Technology

Donatos to launch pizza vending machine in Columbus, Ohio

July 14, 2023

Donatos Pizza has partnered with Agápe Automation and the Grote Company to launch a fully autonomous pizza vending machine in Columbus, Ohio, according to a press release.

The machine, developed for Donatos by Appetronix, leverages robotics and data science technologies for an efficient dining experience, from placing an order to receiving a pizza.

"We are thrilled to be working with Appetronix to deliver an intuitive, automated system to create our pizza, accessible to people everywhere. Utilizing technology to provide a better customer experience through improved speed and product consistency has been a focus of mine since the first Donatos restaurant opened," Jim Grote, Donatos Pizza, the Grote Company and Agápe Automation founder, said in the press release.

Agápe Automation and the Grote Company will co-develop the autonomous pizzeria with Appetronix. Agápe Automation, the innovation arm for Donatos Pizza, will focus on new technologies for both fully autonomous stand-alone restaurants as well as small prep-bots for existing restaurant kitchens.

"We are truly honored to partner with the Grote family and contribute to the future of one of the most iconic pizza brands in the United States. The collective experience of our combined teams now has an amazing platform to dramatically transform the restaurant industry and accelerate our collective growth strategy," Nipun Sharma, Co-Founder & CEO of Appetronix Inc., said in the press release. "I would also like to take this opportunity to announce the change of our company name from SJW Robotics to Appetronix (appetite + robotics), as we provide advanced automation, robotics and data science solutions to restaurant brands with a real-estate agnostic solution that tackles labour shortage, environmental sustainability and restaurant profitability — delivering the best quality food and value to consumers."

Donatos Pizza operates 459 locations in 27 states.