Restaurant Industry Robotics

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Overview

Robotics picks up pace in the restaurant industry

Restaurant industry robotics is the integration of robots for full or partial automation of the restaurant industry value chain, from primary and secondary food processing to food preparation, as well as food service.

Industry Updates

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Market Sizing

The US Restaurant Robotics market could reach USD 1.4 billion–1.8 billion by 2027

Conservative case

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Base case

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Expansion case

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The Disruptors


Most of the startups covered in the restaurant robotics industry emerged over the past 5–10 years, with a majority of them in the early stage of operations. The service segment, which focuses on robotic solutions for dishwashing and waiting tables, has a low number of disruptors compared with other segments. However, it has secured the highest amount of funding with Pudu Robotics and Bear Robotics securing a combined funding of over USD 350 million. Miso Robotics and Hyphen, which operate across multiple segments, were the other highly funded companies.

Most of the disruptors operate in the salad and other food preparation segment. Moreover, companies including Hyphen, Picnic, Miso Robotics, and Nala Robotics develop robots that can prepare multiple types of food or both food and beverages, featuring in multiple segments within the industry hub.

Funding History

Incumbents


Incumbents in this space are well-established technology companies that offer diversified robotics solutions with proprietary technologies for multiple industries such as automotive, food, oil and gas, and semiconductors or large food and beverage retailers. Most of these technology companies are subsidiaries of Japan-based robotics giants and have strong distribution networks and offices in major locations worldwide. 

Most of these companies focus on robotics solutions for primary and secondary food processing for restaurants, with some attention paid to food preparation. Additionally, Little Caesars, a well-established pizza chain, entered the space with a patent for a pizza-assembly robotic system, while Costa Coffee entered the food preparation space via acquisitions. 

In House Development
M&A
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Notable Investors


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Overview

Robotics picks up pace in the restaurant industry 

Restaurant industry robotics is the integration of robots for full or partial automation of the restaurant industry value chain, from primary and secondary food processing to food preparation, as well as food service. 
With labor costs rising steadily, the food industry has increasingly explored robotic solutions—made more attractive as technology has advanced and adoption costs have declined. Looking at the use of robotic units in North America by sector, food and consumer goods witnessed a 29% year-over-year (YoY) growth in units ordered in 2022. The total number of robot units sold in North America rose 28% YoY. 
The role and nature of robotics have varied across the restaurant industry value chain over the years. Earlier robot products were better suited to secondary food processing such as pick-and-place for processed food and cake dispensing. Newer technology, such as advanced grippers (tools that mimic how a human hand grips food or items) and collaborative robots (called “cobots”), increasingly suit primary food processing as well, such as pick-and-place of fruits and vegetables. 
Demand for non-customer-facing tasks like cleaning and dishwashing is also picking up pace; 47% of restaurateurs said they expected to see robots for cleaning tasks to become mainstream by 2025. For example, Dishcraft Robotics, a provider of robotic dishwashing-as-a-service for restaurants and corporate kitchens, is one of the first startups to grab the opportunity. Other top functions for robotics include kitchen prep, food quality checks, and staff training. 
While incumbents offer robotic solutions for primary and secondary food processing as well as for downstream food preparation and service, startups tend to specialize downstream, in food preparation and service delivery.

Types of restaurant robots

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