DoorDash Found That 22% of Diners Use AI to Choose a Restaurant

AI has arrived at the restaurant discovery layer, and most operators have not caught up. DoorDash's 2026 Restaurant Industry Trends Report, published May 18, 2026, found that 22% of US consumers have already used an AI tool such as ChatGPT or Google Gemini to help choose a restaurant.

That figure establishes AI as a meaningful new discovery channel alongside traditional search, social media, and word of mouth. And the gap between consumer adoption and operator readiness is the most actionable finding in the report.

75% of consumers say they are comfortable using AI for reservations. Only 28% of operators are using AI to manage calls and customer service.

With an estimated 40% of reservation calls going unanswered industry-wide, that gap represents a direct revenue loss that AI is already positioned to address.