PHILADELPHIA, PA — Aramark (NYSE: ARMK) has announced a strategic investment in RoboEatz’s Autonomous Robotic Kitchen (ARK), partnering with ABB Robotics and WellSpan Health to deliver high-quality, customizable meals around the clock for hospital staff, patients, and visitors.
The initiative addresses a long-standing challenge in healthcare dining — limited food options available overnight for clinicians and support staff working late shifts. The autonomous kitchen is designed to provide fresh, nutritious meals 24/7 with minimal staffing requirements.
“We are impressed with the performance of this technology in our pilot testing and excited to begin offering it to our hospital partners,” said Bart Kaericher, President and CEO of Aramark Healthcare+. “ARK is intended to complement our current workforce by streamlining operations and boosting efficiency and access, particularly for hospital staff during late night hours.”
Operating within a compact 400-square-foot footprint, the ARK system uses a robotic arm to retrieve ingredients from storage bins and prepare up to four personalized, bowl-based meals simultaneously. With a menu of up to 80 fresh ingredients, users can order through a mobile app or kiosk at any time. The system also manages food storage, preparation, cleaning, and plating, while notifying staff via mobile alerts when supplies need replenishment.
Integrating directly with Aramark’s point-of-sale, menu management, and supply chain systems, ARK ensures consistent quality and adherence to nutritional standards. The company’s pilot deployment at a major hospital provided key operational insights, including efficiency metrics, space optimization, and staff feedback.
The technology forms part of Aramark’s broader Hospitality IQ™ platform—an enterprise-wide digital ecosystem leveraging intelligent technologies to optimize service delivery and operational decision-making.
“Our investment in this autonomous kitchen technology reflects Aramark’s commitment to innovation that directly supports frontline healthcare workers,” Kaericher said. “By combining robotics with our operational excellence, we’re delivering a scalable solution to meet the needs of those who work around the clock to care for others.”
Aramark’s adoption of robotic food service marks a significant advancement in healthcare dining, promising greater flexibility, consistency, and convenience for medical professionals in high-demand environments.
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