Orlando Florida, September 17, 2025
News Summary
The FSTEC restaurant technology conference in Orlando featured significant industry announcements, including the launch of Qu Business Edge, an edge-powered intelligence platform. Key topics included improving guest experiences through AI and cloud-native solutions, loyalty program redesign, and operational strategies amidst industry challenges. With a focus on practical deployments, the conference emphasized the role of edge computing in enhancing service speed and reducing latency in restaurant operations.
Orlando — The annual FSTEC restaurant technology conference drew thousands of industry specialists and vendors for a three-day event at the Gaylord Palms Resort, concluding on Tuesday with a strong focus on artificial intelligence, guest experience technology, and preserving the human element in hospitality.
Top takeaways and major announcements
The conference highlighted a wave of technology moves aimed at speeding service, improving forecasting and preserving customer relationships. A prominent announcement was the launch of an edge-powered intelligence platform by a unified commerce provider, introduced as Qu Business Edge. The platform and related hardware, collectively referred to as Qube, were presented as systems that can maintain restaurant operations during internet outages and provide a 99.99% uptime guarantee.
Speakers and exhibitors emphasized a broader industry trend away from traditional on-premises servers toward cloud-native and edge computing architectures. The practical goal is faster local data processing, continuity when connectivity fails, and improved real-time responsiveness for drive-thru, kitchen prep and energy monitoring tasks.
Customer experience and loyalty innovation
One of the conference’s focal points was loyalty program redesign and how programs should evolve continuously. A major restaurant chain launched a redesigned loyalty program in March that now reports about 2 million members. The program operates directly within smartphone digital wallets (Apple or Google) without requiring a dedicated app, uses a badge progression system from “First Bite” to “Top Dog” to unlock merchandise rewards, and engages members with rich RCS messaging that supports images, video and interactive links. The chain also experimented with member-exclusive items via a secret menu revealed at in-restaurant kiosks and recent promotional activity targeting members, such as sending complimentary items tied to a cultural moment.
Technology meeting operations: new tools, real-world use
Operators at FSTEC stressed practical deployments rather than theoretical tools. The new edge systems were showcased as enabling local AI functions including drive-thru ordering, predictive kitchen prep and energy optimization while improving data consistency across channels to support more reliable forecasting.
One chain described treating third-party aggregator orders as a distinct customer segment, focusing on service and profitability rather than necessarily converting every order to a direct channel. Other operators explained redeploying staff into concierge-type roles to strengthen the in-person hospitality experience as technology takes over repetitive tasks.
Dynamic pricing, forecasting and event-based staffing
There were debates about language and strategy around pricing flexibility. Some participants recommended reconsidering the term dynamic pricing because consumers associate variability with unpredictability, while others noted the concept already exists in forms such as happy-hour discounts. AI-driven forecasting was demonstrated as helpful in predicting busy nights tied to sports schedules and other events, enabling operators to plan staffing, open additional service stations and optimize bar and floor layouts on high-demand nights.
Why edge computing matters
Edge computing was presented as a core technical shift. By processing data locally, restaurants can reduce latency, preserve functionality during connectivity interruptions, and keep service moving even when cloud links are unavailable. Exhibitors described edge systems as both a speed upgrade and a resiliency measure; some vendors are integrating these platforms with cloud-based analytics to keep a consistent data model across channels for improved AI performance.
Product tiers and roadmap
Vendors described product families with current and future roadmaps. One provider outlined a present generation of hardware and software referred to as the Qube series and an upcoming Qube IQu series intended to introduce advanced AI capabilities tailored for restaurant workflows. These tiers aim to give operators both baseline reliability and a path to more sophisticated automation as budgets and needs evolve.
Industry context and pressures
Throughout sessions and workshops, restaurant operators framed technology decisions against ongoing industry pressures: labor shortages, rising food costs and the need to control margins. This environment was driving operators to seek tailored, high-quality technology solutions rather than broad, one-size-fits-all integrations. Presentations and panels covered loyalty strategy, AI investments and operational technology innovations as practical responses to those pressures.
The conference also confirmed that the next FSTEC event will move to Dallas, signaling continued momentum for industry-focused technology gatherings.
What to watch next
- Deployment of edge-powered intelligence platforms in live restaurant environments and their ability to sustain operations during outages.
- How loyalty programs that rely on digital wallets and RCS messaging perform in member engagement and revenue impact.
- Operators’ adoption of AI forecasting for staffing and inventory, especially around event-driven demand.
- Market reception to successive hardware generations, including the planned Qube IQu series and its advanced AI features.
FAQ
What was the main focus of the FSTEC 2025 conference?
The conference focused on artificial intelligence, customer-journey technology, edge computing, and balancing digital tools with in-person hospitality.
Where and when did the conference take place?
The event occurred at the Gaylord Palms Resort in Orlando, Florida, and concluded on a Tuesday after three days.
What is Qu Business Edge and Qube?
Qu Business Edge is an edge-powered intelligence platform introduced by a unified commerce provider. Qube refers to the associated hardware/software family designed to keep systems running during internet outages, provide high uptime, and enable local AI functions.
How are restaurants changing loyalty programs?
Restaurants are redesigning loyalty to live in digital wallets without dedicated apps, using badge progressions, interactive RCS messaging and member-only offers delivered at kiosks and through targeted promotions.
Why is edge computing important for restaurants?
Edge computing allows data processing locally, reducing latency, enabling continued operation without internet access, and supporting faster service and reliable AI-driven features.
Where will the next FSTEC conference be held?
The next FSTEC conference will be held in Dallas.
Key features chart
| Feature | Primary Benefit | Operational Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Edge computing (Qube) | Local processing, outage resilience | High — maintains operations offline, reduces latency |
| Qu Business Edge | Unified intelligence for restaurants | Medium–High — integrated AI and analytics |
| Loyalty in digital wallets | Lower friction, direct member engagement | Medium — improved retention without an app |
| AI forecasting | Better staffing and prep decisions | High — helps manage labor and inventory |
| RCS messaging | Rich interactive member touchpoints | Medium — higher engagement via images/video |
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Additional Resources
- Restaurant Business Online: Next Hot Restaurant Tech Job – Other Takeaways from FSTEC 2025
- Wikipedia: Artificial Intelligence
- Restaurant Technology News: Qu Introduces Edge-Powered Intelligence Platform
- Google Search: restaurant technology
- Nation’s Restaurant News: Tech Tracker – What to Expect at FSTEC 2025
- Google Scholar: restaurant loyalty programs
- Restaurant Business Online: Restaurants Have a Lot More Technology, a Lot Less Traffic
- Encyclopedia Britannica: restaurant management
- Restaurant Business Online: How Restaurants Are Tapping Technology to Cultivate the Customer Journey
- Google News: restaurant technology trends
Author: STAFF HERE ORLANDO WRITER
ORLANDO STAFF WRITER The ORLANDO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREOrlando.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Orlando, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival, Megacon Orlando, and Central Florida Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Orlando Economic Partnership and Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Metro Orlando, plus leading businesses in leisure and hospitality that power the local economy such as Walt Disney World Resort, AdventHealth, and Universal Orlando. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREPetersburg.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
