What we heard at RESTECH 2026: 5 trends shaping hospitality operations

The CHOMP team recently spent three days at RESTECH 2026 connecting with hospitality operators, industry partners and technology providers from across Australia.

It was fantastic to meet so many people face-to-face, demonstrate CHOMP and hear firsthand about the challenges and opportunities hospitality businesses are navigating right now. We had some great conversations with venue owners, operations leaders and growing hospitality groups, and a few common themes emerged again and again.

Here are five trends that stood out.

1. Food waste is moving up the agenda

With NSW's FOGO changes approaching, many operators are thinking about how to introduce new waste separation processes, train teams and reduce food waste at the source. The focus is shifting from waste disposal to waste reduction.

2. Getting off paper remains a priority

Many businesses are still relying on paper-based systems for food safety, compliance and operational checks. Operators are looking for easier ways to reduce admin and gain visibility into what is happening across their venues.

3. Multi-site operators want more visibility

Growing venue groups are focused on consistency, brand protection and transparency. They want to know what is happening across every location without needing to be everywhere at once.

4. Automated monitoring is becoming standard

Temperature loggers generated plenty of interest, but the real conversation was about what operators can do with the data. Businesses are looking for systems that help them identify issues earlier and make better decisions.

5. Hospitality buyers are becoming more sophisticated

Operators came with specific problems to solve and a clear understanding of the technology available. The focus has shifted from features to outcomes: saving time, reducing risk and improving operations.

The common thread

Whether it's food waste, compliance, monitoring or multi-site management, hospitality operators are looking for the same thing: greater visibility, less manual effort and more confidence in how their business is running.