1851

Technology continues to impress year after year, and with the recent labor shortages perpetuated by COVID-19 and its host of side effects, it’s no surprise that there are robots entering the vacant quick-service kitchens across the nation.&nbsp;The “Great Resignation” brought about by the pandemic affected labor in sectors far beyond food service, ranging from retail to manufacturing, healthcare and technology. However, for the fast-food industry, COVID-19 isn’t the only factor at play in this industry’s woes in maintaining reliable staff. The quick-service industry has frequently reported high turnover due to work that can be dirty, dangerous and grueling, with long hours of repetition often the norm.&nbsp;In 2020, the turnover rate in food service <a href="https://www.qsrmagazine.com/outside-insights/technology-can-flip-script-fast-food-labor-shortages?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=more-robots-enter-fast-food-kitchens-to-aid-labor-shortages-2717148" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">reached 130.7%, compared to a still-high 78.9%</a> percent in 2019, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.&nbsp;&nbsp;The National Restaurant Association cited that restaurant-industry sales reached <a href="https://www.qsrmagazine.com/outside-insights/technology-can-flip-script-fast-food-labor-shortages?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=more-robots-enter-fast-food-kitchens-to-aid-labor-shortages-2717148" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">$659 billion in 2020, which were $240 billion less than expected.</a> They also reported 12.5 million restaurant-industry employees at the end of 2020, <a href="https://restaurant.org/research/restaurant-statistics/restaurant-industry-facts-at-a-glance?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=more-robots-enter-fast-food-kitchens-to-aid-labor-shortages-2717148" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">3.1 million workers fewer than expected</a>.High turnover rate seems characteristic for fast-food chains, with or without the pandemic. That’s where an innovative, technological “flipping-point” comes in and changes the game for several of these chains — with Flippy, the robotic kitchen assistant pulling shifts at <a href="https://www.whitecastle.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=more-robots-enter-fast-food-kitchens-to-aid-labor-shortages-2717148" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">White Castle,</a> already acting as a prime example.&nbsp;Franchise owners are in for a treat, because these “kitchen assistants,” or robots, are glad to do tedious work and don’t mind a few oil spatters. Also, with the addition of the robot, other human employees are freed up to do more high-level tasks, such as customer interfacing.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;For example, at White Castle, Flippy cooks stacks of sliders and fries. This little robot is also loaded with computer vision, thermal cameras and processors that connect it to the cloud. Flippy can identify objects, monitor cook times and track incoming burger and fry orders while switching between cooking tools. Robots also learn over time, so Flippy will be cooking many more fast-food favorites soon.The CEO of Miso Robotics, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikebellsoftwareceo/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=more-robots-enter-fast-food-kitchens-to-aid-labor-shortages-2717148" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Mike Bell,</a> spoke with <a href="https://www.qsrmagazine.com/outside-insights/technology-can-flip-script-fast-food-labor-shortages?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=more-robots-enter-fast-food-kitchens-to-aid-labor-shortages-2717148" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">QSR Magazine</a> on why intelligence, machine learning and robotics for quick service has been decades in the making — and why it’s a great thing.&nbsp;“Robots in the kitchen are actually good for the workforce,” said Bell. “As we’ve seen in automotive production and more recently, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/09/technology/codex-artificial-intelligence-coding.html?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=more-robots-enter-fast-food-kitchens-to-aid-labor-shortages-2717148" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">computer programming</a>, these technologies, in fact, increase worker safety and boost human productivity when done right. In fact, the team at White Castle really likes working alongside Flippy — so much so that they rank Flippy and vote it for recognition the same way they do their human colleagues.”People prioritize convenience, and the more that can be automated, the better. As people continue to order ahead and pick up on their own or have their orders delivered, the key is to keep the food moving at quick speeds through these fast-food chains. With a labor shortage that is innate in the quick-service industry, pandemic or not, a move in the right direction might be to bring Flippy on board.&nbsp;

More Robots Enter Fast-Food Kitchens To Aid Labor Shortages

1851 Franchise

With inherent labor shortages in the quick-service industry, bringing more robotic help into the kitchen could improve efficiency and human productivity. 

more-robots-enter-fast-food-kitchens-to-aid-labor-shortages

Fresh Coat

Photo of Fresh Coat vehicle with ladders on top

The Rise of Home Improvement Franchises: Why Now Is the Time to Invest

why-invest-home-improvement-franchise-fresh-coat

HomeTeam Inspection Service

Photo of HomeTeam inspector in red polo and khaki pants, walking by branded vehicle

Real Estate Today: Behind the Drywall: The Truth About Home Inspections

purpose-of-home-inspection

Dog Training Elite

Dog Training Elite Franchise - DTE - National Service Dog Month - 1851 Franchise

Celebrating Service Dogs: Why Proper Training Changes Lives — And How Dog Training Elite Is Leading the Way

dog-training-elite-national-service-dog-month

Senior Care Authority

How This Senior Care Authority Franchisee Turned Love for His Grandparents Into a Lifelong Calling

how-this-senior-care-authority-franchisee-turned-love-for-his-grandparents-into-a-lifelong-calling

Hometown News: Like Father, Like Son — Family-Run Inspection Business Blends Generations of Expertise and a Keen Eye for Detail

father-son-home-inspection-franchise-florida

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Development Website Builder

Franchise Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

Design with American and Federal Reserve flags against light blue background

Federal Reserve Expected To Cut Rates by Quarter Point, a Move That Could Boost Franchise Growth

fed-rate-cut-boosts-franchise-growth

Potbelly to be Acquired by RaceTrac in $566 Million Deal 

racetrac-acquires-potbelly-in-566-million-deal

Health Care Hiring Slowdown Highlights In-Home Care Franchise Opportunities - 1851 Franchise Agg

Health Care Hiring Slowdown Highlights In-Home Care Franchise Opportunities 

health-care-hiring-slowdown-in-home-care-franchise-opportunities

Caribou Coffee Names Scott Kennedy CEO, Eyes Continued Growth

caribou-coffee-names-scott-kennedy-ceo-eyes-continued-growth

McDonald’s Launches New Extra Value Meals as Consumer Demand for Value Continues to Climb

mcdonalds-launches-extra-value-meals

Technomic Releases Annual Ranking of the Top 15 Fast-Food Chains in the U.S.

technomic-releases-annual-ranking-of-the-top-15-fast-food-chains-in-the-us

AI Is Reshaping Franchising: $100 Billion Valuations and Hyper-Localized Advertising

ai-is-reshaping-franchising-100-billion-valuations-and-hyper-localized-advertising

Hely and Hiral Patel Bring Their Longtime Dream to Life With The Brass Tap

brass-tap-franchise-pasadena-maryland-hely-hiral-patel

1851 Keyword - The Secret To Succeeding With a Part-Time Franchise Is Picking the Right Model

The Secret To Succeeding With a Part-Time Franchise Is Picking the Right Model

part-time-franchises-picking-the-right-model

DevHub - Meet the Supplier - 1851 Franchise

DevHub: Scalable Digital Marketing for Franchises and Multi-Location Brands

devhub-meet-the-supplier

Franchisee spotlight graphic with photo of Ricki Oberoi and Layne's Chicken Fingers logo

Multi-Unit Wendy’s Operator Signs 12-Unit Deal With Layne’s Chicken Fingers

ricki-oberoi-laynes-chicken-fingers-growth

Design with school-aged child standing on pencil with text "Education Franchises" and "<$500K"

Top Education Franchises Under $500K To Explore in 2025

top-education-franchises-under-500k

1851 Franchise Deep Dive graphic with Sparkle Squad logo

Sparkle Squad Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

franchise-deep-dive-sparkle-squad-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data

More Robots Enter Fast-Food Kitchens To Aid Labor Shortages

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS