BE MORE AGILE WITH AUTOMATION

Businesses are turning to tech to streamline operations, offering patrons greater convenience while running smoothly with less overhead.

ADOPTING AUTOMATION

Operators are turning to automation to address ongoing labor shortages—critical in an industry where foodservice operators state that 63% of all menu items are made completely or partially from scratch.¹

Customer satisfaction is one of the most important business objective for operators¹, making it crucial to balance operational efficiency with exceptional experiences.

Automation can not only help with labor-intensive processes, but also deliver with consistency and speed, key factors in crafting a positive dining experience.

76% of operators say technology gives them a competitive edge.²

^{Sources: 1. Datassential PULSE Industry Overview (2024)}

^{Sources: 1. Datassential PULSE Industry Overview (2024) ;}
^{2. NRA State of the Restaurant Industry (2024)}

^{Sources: 1. Datassential PULSE Industry Overview (2024) ; 2. NRA State of the Restaurant Industry (2024)}

SPEED & PRECISION
IN THE KITCHEN

TurboChef’s high-performance equipment transforms kitchen operations with key features like:

Rapid Cook Technology

High-speed cooking reduces prep times and increases throughput.

Consistent Quality

Precise temperature control and uniform heat distribution deliver consistent quality and minimize waste.

Customizable Configurations

Modular designs adapt to specific kitchen needs, offering flexibility for any operation.

Over three quarters of operators saw an increase in labor costs last year.¹

Nearly one third of operators are planning capital improvements in the year to come.¹

Among expected capital improvements, most operators are planning to upgrade their food prep equipment.¹

Combination oven and speed oven are among the top foodservice culinary equipment that operators are interested in purchasing.¹

CaliBurger

This restaurant uses Flippy, a robotic arm that can handle multiple tasks, such as flipping burgers, monitoring cooking times, and removing food from the fryer.

Brooklyn Dumpling Shop

An automat-style chain restaurant offers dumplings and other dishes through vending machine-like cubbies in a technology-forward experience with easy, 100% digital ordering.

^{Sources: 1. Technomic, Foodservice Digest (February 2018) as cited in Nestle Professional Gen Z Food & Beverage Trends Report}

THE RISE OF
SELF-SERVICE KIOSKS

Self-service kiosks are offering patrons a fast and efficient alternative to traditional ordering. These kiosks can streamline the process, reduce wait times, free up labor, and give patrons greater control over their dining experience.

53% of people have used a tablet or kiosk when ordering food and beverages away from home.¹

30% of people support technology for faster service while 21% of people support it for more customization options.¹

DELIVERY

43% of people ordered food or beverages for delivery for the first time during the pandemic (either from a restaurant or through a third-party service) and 29% continue to do so.¹

When asked “What foods are your go-tos for delivery from restaurants or third parties?”, most common responses from people were pizza and burgers. Whereas, for the question, “What foods do you avoid ordering for delivery from restaurants or third parties?”, the most common responses were ice cream and seafood, because in people’s experiences, these didn’t hold up as well in transportation.¹

MOBILE ORDERING ON THE RISE

PICKUP & CARRYOUT

Mobile ordering and carryout options are surging in popularity, with 36% of operators (and 48% of restaurants, specifically) say they’ve noticed an increase in pickup/takeout orders over the past year—and yet, nearly half of operators aren’t offering delivery.¹

Among younger patrons, the demand is even more pronounced. 49% of people aged 14-17 have restaurant apps on their phone to order ahead of time for pickup, while 47% use them to order delivery.²

This shift highlights the importance of mobile-friendly solutions to automate ordering and support on-the-go lifestyles.

^{Sources: 1. Datassential Mid-year Trends (2024) ; 2. Technomic October 2023 consumer survey, as cited in Technomic Foodservice Planning Program (2024)}

ROBOTS ARE ALREADY HELPING

While early in their adoption cycle, robotic servers are starting to deliver food and beverages to tables, freeing up human staff to focus on more complex tasks and customer interactions.

Additionally, automated table management systems are streamlining operations via table assignments, order tracking, and managing reservations. For diners, this can mean reduced wait times, less mistakes in orders, and consistently high-quality service.

In which of the following areas are you most likely to use automation?

Kitchen automation / robotic cooking
Order taking and processing
Food delivery and service

IN THE REAL WORLD

Toast, an Asian fusion restaurant in Nevada, has “Jane”—a hospitality robot that can carry 16 dishes and is equipped for drink stabilization.
Bombshells & Ales in Ashland, Kentucky, has a robot inspired by the Jetsons’ maid called “Rosie.” It not only delivers food but also adds a unique charm to the dining experience.