Chipotle has started testing its proprietary avocado processing machine named the Autocado in stores. The Autocado can peel, core and process an avocado in less than 30 seconds. They have also begun testing a new automated makeline which will assemble bowls and salads underneath the employees’ work area.
The Robot Takeover Has Begun.
In February we wrote an article titled: “AI Is Taking Over Food Service Faster Than You Think”. In it, we discussed Chipotle’s Cultivate Next Venture Fund which they have invested over $100 Million since 2022. The fund’s purpose is to support research and development of automated solutions for the food industry.
The Autocado processes the avocados but the employees assemble all the ingredients into guacamole. The Autocado’s role is a small step in the process and Chipotle did not comment on how long it takes on average for their workers to do the same processing. Whether this proves to be a revelation for the company is yet to be determined, but the intent is clear. Any technology that can reduce demand for employee interaction will ultimately reduce costs. And Chipotle is willing to gamble on the potential savings.
The Makeline Can Handle Bowl-Based Digital Orders.
Bowl-based orders account for about 66% of digital orders so being able to automate part or all of that would be a clear win for the company.
“These cobotic devices could help us build a stronger operational engine that delivers a great experience for our team members and our guests,” said Curt Garner, chief customer and technology officer at the brand. Garner said the next step in its testing process is to incorporate guest and worker feedback. 1.
These Are Early Days
The concept of the makeline is complex and may be full of pitfalls. Questions about accuracy and consistency have yet to be answered. More importantly, guaranteeing safe and sanitary conditions in a semi-enclosed space might be quite challenging in the real world.
Testing the Autocado and the Makeline is just beginning, but the motivation for Chipotle and other food service companies is very clear.
In our article from February, we wrote:
While all of the companies involved paint the picture that all the automation is strictly about giving employees extra time for customer service, it clearly allows fewer employees to do more of the work. Chipotle’s interest in promoting technology in its earnings report rings a bell for investors that shows that the company believes it can be more profitable with more new technology and then show that business will be less affected by future labor issues.
To see the new makeline in operation see this video:
Could this turn out to be something like the promise of Self-Checkout?
Self-checkout was going to revolutionize retail shopping. Rows of registers where customers check themselves out seemed like a foolproof way to reduce staffing and increase profits. The reality has been quite different. Most self-checkout registers require an employee to assist with a high percentage of purchases. The guarantee that everything is scanned properly and that people pay for what they take out of the store is questionable. The profitability of this kind of technology is somewhat still undecided.
In the effort to reduce costs and increase profits, is the food industry headed down the same road? Only time will tell.
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