However, it seems like a growing trend in the food industry. A 2026 report from the National Restaurant Association found that 26% of restaurant operators already use AI-related tools. Marketing leads the way, with 19% of full-service operators and 15% of limited-service operators using AI to assist with it.
Businesses already use AI tech to handle marketing, administrative work, and other tasks, while many users plan to invest even more in technology. Food images may simply represent another step in that growing adoption.
This leaves restaurants with a very simple question: does an AI image really help customers understand what they will receive? If a food image looks immediately grotesque and unrealistic, doesn’t it interfere with the consumer’s choice? At least in my case, these AI-generated images make me feel uncomfortable rather than hungry.
Do you think restaurants should be allowed to use AI-generated pics of their food in ads? Would you find them misleading? Share your thoughts in the comments!
