Foodservice

Donatos Pizza to launch fully autonomous restaurant at Columbus Airport

Photo: Donato's Pizza

May 27, 2025

Donatos Pizza will launch its first fully autonomous pizza restaurant this June at the John Glenn Columbus International Airport.

The restaurant, a partnership with Donatos' sister company Agápe Automation and technology firm Appetronix, will be located before security in front of Concourse B and operated by restaurateur HMS Host, according to a press release

The robot-operated kitchen is designed to deliver made-to-order pizzas 24/7, utilizing advanced robotics and data science. The technology aims to provide a fast and efficient service for travelers, allowing them to watch their pizzas being prepared.

"We're not just adding tech to a restaurant; we're jumping in with a fully autonomous restaurant," Kevin King, president and CEO of Donatos Pizza, said in the release. "But, most importantly, we're going to continue to serve great tasting abundantly topped pizzas and provide a top-notch customer experience that Donatos has always been known for. In a busy airport environment, where customers are most focused on catching their flights, we think the vending machine style location will be a huge success."

Donatos indicated the technology could potentially transform food service in other locations where traditional kitchens are not feasible, such as hospitals and college campuses.

"I'm incredibly proud of the innovation my dad, Jim Grote, has championed over the past 62 years," Jane Grote Abell, executive chairwoman of Donatos Pizza, said in the release.

"It's in his DNA to constantly seek better ways to deliver the same consistent, high-quality pizza we've always served. At Donatos, we believe people are at the heart of innovation — and this fully automated location allows our guests to enjoy Donatos on the run, without sacrificing the experience. More innovation, more passion, and more opportunities to eat great pizza — that's what this is all about."