Donatos Pizza to open fully autonomous restaurant at John Glenn Columbus International Airport

USA – Donatos Pizza is set to open its first fully autonomous restaurant at John Glenn Columbus International Airport in June 2025, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of quick-service dining.

The new location, developed in partnership with Donatos’ sister company Agápe Automation and robotics firm Appetronix, will be operated by HMSHost and situated pre-security in front of Concourse B.

This 24/7 robot-operated kitchen will serve made-to-order pizzas for travelers, utilizing advanced robotics and AI-powered technology to automate the entire pizza-making process.

Customers will have the opportunity to watch robotic arms prepare their pizzas in real time, creating an engaging and futuristic dining experience.

The system is engineered for both speed and consistency, with the capability to produce 10-inch pizzas in approximately five minutes, an ideal solution for the fast-paced airport environment.

Kevin King, President and CEO of Donatos Pizza, indicated that the company was embracing innovation by launching a fully autonomous restaurant, rather than simply adding technology to an existing location.

He emphasized that, despite the technological leap, Donatos would continue to prioritize great-tasting, abundantly topped pizzas and maintain the high standard of customer experience for which the brand is known.

King also noted that the vending machine-style concept was expected to be particularly successful in the airport setting, where travelers are often focused on catching their flights and require quick, convenient meal options.

The partnership with Appetronix and Agápe Automation is the result of ongoing efforts to automate pizza preparation and vending, with the airport location representing the first fully automated Donatos site to open as a result of these initiatives.

The technology is anticipated to set a new benchmark for consistency, speed, and customer satisfaction within the quick-service restaurant (QSR) sector.

Airport officials and HMSHost leadership have expressed support for the innovation, noting that the autonomous kitchen would enhance the passenger experience by providing a quick, high-quality meal option around the clock.

Donatos’ fully autonomous restaurant is not only a technological showcase but also a scalable solution with the potential to transform food service in airports, hospitals, college campuses, and other locations where traditional kitchens may not be feasible.

This move is part of Donatos’ broader strategy to embrace innovation and deliver its signature Edge to Edge® pizzas wherever customers are on the go.

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