Seattle-based Picnic, robotic food assembly firm, has raised US$16.3m (£11.5m) in series A funding, to expand its team and ramp up production of its automated pizza system.
The company said it is working to better understand what is most important for restaurant owners and other kitchens facilities in stadiums, hospitals and colleges.
This latest round of funding was led by venture capital group Thursday Ventures, managing partner Jared Furtado said the company was thrilled to work alongside the Picnic team.
“Picnic is developing technology to solve the challenges faced by every commercial kitchen – labour shortages, quality control, and consumer experience.
“Picnic’s dynamic automation platform will undoubtedly define the future of the food industry.”
In addition to the funding, Picnic also announced new strategic partnerships with various food service industry firms including Orion Land Mark (OLM), Ethan Stowell Restaurants, National Service Cooperative and Baseline Hardware Financing.
The newly announced partnership with OLM, supplier of pizza and pizza components to the convenience store industry in the United States, Middle East, Japan, and Europe, will offer Picnic’s turnkey solution to OLM customers looking to increase pizza production and hygiene standards.
“The Picnic Pizza System enables OLM to increase production while also ensuring high-quality products,” said Keith Kinsey, president of OLM.
“Working with Picnic on an impressive system is an exciting move forward in the growth and development of our manufacturing capabilities and equipment supply options, which opens opportunities for new customers and customer satisfaction.”
