With so many dining-out options to choose from, especially in larger metropolitan cities, diners are now looking for restaurant establishments that can provide them with more than great food. Here in 2025, many diners are looking for personalized experiences that meet their tastes, health goals, and values.
Healthy and fast-casual restaurant chain Just Salad recognized this early on and decided to build a groundbreaking tool that uses AI to tailor every meal to their individual customer’s preferences.
The company was founded in 2006 and now has 90 locations across New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Illinois, Florida, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania. Over the past year, it has become one of the finest examples of how fast-casual restaurants can leverage AI for greater personalization, eco-conscious dining, and digital adaptation.
Just Salad’s Salad AI Offers a New Level Personalization
Just Salad’s Salad AI, which is available through the company app, helps customers find the perfect meal based on their individual lifestyle, nutritional goals, and taste preferences.
Whether a customer is vegan, looking for a low-carb option, or just craving something sweet, Salad AI uses an intuitive AI-powered recipe generator that leverages insights based on the information that the customer provides it with.
In a sense, it solves the ever-too-common problem of decision paralysis, which is especially prevalent in fast-casual settings.
So how does it work?
Well, it’s actually quite simple.
Customers start by filling out a quick survey on the Just Salad app, where they share their dietary preferences, lifestyle choices, and taste preferences (sweet, spicy, crunchy, etc.). Based on this information, the AI generates four custom meal suggestions, each with a name, a full ingredient list, nutritional details, and even a recommended dressing.
As an added bonus, Salad AI can adapt to changing customer tastes and dietary needs.
If that person starts eating more protein or cutting back on carbs, the tool will adjust its recommendations over time to make each dining experience feel fresh and relevant.
The primary benefit for the customer is a more functional and engaging ordering experience. Rather than scrolling through a generic menu, customers get to choose from options that feel tailored to them, which makes the experience quicker, more enjoyable, and more satisfying.
How AI Integration Can Be Just As Beneficial for Restaurant Owners and Operators
While it’s easy to see the benefits for customers, this type of technological integration also benefits restaurant owners in quite a few ways.
For starters, personalized recommendations help build customer loyalty and attract new guests. In fact, over 70% of customers are more likely to patronize a restaurant that offers personalized promotions.
AI also has the power to increase operational efficiency by streamlining the process from order-taking to food prep. With faster, more accurate service, especially during peak hours, restaurants can improve throughput and reduce errors.
Beyond the immediate benefits, the true power of AI lies in its ability to provide valuable insights into customer behavior.
By collecting and analyzing vast amounts of data, restaurants like Just Salad can refine their marketing strategies, optimize menu offerings based on future trends, and stay ahead of customer demands.
Industry Trends Driving Change in 2025
Any restaurant owners or operators who are considering integrating AI must first understand what trends are underway.
Modern consumers—especially Millennials and Gen Zs—are increasingly prioritizing health, wellness, and sustainability when choosing where to dine.
Restaurants must respond to this shift to maintain business from those demographics.
43% of diners will pay more for plant-based options, nutritious meals, and restaurants that abide by eco-friendly practices. Just Salad embraced this trend with a menu full of fresh, plant-centric, and health-conscious options and a commitment to making healthy eating accessible. Their focus on sustainability, like their reusable bowl program and Climatarian menu category, sets the bar for what future dining experiences should look like.
AI is also starting to play a major role in sustainability by optimizing ingredient sourcing, reducing food waste, and streamlining supply chain processes. Winnow, which analyzes food waste for commercial operations to help them reduce their environmental footprint and improve their bottom line, is a great example of one company using AI for better sustainability.
What This Means for Brands and Investors
Though AI has grown and evolved in the restaurant industry quite rapidly, we are still at the beginning stages of what’s possible.
In the near future, however, we expect even more advanced AI integrations on both the customer and operational sides.
Predictive ordering will become more common, and restaurants will use data analysis to anticipate customer preferences and order history for quicker, more accurate service.
AI-enhanced kitchen automation, such as those being utilized by Miso’s next-gen Flippy Fry Station, will streamline food prep, making it faster, safer, and more consistent. From fully automated ordering systems to AI-driven checkout processes, customer service is poised to become more efficient and personalized.
The future also holds exciting opportunities for partnerships between restaurants and tech companies.
Restaurants can tap into AI and other emerging technologies to boost growth, optimize their operations, and offer innovative new services.
The moral of the story is that it’s time for brands and investors to begin embracing AI now if they haven’t already, especially in an increasingly tech-driven market. As with anything, those who innovate early can lead the way.
Final Thoughts
At EMERGING, we understand the power of innovation and the role it plays in scaling successful restaurant brands. As innovation paves the way in AI-driven dining, we’re here to help new and exciting concepts scale using cutting-edge technology and strategic partnerships.
We provide strategic growth support, mentorship, and invaluable connections with influential industry leaders to help restaurant concepts scale successfully. With our acceleration platform and the largest food and beverage network, we want to help you connect with the right partners, so you can scale your business with emerging technologies.
Get in touch with us today to learn more.
