The foodservice and restaurant industry faces unprecedented challenges today: labor shortages, increasing turnover, and higher minimum wages. For operators, these obstacles complicate daily operations, from maintaining consistent service to managing soaring labor costs. Robotics and automation offer promising solutions, transforming not only how kitchens operate but also redefining roles in the foodservice environment. Leading innovations in kitchen automation, such as those from Middleby, are showing how technology can fill critical gaps while ensuring efficiency and quality in a field under significant strain.
According to James Pool, Chief Technology & Operations Officer of Middleby, the approach to automation is about “automating the tasks that people don’t want to do,” allowing staff to be allocated to roles where they add the most value. By focusing on essential but tedious or hazardous tasks, robotics enable teams to work smarter rather than harder. “We don’t aim to replace people,” said Pool. “Instead, we’re focused on increasing efficiency and making the kitchen safer and more effective for employees.”
In the past few years, labor shortages have impacted nearly every aspect of foodservice. Finding and retaining qualified staff is more difficult than ever, with an increasing reliance on higher wages just to attract applicants. Pool highlighted that in the current climate, “you end up paying your dishwasher $25 an hour because you want them to show up every day.” Rising labor costs often force restaurants to pass these expenses onto customers, who may be deterred by higher menu prices. For those in commercial kitchens, technology offers a way to optimize operations without compromising service quality.
Robotic solutions can shoulder repetitive and time-consuming tasks, which are often low-wage but crucial jobs. Automation reduces reliance on fluctuating workforce availability, stabilizes operational output, and lessens the need for immediate replacements when team members leave.
Robotics and automation are increasingly common in high-demand areas such as cooking, dishwashing, and dispensing, where consistency, precision, and safety are paramount. Middleby’s robotic solutions, for example, have automated tasks that range from fryer management to drink dispensing, each designed to streamline common bottlenecks and alleviate pressure on staff.
One of Middleby’s flagship innovations is the “fry bot,” which automates the process of frying foods such as French fries, chicken wings, and other fried items. This bot handles hot, oily tasks that can be dangerous and unappealing for human workers, improving both safety and efficiency. As Pool noted, “On a two-bank of fryers, the fry bot can manage around 85 baskets per hour, which is a tremendous output beyond human capability.” By automating the most challenging parts of fry cooking, this bot keeps kitchen flow steady, minimizes accidents, and enables human staff to focus on other tasks.
Middleby’s beverage dispenser technology takes automation a step further, handling everything from filling the cup to sealing it—an especially critical feature for delivery and take-out operations where spill-proof beverages are essential. “We’ve tied the drink dispenser to the POS machine, which controls the cup drop, ice fill, and soda dispense, and the real kicker is the automated seal on each cup,” said Pool. “This reduces spill risks and gives drivers leak-proof drinks for delivery.”
Middleby’s commitment to innovation in foodservice automation will be on display at the NRF Foodservice Zone from January 14-16, 2025, where the latest advancements in restaurant technology and foodservice solutions will take center stage. Middleby’s participation will allow industry professionals to experience their cutting-edge robotic systems firsthand, showcasing how automation can transform foodservice operations and address labor challenges.
At the NRF event, Middleby will display their end-to-end automation capabilities, offering restaurants a preview of fully integrated robotic systems that cover the full spectrum from fryer to dispensing station. “We’re excited to present a fully integrated solution,” Pool explained, “where Middleby controls the entire system, from the robot to the fryer to the cup dispenser. It’s a level of cohesion that’s unique in this space.” By offering this comprehensive automation package, Middleby aims to simplify the adoption process for foodservice operators, making it easier to deploy these technologies without operational disruptions.
The NRF Foodservice Zone will also provide a platform for Middleby to introduce new advancements, including their latest pizza box automation system, now being tested in select Sam’s Club locations. This innovative system uses robotics to prepare and dispense made-to-order pizzas, demonstrating the wide-ranging applications of robotics in food preparation. Pool anticipates a strong response from operators, stating, “We believe that our solutions, designed to improve speed and consistency, will resonate strongly with those in high-volume settings.”
Middleby’s upcoming participation at NRF reflects its dedication to helping foodservice operators face today’s challenges with resilient and efficient solutions. Events like the NRF Foodservice Zone offer industry leaders the chance to see how Middleby’s integrated approach to robotics and automation can enhance their operations, streamline labor use, and, ultimately, improve customer satisfaction. By embracing the future of foodservice automation, Middleby is well-positioned to lead the next generation of commercial kitchen technology, supporting operators in navigating a rapidly evolving foodservice landscape.
