Thinking about mobile apps, kiosks, or online ordering — but not sure what’s worth the time and money?
Let’s cut through the noise and look at 7 digital ordering trends that are actually helping food trucks, cafés, and QSRs grow.
If you run a food truck, a small café, or you’re getting ready to open your first restaurant, chances are you’ve looked into online ordering, kiosks, or mobile apps. But with so much happening in restaurant tech, it’s tough to know what actually matters — and what’s just hype.
Let’s break down the real digital ordering trends that are helping QSRs grow sales, speed up service, and make the most of a small team.
1. Mobile Ordering Is Now a Must-Have
One of the top digital ordering tools for quick service restaurants? Branded mobile apps.
Customers expect to be able to order ahead — especially when they’re regulars or on the go. Whether they’re grabbing lunch from your taco truck or swinging by your smoothie shop, people want quick, consistent ways to order without standing in line.
With mobile ordering, you can:
Reduce lines during peak hours
Drive repeat visits with built-in loyalty
Let guests customize their orders in advance
Solutions like Applova’s mobile ordering platform let small QSRs launch their own branded app, with startup-friendly pricing and no commissions eating into your profits.
2. Self-Order Kiosks Are Solving Staffing Gaps
Here’s one of the clearest QSR digital trends: kiosks are becoming essential.
For restaurants dealing with staff shortages or high turnover, self-order kiosks help keep service moving — without stretching your team thin. Guests walk in, browse the menu, place their order, and pay — all from a touchscreen.
They’re especially helpful in:
Busy counter-service cafés
Bubble tea or dessert shops
Fast-casual burger or pizza spots
Kiosks also support upsells and cross-sells naturally (“Add fries?” or “Make it a combo?”) — helping increase ticket size without extra effort from your team.
3. Commission-Free Online Ordering Is Gaining Ground
Here’s the thing: third-party marketplaces come with visibility, but also hefty fees and limited control. Many restaurant owners are shifting to commission-free ordering systems that run on their own terms.
That’s where platforms like Applova Web Ordering come in — giving restaurants a direct way to take orders online, offer delivery or pickup, and manage promos and loyalty… without handing over 20–30% in commissions.
It’s a game-changer for:
First-time restaurant entrepreneurs
Small businesses trying to grow repeat sales
Food trucks are building a local customer base
If you’re wondering how QSRs use digital ordering to grow sales, cutting out the middleman is often step one.
4. All-in-One Systems Are Replacing Pieced-Together Tools
Here’s one of the most practical restaurant tech trends: restaurant owners are tired of juggling multiple vendors.
Instead of dealing with one company for kiosks, another for POS, and another for online ordering, more QSRs are switching to all-in-one restaurant tech platforms that handle everything under one roof.
Why it matters:
No more integration headaches
Faster setup and support from a single team
Better data and reporting across all channels
Applova offers a full stack — from POS and kiosks to mobile ordering and loyalty — designed to be easy to roll out and manage, even if you’re just getting started.
5. Loyalty Programs Are Built Into the Ordering Flow
Loyalty isn’t just punch cards anymore. One of the biggest digital ordering system trends is the shift to integrated loyalty programs that reward customers right inside the mobile app or kiosk.
Why it works:
Guests automatically earn points with every order
You can send targeted offers or birthday discounts
Customers come back more often — especially for their favorites
This isn’t just about marketing — it’s about building steady, repeat business. If you’re wondering what digital ordering habits QSR customers have, loyalty is right at the top.
6. Scheduled Ordering & Prep-Time Buffers
Not every customer wants their food ASAP. Some want to order lunch at 10 am and pick it up at noon. Others want to pre-order drinks or desserts for a group.
Scheduled ordering — with built-in prep time — is one of the emerging trends in digital food ordering that’s helping QSRs operate more smoothly.
It gives your team a manageable order flow, and it gives guests the flexibility they expect.
Applova’s system even lets you:
Set prep time buffers (so orders don’t pile up)
Block out certain pickup times if you’re too busy
- Offer future-day orders for catering or bulk items
7. Smarter Data and Reporting = Better Decisions
One of the biggest shifts in digital ordering isn’t just how orders come in — it’s what you learn from them.
Modern restaurant tech gives you real-time data on:
What sells best at certain times of day
Which promos actually bring in sales
Where repeat customers are coming from
This kind of visibility helps you stop guessing and start making smarter decisions — from staffing and prep to which menu items need tweaking.
If you’re not sure where to start, Applova’s free Menu Analyzer tool can give you a snapshot of how your menu is performing. It shows you which items are dragging down profits, which ones deserve the spotlight, and how to lay things out for better margins — without changing your recipes.
Whether you’re running a food truck or a multi-location QSR, tools like this give you an edge that old-school pen-and-paper systems just can’t offer.
FAQs About Digital Ordering in QSRs
Q. What is digital ordering in restaurants?
Digital ordering means customers place their orders through a digital channel — like a mobile app, website, or self-order kiosk — instead of ordering at the counter or by phone.
Q. What are the benefits of digital ordering for QSRs?
Speed, accuracy, higher order volume, reduced labor stress, and the ability to run loyalty programs and promotions easily.
Q. How much does a digital ordering system cost for a small restaurant?
It varies, but Applova offers startup-friendly pricing — no commissions, no contracts, and fast onboarding so you can go live in days, not weeks.
Q. Is digital ordering worth it for food trucks or cafés?
Absolutely. With mobile ordering, customers can order ahead, skip the line, and come back more often. It also helps reduce walkaway rates during busy hours.
Q. What’s the best mobile ordering solution for QSRs in 2025?
Look for something all-in-one, commission-free, and customizable — like Applova. It supports branded apps, kiosks, web ordering, loyalty, and more, all managed from one place.
Final Thought
Digital ordering isn’t just a trend — it’s the new standard for QSRs. Whether you’re a solo operator or scaling across multiple locations, the right tech should work with your team, not overwhelm it.
Applova is built to help you grow — with simple setup, fair pricing, and tools that actually make a difference day to day.
Ready to streamline your restaurant?
We’ll show you how — fast, friendly, and free.