Latest news with #foodtech
Forbes
4 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
Donatos Pizza Testing Out Robot-Made Pizza At One Location
Here's the expert pizzamaker for Donatos Pizza at the Columbus (Ohio) International Airport: the ... More robot. At every one of the 175 Donatos Pizza locations, of which 124 are franchised and 51 are company-owned except one, it's human beings who prepare the pizza. But at its Concourse B location at the John Glenn Columbus (Ohio) International airport, it's a robot that kneads the pizza and serves as one of its pizzamakers. Kevin King, the president and CEO of Donatos Pizza, based in Columbus, Ohio, is emphatic that the pizza prepared by the robot tastes exactly the same as those made by hand by its pizza makers. 'There is no difference!' he states categorically. He admits it didn't do any consumer research to confirm that the taste is the same, but he and his staff tasted it repeatedly to ensure the taste's consistency. Even Robots Have Their Limitations The robot prepares each pizza in about 6 minutes compared to humans who can take 6 to 10 minutes, depending on their technique. But King says the robots are designed for high volume continuous output which humans can't sustain. Robots Making Pizza Can Help It Enter New Markets But King adds that 'this robot can make pizza 24 hours a day' and that enables Donatos to enter markets such as airports, shopping malls, hotel kitchens and in rural America where 'labor is difficult and hard to recruit.' The robots prepare their food in an autonomous kitchen, a separate area. But another goal is to eliminate employees having to do repetitive tasks, which wear people down and dampen their enthusiasm. 'Putting 100 pieces of pepperoni on a pizza is tedious,' he admits. Even Robots Have Their Limitations But here's the thing, even robots have their limitations. Indeed, the robot-making pizzamakers can only make cheese or pepperoni pizza, its two most popular styles, but not any of Donatos 28 unique toppings which includes more than 15 signature pizzas. But Donatos Pizza is also testing out robot versions 2 and 3, so it's hoping that the robot can be trained to make more customized pizza in the future as well as serve drinks. 'The goal is to expand and grow our brand; this is part of the growth,' he explains. King says it's testing out the concept at the Columbus Airport because 'there's lot of traffic; people work there 24 hours a day and there's always room for more pizza.' Robots May Increase Their Tasks in the Future Asked if the robots can prepare any of Donatos other items such as subs, wings, salads or calzones, King says it's looking forward to adding the others to the robot's capabilities but currently it's focused on producing those two kinds of pizza. King also says its kitchen design at Donatos will stay the same and that it's not planning on converting any of them into autonomous kitchens. He said training its human staff to work with the robot isn't complicated. 'The amount of training is minimal for our operators. The model is designed so all preventive maintenance and repairs is conducted by our trained technicians,' King states. He also states that no staff members at the locations were let go to be replaced by the robot. Asked how much the robot costs, King replies, it's likely several hundred thousand dollars, but the newer robot versions will be cheaper. Ultimately, of course, Donatos is driven by bottom-line results, which King explains, these robots improve. 'Adding sales with limited labor costs will enhance the profitability of our franchise partners/operators,' he says. But he adds that even the robots require human beings to 'restock, clean and support the restaurants,' so while labor costs are lower, employees are still necessary, not eliminated. Donatos Pizza expects to open 8 new locations this year and 10 to 15 the following year so steady growth is on the agenda. 'We believe that the fully autonomous kitchen gives us a big opportunity for growth, both domestically and world-wide,' King states.
Fast Company
5 days ago
- Business
- Fast Company
Wonder, Marc Lore's food tech startup, is planning to go public in early 2028
Billionaire entrepreneur and Wonder CEO Marc Lore has confirmed that his food and restaurant technology startup is planning for an initial public offering. And though it won't happen right away, he offered a very specific timeframe. 'We're going to IPO [and we're] kind of working backwards from March 30, 2028,' Lore said on Thursday at Fast Company 's Most Innovative Companies Summit in New York. 'Whether we hit it or not, we will see.' He added that a full board of directors is in place and that the restaurant technology startup wants to 'look and act like a public company' by the end of next year in preparation for the future offering. 'So all of 2027, we get four quarters of practice,' Lore said. 'That was really important to me to get four quarters of practice where we're giving EPS guidance, having quarterly earnings calls, doing the comp committee, treating it like a public company. So when we go public in Q1 of 2028, we've already had that muscle.' He predicted an accelerating growth rate for the business, continuing through 2028 with $5 billion in revenue, and additional 'big growth' in 2029. The 'Amazon of food' grows up Wonder, which Lore has described as a kind of 'Amazon for food and beverage,' has brick-and-mortar restaurants and a vertically integrated food delivery app. Lore is working to revolutionize the food and restaurant space, building a 'superapp for mealtime,' blending food delivery, AI-driven nutrition, and smart restaurant tech. The company most recently secured $600 million in a funding round backed by Google Ventures, for a post-funding valuation of $7 billion, according to PitchBook. Wonder ranks No. 45 on Fast Company's World's Most Innovative Companies list for 2025. The ultimate goal? To become the platform that meets all your food needs, while embracing personalized dining, driven by AI. Lore's Wonder not only owns the delivery platform but also the restaurants on its platform, with locations spanning 25 or 30 different restaurants across every cuisine type—from steakhouse to burgers and barbecue, Chinese, Italian, Mexican, Greek, Middle Eastern, and Spanish tapas. The startup has also acquired a number of food companies, including Blue Apron, Grubhub, and the media brand Tastemade. When asked by Mansueto Ventures CEO Stephanie Mehta why an an IPO the goal, Lore replied, 'I am really excited about having that public currency.' The entrepreneur has founded a number of notable companies, including which he sold to Walmart nine years ago. 'I think there's so much growth and potential in this business that we could put a lot of capital to work, even post-IPO,' Lore said. 'I'm excited to do some big acquisitions.'
Entrepreneur
24-05-2025
- Business
- Entrepreneur
The Scientific Foodies: Bharat Bhalla and Varun Kapur, Co-Founders, Yu Foods
Before launching Yu, the duo ran a full-scale consumer survey, speaking to over 500 people about their packaged food habits. The verdict? Guilt, preservatives, and a lingering suspicion of the mystery-meat variety. That led them to deep-dive into food preservation technologies, where they stumbled on something unexpected—NASA, yes, NASA Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. You're reading Entrepreneur India, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media. If you ever find yourself downing instant noodles at midnight and wondering if there's a way to feel less guilty about it, Bharat Bhalla and Varun Kapur have an answer. And no, it doesn't involve counting calories or shame spirals. It involves astronauts, investment banking, and some serious food science wizardry. Welcome to Yu Foods, a startup that's aiming to make packaged food a little less evil. Founded in 2021 by Bhalla and Kapur, former investment bankers who swapped Excel sheets for ingredient sheets; Yu Foods was born from a mix of wanderlust and food snobbery. They were always on the go but never wanted to compromise on what they were eating. This passion for discovering wholesome foods that were easily accessible led them on a journey to re-imagine consumer packaged foods. Their journey into food-tech wasn't a whimsical leap. Before launching Yu, the duo ran a full-scale consumer survey, speaking to over 500 people about their packaged food habits. The verdict? Guilt, preservatives, and a lingering suspicion of the mystery-meat variety. That led them to deep-dive into food preservation technologies, where they stumbled on something unexpected—NASA, yes, NASA. During their research, they discovered that SpaceX used a method called lyophilization (freeze drying) to keep astronauts fed with fresh-tasting, preservative-free meals on the International Space Station. And just like that, a delicious "why not us?" moment struck. If it works in space, why not on Earth? So began a year of culinary chemistry experiments. They worked with top chefs and food scientists to cook up a range of ready-to-eat meals that are 100 per cent natural, require no refrigeration, and stay fresh for up to a year. The result? A clean-label product line that includes bestsellers like 100 per cent coconut water and whole wheat noodles. You get your umami hit without the MSG kickback. Yu Foods operates out of a 40,000 sq. ft. facility in Gurugram, a full-stack R&D lab that sounds more like a Silicon Valley startup than a food brand. But this isn't just high-tech snackery. The company is quietly building a global presence. In just three years, they've landed in 100 Indian cities and 7,500 retail stores, popped up in airline trays on SpiceJet and Akasa, and cracked into South Africa, Canada, and the US with partnerships at giants like Walmart, Checkers, and Pick n Pay. If you're wondering how a brand this young (and this fresh) scales so fast, look at your phone. Nearly 60 per cent of Yu's revenue comes from online platforms, with quick commerce alone contributing about 50 per cent. That means if you've panic-ordered dinner from Zepto, Swiggy, or Blinkit lately, there's a decent chance you've met a cup of Yu. Behind the growth is a very deliberate playbook. "Creating a food brand isn't just about good products," Bhalla and Kapur explain. "It's about having a strong brand philosophy." They lean into the idea of "conscious indulgence"—a phrase that sounds suspiciously like an excuse to eat more noodles, but with less sodium regret. While many packaged foods lean hard on shortcuts like concentrates, flavor enhancers, or dubious e-numbers, Yu skips all that. Even in categories like fruit juice where most of the industry is basically sugared water in disguise, Yu insists on 100 per cent real fruit, no added sugar, no fakery. It's not all digital dominance, though. Their offline presence is growing too, with a stronghold in North India and expansion into modern trade through Reliance and D-Mart. The company is aiming for a turnover of INR 100 crore by the end of FY26, doubling down on its hit noodle line and pushing deeper into beverages. And all this without making you feel bad for craving noodles. Now that's real innovation. Factsheet:
Globe and Mail
21-05-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Beyond Oil Announces Closing of C$10.64 Million Brokered Private Placement Led by Israeli Institutional Investor Clal Insurance
VANCOUVER, BC and KIBBUTZ YIFAT, Israel, May 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Beyond Oil Ltd. (CSE: BOIL) (OTCQB: BEOLF) (Frankfurt: UH9) (" Beyond Oil" or the " Company"), a food-tech innovation company dedicated to reducing health risks associated with fried food while lowering operational costs, minimizing waste, and enhancing sustainability, is pleased to announce the successful closing of its previously announced brokered private placement for gross proceeds of C$10,641,615.60 (the " Offering"). The Offering, first announced on March 12, 2025, was led by Clal Insurance Company Ltd., a subsidiary of Clal Insurance Enterprises Holdings Ltd., one of Israel's largest institutional investors, and its subsidiaries (" Clal"), and an Israeli based investment fund. Both Clal and the investment fund are arm's length third parties to the Company. Research Capital Corporation (the ' Agent ' or ' Research Capital ') acted as sole agent and sole bookrunner for the Offering. "The successful completion of this strategic investment represents an important moment for Beyond Oil," said Jonathan Or, CEO of Beyond Oil. "Securing the backing of a major institutional investor like Clal not only validates our technology and business model but also provides us with further capital needed to accelerate our global expansion initiatives. This investment comes at a pivotal time as we continue to gain traction with major food service companies and distributors worldwide." Pursuant to the Offering, the Company issued a total of 3,042,200 units units (' Units ') at a price of C$3.498 per unit (the ' Issue Price '). Each Unit consists of: One common share in the capital of Beyond Oil (' Common Shares '); One-half of a Series A Warrant, where each whole warrant entitles the holder to purchase one additional Common Share at CAD$6.00 per share until March 12, 2027; and One-half of a Series B Warrant, where each whole warrant entitles the holder to purchase one additional Common Share at CAD$7.75 per share until March 12, 2028. The net proceeds of the Offering will be used to expand and support the distribution of the Company's products as disclosed in the Company's recent press releases. In connection with the Offering, Beyond Oil has paid aggregate cash compensation of C$224,641.56. All securities issued pursuant to the Offering are subject to a statutory hold period of four months plus one day from the date of issuance, in accordance with applicable securities legislation. Furthermore, as part of the Offering, the Company has undertaken with Clal that until May 21, 2028, provided that Clal owns at least 4.5% of the Company's issued and outstanding Common Shares, the Company will not issue any Common Shares at a price that is lower than the Issue Price. As previously announced, as part of the investment agreement, Beyond Oil has committed to using its best efforts to complete an uplisting to a senior exchange in Canada or the United States within the next six months. About Beyond Oil Ltd. Beyond Oil Ltd. is a food-tech innovation company with over 15 years of dedication to creating solutions that mitigate health risks, improve sustainability, and reduce costs for food service companies. The Company's patented technology, with regulatory clearances from the FDA and Health Canada, significantly reduces harmful compounds in frying oil, addressing critical health concerns. Beyond Oil's solution tackles a global issue in the food industry: the widespread practice of reusing frying oil for hundreds of cycles across several days. This practice is common in restaurant kitchens, hotels, catering services, banquet halls, fried food manufacturing plants, and institutions such as schools, kindergartens, and military facilities. Beyond Oil's product is backed by extensive research which has highlighted its value in health risks associated with reused oil, including links to cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Beyond Oil's product provides an effective means to mitigate these risks while offering additional benefits such as improved food quality, operational cost savings, and reduced environmental impact. For more information about Beyond Oil, please visit: About Clal Insurance Company Clal is a wholly owned subsidiary of Clal Insurance Enterprises Holdings Ltd., one of Israel's largest financial institutions and a leading non-banking institutional investor. Clal manages over NIS 361 billion in assets across insurance, pensions, provident funds, and investment portfolios. Publicly traded on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange (TASE), Clal Insurance Enterprises Holdings Ltd., provides a broad range of financial services, including life, health, and general insurance, as well as credit and investment solutions. The company is rated ilAA+ by Ma'alot S&P and Aa1 (IFS) by Midroog. For more information, please visit: Forward Looking Statement and Information The Canadian Securities Exchange has in no way passed upon the merits of the Company and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor the Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This press release contains 'forward-looking statements' within the meaning of the securities laws, including statements regarding the anticipated size and closing date of the Offering and the intended use of proceeds thereof. Words such as 'expects,' 'anticipates,' 'intends,' 'plans,' 'believes,' 'seeks,' 'estimates' and similar expressions or variations of such words are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not historical facts, and are based upon management's current expectations, beliefs and projections, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain. Such expectations, beliefs and projections are expressed in good faith. However, there can be no assurance that management's expectations, beliefs and projections will be achieved, and actual results may differ materially from what is expressed in or indicated by the forward-looking statements. In addition, we cannot assure that any patent will be issued as a result of a pending patent application or, if issued, whether it will be issued in a form that will be advantageous to us. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual performance or results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. For a more detailed description of the risks and uncertainties affecting the Company, reference is made to the Company's reports filed from time to time at Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date the statements are made. The Company assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, subsequent events or circumstances, changes in assumptions or changes in other factors affecting forward-looking information except to the extent required by applicable securities laws. If the Company does update one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be drawn that the Company will make additional updates with respect thereto or with respect to other forward-looking statements. References and links to websites have been provided as a convenience, and the information contained on such websites is not incorporated by reference into this press release. The Company is not responsible for the contents of third-party websites.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Deliverect Kiosk Arrives in UK: The Cloud-Based Lifeline for Restaurants Facing Ongoing Operational Pressures
New plug-and-play solution streamlines restaurant operations, boosts order value, and elevates in-store guest experience LONDON, May 21, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Deliverect, a leading global food tech SaaS company, today announced the UK launch of Deliverect Kiosk, a fully integrated self-service solution designed to streamline in-store operations and elevate the customer experience. This launch, building on Deliverect's acquisition of European kiosk innovator Tabesto in late 2024, marks a strategic expansion of Deliverect's omnichannel capabilities in the UK market, helping restaurants meet growing demand for efficient, tech-enabled service. At peak times, restaurants saw queues disappear and ticket sizes soar 32%, within a few weeks of installing Deliverect Kiosk. Further, early customers noted a 17% reduction in average order time, while 50% of kiosk orders included an upsell and 38% contained at least one paid add-on, a powerful combination that lifts revenue while reducing operational pressure. With Deliverect Kiosk, restaurants gain more than just a self-service screen, they unlock a cloud-based, fully integrated ordering experience designed to drive conversion and scale with ease. Operating entirely in the cloud, the Kiosk ensures that menus are centrally managed and updated in real time across all locations, with built-in upselling and smart bundling to grow ticket sizes, no staff involvement required. Whether counter-service, QSR, or dine-in, the Kiosk offers flexible hardware options, floor-standing, wall-mounted, or countertop to suit any restaurant layout. It supports multilingual ordering, localised promotions, and loyalty integrations to engage customers across diverse markets. Real-time stock synchronisation with your POS ensures diners only see what's available; creating a smoother, more satisfying guest experience from first tap to order fulfilment. "The timing of this launch couldn't be more relevant," said Joe Heather, Regional General Manager at Deliverect. "With the recent increases to the National Minimum Wage and National Insurance contributions coming into effect in April, operators are feeling the squeeze. Deliverect Kiosk gives restaurants a practical way to manage rising labour costs, streamlining front-of-house operations, speeding up service, and allowing staff to focus on more valuable, customer-facing tasks." The launch comes at a critical time as UK operators face mounting pressure from labour shortages, operational bottlenecks during peak hours, and rising consumer demand for fast, tech-powered experiences. With built-in upselling, real-time menu sync, and full integrations with POS, KDS, and delivery aggregators, Deliverect Kiosk puts operators in control, offering centralised configuration, smart product availability sync, loyalty integrations, and access to real-time transaction dashboards, offering greater flexibility for restaurants. It's a unified solution that optimises performance both on- and off-premise, while simplifying day-to-day management for restaurant teams. Key Benefits of Deliverect Kiosk: Faster service: Self-ordering reduces queue times and improves order throughput. Higher order value: AI-powered upsell prompts and event-based promotions encourage add-ons and upgrades. Rapid deployment with plug-and-play hardware: Powered by Fox Kiosk, the most operator-friendly, modular solution on the market. Deliverect Kiosk features an all-in-one design with built-in NFC (Near Field Communication) for secure contactless payments (via Deliverect Pay) and printer-free QR code digital receipts. Its sleek 22" touchscreen is available in wall, counter, or floor-mounted formats, enabling flexible installation with minimal setup. Restaurants can go live in under four weeks with minimal IT involvement—ideal for fast-paced, high-volume environments. Full ecosystem integrations: Syncs with Deliverect's full platform, including delivery channels, POS, and CRM tools. The Kiosk will be offered as part of a bundled product suite with Deliverect Restaurants, ensuring operators benefit from an end-to-end, fully integrated system that connects in-store and digital ordering workflows. Deliverect Kiosk is already available to restaurants across Germany, Spain, Italy, Switzerland, and Belgium. It is live across the UK starting in May, with further international expansion planned later in 2025. For more information about Deliverect Kiosk, visit ABOUT DELIVERECT Deliverect is a global ecosystem of on and off-premise solutions for digital sales. Its API-first software helps enterprises of all sizes to sell anywhere and deliver everywhere across 52+ global markets. Currently, Deliverect powers 60,000+ establishments, including renowned chains like Taco Bell, Burger King UK, Little Caesars, and Pret A Manger. To find out more information, visit View source version on Contacts Media Contact: Olivia Civiletto Erwindeliverect@
