RoboBurger on 'Shark Tank': What is the cost and how to buy vending machines that serve fresh burger in 4 minutes
NEWARK, NEW JERSEY: In 'Shark Tank' Season 15, episode 21, Dan Braido, Audley Wilson, and Andy Siegel aim to captivate the Sharks with RoboBurger, the world's first robotic hamburger vending machine. RoboBurger was founded in the center of New Jersey.
Thanks to the collaborative efforts of data scientist Audley, PhD candidate Dan from Rutgers, and serial entrepreneur Andy, a groundbreaking idea in fast food emerged. These three innovators have revolutionized the way we enjoy hamburgers, a beloved staple of the nation's cuisine.
Any time of day or night, RoboBurger stands as a "restaurant in miniature," capable of preparing and serving a fresh burger in approximately 4 minutes. Enormous as a vending machine, it has every appliance found in a conventional kitchen, such as a refrigerator, griddle, dishwasher, and robo-chef.
What is RoboBurger on 'Shark Tank' Season 15?
The RoboBurger is more than just a vending machine; it's a tiny, AI-powered kitchen that fits all the restaurant's culinary operations into only 12 square feet. Powered by a standard electrical socket, it features a refrigerator, an automatic griddle, and an integrated cleaning system.
The delightful delicacy is delivered by the robo-chef that expertly handles every step from grilling the beef and toasting the bun to dispensing condiments and assembling the burger with precision. Angus beef patties, potato rolls, aged cheddar cheese sauce, and Heinz sauces are the ingredients used to make each burger.
The robot chef uses a five-step cooking process similar to what is used in quick-service restaurants, and for a reasonable $6.99, it can produce a freshly grilled burger in around six minutes.
RoboBurger has received the gold food standard clearance under NSF/ANSI 25 from the National Sanitary Foundation because of its dedication to quality and safety.
The CEO and co-founder, Audley, reflects on the journey, reminiscing, "RoboBurger started as a dream in my garage 17 years ago. Today, it's a reality that offers everyone the chance to enjoy freshly grilled, delicious burgers in a safe, contactless manner."
Under the direction of CEO and Partner Audley, CTO and Partner Dan, and CMO and Partner Andy, RoboBurger was established in 2019 and has its headquarters in Newark, New Jersey. The company is classified as a minority-owned business (MBE).
RoboBurger aims to reinvent the fast-food experience through innovation, convenience, and high quality as it spreads to more and more sites throughout the country.
Who are the founders of RoboBurger on 'Shark Tank' Season 15?
Joined by a common goal, Audley, Dan, and Andy set out to develop a system that would allow them to order a freshly cooked hamburger at any time of day with only a push of a button. The world's first completely autonomous robotic burger chef, RoboBurger, made its premiere with a magnificent ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Newport Centre in Jersey City, NJ, realizing their shared ambition.
The Master of Marketing with a Touch of Hospitality With over a billion dollars in sales under his belt, Andy possesses unparalleled expertise in direct marketing. His business acumen extends into the hospitality industry, having successfully operated three restaurants in Jersey City. Andy's comprehensive understanding of food and beverage operations has played a pivotal role in steering RoboBurger toward success.
The robot enthusiast, Dan, has always had a passion for automation and robots. The robotics team at his high school won the US FIRST Robots competition thanks to his guidance.
Dan pursued his interest and graduated from Rutgers University with a PhD in Chemical and Biochemical Engineering and advanced degrees in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. His educational background and real-world experiences have been crucial to making the RoboBurger concept a reality.
The entrepreneurial force driving RoboBurger, Audley's journey from Jamaica to the forefront of food technology showcases his unwavering spirit and tenacity. His journey began with a scholarship to Carnegie Mellon University, where his creative prowess sparked the inception of RoboBurger.
During his undergraduate years, Audley owned his restaurant and dreamed of a time when food preparation might be done entirely by machine. In the tiny space of his Queens garage, the first RoboBurger prototypes were created, sparking the start of a gastronomic revolution.
What is the cost and how to buy RoboBurger from 'Shark Tank' Season 15?
Instead of making money from the sale of hamburgers, RoboBurger makes money from the sale or lease of the equipment. On their website, they state that "you can own a RoboBurger plug-in, ventless unit for only $67/day and $0 down," but they don't provide exact prices.
The devices are covered by a one-year guarantee, and inventory tracking and cloud-based monitoring are available for an additional cost. They provide online training as well as manuals for unpacking, installing, and setting up.
Geza Gulas, Director of Operations, RDG Hospitality spoke about his experience using RoboBurger, "We had the good fortune to a Roboburger machine installed at our bar in Jersey City, NJ. It turned out to be a huge success and a big help during the days and hours of limited service! It’s easy on both the staff and the customer, and the burger is delicious, char-grilled, like a backyard BBQ burger."
He further added, "What I personally loved the most as a business owner, is that it allowed us to close the kitchen with just one shift, and we could still serve burgers until 3 am every night."
Where is RoboBurger from 'Shark Tank' Season 15 now?
The creators want RoboBurger to be available in every establishment—office buildings, hospitals, airports, dorms, and more. Their ambition is to cater to anyone craving a burger at any hour, anywhere. $10 million has already been raised by the business.
The list of sites for the two RoboBurger machines that are now in use is expanding.
Who will steal the deal?
While we're optimistic that the Sharks will relish their burgers, vending businesses haven't always had the best track record in the Tank. Given Lori Greiner's dietary preferences, abstaining from meat, she's likely to opt-out.
Despite being a vegetarian, Mark Cuban continues to invest in companies that sell meat, so he might still make an offer. As for Michael Rubin, it's uncertain what his stance will be. Barbara Corcoran and Kevin O'Leary might choose not to extend an offer.
There are too many moving components in this type of firm, and we're not just talking about the equipment. You have to find locations for them, keep them stocked and tidy, service them, etc.
The fact that they have already raised $10 million and most likely aren't profitable yet presents another problem for the Tank. Historically, 'Shark Tank' deals have not gone to vending businesses. We believe that this company will not be an exception.
'Shark Tank' Season 15, Episode 21, airs on ABC on Friday, April 19, at 8 pm ET. Catch the latest episode featuring products like RoboBurger, Hood, HYPD, and K3.
For those who miss the episode, it will be available on demand the following day and on Hulu. Additionally, viewers can explore past seasons and episodes on Amazon Prime Video and iTunes.