Appetronix Closes $10M+ in Total Seed Funding to Scale Robotic Kitchens Across Non-Commercial Foodservice Markets Led by AlleyCorp and the Grote Family Fueling Fast Expansion of Automated Food Concepts
Appetronix (MDB) raised over $10 million in total seed funding, including an additional $6 million seed-plus round led by Jim Grote, the Grote family, and AlleyCorp on November 6, 2025. The capital will fund rapid deployment of robotic kitchen concepts across non-commercial foodservice venues such as airports, hospitals, entertainment venues, universities, and office towers.
Appetronix is already in-market via a partnership with Donatos (460+ locations) and launched its first automated Donatos kitchen in June 2025 at John Glenn Columbus International Airport; the company plans multi-cuisine, modular rollouts to scale operations and address labor and consistency challenges.
Appetronix (MDB) ha raccolto oltre 10 milioni di dollari in finanziamenti seed totali, inclusa una rond da seed-plus aggiuntiva di 6 milioni di dollari guidata da Jim Grote, dalla famiglia Grote e da AlleyCorp il 6 novembre 2025. Il capitale supporterà un rapido dispiegamento di concetti di cucina robotica in luoghi non commerciali del servizio alimentare, come aeroporti, ospedali, luoghi di intrattenimento, università e torri d’ufficio.
Appetronix è già sul mercato tramite una partnership con Donatos (oltre 460 sedi) e ha lanciato la prima cucina Donatos automatizzata a giugno 2025 presso l’Aeroporto Internazionale John Glenn Columbus; l’azienda prevede rollout modulari e multicuina per espandere le operazioni e affrontare le sfide legate al lavoro e alla coerenza.
Appetronix (MDB) recaudó más de $10 millones en financiamiento semilla total, incluyendo una ronda semilla-plus adicional de $6 millones liderada por Jim Grote, la familia Grote y AlleyCorp el 6 de noviembre de 2025. El capital financiará un despliegue rápido de conceptos de cocina robótica en lugares de servicio de alimentos no comerciales, como aeropuertos, hospitales, lugares de entretenimiento, universidades y torres de oficinas.
Appetronix ya está en el mercado mediante una asociación con Donatos (más de 460 ubicaciones) y lanzó su primera cocina automatizada de Donatos en junio de 2025 en el Aeropuerto Internacional John Glenn Columbus; la empresa planea despliegues modulares multialimentarios para escalar operaciones y abordar desafíos de mano de obra y consistencia.
Appetronix (MDB)는 총 시드 자금으로 1000만 달러를 모았으며, 추가로 600만 달러의 시드-플러스 라운드가 2025년 11월 6일 Jim Grote, Grote 가족, AlleyCorp가 이끌었습니다. 이 자본은 공항, 병원, 엔터테인먼트 시설, 대학, 사무용 타워 등 비상업적 식음료 서비스 장소에 로봇 주방 컨셉의 빠른 배치를 지원할 것입니다.
앱에트로닉스는 Donatos(460개 이상 매장)와의 파트너십을 통해 이미 시장에 진입했으며 2025년 6월 John Glenn 콜럼버스 국제공항에서 첫 자동 Donatos 주방을 출시했습니다. 회사는 운영 규모 확장과 노동력 및 일관성 문제를 해결하기 위해 다국 요리형 모듈식 롤아웃을 계획하고 있습니다.
Appetronix (MDB) a levé plus de 10 millions de dollars au total en financement seed, y compris une ronde seed-plus supplémentaire de 6 millions de dollars dirigée par Jim Grote, la famille Grote et AlleyCorp le 6 novembre 2025. Le capital financera le déploiement rapide de concepts de cuisine robotisée dans des lieux de restauration non commerciaux tels que les aéroports, les hôpitaux, les lieux de divertissement, les universités et les tours de bureaux.
Appetronix est déjà sur le marché via un partenariat avec Donatos (plus de 460 emplacements) et a lancé sa première cuisine Donatos automatisée en juin 2025 à l’Aéroport international John Glenn Columbus; la société prévoit des déploiements modulaires et multicuine pour accroître les opérations et relever les défis liés à la main-d’œuvre et à la cohérence.
Appetronix (MDB) sammelte insgesamt über 10 Millionen Dollar Seed-Funding ein, einschließlich einer zusätzlichen Seed-plus-Runde über 6 Millionen Dollar, geleitet von Jim Grote, der Grote-Familie und AlleyCorp am 6. November 2025. Das Kapital wird eine schnelle Einführung von robotischen Küchenkonzepten in nicht-gewerblichen Foodservice-Standorten wie Flughäfen, Krankenhäusern, Unterhaltungseinrichtungen, Universitäten und Bürohochhäusern finanzieren.
Appetronix ist bereits mit Donatos (460+ Standorte) am Markt und hat im Juni 2025 die erste automatisierte Donatos-Küche am John Glenn Columbus International Airport gestartet; das Unternehmen plant mehrkulturelle, modulare Rollouts, um Operationen auszuweiten und Arbeits- sowie Konsistenzherausforderungen zu adressieren.
Appetronix (MDB) جمعت أكثر من 10 ملايين دولار في تمويل بذري إجمالي، بما في ذلك جولة بذور إضافية بقيمة 6 ملايين دولار قادها جيم جروت، وعائلة جروت وأيلي كورب في 6 نوفمبر 2025. سيستخدم رأس المال لتمويل نشر سريع لمفاهيم مطابخ آلية عبر أماكن خدمات الطعام غير التجارية مثل المطارات والمستشفيات وأماكن الترفيه والجامعات وأبراج المكاتب.
أبتترونيكس موجودة في السوق بالفعل من خلال شراكة مع Donatos (أكثر من 460 موقعًا) وأطلقت أول مطبخ Donatos آلي في يونيو 2025 في مطار جون جلين كولمبس الدولي؛ تخطط الشركة لطرح متعدد المطابخ، نماذج وحدات قابلة للتركيب لتوسيع العمليات ومعالجة تحديات العمالة والتناسق.
- Funding of over $10M total
- $6M raised in the recent seed-plus round
- Donatos partnership with 460+ locations and a June 2025 airport launch
- Targeted deployments across airports, hospitals, venues, universities
- None.
Insights
Fresh seed capital (>
Appetronix secured total seed funding of over
The business mechanism is straightforward: use institutional capital to scale modular robotic kitchens that promise consistent quality, 24/7 operations, and reduced reliance on shift labor in venues where staff access and operating hours are constrained. Key dependencies include successful replication of the Donatos proof point across different cuisines and venue footprints, reliable unit economics for modular deployments, and timely execution of the planned rollouts "over the next few months." Monitor unit rollout cadence and any disclosed performance metrics from additional pilot sites within that timeframe.
The new capital will enable Appetronix to develop and deploy several innovative robotic kitchen concepts over the next few months, targeting high-traffic non-commercial foodservice environments including airports, hospitals, entertainment venues, universities, office towers, and other institutional settings where consistent quality and operational efficiency are paramount.
"This investment validates our vision of bringing the best-in-class food experiences to environments that have traditionally been underserved," said Nipun Sharma, CEO of Appetronix. "With the support of the Grote family and our continued partnership with AlleyCorp, we're positioned to revolutionize how people experience food in airports, healthcare facilities, and entertainment venues."
Proven Track Record with Donatos Partnership
Appetronix is already in-market through its partnership with Donatos, a premium pizza chain with 460+ locations across 29 states. Founded by Jim Grote in 1963, Donatos is currently family-owned by Jim Grote and its Chief Purpose officer, Jane Abell, both of whom have built a reputation for quality and innovation in the pizza category.
Appetronix's first automated kitchen with Donatos launched in June 2025 at John Glenn Columbus International Airport, demonstrating the viability of robotic food preparation at scale. The Donatos partnership has already exceeded initial expectations, clearly demonstrating the market's strong demand for Appetronix's technology and operating model. "At Donatos, we've always believed that quality and consistency are non-negotiable," said Jim Grote, Founder of Donatos. "Appetronix's technology allows us to deliver the authentic Donatos experience, while addressing the operational challenges facing our industry. We're excited to support their expansion into new markets where this technology can make a real difference."
"Following the rollout of Appetronix's first automated kitchen, it's been amazing to witness consumers' excitement surrounding the new concept with Donatos," said Abe Murray, General Partner at AlleyCorp. "This first unit has proven that robotic kitchens can deliver authentic, high-quality food while bringing efficiencies to operators, in ways only robotic solutions can."
Addressing Critical Industry Needs
The foodservice industry faces ongoing challenges including labor shortages, consistency issues, and the need for extended operating hours in non-traditional venues. Appetronix's robotic kitchen systems address these pain points by providing:
- Consistent Quality: Precise automation ensures every meal meets exact specifications
- 24/7 Operations: Reduced reliance on shift-based labor enables round-the-clock service
- Scalable Deployment: Modular systems adapt to various venue sizes and throughput requirements
- Brand Integrity: Authentic preparation methods preserve the quality standards of partner brands
Strategic Growth Trajectory
With this funding, Appetronix will accelerate its go-to-market efforts. The company's plans to deploy robotic kitchen concepts across multiple cuisine types and formats represent a decisive move to capture market share in the foodservice sector. Each concept will be purpose-built for the unique demands of high-traffic institutional environments where quality, speed, and reliability are critical to success with a singular mission to serve the best tasting food in each category.
About Appetronix
Appetronix Inc. (formerly SJW Robotics) is a foodtech company specializing in the development and design of autonomous robotic solutions for commercial restaurant kitchens. With an expert team with extensive experience in restaurant kitchen design, worldwide expansion of restaurant chains, advanced automation, robotics, and data science, Appetronix is at the forefront of innovation in the foodservice industry. Our mission is to revolutionize the way restaurants operate by leveraging cutting-edge technology to deliver custom solutions that are scalable and tailored to meet the requirements of the next generation of quick-service restaurants. Our autonomous robotic solutions holistically automate all back of house functions including portioning, cooking, plating, and even cleaning with a singular goal of providing the best tasting food.
About AlleyCorp
AlleyCorp is a
About the Grote Family
Donatos Pizza, founded by Jim Grote in 1963 in
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SOURCE Appetronix Inc
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