Food delivery provider DoorDash has bought its way into the foodservice equipment market by snapping up Chowbotics, the maker of automated robots.
California-based Chowbotics produces robots that make customizable salads, grain and poke bowls, parfaits, cereals and snacks. They are understood to be in use at around 100 locations, including grocery stores and hospitals.
DoorDash, which is the second largest delivery company in the US, believes the machines could be used to automate some food preparation at restaurants.
It hasn’t disclosed financial details of the transaction, which completed at the end of last year but has only just come to light.
DoorDash co-founder Stanley Tang was quoted as saying: “Bringing Chowbotics’ technology into the DoorDash platform gives us a new opportunity to help merchants expand their current menu offerings and reach new customers in new markets.”
Rick Wilmer, chief executive of Chowbotics, said that the takeover would allow its equipment to reach more customers.
“DoorDash has the unparalleled reach and expertise to help us grow and deploy our technology more broadly, so together, we can make fresh, nutritious food easy for more people.”
