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

Rhea-AI Summary

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.

Positive

• 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

Negative

• None.

LONDON, ON, Nov. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ - Appetronix, a pioneering robotics company transforming foodservice through intelligent automation, today announced it has raised over $10 million in total funding, including an additional $6 million in its recent seed plus round. The round was led by Jim Grote, the Grote family, and AlleyCorp, marking AlleyCorp's third investment in the company following strong performance in previous funding rounds.

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 New York-based venture capital firm that incubates and invests in transformative companies across healthcare, AI, enterprise software and consumer tech, deep tech and robotics, economic infrastructure, and more. As one of the most active early-stage investors in New York, AlleyCorp focuses on investing at the incubation, pre–seed, seed and Series A stages. Founded by serial entrepreneur Kevin Ryan, AlleyCorp's past incubations have included MongoDB (NASDAQ: MDB), Gilt Groupe, Business Insider, Zola, Radical AI, and Transcend Therapeutics.

About the Grote Family
Donatos Pizza, founded by Jim Grote in 1963 in Columbus, Ohio, is a family-owned business known for its famous thin-crust pizzas with abundant toppings spread Edge to Edge®. Headquartered in Columbus, Donatos and its franchise partners operate over 175 stores. Additionally, Donatos Pizza is proudly served in nearly 300 non-traditional locations nationwide, including select Red Robin restaurants. Committed to quality, community, and customer satisfaction, Donatos Pizza has received numerous awards and accolades, reflecting its dedication to excellence and innovation. For more information about Donatos Pizza and franchising opportunities, visit www.donatosfranchise.com.

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SOURCE Appetronix Inc

FAQ

How much funding did Appetronix (MDB) secure on November 6, 2025?

Appetronix announced more than $10 million in total seed funding, including a $6 million seed-plus round.

Who led Appetronix's seed-plus round for MDB and what is their involvement?

The round was led by Jim Grote, the Grote family, and AlleyCorp, with AlleyCorp marking its third investment in Appetronix.

Where has Appetronix already deployed its robotic kitchen technology for MDB?

Appetronix launched its first automated Donatos kitchen in June 2025 at John Glenn Columbus International Airport.

What venues will Appetronix (MDB) target with the new capital?

The company will target high-traffic non-commercial venues: airports, hospitals, entertainment venues, universities, and office towers.

How does Appetronix say its robotic kitchens address industry challenges for MDB?

The systems aim to deliver consistent quality, enable 24/7 operations, offer scalable modular deployments, and preserve brand integrity.