Nordic Restaurant Tech Insights

‍Technology is redefining how restaurants operate and connect with guests. This report brings together insights from innovative restaurant tech companies in the Nordics.

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The Nordic restaurant industry is entering a defining moment: technology is no longer just a support tool, but the driver of how restaurants are discovered, chosen, and remembered by their guests.

From point-of-sale and reservations to loyalty, reviews, and real-time feedback, technology is shaping the way restaurants grow, adapt, and succeed.

With Nordic Restaurant Tech Insights, we invited leading restaurant tech companies and spoke directly with our restaurant customers to share their perspective on what’s changing, what’s coming next, and how restaurants can prepare.
The result: a living report featuring practical advice, bold predictions, and diverse voices from across the Nordic hospitality ecosystem.
THe scoop

Nordic Restaurant Tech Insights: Expert Perspectives on Digital Transformation

Why Now? The Forces Shaping 2026 

1. Labor Shortages and Rising Costs

Staffing is the number one challenge for Nordic restaurant owners. 72% of operators report ongoing difficulty filling key roles, and average hourly wages have risen by 12% since 2021. Automation and AI are no longer optional—they’re essential for doing more with less.

2. The Rise of Delivery and Takeaway

Delivery and takeaway now account for 28% of total restaurant revenue in the Nordics, up from 16% pre-pandemic. Virtual kitchens and delivery-only models are expected to surpass €2 billion in sales by 2026.

3. The Digitally Demanding Guest

Nordic diners are among the world’s most digitally savvy: four out of five expect to book online, and 67% say they’re more likely to return to a restaurant that sends personalized offers or loyalty rewards.

4. Sustainability and Transparency

54% of Nordic guests say they are more likely to choose a restaurant that communicates sustainability efforts digitally. Digital tools are increasingly used to track food waste, source locally, and share these stories with guests.

“By owning your customer data—instead of letting third-party platforms control it—restaurants can communicate directly with their customers, drive repeat visits, and continually improve the experience. Right now, this is an unfortunate black box for many restaurants, which is unfair. At Mobal, we believe every restaurant should own their consumer data, no matter what technology they use.”

Mobal.io
Alexander Silén, CEO and co-founder
A broader perspecitve

We invited restaurant tech leaders to share their perspectives.

With Nordic Restaurant Tech Insights, we invited leading restaurant tech companies and spoke directly with our restaurant customers to share their perspective on what’s changing, what’s coming next, and how restaurants can prepare.
Smiling young man with dark hair and trimmed beard wearing a dark blazer and striped shirt standing outdoors.
Thomas Løkling Pedersen
COO at Foodback
Foodback is a customer feedback and analytics platform built for restaurants, helping them collect, analyze, and act on real-time guest feedback to improve experiences and boost sales.
Smiling young man with short blond hair and beard standing outdoors in front of leafy trees.
Emil Knudsen
CEO at resOS
resOS is a restaurant management platform that simplifies reservations, streamlines daily operations, and enhances guest communication, enabling restaurants to save time and deliver exceptional hospitality.
Young man sitting and smiling with hands clasped, wearing a light-colored t-shirt and bracelet.
Alexander Silén
CEO at Mobal.io
Mobal.io is a digital marketing platform for restaurants, empowering operators to manage their online presence, engage guests, and drive more visits through unified digital channels.
Teemu Karenius
CEO at Yonoton
Yonoton is a leading omnichannel sales platform for the hospitality and entertainment sectors. With a single, cloud-based backend, Yonoton powers digital ordering, payments, loyalty, and marketing across multiple customer touchpoints. Yonoton operates in 7 countries and its clients include word largest restaurant operators from Sodexo to Subway, to theme amusement parks such as Moominworld and Dyreparken.    
Smiling woman with shoulder-length blonde hair wearing a navy top and checked blazer in front of a light-colored curtain.
Leeni Heino
Marketing and Engagement Specialist at Cluby
Cluby provides restaurants with a platform to manage digital loyalty programs, engage guests directly, and drive repeat business through personalized offers and rewards.

Read the Full Interviews with Nordic Hospitality Tech Leaders

Discover actionable insights on technology, guest experience, and the strategies driving restaurant success in 2026 and beyond.

Technology That Serves Hospitality: How Nordic Restaurants Can Reclaim Time for Guests — Interview with Emil Knudsen, CEO at resOS

November 6, 2025
7 min

2026: The Year Restaurants Must Turn Real-Time Data Into Action — Interview with Thomas Løkling Pedersen, COO at Foodback

November 6, 2025
4 min

Why Owning the Guest Relationship Is the 2026 Opportunity: Insights from Teemu Karenius, CEO at Yonoton

November 6, 2025
4 min

Shaping the Future: Alexander Silén on How Technology is Transforming Nordic Restaurants

November 6, 2025
4 min

Turning Occasional Guests into Regulars: Leeni Heino on Loyalty Tech for Nordic Restaurants

November 6, 2025
10 min
So what?

Key Takeaways: What Every Restaurant Should to Know for 2026 and Beyond

Explore the most important lessons and actionable strategies from industry experts. These key takeaways reveal how leading restaurants are using technology, data, and integration to overcome challenges, delight guests, and secure long-term growth.
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1. Integrate Your Tech—Don’t Let Tools Work Against You

Stop juggling disconnected systems. Invest in platforms that unify your POS, ordering, payments, loyalty, and guest feedback. When your systems talk to each other, you cut down on admin, reduce errors, and get a clear view of your business.

Integration isn’t just about efficiency—it’s the foundation for owning your customer data and delivering a seamless guest experience. Don’t let third-party platforms control your most valuable asset: your relationship with your guests.

2. Automate Repetitive Tasks to Free Up Time for Guests

Let technology handle the busywork—like reservations, payments, scheduling, and reporting—so you and your team can focus on what matters most: food, service, and genuine hospitality.

AI and automation aren’t here to replace people, but to give you back the time you need to create memorable experiences and tackle staffing challenges. The more you automate, the more time you have to delight your guests.

3. Own Your Guest Data and Use It to Drive Loyalty

Don’t leave guest relationships in the hands of delivery apps or booking platforms. Make sure your digital channels capture customer data directly, so you can personalize offers, communicate instantly, and encourage repeat visits.

Use real-time feedback to spot issues and act fast—whether it’s a slow refill or a menu tweak. The restaurants that know their guests best will win their loyalty and grow faster.

4. Choose Tech That Fits—Don’t Chase Every Trend

Not every shiny new tool will solve your problems. Start by identifying your biggest pain points—like no-shows, admin overload, or inconsistent service—and pick solutions that address them directly.

Make sure your staff understands the “why” behind new tech, and prioritize tools that integrate smoothly with your workflow. The best technology is invisible: it removes friction for guests and staff, but never replaces the warmth and connection that make hospitality special.

5. Loyalty and Retention Are Now Core Business Priorities

Loyalty and guest retention are now essential for financial health—not just “nice to haves.” Use technology to turn everyday guests into regulars by making brilliant service visible, measurable, and repeatable.

Start with a simple, unified loyalty platform and build from there, using first-party data to personalize every interaction.

If I could have anything, I’d love one simple system that brings everything together, reservations, staff schedules, inventory, and guest profiles. It would help us stay ahead by predicting what we need, remembering our regulars, and making every visit feel special. Most of all, it would make our days smoother and our guests’ experiences unforgettable.

La Bocca Logo
Restaurant La Bocca
Hanna-Liisa Aasmaa, Restaurant Marketer

Tools working together

Technology is reshaping the way restaurants in the Nordics grow, from the moment a guest searches for a place to eat, to the review they leave after their visit. What connects every step of this journey is visibility and trust.

The role of modern tools is to help restaurants strengthen that connection. By ensuring information is accurate, experiences are discoverable, and guest voices are amplified, restaurants can focus on what they do best: creating memorable hospitality.

The belief is simple: the future of restaurants isn’t just about new tools, it’s about how those tools work together to drive growth and build stronger guest relationships.
“2026 will be a defining year for restaurants. Those that treat technology as a strategic nervous system, powering staff, decisions, and guest experience, will set the pace for the industry’s future.”
Simple black smiling face icon with two eyes and a wide curved mouth on a light gradient background.
Thomas Løkling Pedersen
Founder & Chief Operating Officer at Foodback
Smiling young man with dark hair and trimmed beard wearing a dark blazer and striped shirt standing outdoors.
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“In 2026, growth won’t come from adding more apps. It will come from integration — making sure your systems work together so you get one clear overview without extra admin.”
Logo text 'res|ps' with two vertical yellow lines resembling chopsticks on a dark background.
Emil Knudsen
CEO at resOS
Smiling young man with short blond hair and beard standing outdoors in front of leafy trees.
ICon
"Owning the customer relationship through unified omnichannel platforms will define the winners in this industry."
Teemu Karenius
CEO at Yonoton
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Restaurants need to know who their customers are, what they eat, and how their experience was. By owning this data—rather than letting third-party platforms control it—they can build direct relationships, drive repeat visits, and improve every interaction. At Mobal, we believe every restaurant deserves to own its customer data, no matter what technology they use.
Mobal logo. Black abstract design with two diagonal rounded bars on either side of a central circle, on a white rounded square background.
Alexander Silén
CEO at Mobal.io
Young man sitting and smiling with hands clasped, wearing a light-colored t-shirt and bracelet.
“Loyalty and retention are no longer 'nice to haves,' they are non-negotiable foundations for financial health. The real power lies in using technology and first-party data to understand customer patterns and communicate personally.”
Cluby logo. Stylized heart shape with a gradient from orange to red on a dark background.
Leeni Heino
Marketing and Engagement Specialist
Smiling woman with shoulder-length blonde hair wearing a navy top and checked blazer in front of a light-colored curtain.

Nordic Restaurant Tech Insights

‍Technology is redefining how restaurants operate and connect with guests. This report brings together insights from the most innovative restaurant tech companies across the Nordics and Europe.

Download Report

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