Cali Group, a holding company that owns QSR chain CaliBurger, Miso Robotics, creator of the AI-powered robotic fry station Flippy and PopID, a technology company simplifying ordering and payments using biometrics, announced that they are opening CaliExpress by Flippy, the first fully autonomous restaurant.
The location is set to open this month by reservation only with a grand opening to follow.
At the restaurant, customers will be able to check in with their PopID accounts on self-ordering kiosks and then watch AI-powered robots cook their food at the grill and fry stations.
According to a company press release, the restaurant will only offer burgers, cheeseburgers and french fries.
"To our knowledge, this is the world's first operating restaurant where both ordering and every single cooking process are fully automated," said John Miller, CEO of PopID and board member of Miso Robotics. "The marriage of these various technologies to create the most autonomous restaurant in the world is the culmination of years of research, development and investment in a family of revolutionary companies."
"AI-powered, robotic order-taking and cooking enables the major chains that feed America to substantially improve quality, consistency and speed," said Rich Hull, CEO of Miso Robotics. "Miso is proud to partner with Cali Group and PopID to make CaliExpress by Flippy a reality. Flippy has been an incredible success story, and now everyone in Southern California can come take a look—and a taste—for themselves."
The companies noted that automating the ordering, grilling and fry stations results in a safer workplace for employees, stating, “At the fry station, Flippy represents revolutionary breakthroughs in safety as slippage and burns can be nearly eliminated, as well as in waste reduction in both food and oil.”
Ensure the safety of your foodservice workers and your customers by learning about food safety, cleanliness and proper sanitation methods. Chek out this NACS module which focuses on creating a safe environment for food, proper training of employees and the use of training aids, tools and charts to help managers ensure a clean and sanitary convenience foodservice operation.