Fast-Food Chains Risk Losing High-Intent Diners.

TabSquare.AI’s platform Munchmate helps restaurants attract the right diners and keep them coming back.

Today’s diners are choosing where to eat well before they step into a restaurant. Many fast-food operators are still playing catch-up.

“Clearly, there is a shift in diner preferences,” said Sameer Kaushik, Vice President of Business Development for Asia-Pacific at TabSquare.AI, during the QSR Media Asia TabSquare Conference & Awards 2025 in Singapore.

“Today, people decide where they want to dine much earlier. Even inflation and rising costs, which limit what diners can be charged, are contributing factors,” he added.

With delivery apps and online menus becoming the norm, diners are making their decisions earlier and more intentionally. This trend isn’t just about digital-savvy customers. It’s about meeting diners where they are, with the right information at the right time.

Many restaurants risk being left behind if they don’t adapt with a stronger digital presence and personalised engagement. 

The challenge is urgent. In Singapore alone, more than 3,000 restaurants shut down last year due to competition and operational pressures. After speaking with over 500 restaurant operators, TabSquare found one recurring need: Restaurants want to attract more diners.

To address this, TabSquare launched MunchMate, a platform that helps restaurants attract new diners who are more likely to show up, and re-engage loyal ones with targeted offers.

MunchMate reads over 100 real-world signals like spend patterns, time of day, and order frequency to deliver relevant promotions that drive action. 

For example:

• A guest who rarely orders drinks might receive a free beverage offer.
• A regular who usually orders only a main dish could be offered a combo upgrade.

It’s smarter targeting, built around how people actually dine.

While working closely with F&B brands across the region, MunchMate has delivered:

• 30x return from existing diners
• 15x return from new diners

MunchMate isn’t just solving problems for F&B operators. It also helps diners discover venues that match their tastes, habits, and spending preferences. A diner-facing version of the platform is currently in development to make the process more intuitive and rewarding for users.

As dining decisions continue to shift online, MunchMate helps restaurants stay visible, relevant, and chosen.