What the Table Is Telling Us
What 1,000 guests and 500 servers say about hospitality technology and the modern full service restaurant
What does the research tell us?
Technology earns its place when it supports the people around the table.
That idea connects the guest and server findings. Among guests, 60.3% said tabletop technology enhances the experience or that they like having both a server and tabletop technology. Among servers, 77.6% said technology helps them in their jobs.
The rest of the data explains what support should look like. Guests choose full service for atmosphere, value clear menu information, and want technology to fit naturally into the meal. Servers see room to improve parts of the shift, especially during busy moments and handoffs.
For restaurant leaders, the narrative is clear. Technology should give guests useful control, help servers stay focused on service, and give operators better visibility into what is happening at the table.
What are the key findings?
- Experience sets the standard. 80.2% chose atmosphere or a family friendly atmosphere as the main reason for visiting full service.
- Technology has permission at the table. 60.3% said it enhances the experience or works well alongside a server.
- Payment starts from a strong baseline. 98.8% were satisfied with the restaurant payment options available to them.
- Clear information builds confidence. 93.4% said they would be more likely to return when ingredients, allergens, and nutrition are clearly listed.
- Servers see value in technology. 77.6% said technology helps them in their jobs.
Sources: Ziosk and Pollfish Consumer Restaurant Survey, Q1 through Q7, n=1,000; Server Focused Survey, Q3, Q4, and Q7, n=500. Raw response percentages shown.
Why do guests choose full service restaurants?
Guests choose full service for the experience. Atmosphere led the responses at 42.9%, followed by a family friendly atmosphere at 37.3%. Together, those answers represented 80.2% of the sample.
Price was selected by 16.3%, and time sensitivity was selected by 3.5%. The table is where the value of full service takes shape through the setting, the pace, and the interaction with the service team.
Technology earns its place here by supporting the experience guests came for. Easier reordering, clearer information, and payment at the guest's pace can make the visit feel more responsive while the server remains part of the meal.
Operator conclusion Protect the experience first. Use technology to make helpful moments easier for guests and servers.
Sources: Ziosk and Pollfish Consumer Restaurant Survey, Q1 through Q7, n=1,000; Server Focused Survey, Q3, Q4, and Q7, n=500. Raw response percentages shown.
How do guests want technology to fit into the meal?
Most guests see a role for tabletop technology. A combined 60.3% said it enhances the experience or that they like having both a server and tabletop technology.
Another 29.7% said they don't want a screen at the table. The size of that group makes choice important. Guests should understand what the technology can do, decide when to use it, and reach a server easily.
Payment helps define the opportunity. A combined 98.8% were satisfied with the payment options available at restaurants. Tabletop payment can build on that baseline by letting guests pay when ready and keeping loyalty, feedback, receipt, and tipping choices together in one clear flow.
Operator conclusion Give guests useful choices and keep server access visible throughout the meal
Source: Consumer Restaurant Survey Q2 and Q3. Percentages reflect raw answers.
What information helps guests decide and return?
Guests value clear menu information. A combined 89.5% said clearly listed ingredients are important, and 78.7% said calorie or nutrition information is important.
Most respondents also described restaurant menus as clear. A combined 94.6% rated the menus they encounter as very clear or somewhat clear. That strong result shows that guests can value additional detail even when the core menu already works well.
Clear information also connects to return intent. A combined 93.4% said they would be more likely to return when a restaurant clearly lists ingredients, allergens, and nutrition information.
Technology earns its place by making this information easy to explore without crowding the primary menu. The same table experience can connect discovery with ordering, loyalty, and feedback.
Operator conclusion Treat menu information as part of guest confidence and the path to another visit.
Another 29.7% said they don't want a screen at the table. The size of that group makes choice important. Guests should understand what the technology can do, decide when to use it, and reach a server easily.
Payment helps define the opportunity. A combined 98.8% were satisfied with the payment options available at restaurants. Tabletop payment can build on that baseline by letting guests pay when ready and keeping loyalty, feedback, receipt, and tipping choices together in one clear flow.
Operator conclusion Give guests useful choices and keep server access visible throughout the meal.
Price was selected by 16.3%, and time sensitivity was selected by 3.5%. The table is where the value of full service takes shape through the setting, the pace, and the interaction with the service team.
Technology earns its place here by supporting the experience guests came for. Easier reordering, clearer information, and payment at the guest's pace can make the visit feel more responsive while the server remains part of the meal.
Operator conclusion Protect the experience first. Use technology to make helpful moments easier for guests and servers.
How do guests want technology to fit into the meal?
Most guests see a role for tabletop technology. A combined 60.3% said it enhances the experience or that they like having both a server and tabletop technology.
Another 29.7% said they don't want a screen at the table. The size of that group makes choice important. Guests should understand what the technology can do, decide when to use it, and reach a server easily.
Payment helps define the opportunity. A combined 98.8% were satisfied with the payment options available at restaurants. Tabletop payment can build on that baseline by letting guests pay when ready and keeping loyalty, feedback, receipt, and tipping choices together in one clear flow.
Operator conclusion Give guests useful choices and keep server access visible throughout the meal.
Price was selected by 16.3%, and time sensitivity was selected by 3.5%. The table is where the value of full service takes shape through the setting, the pace, and the interaction with the service team.
Technology earns its place here by supporting the experience guests came for. Easier reordering, clearer information, and payment at the guest's pace can make the visit feel more responsive while the server remains part of the meal.
Operator conclusion Protect the experience first. Use technology to make helpful moments easier for guests and servers.
Why do guests choose full service restaurants?
Guests choose full service for the experience. Atmosphere led the responses at 42.9%, followed by a family friendly atmosphere at 37.3%. Together, those answers represented 80.2% of the sample.
Price was selected by 16.3%, and time sensitivity was selected by 3.5%. The table is where the value of full service takes shape through the setting, the pace, and the interaction with the service team.
Technology earns its place here by supporting the experience guests came for. Easier reordering, clearer information, and payment at the guest's pace can make the visit feel more responsive while the server remains part of the meal.
Operator conclusion Protect the experience first. Use technology to make helpful moments easier for guests and servers.
Why do guests choose full service restaurants?
Guests choose full service for the experience. Atmosphere led the responses at 42.9%, followed by a family friendly atmosphere at 37.3%. Together, those answers represented 80.2% of the sample.
Price was selected by 16.3%, and time sensitivity was selected by 3.5%. The table is where the value of full service takes shape through the setting, the pace, and the interaction with the service team.
Technology earns its place here by supporting the experience guests came for. Easier reordering, clearer information, and payment at the guest's pace can make the visit feel more responsive while the server remains part of the meal.
Operator conclusion Protect the experience first. Use technology to make helpful moments easier for guests and servers.
Why do guests choose full service restaurants?
Guests choose full service for the experience. Atmosphere led the responses at 42.9%, followed by a family friendly atmosphere at 37.3%. Together, those answers represented 80.2% of the sample.
Price was selected by 16.3%, and time sensitivity was selected by 3.5%. The table is where the value of full service takes shape through the setting, the pace, and the interaction with the service team.
Technology earns its place here by supporting the experience guests came for. Easier reordering, clearer information, and payment at the guest's pace can make the visit feel more responsive while the server remains part of the meal.
Operator conclusion Protect the experience first. Use technology to make helpful moments easier for guests and servers.
What are the key findings?
- Experience sets the standard. 80.2% chose atmosphere or a family friendly atmosphere as the main reason for visiting full service.
- Technology has permission at the table. 60.3% said it enhances the experience or works well alongside a server.
- Payment starts from a strong baseline. 98.8% were satisfied with the restaurant payment options available to them.
- Clear information builds confidence. 93.4% said they would be more likely to return when ingredients, allergens, and nutrition are clearly listed.
- Servers see value in technology. 77.6% said technology helps them in their jobs.
Sources: Ziosk and Pollfish Consumer Restaurant Survey, Q1 through Q7, n=1,000; Server Focused Survey, Q3, Q4, and Q7, n=500. Raw response percentages shown.
What are the key findings?
- Experience sets the standard. 80.2% chose atmosphere or a family friendly atmosphere as the main reason for visiting full service.
- Technology has permission at the table. 60.3% said it enhances the experience or works well alongside a server.
- Payment starts from a strong baseline. 98.8% were satisfied with the restaurant payment options available to them.
- Clear information builds confidence. 93.4% said they would be more likely to return when ingredients, allergens, and nutrition are clearly listed.
- Servers see value in technology. 77.6% said technology helps them in their jobs.
Sources: Ziosk and Pollfish Consumer Restaurant Survey, Q1 through Q7, n=1,000; Server Focused Survey, Q3, Q4, and Q7, n=500. Raw response percentages shown.
What are the key findings?
- Experience sets the standard. 80.2% chose atmosphere or a family friendly atmosphere as the main reason for visiting full service.
- Technology has permission at the table. 60.3% said it enhances the experience or works well alongside a server.
- Payment starts from a strong baseline. 98.8% were satisfied with the restaurant payment options available to them.
- Clear information builds confidence. 93.4% said they would be more likely to return when ingredients, allergens, and nutrition are clearly listed.
- Servers see value in technology. 77.6% said technology helps them in their jobs.
Sources: Ziosk and Pollfish Consumer Restaurant Survey, Q1 through Q7, n=1,000; Server Focused Survey, Q3, Q4, and Q7, n=500. Raw response percentages shown.
Optimize service
Help your team be more efficient
- Empower servers to cover more tables with technology at their fingertips
- Turn tables 5+ minutes faster
- Make fewer trips to the POS and spend more time with guests
- Coach teams and refine service with actionable insights
What are the key findings?
- Experience sets the standard. 80.2% chose atmosphere or a family friendly atmosphere as the main reason for visiting full service.
- Technology has permission at the table. 60.3% said it enhances the experience or works well alongside a server.
- Payment starts from a strong baseline. 98.8% were satisfied with the restaurant payment options available to them.
- Clear information builds confidence. 93.4% said they would be more likely to return when ingredients, allergens, and nutrition are clearly listed.
- Servers see value in technology. 77.6% said technology helps them in their jobs.
Sources: Ziosk and Pollfish Consumer Restaurant Survey, Q1 through Q7, n=1,000; Server Focused Survey, Q3, Q4, and Q7, n=500. Raw response percentages shown.
Bring all your systems together
Connect Ziosk to your tech stack without needing a rebuild
- Works with most POS, payment, and loyalty systems
- Accepts all mobile wallets at the table
- U.S.-based support seven days a week
- Avoid extra gateway fees
Get ROI from day one
With Ziosk, every interaction contributes to the bottom line
- 3x ROI in 90 days from upsells, games, and labor savings
- Boost margins with card-present rates for a ±60bps improvement
- Open new revenue streams across the floor
What our partners are saying
The tablets have been very popular with guests. About 94% of customers choose to pay on them, CEO Kevin Hochman said at last year’s Restaurant Leadership Conference, and they fill out about 20 million surveys a year.
The vast majority of customers who have used the system say they like it, according to Mujica. Plus, he said, employees’ tips are higher. And the faster payment process is trimming up to five minutes off of table turns.
In test restaurants, about 80% of customers paid through the Ziosk tabletop unit, Spanos said. “With features like pay at the table, tap to pay with mobile wallet, and entertainment, Outback is offering guests a faster and simpler experience.”
Software
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