Most historical Romans didn’t have purposeful kitchens.
That’s as a result of extraordinary Romans, referred to as plebs, often lived in residences.
As you possibly can think about, the danger of fireplace again then was too nice for plebs to have way more than a small brazier of their quarters. So as an alternative of cooking, they went to locations referred to as thermpolia to order widespread meals from a counter.
Thus, quick meals was born.
Over the next centuries, quick meals distributors have sought out the newest expertise to assist them produce meals cheaper and sooner.
From advances in kitchen expertise like refrigeration, to revolutionary concepts just like the Automat, which disbursed pre-prepared choices to clients at reasonably priced costs…
Supply: Getty Photographs
To brothers Richard and Maurice McDonald, who helped invent new merchandise and processes to hurry up making hamburgers…
Supply: Wikicommons
Know-how advances and quick meals have all the time gone hand in hand.
However as we speak a stunning expertise shift is occurring on this sector. AI, automation and data-driven decision-making are rapidly reworking the quick meals trade.
And this time, it’s not nearly making burgers sooner.
It’s about utilizing expertise to make each a part of the quick meals expertise extra environment friendly, extra worthwhile and much more customized.
AI-Powered Glad Meals
When you’ve lately felt like a drive-thru order taker knew precisely what you wished earlier than you even stated it, you won’t be imagining issues.
Main quick meals chains, together with McDonald’s and Taco Bell, are utilizing AI-powered methods to foretell and counsel orders.
These methods analyze the time of day, the climate and even what you’ve ordered earlier than to suggest objects you’re more than likely to purchase.
For instance, McDonald’s has been rolling out AI-driven menu boards that change in actual time based mostly on buyer demand.
If it’s scorching exterior, you may see extra chilly drinks and ice cream promoted.
If it’s the morning rush, breakfast combos is likely to be proven first.
The objective right here is to softly push you towards decisions that improve gross sales and hold traces shifting.
This might sound a little bit sneaky, but it surely’s not almost as controversial as one other use of AI the quick meals trade is contemplating.
I’m speaking about dynamic pricing.
Similar to airways and ride-sharing apps alter fares based mostly on peak occasions, quick meals chains are experimenting with costs that may change in actual time…
So the price of your meal may fluctuate based mostly on components like location, demand or your previous spending habits.
Think about pulling as much as a drive-thru and seeing a distinct worth than the automobile in entrance of you.
When you’re satisfied that might by no means occur, I’ve dangerous information for you…
As a result of AI-driven pricing is already being examined in some markets.
Firms argue that this permits them to optimize income whereas nonetheless providing offers to clients who’re extra price-sensitive.
Personally, I imagine the ethics of this are up for debate.
However what’s not up for debate is how briskly issues are altering in quick meals kitchens across the nation.
Robotic Kitchens
Restaurant homeowners as we speak are coping with employee shortages and rising wages. That’s one purpose why we’re seeing self-ordering kiosks displaying up all over the place. And as we’ve mentioned earlier than, drone supply is rising as nicely.
These new applied sciences will help homeowners lower your expenses.
They’ll additionally make repetitive duties simpler, which is why we’re seeing a giant expertise shift within the kitchen.
In some places, human cooks are both being assisted or outright changed by robots.
Firms like Miso Robotics have developed kitchen assistants like Flippy, a robotic arm that may flip burgers and fry meals with exceptional precision.
Supply: Miso Robotics
Naturally, Flippy doesn’t get drained and ensures each order is similar.
Chipotle (NYSE: CMG) can be utilizing quite a lot of automation. This 12 months, it launched a robotic that may peel, pit and chop avocados.
And the funding appears to be working. Visits at one California location utilizing the machine have been 10% larger than the typical Chipotle within the space.
In response to Placer.ai, clients at that location received their meals sooner, with 43.9% of visits lasting 10 minutes or much less in contrast with 37.5% at different shops within the space.
Different chains are experimenting with absolutely automated kitchens.
Sweetgreen (NYSE: SG) acquired Spyce, a Boston-based restaurant, that makes use of robotic cooks to organize meals from begin to end, slicing labor prices and dashing up service.
And in 2023 Sweetgreen opened Infinite Kitchen, the corporate’s first robotic restaurant, in Naperville, IL.
The remainder of the quick meals trade is watching intently, as automation may imply they want fewer human staff whereas retaining service high-speed and high-volume
Right here’s My Take
It’s clear that the quick meals expertise is changing into extra high-tech than ever.
AI is dealing with orders. Robots are cooking meals. Information is deciding what you see on the menu.
These adjustments promise better effectivity and price financial savings. They might additionally result in higher meals high quality.
However greater than that, they present you ways advances in expertise stay in line with our most elementary needs…
Like with the ability to seize a fast, tasty meal each time we’re hungry.
Simply don’t be shocked if Flippy isn’t as keen on french fries as you might be.
Regards,
Ian King
Chief Strategist, Banyan Hill Publishing