If you’ve recently been to a fast-food restaurant you’ve probably noticed the proliferation of self-service kiosks that allow you to place your order and pay for it remotely.
Now, McDonald’s Corp. is taking another giant leap toward total automation. In late 2022, America’s most famous hamburger franchise opened its first fully automated restaurant in Fort Worth, Texas.
Although it’s a small restaurant by McDonald’s standards, the future implications for the fast-food and restaurant industry are immense. It’s becoming increasingly obvious that automated fast food is here to stay, and whenever a sea change like this is in the works, that means opportunities exist for investors.
Blendid is an artificial intelligence (AI) enhanced, automated food solution provider. Sunnyvale, California-based Blendid is more than an idea — it’s already working in real-time. In addition to raising an estimated $26 million, Blendid has kiosks operating in outlets around the U.S. Blendid’s AI tech is completely adaptable to a full range of user requirements and versatile enough to prepare everything from smoothies to multicourse meals.
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The potential applications for Blendid are nearly limitless. Quick-serve restaurants or nearly any place with a vending machine that dispenses sandwiches and snacks could benefit from its unique automation model. The use potential in institutional settings such as universities, schools and hospital cafeterias is clear. Placing kiosks in retail stores or freeway travel centers is another possibility.
Some level of automation already occurs with simple food or takeaway items such as coffee, and Japan has some fully functioning sushi robots. But Blendid would represent a leap forward on that technology by using its AI capability to create a wider range of menu options for customers to choose from.
Restaurant owners and operators are keeping an eye on this technology. Even if a restaurant keeps the traditional model of an executive chef, replacing a kitchen worker at the garnish station with a Blendid machine to make salads and vegetable courses could increase the kitchen’s efficiency.
Blendid could also perform some of the more tedious tasks in the kitchen, such as food prep, which would allow employees to spend more time creating recipes or menus for their clientele. The advanced AI that powers Blendid is also capable of creating custom recipes and menus.
At a minimum, the technology offers great potential for restaurant owners, who are always looking for ways to cut costs and increase efficiency. The potential translates into possible profit for investors.
Blendid is raising funds through the StartEngine equity crowdfunding platform which means anyone can invest for a limited time.
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