QSR Tech Expectations Rise as Nearly All Consumers Weigh Digital Experience

Technology is playing an increasingly important role in where consumers choose to eat, but new research from Canopy suggests quick-service restaurants have little room for error as digital touchpoints become more embedded in the customer experience.

Canopy’s 2026 Restaurant Tech Report: Add Sauce, Hold the Friction, based on a survey of 1,007 US consumers, found that technology now influences dining choices for 94% of respondents, up from 80% in 2025. At the same time, 37% said they have abandoned an order because...

FMI Report Finds Food Retailers Doubling Down on Value, Health and Tech Amid Economic Pressure

Food retailers and suppliers are continuing to invest in affordability, health-focused products and technology despite ongoing economic strain, according to The Food Retailing Industry Speaks 2026 report released by The Food Industry Association (FMI).

The report found industry leaders concentrated on five core priorities: managing macroeconomic volatility, meeting consumer demands for value and health, improving the shopping experience, adopting new technologies and building business resilience.

“Consumers are increasingly sensitive to both the cost of food and the nutritional...

Instacart and Weis Markets Launch AI-Powered Caper Carts to Transform In-Store Shopping

Instacart, the leading grocery technology company in North America, and Weis Markets, a Mid-Atlantic food retailer, today announced the launch of Caper Carts at select Weis locations in Pennsylvania with additional rollouts planned throughout the year. Powered by Instacart's AI-driven Connected Stores technology, Caper Carts transform the in-store experience with a smart, digital-first cart that puts convenience, savings, and personalization directly in the hands of customers.

"Weis Markets and its associates have always been committed...