Why restaurant chains are investing in robots and what it means for workers

LTC Eugene Chu
..."Chipotle Mexican Grill is testing whether a robot can make tortilla chips in stores. Sweetgreen plans to automate salad making in at least two locations. And Starbucks wants its coffee-making equipment to lessen the workload for baristas.

This year brought a flurry of automation announcements in the restaurant industry as operators scrambled to find solutions to a shrinking workforce and climbing wages. But the efforts have been spotty so far, and experts say it will be years before robots pay off for companies or take the place of workers.

“I think there’s a lot of experimentation that is going to lead us somewhere at some point, but we’re still a very labor intensive, labor-driven industry,” said David Henkes, a principal at Technomic, a restaurant research firm.

Even before the pandemic, restaurants were struggling to attract and retain workers. The global health crisis exacerbated the issue, as many laid-off workers left for other jobs and didn’t return. Three-quarters of restaurant operators are facing staffing shortages that keep them from operating at full capacity, according to the National Restaurant Association."

I can't imagine how impersonable it would be to have a Robot deliver food to my table instead of a waiter or waitress. I enjoy the interaction and always try to do or say something to make them smile or laugh.