A new survey released by the National Restaurant Association proves that the usage of technology is increasing within the restaurant industry. One result showed that more than one-third of consumers were more likely to use technology-related options in restaurants than they were just two years ago.

"While overall usage of restaurant technology options is still more common among dinners in the millennial generation compared with baby boomers, the age gap generally levels out when it comes to frequent users," said Hudson Riehle, Senior Vice President of Research at the National Restaurant Association.

Many restaurants have already caught on to the idea of using technology to help lower overhead costs and also provide more information to the consumer. Restaurants such as Applebee's and Chili's now provide tablets for guests at their tables. They can use those tablets to order food, to pay and play games while they wait.

Fast food restaurants have also taken on using technology for their business. Taco Bell recently introduced online ordering through their iPhone and Android apps for customers. To draw attention to the new app, Taco Bell shut down their social media platforms temporary to lead users to the "new way" to get to Taco Bell, which is #onlyintheapp.

Chili's has installed tableside tablets at 823 of its restaurants across the country. (Photo: Brinker International)

"Technology has fundamentally changed the way people interact with brands. All can be done any time, any place on a smartphone," Brian Niccol, president of Taco Bell, told USA Today.

Another result of the survey showed that 32 percent of consumers would use a smartphone app to pay for their check instead of using cash or a debit/credit card. Apple has been one of the companies to get in on the online payment using a smartphone.

Apple recently rolled out a mobile payment system called Apple Pay that would allow iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus users to pay at restaurants and other retailers using their phone. The mobile paying system registered 1 million credits cards in the first three days of the launch.

"Apple Pay enhances our global digital strategy and is a win for McDonald's customers who desire greater speed and ease," said Atif Rafiq, McDonald's senior vice president and global chief digital officer.

Many consumers also use restaurant-related apps such as Cover and Seamless to pay for meals. Despite the increase in the use of technology, there are some that don't embrace the idea.

Among users age 18-34, 61 percent of users preferred to deal with people instead of technology. Among those over 65, 42 percent agreed with the younger generation.

"Being accessible via a mobile site or a mobile application is crucial at this point," said Anna Tauzin, the National Restaurant Association's senior marketing manager of innovation and entrepreneurial services. "Is an app the only answer? Not necessarily. But you need to offer some kind of mobile environment that accomplishes what a mobile app might do, especially online ordering and loyalty rewards."