Robots in Restaurants: 10 Real-World Examples for 2026

Restaurant robots are becoming more common, but they’re not replacing hospitality. Many restaurants are using them to support specific tasks like prepping ingredients, delivering orders, and cleaning floors.

The bigger shift is that restaurants are using technology to understand where work gets repetitive, where service slows down, and where teams need more support. Tools like Toast IQ, Toast’s AI-powered assistant, can help operators use restaurant data to surface insights, answer business questions, update menu items, and take action from one connected platform.

Those insights can help restaurants think more clearly about where physical robots might actually help. If data shows bottlenecks in prep, delivery, kitchen throughput, or front-of-house support, automation may be worth exploring.

In this guide, you’ll learn about 10 types of restaurant robots, how they work, and where they can fit into restaurant operations.

Key takeaways

• Restaurant robots are usually designed to support staff by automating repetitive, time-consuming, or physically demanding tasks.

• Common restaurant robots include food runners, fry station robots, prep robots, delivery robots, cleaning robots, and drink-making robots.

• Real-world restaurant automation often works best when tasks are repeatable, high-volume, and easy to standardize.

• Robots still require human oversight, staff training, maintenance, and careful workflow planning.

• As automation grows, connected restaurant technology can help operators turn data into better decisions.

10 real examples of robots in restaurants

1. Food runner robots

Food runner robots help move food from the kitchen to the dining room. Staff typically load the robot with dishes, enter the table number, and let the robot carry food across the restaurant.

For example, Axios reported that two Plaza Azteca locations in Richmond used BellaBot robot servers. Staff loaded plates onto the robot and entered the table number before the robot delivered food to guests.

2. Fry station robots

Fry station robots automate repetitive frying tasks, such as lowering baskets, monitoring cook times, and helping manage fried items during busy shifts.

Restaurant Dive reported that Miso Robotics developed a smaller, faster version of its Flippy robotic fry station, which White Castle was testing. The article described the new version as about half the size of previous iterations.  

3. Automated bowl and salad makelines

Automated makelines help assemble bowls, salads, and similar menu items by dispensing ingredients through a machine-supported system. These tools are especially relevant for restaurants with high digital order volume and standardized menu builds.

For example, Sweetgreen’s Infinite Kitchen system doesn’t do prep work or add finishing touches, but it can dispense ingredients into a bowl at a rate of 500 bowls per hour. Employees still handle tasks like prep and finishing, while the automated makeline helps speed up assembly and gives team members more room to focus on hospitality.

4. Ingredient prep robots

Ingredient prep robots focus on specific prep tasks before service. Instead of cooking a full dish, they help with one repetitive job, such as processing avocados, slicing ingredients, or preparing components for a high-volume menu item.

Chipotle’s Autocado is a good example. The robot is designed to cut, core, and peel avocados before employees hand-mash them for guacamole.

5. Pizza-making robots

Pizza-making robots can help automate steps like adding sauce, placing toppings, baking, cutting, and serving pizzas. Because pizza production often follows repeatable steps, it can be a strong fit for robotics.

El País reported on Pazzi, a robotic pizzeria in Madrid where robots prepare and serve pizzas, while human staff handle areas like customer service, marketing, and ingredient replenishment.  

6. Robotic slicers

Robotic slicers automate repetitive slicing tasks, especially for foods prepared on vertical spits, rotisseries, or other high-volume equipment.

The Guardian reported that German Doner Kebab has used robotic kebab slicers as part of a broader technology push, alongside tools like self-service screens and smart kitchens. The chain has used automation to improve productivity and respond to rising operating costs.  

7. Drink-making robots

Drink-making robots prepare beverages such as cocktails, coffee drinks, or specialty drinks. They can measure ingredients, mix drinks, and repeat recipes consistently.

According to WIRED, Makr Shakr is a robotic cocktail system developed from MIT Senseable City Lab work and installed on Royal Caribbean cruise ships. The system uses robotic arms to reproduce bartender motions and mix drinks with precise measurements.  

8. Delivery robots

Delivery robots transport food over short distances, often across campuses, sidewalks, or controlled delivery zones. Guests order through an app, and the robot travels to the delivery location.

AP reported that Starship had more than 1,000 robots in its fleet in 2021 and was delivering food on 20 U.S. campuses, with more campuses planned. The company was also operating in cities including Milton Keynes, England; Modesto, California; and Tallinn, Estonia. 

9. Cleaning robots

Cleaning robots can mop, scrub, vacuum, or clean floors in restaurants, dining halls, cafeterias, and other foodservice environments. They are often used for repetitive floor-cleaning tasks that can be scheduled during slower periods or overnight.

Aramark announced a partnership with Pringle Robotics to deploy autonomous floor-cleaning robots across its businesses. The company described the partnership as a way to bring autonomous cleaning robots into facilities operations.

10. Table bussing and support robots

Some restaurant robots help with front-of-house support tasks like running food, moving dishes, or carrying items across the dining room. These robots are often positioned as assistants that reduce walking and carrying for staff.

Restaurant Dive reported that Brinker paused its test of Bear Robotics server robots at Chili’s after expanding the partnership earlier in 2022. The pause is a useful reminder that robot tests do not always become full rollouts, even when large brands are willing to experiment.

Great service still has a pulse

Restaurant robots can be useful when they solve a clear operational problem, whether that means reducing repetitive prep work, supporting food runners, or helping teams keep up during busy shifts.

But the bigger opportunity is knowing where technology can make the biggest difference. That starts with real-time data, clear insights, and a better understanding of where your restaurant is losing time or creating extra work for staff.

That’s where tools like Toast IQ Grow can help. Instead of adding more technology for its own sake, you can use AI-powered insights, marketing tools, and human support to identify growth opportunities and make more informed decisions.

As restaurant technology changes, the goal stays the same: choose systems that help your team work smarter and serve guests better.

FAQs

How do robots work in restaurants?

Restaurant robots use automation, sensors, software, and programmed workflows to complete specific tasks. Depending on the robot, they may carry food, cook items, dispense ingredients, clean floors, deliver orders, or support other repeatable restaurant workflows.

What tasks can robots perform in restaurants?

Robots can help with tasks like running food, frying menu items, assembling bowls or salads, prepping ingredients, making drinks, delivering orders, cleaning floors, and supporting table service. Most restaurant robots are designed for specific tasks rather than full-service operations.

Do restaurant robots replace human workers?

Restaurant robots usually support workers rather than replace them completely. They can help reduce repetitive or physically demanding tasks, while employees still handle hospitality, food quality, problem-solving, guest service, and oversight.

Are restaurant robots cost-effective for small operators?

Restaurant robots may be cost-effective for some small operators, but it depends on the task, cost, volume, staffing needs, and how well the robot fits the restaurant’s workflow. Small restaurants should start by identifying the specific problem they want to solve before investing in robotics.