One of the most important rules of food tech investing is to avoid investing in “technology for tech's sake.” Robotics has been prevalent in the restaurant industry for some time, but many multi-unit operators are only beta testing robots in the front or back of the store rather than deploying them system-wide. Additionally, over the past few years, conferences like the National Restaurant Association Show have seen a decline in the number of robots on display as debates rage about whether robots are too expensive or cumbersome to be useful, or whether they're more flash than substance as technological problem solvers.
There have been several robotics announcements this month, moving automated equipment toward becoming a more convenient and standardized part of restaurant operations. For example, RobotLab announced new technology that allows servers to summon robots on demand and assign them to tables just like human employees. Plus, pizza automation system Picnic Works is partnering with Roboworx to roll out autonomous pizza stations nationwide.
Tech Tracker rounds up what's happening in tech for the restaurant industry, including news from restaurants, vendors, digital platforms, and third-party delivery companies. Here's what you need to know and why.
RobotLab unveils new robot system
Dallas-based robotics integrator RobotLab announced the launch of two new technology systems this month for implementing robotics within a restaurant's operational infrastructure, and both technology updates are currently compatible with Bear Robotics' Servi and Servi+ robots.
- Robot On Call is a robot-enabled smartwatch that allows servers and managers to “summon” a robot to a table or area in need.
- Saab Swift Managers and servers can assign robots to tables via QR codes so the robots can be programmed remotely rather than using built-in hardware. When a guest scans the QR code and enters their receipt number, the robot knows where to send the order.
“Both products are designed to help restaurant and venue owners leverage technology to increase staff efficiency,” said Elad Inbar, founder and CEO of RobotLab, in a statement. “ServeSwift reduces the need for restaurant staff to make multiple trips around the establishment looking for guests and also eliminates the need for hardware solutions such as buzzers. Robot on Call allows staff to summon the robot to any location in the restaurant. The system increases restaurant efficiency by maximizing the time servers spend in the dining room and reduces the need for frequent trips to and from the kitchen.”
The technology is already being used in some restaurants, with Area 254 in Texas deploying three robots and 10 smartwatches to implement ServeSwift tableside at each of the restaurant's 70 tables.
Picnic Works and Roboworx Partner to Roll Out Automated Pizza System Nationwide
Picnic Pizza Station, a pioneer in the automated pizza assembly line movement, has partnered with Roboworks, a subsidiary of Administrative Resource Options, Inc., to roll out its automated pizza-making technology nationwide.
Roboworx is tasked with providing ongoing support and preventative maintenance to enable Picnic's customers to deploy and utilize the pizza-making robot “without disrupting their core business activities,” allowing for a more seamless rollout of the technology to pizza manufacturers across the country.
“At Picnic, our expertise in food and technology drives us to constantly innovate,” Picnic CEO Michael Bridges said in a statement. “We sought a committed partner to seamlessly deploy and support Picnic Pizza Stations across the country, and finding Roboworx with their exceptional automation expertise is a perfect fit with our mission to help our customers thrive.”
Givex and Brightloom use AI to personalize guest experiences
AI has been deployed in a variety of ways across the restaurant industry in recent years, but one of the most popular uses is combining AI with customer data to create a more personalized and customized foodservice experience.
More recently, both Givex and Brightloom have made announcements about new AI capabilities that promise to “demandortize” the restaurant customer experience.
Givex announced the launch of EngageAI, an AI platform that can create customer profiles based on guest and operator interactions, from loyalty programs to credit card transactions. Based on this data, EngageAI can create personalized marketing campaigns, such as sending custom push notifications and text messages based on guest behavior.
“There's a shift away from one-size-fits-all marketing programs, and GivexEngageAI allows businesses to send the right message to each customer based on their profile and purchase history,” Mo Chaar, chief commercial officer at Givex, said in a statement. “Through a streamlined platform that eliminates the need to consolidate data from multiple sources, the solution makes it easy for businesses to build deeper relationships with their customers, increasing customer conversion and retention.”
Brightloom's AI solution takes the form of a chatbot called Answers. Using generative AI technology, Answers can find solutions to marketing questions posed by operators based on customer insights. Examples of questions Answers can address include, “What is the most popular menu item at my restaurant?” and “What personalized marketing campaigns can I use for my most frequent customers?”
“Consumers increasingly expect personalized engagement and experiences that are tailored to their preferences, behaviors and habits,” BrightLoom CEO Kellie Zimmerman said in a statement. “But most restaurants and businesses today struggle to glean true intelligence unless they have data scientists on hand. We're democratizing data access, giving major chains like Starbucks back control by putting all their tools and insights at their fingertips in a way that's easy for everyone to understand.”
Answers will be offered as a subscription service, costing $89 per location as an add-on for Brightloom customers.
NCR Voyix and Aloha Upgrade Tableside Payment Technology
While QR code technology has come under criticism recently from both customers who want traditional menus back and operators who believe virtual menus aren’t the technological solution they were thought to be four years ago, QR code technology is still evolving.
This month, NCR Voyix announced the introduction of Aloha Pay-at-Table, powered by Sunday, which allows customers to scan a QR code to view an itemized bill, split costs with their table mates, and pay and tip in less time than other tableside payment solutions.
While NCR Voyix isn't the first technology company to introduce tableside QR code payments, the trend of miniaturizing technology hardware and expanding QR code capabilities continues to grow.
Thanx and Bite Team Up to Bring Loyalty Integration to Kiosks
Loyalty platform Thanx and kiosk solutions company Bite have announced a partnership to enable fast-casual and quick-service operators to integrate their loyalty programs into their kiosk technology.
This reflects a trend towards technology standardisation across platforms, where customers can access their loyalty points and rewards on in-store ordering kiosks just as they can on websites and apps. Customers can create their order, enter their loyalty account details and view their points and applicable rewards on screen before paying.
“In today's competitive environment, delivering personalized, satisfying experiences at every touchpoint is paramount, and this collaboration puts our customers at the forefront of this trend,” Byte CEO Brandon Burton said in a statement.
