Equipment Evolution Aims to Leverage Synergies in AI, Automation and Robotics

Industry trends and issues as seen through the eyes of those who specify kitchen equipment

Everyone keeps saying that automation and robots are coming. In reality, though, they are already here.

Around the globe, the foodservice industry continues to see increased demand for home delivery, automation and sanitation.

While driving my daughter to one of her early-morning swim practices we went past a fast-casual restaurant chain our family used to regularly visit. When I mentioned to Annie that it had been a while since we had been there, she laughed and said, “That was the only place we could go where we all could find something we liked.”

After a pandemic-induced, two-year hiatus, the National Restaurant Association’s trade show was back in business in Chicago. And, wow, did it feel great to catch up on some of the newest equipment innovations and, more importantly, reconnect with our great industry colleagues. There was so much to see and take in, but here are a few thoughts and observations.