Kitchen tech, automation, robotics, vending and micro-markets.
New equipment can cut labor, speed up service and open new revenue, but it can also become an expensive problem if the vendor disappears or the tech never fits your workflow. Directors need clear information on what is proven and what is still a pilot.
This section covers kitchen equipment, automation and robotics, delivery robots, smart vending, micro-markets, self-checkout and ventless or energy-saving equipment. We report on real deployments in schools, colleges, hospitals, senior living, workplaces and venues: what was installed, what it costs where known, and what the results were. We also flag lessons on contracts, maintenance and vendor stability. Use it to build a shortlist before a capital request, to see how peers handled rollout and staffing changes, and to spot automation that could ease your labor gaps without hurting the guest experience.
Ricoh USA will support deployment and ongoing service of Hyphen's automated makeline through its RICOH Service Advantage program. Hyphen says the makeline produces more than 200 meals an hour from digital orders.
Swyft is now Mercury Automated Retail Solutions. It operates more than 100 automated stores in over 20 airports and is targeting healthcare and higher education next. The model bundles equipment, merchandising, replenishment and analytics.
A multiyear deal makes ColdSnap machines, which turn shelf-stable pods into ice cream, smoothies and protein shakes in about two minutes, available through 365's operator network for workplaces, hospitals and campuses. The machines need no freezer storage, plumbing or cleaning.
Avride and Sodexo Campus signed an agreement meant to move partner colleges from interest to robot delivery in weeks rather than months. Sodexo Campus serves about 425 U.S. institutions, and Avride already runs at Ohio State, Indiana, Arizona and Salisbury.
After Starship pulled its more than 1,200 robots from U.S. campuses in June, Purdue Food Company is bringing in Avride robots through Grubhub, with an official launch planned for this winter.
Robot.com now operates on more than 20 campuses through Grubhub Campus. At Loyola Marymount, order volume grew nearly 70% quarter over quarter. DoorDash is buying Grubhub Campus Delivery for $300 million.
The most useful items from the week, written for directors, delivered every week. Free.
Subscribe freeJoin the LinkedIn group