In a surprising twist for diners, some of America’s most popular fast-casual chains are turning to robots to handle parts of their meal prep.
Chipotle and Cava are leading the charge, investing heavily in technology as restaurant wages climb and labor costs rise across the country.
How the Robots Work Behind the Scenes
The changes are subtle for customers at first glance.
At the counter, employees still scoop toppings and interact with diners face to face.
But under the counter, Hyphen’s robots glide bowls along a track, stopping under each topping bin to dispense precise portions for online and app orders.
While the robots can’t roll burritos or assemble pita wraps, they can efficiently produce burrito bowls, salads, and grain bowls without human hands.
Why Fast-Food Chains Are Embracing Automation
The move comes amid soaring wages, especially in California, where the fast-food minimum wage has reached $20 an hour.
Nationwide, ten states and nearly 50 cities and counties now have minimum wages above $15 an hour.
Faced with these pressures, restaurant owners are cautious about raising menu prices and are instead looking to cut costs by shrinking payrolls, starting with the biggest expense: labor.
Automation Across the Industry
Chipotle and Cava aren’t alone in experimenting with automation.
Chains like Burger King have expanded digital ordering kiosks to reduce cashier needs, while Wendy’s, IHOP, Sweetgreen, and Yum Brands’ Taco Bell are rolling out AI-driven systems, from voice recognition in drive-thrus to robotic devices like Chipotle’s Autocado, which peels, slices, and pits avocados.
For restaurant bosses, AI and automation are becoming essential tools to protect profit margins while keeping prices steady.
The Human Cost of Automation
For workers and unions who fought for higher wages, this wave of automation can feel like a bitter twist.
In California, some staff at Pizza Hut and Round Table lost their jobs after wage hikes took effect, while others report reduced hours or layoffs.
Critics have long warned that automation could displace the very workers these laws were meant to protect.
Industry Perspective
Cava’s CEO Brett Schulman emphasizes that the new robot system is meant to support employees rather than replace them, especially for online orders, with rollout planned in the next quarter.
Similarly, Chipotle says Hyphen helps prepare bowls and salads while human staff continue to make burritos, tacos, quesadillas, and kids’ meals, keeping the customer experience intact.
What This Means for Diners and Workers
As robots quietly handle some meal prep, the fast-food industry faces a balancing act: maintaining efficiency and affordability while addressing the concerns of workers whose livelihoods are increasingly affected by automation.