Chick-fil-A is the latest large food chain to experiment with robotic delivery as a solution to meet demand despite capacity constraints.
Refraction, a self-driving vehicle delivery business, stated that it is testing self-driving vehicle delivery at two of the chicken sandwich QSR chain’s outlets in downtown Austin, Texas.
“Autonomous delivery using Refraction’s robots creates an exciting new opportunity to extend the Chick-fil-A experience to a growing number of delivery guests,” Luke Steigmeyer, owner and operator of Chick-fil-A 6th & Congress, the franchised location running the initial test, said in a statement. “The platform will allow us to provide fast, high quality, and cost-effective meal delivery within a mile radius of our restaurant all while helping to keep the community we serve environmentally clean and safe.”
Major businesses ranging from Chili’s to Uber Eats have announced robotic delivery trials in recent months, using systems such as sidewalk rovers, self-driving cars, and drones. These initiatives are being launched as the ongoing demand for restaurant delivery collides with growing pricing and a challenging labor market for delivery drivers, resulting in higher costs. In reality, many eateries are unable to handle the demand for delivery.
