Donatos Pizza is expanding its use of artificial intelligence, robotics, and autonomous systems as part of a broader technology strategy aimed at improving operational efficiency and scalability. The US-based pizza franchise confirmed several automation initiatives as it enters 2026, including autonomous delivery pilots, robot-operated food preparation, and unmanned retail concepts.
One of the developments is the launch of a fully autonomous, robot-operated restaurant at John Glenn Columbus International Airport. The location operates 24/7 and produces pizzas on demand using automated preparation and cooking systems designed for high-throughput environments. The company positions the concept as a response to labor constraints and variable demand patterns typical of airports and transport hubs.
In parallel, Donatos has been piloting autonomous pizza delivery vehicles in collaboration with The Ohio State University. The trial focuses on last-mile delivery automation, examining how self-driving vehicles could reduce delivery times and operational costs while maintaining food quality. The project reflects a growing interest among quick-service restaurant operators in applying autonomous mobility to urban delivery networks.
The company also highlighted the deployment of a fully autonomous pizza vending machine, capable of preparing and dispensing pizzas without human intervention. While details on production scale were not disclosed, the system is intended to extend Donatos’ reach into non-traditional locations where staffing or full kitchen installations are impractical.
Taken together, the initiatives place Donatos among a small but growing group of restaurant chains experimenting with end-to-end automation—from food preparation to delivery. Rather than positioning robotics as a replacement for existing restaurants, the company frames the technology as a complementary channel to support expansion and consistency across locations. Donatos did not disclose specific performance metrics related to the automation projects, nor timelines for wider rollout.
