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How a San Antonio restaurant is leaning into AI

The eatery is leaning on AI amid labor shortages, bucking a broader industry trend of slow adoption.

Food and Drink

San Antonio <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="restaurants" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2026/01/07/san-antonio-restaurants-2026-food-trends" data-vars-content-id="9fb83d9f-977a-47ab-9a1f-cdb1aa9816d3" data-vars-headline="How a San Antonio restaurant is leaning into AI" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2026/01/07/san-antonio-restaurants-2026-food-trends" target="_self">restaurants</a> are starting to embrace artificial intelligence.Why it matters: The restaurant industry is one of the nation&#x27;s largest employers, yet one of the slowest sectors to adopt AI tools, Ben Knorr, Texas Restaurant Association&#x27;s (TRA) vice president of strategic initiatives, tells Axios.

Why plant-based dining is struggling in San Antonio

Consumers are focusing on protein and comfort food.

News

San Antonio&#x27;s vegan and vegetarian dining scene is faltering in a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="tough economy" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/20/gas-prices-us-iran-war-4-dollars-50-states" data-vars-content-id="5cf9d5a1-21f7-4d36-be9a-4fc9faed069a" data-vars-headline="Why plant-based dining is struggling in San Antonio" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/20/gas-prices-us-iran-war-4-dollars-50-states" target="_self">tough economy</a> and as consumers <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="focus on protein" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/24/chicken-protein-deals" data-vars-content-id="5cf9d5a1-21f7-4d36-be9a-4fc9faed069a" data-vars-headline="Why plant-based dining is struggling in San Antonio" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/24/chicken-protein-deals" target="_self">focus on protein</a>, but experts say <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="plant-forward dining" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2024/10/16/san-antonio-restaurants-vegan-food-plant-based" data-vars-content-id="5cf9d5a1-21f7-4d36-be9a-4fc9faed069a" data-vars-headline="Why plant-based dining is struggling in San Antonio" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2024/10/16/san-antonio-restaurants-vegan-food-plant-based" target="_self">plant-forward dining</a> isn&#x27;t going anywhere in the long term.Why it matters: Research <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="consistently" data-vars-click-url="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6855976/" data-vars-content-id="5cf9d5a1-21f7-4d36-be9a-4fc9faed069a" data-vars-headline="Why plant-based dining is struggling in San Antonio" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6855976/" target="_blank">consistently</a> <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="shows" data-vars-click-url="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7184671/" data-vars-content-id="5cf9d5a1-21f7-4d36-be9a-4fc9faed069a" data-vars-headline="Why plant-based dining is struggling in San Antonio" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7184671/" target="_blank">shows</a> that eating less meat is one of the most impactful personal ways to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="combat climate change" data-vars-click-url="https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/science/climate-issues/food" data-vars-content-id="5cf9d5a1-21f7-4d36-be9a-4fc9faed069a" data-vars-headline="Why plant-based dining is struggling in San Antonio" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/science/climate-issues/food" target="_blank">combat climate change</a> and improve health.

Why so many San Antonio businesses are selling shirts

The pandemic forced small businesses to get more creative.

Business

San Antonio <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="restaurants" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2026/05/18/san-antonio-best-new-taquerias-tacos-2026" data-vars-content-id="83d1f935-4dd8-40bc-8769-4c99d407b3b9" data-vars-headline="Why so many San Antonio businesses are selling shirts" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2026/05/18/san-antonio-best-new-taquerias-tacos-2026" target="_self">restaurants</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="coffee shops" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2026/05/13/san-antonio-coffee-truck-serves-spurs-specials" data-vars-content-id="83d1f935-4dd8-40bc-8769-4c99d407b3b9" data-vars-headline="Why so many San Antonio businesses are selling shirts" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2026/05/13/san-antonio-coffee-truck-serves-spurs-specials" target="_self">coffee shops</a> aren&#x27;t just selling food and beverages anymore — they&#x27;re building a fanbase.Why it matters: The pandemic forced small businesses to get more creative online about reaching customers. The loyalty forged during that period has stuck around and evolved.

Spurs explain why ticket sales are limited to local fans

The policy aims to prioritize local fans and deter outside brokers.

Sports

As the Western Conference finals head to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="San Antonio" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2026/05/13/san-antonio-spurs-honking-playoffs-tradition" data-vars-content-id="bd8cec22-4a55-41b2-9458-95b470575374" data-vars-headline="Spurs explain why ticket sales are limited to local fans" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2026/05/13/san-antonio-spurs-honking-playoffs-tradition" target="_self">San Antonio</a> for Game 3 on Friday, you won&#x27;t see too many Thunder fans who made the trip down I-35 — at least not if the Spurs can help it.Why it matters: For playoff games, the Spurs block ticket purchases from more than 150 miles outside the Frost Bank Center — meant to prioritize local fans, Spurs Sports &amp; Entertainment spokesperson Lucy Kaneb tells Axios.

How to protest your Bexar County property value

Navigating the property tax system can be overwhelming.

It&#x27;s that time of the year: Some <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Bexar County homeowners" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2026/04/03/san-antonio-homeowners-occupations" data-vars-content-id="abb38b1c-fd8a-4de8-9f1f-2708e2e8ec00" data-vars-headline="How to protest your Bexar County property value" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2026/04/03/san-antonio-homeowners-occupations" target="_self">Bexar County homeowners</a> are getting notice of their home&#x27;s appraised value and wondering if they should protest it.Why it matters: Navigating the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="property tax" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2024/04/10/how-much-texas-bexar-property-taxes-increased" data-vars-content-id="abb38b1c-fd8a-4de8-9f1f-2708e2e8ec00" data-vars-headline="How to protest your Bexar County property value" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2024/04/10/how-much-texas-bexar-property-taxes-increased" target="_self">property tax</a> system can be overwhelming. But paying attention to your property&#x27;s value now can help you avoid surprises when taxes are due later.

San Antonio home sellers turn into "accidental landlords"

Being a landlord isn't easy — and costs can pile up.

Real Estate

San Antonio home sellers are turning into what Zillow calls &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="accidental landlords" data-vars-click-url="https://www.zillow.com/research/accidental-landlords-36151/" data-vars-content-id="09b0729a-2aa8-4302-ac53-33a896e95af8" data-vars-headline="San Antonio home sellers turn into &quot;accidental landlords&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.zillow.com/research/accidental-landlords-36151/" target="_blank">accidental landlords</a>.&quot;The big picture: As buyers gain <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="leverage" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/16/home-sale-discount-metro" data-vars-content-id="09b0729a-2aa8-4302-ac53-33a896e95af8" data-vars-headline="San Antonio home sellers turn into &quot;accidental landlords&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/16/home-sale-discount-metro" target="_self">leverage</a> and homes take longer to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="sell" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/13/housing-mortgages-march-nar" data-vars-content-id="09b0729a-2aa8-4302-ac53-33a896e95af8" data-vars-headline="San Antonio home sellers turn into &quot;accidental landlords&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/13/housing-mortgages-march-nar" target="_self">sell</a>, a growing share of homeowners are renting their properties out instead.

What San Antonio area homeowners do for a living

Management and business professionals are most likely to own a home in the San Antonio area.

Management and business professionals are most likely to own a home in the San Antonio area, according to a National Association of Realtors analysis of Census Bureau data shared exclusively with Axios.The big picture: Homeownership trends in San Antonio mostly mirror national patterns, though the region stands out for gains in homeownership among health care employees — and declines among service workers.

San Antonio homeowners are staying put

S.A. sellers in 2025 owned homes for more than 7 years.

San Antonio-area homeowners are staying in their houses for the longest time in at least 25 years, largely thanks to their low <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="mortgage rates" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2023/07/19/texas-housing-supply-mortgages" data-vars-content-id="6ddbdce4-1c1c-4727-9572-872bb6a142cb" data-vars-headline="San Antonio homeowners are staying put" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2023/07/19/texas-housing-supply-mortgages" target="_self">mortgage rates</a>, data shows.By the numbers: San Antonio metro <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="sellers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2026/01/21/san-antonio-real-estate-home-values-decline" data-vars-content-id="6ddbdce4-1c1c-4727-9572-872bb6a142cb" data-vars-headline="San Antonio homeowners are staying put" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2026/01/21/san-antonio-real-estate-home-values-decline" target="_self">sellers</a> at the end of 2025 had owned their homes for an average of 7.4 years.

San Antonio home values are dropping

The state's downturn reflects a regional trend.

More than three-quarters of San Antonio homes lost value over the past year, a recent <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Zillow analysis" data-vars-click-url="https://www.zillow.com/research/home-value-decline-35724/" data-vars-content-id="32c0c3ed-6899-4873-9acd-8fdacaefca08" data-vars-headline="San Antonio home values are dropping" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.zillow.com/research/home-value-decline-35724/" target="_blank">Zillow analysis</a> shows.Why it matters: It&#x27;s a major reversal in a market that <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="spent the pandemic" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2025/03/13/covid-housing-market-trends-prices" data-vars-content-id="32c0c3ed-6899-4873-9acd-8fdacaefca08" data-vars-headline="San Antonio home values are dropping" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2025/03/13/covid-housing-market-trends-prices" target="_self">spent the pandemic</a> with skyrocketing prices. Still, most homeowners &quot;have plenty to feel good about,&quot; the real estate site <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="reports" data-vars-click-url="https://zillow.mediaroom.com/2025-11-17-53-of-U-S-homes-lost-value-in-the-past-year,-the-most-since-2012" data-vars-content-id="32c0c3ed-6899-4873-9acd-8fdacaefca08" data-vars-headline="San Antonio home values are dropping" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://zillow.mediaroom.com/2025-11-17-53-of-U-S-homes-lost-value-in-the-past-year,-the-most-since-2012" target="_blank">reports</a>.

Why San Antonio homebuyers are backing out

Deals are especially collapsing in the Sun Belt.

More San Antonio <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="homebuying" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/04/homebuyer-age-first-time" data-vars-content-id="6db14897-6cc5-4417-9144-d8b1e4c24260" data-vars-headline="Why San Antonio homebuyers are backing out" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/04/homebuyer-age-first-time" target="_self">homebuying</a> contracts are being canceled, according to a Redfin <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="report" data-vars-click-url="https://www.redfin.com/news/contract-cancellations-september-2025/" data-vars-content-id="6db14897-6cc5-4417-9144-d8b1e4c24260" data-vars-headline="Why San Antonio homebuyers are backing out" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.redfin.com/news/contract-cancellations-september-2025/" target="_blank">report</a>.The big picture: Homebuyers are backing out of deals at &quot;a fairly high rate&quot; as their <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="negotiating power grows" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/06/03/homes-buyers-sellers-redfin" data-vars-content-id="6db14897-6cc5-4417-9144-d8b1e4c24260" data-vars-headline="Why San Antonio homebuyers are backing out" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/06/03/homes-buyers-sellers-redfin" target="_self">negotiating power grows</a> and economic uncertainty mounts, among other reasons.

San Antonio's apartment boom is slowing

S.A. remains a top spot for new units but trails in Texas.

While San Antonio remains a top U.S. metro for new apartments in 2025, it trails behind other major cities — including its Texas peers — as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="developers ease off" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2025/06/11/apartment-building-slows-san-antonio-texas" data-vars-content-id="8da3e21e-767e-4d72-9ba4-257820011f0a" data-vars-headline="San Antonio&#x27;s apartment boom is slowing" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2025/06/11/apartment-building-slows-san-antonio-texas" target="_self">developers ease off</a> after several years of growth.Why it matters: The city&#x27;s apartment pipeline is cooling after a pandemic-fueled boom. Still, developers continue to bet on <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="growth" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2025/05/16/san-antonio-texas-population-growth-census" data-vars-content-id="8da3e21e-767e-4d72-9ba4-257820011f0a" data-vars-headline="San Antonio&#x27;s apartment boom is slowing" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2025/05/16/san-antonio-texas-population-growth-census" target="_self">growth</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="affordability" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2025/06/03/san-antonio-rent-affordability-income-2025-zillow" data-vars-content-id="8da3e21e-767e-4d72-9ba4-257820011f0a" data-vars-headline="San Antonio&#x27;s apartment boom is slowing" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2025/06/03/san-antonio-rent-affordability-income-2025-zillow" target="_self">affordability</a> across Texas and in San Antonio.

Student rents are rising quicker than everyone else's in San Antonio

Student rents grew a little faster, on average, than market-rate rents in San Antonio since 2020.

Student rents grew a little faster, on average, than market-rate rents in San Antonio over the past five years, according to Moody&#x27;s data shared with Axios.Why it matters: Expensive student housing adds to the already high <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="cost of college" data-vars-click-url="https://link.axios.com/click/41591333.29/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYXhpb3MuY29tLzIwMjQvMDQvMTcvY29sbGVnZS1jb3N0LXN1cnZleT91dG1fc291cmNlPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249c2VuZHRvX2xvY2FsbmV3c2xldHRlcnRlc3Qmc3RyZWFtPXRvcA/633dcc04d70fb9875101ab66B06cc07d2" data-vars-content-id="8dc97183-542a-49fc-9840-20dc6387ea9d" data-vars-headline="Student rents are rising quicker than everyone else&#x27;s in San Antonio" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://link.axios.com/click/41591333.29/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYXhpb3MuY29tLzIwMjQvMDQvMTcvY29sbGVnZS1jb3N0LXN1cnZleT91dG1fc291cmNlPW5ld3NsZXR0ZXImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249c2VuZHRvX2xvY2FsbmV3c2xldHRlcnRlc3Qmc3RyZWFtPXRvcA/633dcc04d70fb9875101ab66B06cc07d2" target="_self">cost of college</a>.

The best time to buy a house in San Antonio is Oct. 12-18

Researchers found prices below the seasonal peak.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="House hunters" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/01/homebuying-millennials-gen-z-giving-up" data-vars-content-id="b52f72aa-3b98-41c1-ba48-a23111a15314" data-vars-headline="The best time to buy a house in San Antonio is Oct. 12-18" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/01/homebuying-millennials-gen-z-giving-up" target="_self">House hunters</a>, mark your calendars for next week. That may be your best time to buy a home in the San Antonio area.Why it matters: Prices in the metro will be about 5.4% below seasonal peak, with 17.6% more active listings than average, according to a Realtor.com <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="analysis" data-vars-click-url="https://www.realtor.com/research/best-time-to-buy-2025" data-vars-content-id="b52f72aa-3b98-41c1-ba48-a23111a15314" data-vars-headline="The best time to buy a house in San Antonio is Oct. 12-18" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.realtor.com/research/best-time-to-buy-2025" target="_blank">analysis</a>.

Investors are still buying San Antonio houses

Investors are pulling back across the U.S., but not Texas.

Institutional investors are still <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="buying up houses" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2025/09/17/san-antonio-real-estate-trends-look-outside-metro" data-vars-content-id="2ee17fc5-b14a-4232-a886-294c2f7aa5e9" data-vars-headline="Investors are still buying San Antonio houses" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2025/09/17/san-antonio-real-estate-trends-look-outside-metro" target="_self">buying up houses</a> in the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="San Antonio" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2025/08/11/san-antonio-homes-sell-loss-housing-market" data-vars-content-id="2ee17fc5-b14a-4232-a886-294c2f7aa5e9" data-vars-headline="Investors are still buying San Antonio houses" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2025/08/11/san-antonio-homes-sell-loss-housing-market" target="_self">San Antonio</a> area and across Texas, even as their activity slows, according to ATTOM, a real estate data firm.Why it matters: Investors often compete with first-time home buyers. While they have <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="pulled back" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/03/10/covid-home-prices-trends" data-vars-content-id="2ee17fc5-b14a-4232-a886-294c2f7aa5e9" data-vars-headline="Investors are still buying San Antonio houses" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/03/10/covid-home-prices-trends" target="_self">pulled back</a> from the U.S. housing market in recent years, Texas remains a hotspot for them.

A table shows San Antonioâs homeownership rate by occupation in 2024 compared with 2014. Management and business has the highest rate at 73%, down from 75% in 2014. Health care follows at 68%, up from 56%, marking the largest increase. Education and social services is 67%, slightly down from 68%. STEM and technical workers saw a notable decline to 61% from 69%. Sales and real estate stands at 58%, up from 56%, while skilled trades and construction is 57%, up slightly from 56%. Transportation and public safety fell to 55% from 59%. Service workers have the lowest rate at 48%, down from 51%.

S.A. metro homeownership rate, by occupation

Data: National Association of Realtors analysis of Census Bureau data; Chart: Madalyn Mendoza/Axios

A line chart showing average homeowner tenure in the San Antonio metro area compared to the U.S. overall. Tenure is the time between the most recent and previous sale dates of a home. Nationally, average tenure has risen from 3.7 years in Q1 2005 to 8.6 years in Q4 2025. In San Antonio, average tenure has risen from 2.8 years to 7.4 years over the same period.

Average homeowner tenure in San Antonio

Axios Austin

A line chart showing the share of homes that lost value in the San Antonio metro area from 2013 to 2025. According to the Zillow home value index, 86% of homes lost value from 2024 to 2025, compared to 11% from 2012 to 2013. Nationally, the share has increased from 17% to 53% in the time period.

Real Estate 🏠

How to protest your Bexar County property value

San Antonio home sellers turn into "accidental landlords"

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