The hospitality industry is embracing robotics as a solution to the persistent challenges in food and beverage service, including labour shortages and the need for consistent quality. Robots are becoming regular fixtures in hotel bars, kitchens, and dining rooms, transforming the guest experience and streamlining operations. In fact, the global market for food robotics is projected to nearly double, growing from $2.1 billion in 2021 to $4.1 billion by 2026 at an impressive compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.1%. This growth reflects the industry’s increasing reliance on automation to remain competitive and resilient, particularly in the post-pandemic era.
Several factors drive the growth of robotics in the food and beverage industry, each addressing long-standing challenges within the hospitality sector. Labour shortages have become a critical issue, especially in recent years, and many hotels and restaurants are struggling to maintain adequate staffing levels to meet the demands of high guest volumes. Robotics offers a solution to these labour gaps, allowing businesses to implement reliable, consistent technology that supports quality standards and handles repetitive tasks without error. Additionally, robotic bartenders, chefs and waiters provide operational consistency, essential in the hospitality industry, where guests expect a high level of service and quality.
Robotic bartenders have proven to be particularly effective in high-demand settings such as hotel bars, airport lounges, and cruise ships, where speed and consistency are essential. These robots can prepare a cocktail in just 60 to 90 seconds, significantly faster than human bartenders, especially during peak hours. Designed to handle high volumes, some robotic bartenders can serve up to 1,000 drinks in a single day. This capacity allows businesses to serve more guests with reduced wait times, while robotic precision ensures that each cocktail is crafted to the exact recipe, delivering consistent quality with every drink. By taking on repetitive drink orders, robotic bartenders free up human staff to focus on more personalised interactions with guests, blending the efficiency of technology with the warmth of human service.
Similarly, robotic chefs are transforming kitchens, particularly in environments where speed and precision are critical. Robot chefs can handle tasks like grilling and frying, with one robot preparing up to 300 burgers or 60 baskets of fried foods in an hour, allowing fast-food kitchens to meet high guest demand without delay. By reducing cooking times by up to 50%, robotic chefs enable kitchens to serve more guests efficiently while upholding high quality standards. In hotel kitchens, robotic chefs help alleviate the physical strain on human staff, allowing chefs to focus on creative and complex tasks while the robots manage high-volume, repetitive processes with remarkable accuracy.
The SoftBank robotics range of restaurant tray delivery robots work in collaboration with front and back of house teams, like kitchen staff and waiting staff, to improve operational processes and service efficiency/productivity by up to 200%. These collaborative robots help with a wide range of activities, such as delivering food to restaurant tables, assisting with room service and other time consuming tasks. The robots also offer intelligent, reliable and secure data which can help improve restaurant service patterns, and help increase customer service delivery.
Although the initial investment in robotic systems can be significant, these expenses are offset by substantial savings in labour costs. Labour represents a major portion of operating costs in the hospitality industry, sometimes accounting for up to 30% of total expenses. As robotics technology continues to evolve, the cost of these systems is expected to decrease, making them increasingly accessible even for smaller establishments. A 2023 report by Technavio projects that the hospitality and food service industry will increase robotic deployment by 25% annually over the next five years, driven by rising demand for automation and the declining costs of robotic solutions.
The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the adoption of robotic systems as hotels and restaurants seek ways to maintain hygiene, reduce human contact, and address staffing shortages. Robotics has since become an attractive option for enhancing cleanliness and safety, reducing the number of human interactions in food and beverage preparation. By providing contactless service, robots help meet guests’ heightened expectations for hygiene and safety, a priority that continues to shape hospitality standards today. Robots like Whiz autonomous vacuum cleaner can handle vacuuming tasks with ease and precision, so that cleaners can focus on more important cleaning tasks.
Looking forward, the role of robotics in hospitality will only grow. As the cost of these systems continues to decrease and demand for efficient, contactless service rises, robots are becoming an essential part of hotel kitchens, restaurants and bars. Robotics technology is advancing at a rapid pace, and future innovations will likely include even more specialised robots capable of adapting recipes in real time and creating custom experiences based on guest preferences. With the hospitality industry projected to increase robotic deployment by 25% annually, it is clear that robots will be a cornerstone of food and beverage services in the coming years. For hotels, this transformation is more than just an opportunity to cut costs; it’s a chance to reimagine the guest experience, bringing together the reliability of technology with the warmth of personalised service. Robotics is reshaping the future of hospitality, and guests can look forward to a unique combination of efficiency, consistency, and innovation in every meal and drink they enjoy.
To find out more about our tray delivery robots for restaurant service visit our tray delivery page here on our website.