The Future, Now: Advances Feed Growing Appetite for Foodservice Automation

Posted in Technology on January 28, 2025

The Future, Now: Advances Feed Growing Appetite for Foodservice Automation


The future of foodservice has arrived–and it’s automated. Technologies that were once novelties are now the norm. Self-ordering kiosks, online ordering apps, robotic food preparation systems, automated scheduling software, AI-powered customer insights–the list goes on and on for the varieties of automation that have become pervasive across the foodscape landscape.

 

The range of benefits that these and other increasingly sophisticated technologies bring to the table is far-reaching. From streamlining operations and reducing labor costs to minimizing food waste and maximizing margins, automated solutions are transforming the industry. 

Nearly 90% of restaurants now use some form of AI,1 and a new state of efficiency-enhancing automation is well underway. Sixty-five percent of restaurants automate inventory management, 70% automate payroll, and 59% automate staff scheduling.1

In 2024, 55% of restaurants planned to invest in making service areas more efficient; 60% to enhance the customer experience (up from 51% and 48%, respectively, in 2023).2 No wonder the global food automation market is expected to reach $19.5 billion by 2030.3

While 37% of restaurant operators cite the initial cost is the highest barrier to automation,1 return on investment is key. And as back-of-house operations become more fully automated  and reprogrammable robot systems for food preparation grow more sophisticated, costs may fall and become more flexible.

Smart Moves: Accelerating Integration of Artificial Intelligence

AI-powered automation has been integrated into the front and back of the house at a wide variety of restaurant chains. The Domino's Pizza chatbot allows customers to ask questions, place orders, and track their delivery. CaliExpress uses AI robots to cook burgers and fries, and Cafe X is giving customers a taste of the future with its robot barista.

At its drive-thrus, McDonald’s has integrated personalization software that serves up recommended menu items based on weather, time of day, and seasonality. When a customer selects a single Quarter Pounder, the digital menu could dynamically change to suggest a combo meal instead. Or it could cross sell a refreshing OREO McFlurry® to help them beat the heat during the summer season.

AI-driven automation is also proving to be a powerful marketing tool for food and beverage brands. Mondelēz International has partnered with Accenture and Publicis Groupe on a new platform to accelerate and expand its global marketing capabilities through the power of AI. The platform develops and deploys personalized marketing assets like text, images and video with optimal speed and efficiency.

"This drives real value for the business through creating, personalizing and distributing on-trend creative not only at pace, but also safely, securely and with brand integrity," said Jon Halvorson, Senior Vice President, Global Consumer Experiences and Digital Commerce at Mondelēz

But not all automation is AI-driven. Menchie’s frozen yogurt chain features automated topping dispensers that enable customers to self-serve and mix and match flavors like Birthday Cake OREO Cookie and Frosted Cookie Made With Golden OREO Cookies.

Chipotle Pilot Programs Spice Up Sales 

Chipotle has piloted an array of automated advances, including an avocado processing system to accelerate output of its signature guacamole, and an augmented makeline that builds bowls and salads and frees up employees for other tasks.

As Curt Garner, Chipotle’s chief customer and technology officer, explained: "These cobotic devices could help us build a stronger operational engine that delivers a great experience for our team members and our guests while maintaining Chipotle's high culinary standards. Optimizing our use of these systems and incorporating crew and customer feedback are the next steps in the stage-gate process before determining their broader pilot plans."4

Sara Senatore, an analyst for Bank of America, dubbed back-of-house restaurant robotics “the vanguard of automation,” with the view that they’ll relieve employees of mind-numbing menial work and free them up to do other tasks.

“It's not that they are necessarily reducing the number of people,” Senatore said. “It's more that they're making those people more productive and happier.”5

Looking for ways to optimize your menu for a changing market? Visit our Culinary Center for recipe ideas, and follow us @mondelezfoodservice on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn to feast on culinary concepts and trends. Sign up for our emails to get the latest insights and inspiration delivered to your inbox.

 

1 Pendrill, Katherine,  81 Restaurant Industry Statistics for 2024: Sales, Labor, & More, Touchbistro, 2024

2 Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts, 2024 Restaurant Technology and Innovation Statistics: Trends Shaping the Dining Experience, October 29, 2024

3 Allred, Kelly,  Restaurant Automation: 2024 and Beyond, May 28, 2024

4 Chipotle Press Release, CHIPOTLE DEBUTS AUTOCADO AND THE AUGMENTED MAKELINE BY HYPHEN IN RESTAURANTS, September 16, 2024

5 Rogelberg, Sasha, Restaurant robots are the ‘vanguard of automation,’ top analyst says. It’s not coming for fast-food workers’ jobs—it’s actually helping them, March 23, 2024

 

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