Key Trends
How Independent Restaurant Operators Are Winning in 2025
Key Trends from the 2025 Restaurant Technology Outlook Report — and What to Do Now
If you’re an independent restaurant operator, the question isn’t if you should upgrade your technology. It’s how fast.
The 2025 Restaurant Technology Outlook Report shows that the fastest-growing restaurants aren’t just trying new tools, they’re simplifying operations with end-to-end, done-for-you platforms. These restaurants are cutting costs, growing direct orders, and taking control of their digital storefronts.
Here’s what’s happening, and how the Chowly Platform helps independent restaurant operators take action.
Quick Take: What’s Driving Growth in 2025
Market Trends
Customer Behavior
- Digital orders drive 20% higher spending (Restaurant Business)
- Online ordering boosts takeout profits by up to 30% (Mad Mobile)
- QSR check averages increase by 26%, fast casual by 13% (Deloitte)
- Customers who order online return 67% more often (2025 Restaurant Tech Outlook Report)
Operator Action
- 88% of restaurants are investing in new tech (2025 Restaurant Tech Outlook Report)
- First-party ordering has surpassed third-party in volume (2025 Restaurant Tech Outlook Report)
- Platforms are replacing patchwork tools (2025 Restaurant Tech Outlook Report)
Let’s unpack these trends and show you how to win.
1. Time Back Is the New ROI
Technology should simplify, not complicate.
In 2025, 88% of restaurant operators plan to invest in new technology, and 34% say they definitely will, up from 30% last year (2025 Restaurant Tech Outlook Report). Independent restaurant operators aren’t chasing shiny objects. They want time back to focus on food, team, and guests.
With the Chowly Platform you get:
- One dashboard for ordering, delivery, menus, and marketing
- Seamless POS syncs and menu updates
- Google integrations, managed for you
- A setup team and support that stays with you
- Return on Time: Free up hours every week to focus on food, team, and guests instead of juggling tools
📊 Stat to know:
Digital ordering and delivery have grown 3X faster than dine-in since 2014 (Forbes)
2. Profitability Starts With Simplicity
End-to-end platforms reduce friction and boost margins.
52% of restaurants now say an all-in-one platform is the best way to run their tech stack (2025 Report). Why? Because independent restaurant operators are focused on:
- Driving traffic (46%)
- 39% want to reduce operating cost
- Cutting operating costs (39%)
- Improving marketing (38%)
- Reducing labor costs (32%)
The Chowly Platform delivers:
- First- and third-party order management
- Automated Google and Meta Ads, listings, and surveys
- Full POS and back-office integration
- Dynamic Pricing tools to optimize every order
📊 Stat to know:
Online ordering boosts QSR check averages by 26% and drives 20% more spend (Deloitte, Restaurant Business)
3. Don’t Let Chains Leave You Behind
Big brands are investing. Independents can’t afford to wait.
In 2025, 79% of chains will invest in new tech, but only 53% of independents say the same (2025 Report). That gap is where profits, time, and loyalty get lost.
The Chowly Platform helps close the gap:
- White-glove onboarding
- Done-for-you marketing and first-party setup
- Ongoing optimization and platform support
📊 Stat to know: 1 in 3 independent restaurant operators say staffing challenges are their top barrier to adopting new tech(2025 Report)
4. First-Party Ordering Is Surging
Independent restaurant operators are taking control back from marketplaces.
According to the 2025 QSR Operational Index (PAR):
- First-party mobile transactions grew +39.4% YoY
- First-party sales rose +21% YoY
- Third-party delivery dropped -5.7%
Why this matters:
- You control pricing and margins
- You own customer data and relationships
- You cut marketplace commissions
Chowly Platform helps you shift:
- Launch a branded, mobile-optimized ordering site
- Sync menus across all channels
- Run Google Ads that drive direct traffic
📊 Stat to know:
Restaurants with online ordering see up to 30% more takeout profit (Mad Mobile)
5. Dynamic Pricing Is Practical AI
AI doesn’t have to be complex, just profitable.
Chowly Platform helps you shift:
- 32% of restaurants already use dynamic pricing
- 47% monitor item-level margins
- 65% of AI adopters prioritize pricing automation (2025 Report)
Chowly’s Dynamic Pricing tool:
- Adjusts pricing by time of day, demand, channel, or location
- Syncs instantly across platforms
- Uses real-time data, no spreadsheets required
6. Platforms Are the New Standard
No more duct-taped tech stacks.
The 83% of operators say end-to-end platforms are the best model in 2025 (2025 Report). Why? Because they eliminate:
- Manual work
- Tool overload
- Data silos
The Chowly Platform includes:
- Online ordering
- Third-party integrations
- Dynamic Pricing
- Google management
- Post-order surveys
- All under one login, fully supported
All under one login, with white-glove onboarding included.
📊 Stat to know: The online delivery market will hit $1.39 trillion in 2025 with 8.29% YoY growth(Statista)
Want to make sure more guests can find you online?
Final Word: Work Smarter, Not Harder
The operators winning in 2025 aren’t just hustling harder, they’re building smarter systems.
With the Chowly Platform, independent restaurant operators can:
- Take control of their digital storefront
- Increase takeout profits with first-party ordering
- Save time, reduce complexity, and grow their business
It’s done-for-you. Fully supported. Built to scale.
