations and loyalty.
DoorDash found 22 percent of consumers have used AI search and recommendation platforms to choose a restaurant, discover new places and search by cuisine, occasion or value.
“The AI dinner prompt is here,” the report stated.
The shift is creating a new layer of restaurant discovery as consumers move beyond traditional search and marketplace browsing. Citing Yext research, the company said restaurant listing sites like DoorDash account for more than 41 percent of the sources AI tools cite when recommending restaurants.
Operators surveyed are responding by improving digital storefront basics. About 39 percent are updating menu information, while 34 percent are focusing on review management and 32 percent are improving photo quality.
The report found consumers increasingly expect delivery, pickup and dine-in experiences to work together. About 64 percent of consumers said they would prefer one app for managing delivery, pickup and reservations.
DoorDash also found crossover between off-premises and dine-in occasions. About 74 percent of consumers said a dine-in visit later led them to order delivery from the same restaurant, while 62 percent said a delivery order later led them to dine in.
The report pointed to growing consumer comfort with AI-powered hospitality tools. About three-quarters of consumers said they are comfortable using AI for reservations, while only 28 percent of operators currently use AI to manage calls and customer service.
Personalization remained another major theme throughout the findings. About 65 percent of consumers said a restaurant remembering preferences like dietary restrictions, favorite dishes or seating choices would directly affect how often they return. Another 87 percent said a credit, discount or perk influenced them to reorder.
