September 08, 2025

Restaurant Industry Trends & the Future of Tech in Hospitality

17 minutes

Danny Klein, Vice President of Editorial at QSR and FSR Magazine, has spent the last decade chronicling the restaurant industry’s evolution. From his early, nerve-wracking days at the National Restaurant Show to launching packed conferences, Klein has built a career on amplifying the voices of operators. He’s watched trends shift from SEO to curated storytelling, from robotics hype to AI results, and from automation to a renewed focus on hospitality. For Klein, the mission is clear: listen to the industry, share its stories, and create spaces where restaurants can thrive.

Interview Takeaways:

Media Must Evolve: Over his decade at QSR and FSR Magazine, Klein has steered the publications from casting a wide SEO net to creating highly curated content funnels. He also expanded into live events like QSR Evolution, proving that restaurant storytelling isn’t confined to print or digital—it’s about building real communities.

AI Becomes Practical: At the 2025 National Restaurant Show, Klein observed a major shift. AI has moved from blue-sky theory to practical application, with operators now using it to improve margins, streamline operations, and optimize the back of the house in measurable ways.

Human Connection Wins: The pandemic era sparked a rush toward automation, but Klein highlights how customers quickly rebelled against transactional dining. Today’s guests want experiences that feel personal and differentiated, with technology supporting—not replacing—the human element of hospitality.

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