Every holiday season, shoppers plan, spend, and indulge differently. But 2025 brings a twist. Their choices aren’t just emotional anymore; they’re algorithmic. AI is influencing what people buy and even what they eat.
According to Simon-Kucher’s latest Holiday Shopping Report, nearly 36% of Millennials now use AI to find the best deals. For Gen Z, that number is about 28%. They’re asking AI tools to compare prices, build shopping lists, and even choose what gifts to buy.
And while these numbers might sound like something retailers should care about most, they signal a much bigger shift — one that Quick Service Restaurants (QSRs) and food brands can’t afford to ignore.
How Holiday Shopping Behavior Spills Over into Dining Choices
Think about it.
A family searching for “best deals on gifts” is also planning what to eat that night.
A Millennial tracking discounts through AI might just ask, “Hey, where can I get the best pizza near me?”
That’s the new consumer journey. One where AI shapes not only what people buy, but what they crave.
AI has evolved from being just a tool for convenience to becoming a decision-making companion. It’s influencing how people discover products, where they spend, and even what they order for dinner.
For QSRs, that means consumer discovery is no longer happening just on search engines or food delivery apps. It’s now happening in AI chat interfaces and voice assistants.
So when someone’s digital assistant recommends “best fast-food deals near me” or “Christmas Eve takeout options,” visibility becomes everything.
If your QSR brand isn’t showing up in those results, you’re missing the first and most crucial step in the decision journey.
Where AI Discovery Meets Digital Advertising
When a shopper’s AI assistant suggests a deal or curates options for them, they’re already halfway to making a decision. This is where digital advertising amplifies visibility, creating relevance, and nudging intent.
Imagine being able to serve a “Family Meal Deal Tonight” ad at the exact moment someone is browsing dinner ideas.
Or showing a limited-time holiday combo offer on CTV during a cozy movie night, right after their AI tool helped them plan gifts.
That’s not a coincidence. That’s AI-powered audience insight meeting digital precision.
For QSRs, the challenge is no longer just about being online but more about staying relevant in AI-powered discovery moments. The next evolution of digital advertising is not just showing your ad, but ensuring it appears when your audience’s digital assistant is doing the recommending.
Why QSRs Need Programmatic Advertising to Keep Up
AI and digital advertising are powerful on their own. But together with programmatic advertising, they become unstoppable.
Programmatic gives QSRs the ability to act instantly on the signals AI helps uncover — intent, interest, timing, and location. It automates the process of showing ads where they matter most, turning consumer insights into real-time engagement.
All the ad formats your audience already interacts with, be it display, social, search, connected TV, or even audio platforms like Spotify can be run programmatically.
That means every digital touchpoint becomes a chance to show up exactly when hunger strikes.
Here’s How QSRs Can Use Programmatic to Win Hungry Shoppers:
Personalized Offers That Feel Natural
AI insights help QSRs tailor promotions based on what customers are actually craving. Instead of generic ads, you’re serving offers that feel relevant like suggesting a festive meal deal right after someone searches for “easy dinner for 4.”
Automated, Smarter Placements
Programmatic eliminates the guesswork. It automatically places your ads across the right platforms, devices, and times of day, ensuring your brand reaches high-intent diners without wasting money.
Real-Time Optimization
Programmatic systems learn and adjust as campaigns run. If your “Family Combo” offer performs better with parents in urban areas, the platform reallocates budgets instantly to drive stronger results.
Always-On, Cross-Channel Presence
Whether someone is watching CTV, scrolling through Instagram, or using voice search to ask “lunch near me,” your QSR brand can appear across all touchpoints with a consistent, appetizing message.
Retargeting Made Simple
If a customer browsed your menu or clicked on your ad earlier, programmatic ensures they’re reminded with the next best offer before they decide where to order.
Behavior-Based Targeting
Want to reach people watching recipe videos or browsing for “holiday meal ideas”? Programmatic advertising lets you target based on these behaviors, reaching audiences while they’re already in a food-focused mindset.
Measurable ROI
Unlike traditional media, programmatic offers full visibility from impressions to conversions. Every campaign can be tracked, measured, and optimized for continuous improvement.
Why This Matters More Than Ever
The same report found that 46% of shoppers still don’t use AI for holiday shopping.
That means we’re currently living in a dual-behavior world — half AI-driven, half instinct-driven.
For QSRs, that’s both a challenge and an opportunity.
The key is to speak to both audiences:
Use programmatic intelligence to connect with AI-driven consumers who rely on chatbots and voice assistants.
Build contextual and cultural campaigns for those who still make choices based on tradition — families sharing meals, communities celebrating with festive flavors, and diners seeking comfort in familiar tastes.
It’s not about replacing instinct with algorithms but it’s about using data to meet people where instinct takes them next.
The Final Takeaway
As AI becomes the new shopping companion, every micro-moment of discovery whether through a search, a scroll, or a voice query becomes an opportunity for QSRs to connect.
Those who combine AI-informed audience insights with programmatic agility will win these moments, turning everyday cravings into loyal customers. Not just during the holidays, but long after.
Because in 2025, the QSRs that will lead aren’t just the ones following where consumers go,
they’re the ones showing up before the craving even hits.
