Operations

Toast, Instacart partnership to 'bridge gap between digital marketplaces, physical storefronts'

Photo: Toasat

February 10, 2026

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Restaurant tech giant Toast and grocery delivery provider Instacartare working together to bridge the gap between digital marketplaces and physical storefronts for retailers and restaurateurs.

The collaboration, set to pilot early this year, will integrate Toast's point-of-sale data with the Instacart Marketplace. The move is designed to solve two primary industry pain points: helping small retailers sell online and providing restaurants with "just-in-time" emergency supply deliveries.

Boosting retail visibility

Under the agreement, restaurants using Toast can automatically sync their in-store inventory with Instacart. This integration uses Toast's "SmartScan" barcode technology to update digital storefronts in real time, reducing the likelihood of a customer ordering an item that is out of stock.

"Whether helping a local grocery shop reach new customers online or enabling a restaurant to ensure the kitchen never runs out of key ingredients, this partnership aims to help our customers never miss a beat," Steve Fredette, co-founder and president of Toast, said in a company press release.

Same-day supplies

For the restaurant sector, the partnership positions Instacart Business as a primary procurement partner. Operators will be able to order fresh produce and pantry staples for delivery — often within an hour — directly through the Toast ecosystem.

Industry analysts suggest the move could provide a vital safety net for kitchens facing unexpected shortages during peak hours, such as a Friday night rush.

Partnership highlights

Omnichannel Integration: Retailers can manage brick-and-mortar and digital sales through a single platform.

SKU Alignment: Automated catalog updates to match in-store stock with online availability.
Instacart Business Access: Restaurants gain access to Instacart+ features, including shared subscriptions and cashback on bulk orders.
Timeline: A limited pilot begins this quarter, with a full rollout to U.S. customers expected later in 2026.

"We're looking forward to expanding our breadth of retailers by welcoming Toast's partners to the Instacart Marketplace," Ryan Hamburger, vice president of commercial partnerships at Instacart, said in the release.