Research Article

AI-Driven Sustainability in the Restaurant Industry: A Review

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Abstract

Artificial intelligence (AI) offers transformative potential for advancing sustainability in the restaurant industry, yet systematic understanding of this intersection remains limited. The synthesis presented here rests on a small body of seven peer-reviewed empirical studies (2021–2025), and its conclusions should be read as preliminary indicators rather than as a settled body of knowledge. Three questions guide the synthesis: (1) which AI technologies are being applied to advance restaurant sustainability practices and which operational domains do they address; (2) what is the empirical evidence regarding the effectiveness of AI-driven interventions in reducing restaurant environmental impact; and (3) which organizational, technological, and contextual factors facilitate or impede successful AI adoption for restaurant sustainability purposes. Four AI technology categories emerged across the included studies: computer vision for food-waste monitoring, service robots, contact-free self-service systems, and blockchain–AI integration for supply-chain transparency. Reported effectiveness depends on the interplay between technology design, consumer psychology, and organizational readiness. The current evidence base is small, geographically concentrated, and methodologically heterogeneous; this review positions its findings as a preliminary framework to guide foodservice practitioners and to orient further empirical inquiry.

Keywords: artificial intelligence, restaurant sustainability, food-waste reduction, computer vision, technology adoption, circular economy

How to Cite:

Reynolds, J., (2026) “AI-Driven Sustainability in the Restaurant Industry: A Review”, Perspectives in Asian Leisure and Tourism 7(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.7275/palat.4122