A Surge in Account Takeover Attacks Targeting QSRs
The quick service restaurant (QSR) industry has become a prime target for online fraud, and the problem is escalating. According to Kasada’s 2025 Account Takeover Trends Report, the food and restaurant sector was among the most impacted industries last year. Over 130 QSR companies suffered successful account takeover (ATO) attacks, marking a staggering 72% increase from the previous year.
More than half (54 percent) of quick-service customers say they prefer restaurants where they are loyalty members. The explosion of online ordering, mobile apps, and digital rewards programs to satisfy consumer preferences has dramatically expanded the attack surface for cybercriminals. The sheer volume of digital transactions combined with stored payment details, loyalty points, and promotional discounts embedded within customer accounts has made QSRs a lucrative target.
Adding to the problem is the widespread reuse of passwords across platforms. With over 65% of users recycling their login credentials, cybercriminals can breach QSR accounts using credential stuffing attacks – where bots test stolen credentials in bulk until they find valid ones. Once inside, attackers exploit saved credit cards, loyalty balances, and stored gift cards to extract value before customers even realize they've been compromised.
Another growing trend? Social engineering scams disguised as customer support interactions. Fraudsters have been seen impersonating restaurant representatives, tricking customers into revealing their login credentials via phishing emails, fake refund requests, or fraudulent chat support.
