At Restaurant Associates, innovation is at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to delivering exceptional experiences that go beyond food, creating meaningful connections with our clients and guests at every touchpoint.

From person-centred customer service to introducing the latest food trends and emerging ingredients, our front and back of house teams are constantly evolving to ensure our offer remains fresh, exciting and relevant.

Every element of the guest journey is carefully considered - from the moment they enter one of our dining spaces to the moment they leave. Innovation means ensuring our guests consistently feel the added value we bring to every experience.

We do not simply craft and serve meals; we create experiences that inspire, engage and exceed expectations, reinforcing Restaurant Associates as a leader in innovative hospitality.

Elevating the Guest Experience

We leverage technology to enhance the way guests interact within our dining spaces, ensuring interactions preserve meaningful human connection while giving guests more time to focus on what truly matters - enjoying their chosen meal.

Our digital ordering ecosystem delivers a truly omnichannel solution, including:

  • High-street style self-service kiosks

  • A fully integrated Time2Eat mobile app

  • POS integration

  • AI-powered tray-scanning

  • Frictionless retail stores

  • Smart vending machines

Our clients have moved beyond asking “Why technology?” - they’re now asking, “When can we launch?”. A clear signal that digital solutions are no longer optional, but essential to the modern dining experience.

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Partnering with fellow innovators

We’re proud to partner with Cauli, an innovative reusable food packaging service. Their simple return system empowers businesses to eliminate single-use cups and containers, allowing our guests to borrow and return food and drink containers with ease. Each container can be reused up to 400 times, and through this partnership, we’re making reusables the standard - reducing waste and cutting greenhouse gas emissions in a practical, engaging way.

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Bringing clients and guests on the journey

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We believe successful technology adoption is built on true partnership. By working closely with clients, guests, our culinary teams and marketing and digital experts on the ground, we turn vision into measurable results. When introducing new systems, our priority is a comprehensive guest onboarding programme; combining proactive communication, visible on-site support and clear guidance to accelerate adoption and build long-term engagement.

Award-Winning Innovation

Our commitment to innovation has been formally recognised at the highest level within the hospitality industry.

In 2024, Restaurant Associates was awarded the Catey Award for Best Use of Innovative Technology — one of the sector’s most prestigious and respected accolades. The award recognises businesses that demonstrate outstanding dedication to innovation, technology and service excellence, and highlights our ability to translate digital advancement into tangible benefits for both guests and clients.

This recognition reflects how we strategically deploy technology to enhance the guest experience, streamline operations and empower our teams — always ensuring that innovation strengthens, rather than replaces, meaningful human interaction.

From frictionless ordering and AI-enabled solutions to integrated digital ecosystems that improve speed, choice and consistency, the Catey judges recognised our approach as both forward-thinking and deeply practical — innovation with purpose, not novelty.

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Time2Eat: Powering a Seamless Omnichannel Dining Experience

At Restaurant Associates, innovation is never about technology for technology’s sake. It’s about using smart, intuitive solutions to create better experiences for guests, greater efficiency for clients, and stronger outcomes for our teams. Time2Eat sits at the heart of that ambition.

Designed as a fully integrated omnichannel dining ecosystem, Time2Eat connects every touchpoint of the guest journey — from discovery and ordering, to payment, loyalty and return visits — delivering a seamless, future-ready experience across every environment.

A Truly Connected Guest Journey

Time2Eat enables guests to interact with our dining spaces in the way that suits them best. Whether ordering via a mobile phone, self-service kiosk, frictionless retail store or traditional till, every interaction is connected through a single, intelligent platform.

Key capabilities include:

  • App-based ordering for pre-order, click & collect and on-the-go convenience

  • Fully integrated POS systems for consistent, real-time data and reporting

  • High-street style self-service kiosks designed to improve flow and reduce queues

  • Frictionless retail and smart vending solutions for fast, unattended service

The result is choice without complexity — giving guests flexibility while maintaining operational control.

Loyalty, Gamification & Engagement Built In

Time2Eat goes beyond transactions to build lasting relationships with guests. Our platform incorporates loyalty and gamification tools that encourage repeat visits, reward positive behaviours and create moments of delight.

From personalised offers and challenges to incentives that reflect individual preferences, Time2Eat helps transform everyday dining into an engaging, evolving experience — one that feels relevant, rewarding and human.

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AI-Powered Speed with Tray Scanning Technology

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One of Time2Eat’s most advanced features is our AI-powered tray-scanning technology, designed to radically improve speed and accuracy at the point of service.

Using computer vision and machine learning, tray scanners can:

  • Instantly recognise multiple items on a tray

  • Process complete transactions in as little as 9 seconds

  • Reduce queues, friction and pressure on front-of-house teams

This technology delivers tangible benefits at peak times, while maintaining a smooth, intuitive guest experience.

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