The following report was prepared and published by our sister platform SPEEDA—March 2024.

Automated restaurants refer to the concept of using robots, machines, and software systems to automate tasks and streamline operations at restaurants. The level of automation can vary: restaurants may choose to adopt either full or partial automation solutions.

Full automation involves integrating technology and robotics to automate various aspects of restaurant operations. This can be seen in container restaurants, similar to super-sized vending machines (e.g. Mezli [USA]), or in non-container restaurants, similar to traditional restaurants but where the majority of operations (especially kitchen operations) are automated (e.g. Foodom by Qianxi Robot Group [CHN]). Both types require only minimal human staff, typically for supervising and preparing ingredients for meals. Some non-container restaurants may opt to employ human order-takers as well to provide a more human-focused eating experience for customers (e.g. Creator [USA]).

Partial automation refers to the use of one or more robots, machines, or software in a restaurant to automate specific tasks. Within partial automation, this report focuses on the advancements in the preparation of food and beverages (F&B, i.e. cooking, bartending, and monitoring), serving, and cleaning. Partial automation solutions providers typically sell these products as standalone products (e.g. server robot) to restaurants. These restaurants generally have human workers working alongside robots to achieve specific tasks; they relieve human workers of gruelling or repetitive tasks so that they can be redeployed elsewhere.