Skip to content
MarketScale
‹ Back to IndustriesFood & Beverage

Around the Table: Automation in Quick-Service Restaurants

In the age of technology, convenience reigns king. In the quick-service restaurant (QSR) industry, where convenience and speed are part of the product, technology is a natural business partner. “Around the Table,” explores how automation has made its way into franchises all over the country, with the full extent of its capabilities still untapped….

This story was produced through MarketScale. See how Food & Beverage teams put it to work with Customer Stories & Case Studies.

Share
Around the Table: Automation in Quick-Service Restaurants

Get featured

Want to get featured in MarketScale Food & Beverage?

Create a free MarketScale workspace and get your company's expertise featured across our Food & Beverage coverage. No credit card, no demo required.

Request an invite

In the age of technology, convenience reigns king. In the quick-service restaurant (QSR) industry, where convenience and speed are part of the product, technology is a natural business partner. “Around the Table,” explores how automation has made its way into franchises all over the country, with the full extent of its capabilities still untapped. Antunes guests Steve Gauger, Senior Vice President of Advanced Development & Automation, and Dan Hartlein, President, speak decisively about automation’s potential to improve quick-service system, customer satisfaction, and profits.

The term “automation,” often brings to mind visions of intricate machines roving around autonomously. But Hartlein and Gauger assure that automation doesn’t have to be that complicated, or wildly futuristic. In fact, Antunes designs automated programs that integrate into a QSR’s already established kitchen space, resulting in little disruption to established processes.

Whatsmore, automating need not be a giant change. In fact, small, granular changes can have major ripple effects in efficiency and profits. From cutting slices of cheese, to fishing out pickle spears, automating these small tasks in the assembly line can produce drastic changes in QSR performance.

As the COVID-19 sits heavy in everyone’s thoughts, Hartlein and Gauger point out the hygienic benefits of automated processes, emphasizing the consumer’s growing habits of ordering-in or delivery. But will automation steal jobs from people? Gauger and Hartlein assure that’s not the case.

With automation still breaking ground in the quick-service industry, the possibilities are endless and processes are ripe for improvement.

For the latest news, videos, and podcasts in the Food & Beverage Industry, be sure to subscribe to our industry publication.

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Twitter – @MarketScale

Facebook – facebook.com/marketscale

LinkedIn – linkedin.com/company/marketscale

Your experts belong here

Every story in MarketScale Food & Beverage starts with a company putting its plant managers, quality leads, and R&D teams on the record. Buyers are already reading this topic. The only question is whose experts they find.

Processors and grocery buyers vet suppliers hard, and your operations people are the ones who can satisfy them.

Get your team featuredSee how it works15 minutes, straight to a calendar.

Follow Food & Beverage Insights

Get new expert content in your inbox.

Food & Beverage: are you visible to AI?

Before they reach out, Food & Beverage buyers ask AI engines which vendors to trust. See how AI describes your company today, and where competitors show up instead.

Free workspace

You just read one Food & Beverage expert. Your company is full of them.

This article was produced through MarketScale. The same platform turns your plant managers, quality leads, and R&D teams into the articles, video, and social content Food & Beverage buyers are searching for. Create a free workspace and see it with your own people. No credit card, no demo required.

NPS +73 · 1,000+ creators · 38+ countries

What you get, free

Your own MarketScale Studio workspace
One video edit a month, on us
AI writing, editing, and publishing tools
In-platform coaching to learn the system

More Food & Beverage Insights

Sweetmore’s Fantasy Baking deal shows food M&A is buying plant capacity

Sweetmore’s Fantasy Baking deal shows food M&A is buying plant capacity

Recent M&A activity in the food industry emphasizes expanding production capabilities by acquiring plant capacity. Companies are focusing on increasing their production lines and sites to enhance fulfillment speed. This trend highlights the importance of scalable operations in the competitive food sector.

  • 01Food industry M&A is prioritizing the acquisition of plant capacity to boost production capabilities.
  • 02Companies are expanding their production lines and sites for faster fulfillment.
  • 03Scaling operations is becoming crucial for competitiveness in the food sector.

Aug 28, 2026

GEA’s new changeover assistant shows food plants where digital is paying off

GEA’s new changeover assistant shows food plants where digital is paying off

GEA’s Changeover Assist aims to reduce changeover waste and downtime in food plants by integrating digital solutions. This tool helps in optimizing operations while working within tight budget constraints. It highlights the importance of digitalizing plant operations with technologies like WMS, monitoring, and MES.

  • 01GEA's Changeover Assist addresses downtime and waste during changeovers.
  • 02The tool supports the use of WMS, monitoring, and edge-to-cloud MES solutions.
  • 03Digital transformation in food plants is critical for optimizing operations under budget constraints.

Aug 28, 2026

Panda Express and SoCalGas are setting a new standard for kitchen changeovers

Panda Express and SoCalGas are setting a new standard for kitchen changeovers

Panda Express and SoCalGas are collaborating on kitchen changeovers, incorporating menu reformulations and equipment testing. This initiative aims to create a disciplined, data-driven approach to improve foodservice operations. The changes also include offering used-oil rebates as part of the strategy.

  • 01Menu reformulations and equipment testing are part of the collaborative kitchen changeovers by Panda Express and SoCalGas.
  • 02A data-driven approach is being used to enhance foodservice operations.
  • 03Used-oil rebates are being offered as part of the changeover strategy.

Aug 27, 2026

Explore More Food & Beverage Insights

Read more expert perspectives from across Food & Beverage.

Browse Food & Beverage Hub

For B2B teams

Your experts could be publishing here

Stories like this one run on content MarketScale captures from real practitioners. See how your team's expertise becomes coverage in Food & Beverage and beyond.

Book a 15-minute demo

Or call us. No forms required. We pick up. 214-945-2512