First ‘unmanned drive-thru’ restaurant in US to be introduced in Mississippi
Published 6:06 am Tuesday, June 25, 2024
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According to the website foodondemand.com, the idea for Speedy Eats was born from Bancroft’s frustrating encounter at a fast-food restaurant in 2015, where poor customer service spurred him to devise a tech-driven solution.
Speedy Eats can handle a variety of prepared meals, including salads, wraps, and cold-cut subs, all served in under two minutes using innovative packaging designed for safe microwaving. The system’s pick-up window can hold up to 10 meals at a time, ensuring quick service.
The first Speedy Eats location will be in Natchez, in partnership with a PJ’s Coffee franchise operator who owns prime real estate in the area. Before fully launching, Bancroft plans to conduct extensive software testing to ensure reliability. This innovative approach comes at a time when contactless service is increasingly sought after.
In addition to local operations, Speedy Eats aims to tap into the expanding meal prep industry, which is projected to grow from $17 billion to $25 billion in the next five years. The company is also exploring third-party delivery options and plans to focus on business-to-business marketing over the next six to nine months to secure further commitments.
The Speedy Eats model includes different store sizes, with a 20-foot store featuring 230 shelves and an installation cost of $179,000. The company takes a 7 percent share of sales. Each unit comes equipped with a mobile app, dashboards, cell signal, custom-built shelving, 75 percent fridge and 25 percent freezer space, an awning, AC, and an electric meter.