Two Chains Roll Out Autonomous Formats

Whether you’re craving potato chips, pizza or sliders, autonomous food options continue to advance.

Today, Aug. 21, both California Pizza Kitchen and White Castle shared news of their latest automated retail formats. Here’s a glimpse:

California Pizza Kitchen Eyes 1,000 Machines

The pizza chain is working with a tech retail brand to “dramatically expand access to CPK through a new generation of automated retail experiences.” Up to 1,000 CPK automated retail machines are set to debut nationwide over the next three years, says the release, with a focus on high-traffic locations where a traditional restaurant may be impractical. Possible sites include airports, universities, hospitals, hotels, office complexes, residential communities, EV charging stations and sports venues.

In addition to CPK pizza (delivered in as little as 90 seconds), the machines will offer menu items including kung pao, bolognese spaghetti, mac and cheese offerings, and butter cake.

This rollout will initially focus on clusters of at least 20 units across 30 major U.S. markets. CPK currently has automated retail machines at airports such as Boston Logan and Atlanta, Dallas Love Field and Dayton, with another 15 set to be activated later this year at several universities.

White Castle, Murphy USA Pair Up

White Castle is coming to select larger-format Murphy USA gas station/convenience stores, delivering hot food in approximately two minutes. The initiative will allow Murphy USA to evaluate how autonomous foodservice can enhance the customer experience within its existing operating model and store footprint, notes the release.

“At White Castle, we’ve spent more than a century finding innovative ways to bring our Crave to customers wherever they are,” says Audra Mazzeo, White Castle vice president of retail sales. “This partnership creates a unique opportunity to meet customers during their everyday routines and deliver the White Castle experience in a way that is convenient, fast, and incredibly tasty.”

White Castle also opened an automated kiosk at Boston Logan Int’l Airport late last year.  Earlier this year, the chain said it would open 1,000 kiosks. The number of kiosks to be operated within Murphy USA stores was not clarified.