A recent social media buzz about an automated restaurant in Hangzhou has led many to believe it’s a brand-new concept. However, footage from 2023 reveals that Hong Kong restaurant groups have been implementing similar technology for over a year, driven by pandemic-era labor challenges.
According to restaurant operators featured in 2023 video footage from SCMP, the industry faced catastrophic workforce losses during the pandemic. “Introducing automated food processing machines not only standardises our quality but also helps attract workers,” executive director Jojo Chan explained.
The automation strategy focused on simplifying kitchen operations to address staffing difficulties. Restaurant owners redesigned their workflows to reduce technical requirements for workers.
“[With automation], we can lower the technical requirements so even inexperienced workerscan join us. We can also improve the comfort of workers and reduce physically demanding workflows,” she said.
Automatic cooking equipment became central to this transformation. “For example, our automated woks mean the chefs don’t need to toss the wok, it simplifies the workflow and the chefs don’t need to work as hard,” Jojo described. This technology reduced physical demands on kitchen staff while maintaining consistent food quality across multiple locations.
The pandemic accelerated digital adoption throughout the dining experience. QR code ordering and mobile payment systems became standard features.
“Many restaurants use QR codes or automated ordering from mobile phones, which helps ease the labour shortage. So our staff can focus on other parts of the job, and it’s more efficient,” the director stated.
Interestingly, the crisis overcame previous resistance to automation. “In the past, there was more resistance to automation. People were more reluctant to learn about it,” she stated. However, labor shortages eliminated objections. Jojo stated, “But the pandemic made everyone accept automation.”
The improvements extended beyond hardware to systematic operational changes. “In fact, we have improved a lot in the system in the past two years,” the manager confirmed, indicating ongoing refinement of automated processes.
What’s being portrayed as advanced innovation in 2024 actually represents technology deployed out of desperation in 2023. These automated restaurants were designed to solve immediate staffing crises.
