Verdict Food Service

Daily Newsletter

11 August 2023

Daily Newsletter

Round Table Pizza opens three restaurants in California, US

The new openings bring Round Table Pizza's restaurant count in California to more than 340.

US-based pizza chain Round Table Pizza, part of FAT Brands, has announced the opening of three new franchised restaurants in California.

The new locations are located in San Luis Obispo, El Centro and Norco.

The brand's first location was opened in Menlo Park, California nearly 65 years ago in 1959.

The restaurants offer guests handmade pizzas, salads, Garlic Parmesan Twists, boneless wings and more.

Round Table Pizza president David Pear said: “California is our DNA, so it is meaningful to see our growth continue in a state that has championed our brand for nearly 65 years.

“Whether you are looking for a quality pizza to be delivered, or the perfect spot to have a family dinner after a game, we’ll make you feel like royalty at Round Table Pizza.”

With the opening of the three new outlets, the restaurant brand currently has more than 340 in the state.

The brand has established itself as a ‘Pizza Royalty’ due to its homemade dough, signature three-cheese blend and ‘gold-standard’ ingredients.

In September 2019, Round Table Pizza opened its first redesigned location in Sacramento, California.

The Sacramento location is the first of the 440 stores that have been reopened after undergoing a complete restoration programme to transform the dining experience for customers.

Generative AI remains an untapped potential across the consumer industry

GlobalData estimates the total AI market will be worth $909 billion in 2030, growing at a CAGR of 35.2% between 2022 and 2030. The consumer goods, foodservice, and packaging sectors are undergoing digital transformation, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic and changing consumer preferences. AI can help companies operating in these sectors by significantly reducing costs and production times. In Nestlé's 2022 full-year results, the company announced a renewed focus on digitalization to drive growth. Financial and reputational pressures associated with supply chain disruptions and sustainability concerns are also driving interest in the digitalization of supply chains. Data science and ML are strong investments across all areas. However, the sectors cannot stop at AI-powered data analytics applications. They must also explore computer vision (CV), smart robots, AI sensors that automate manufacturing and distribution logistics, and generative AI tools that increase efficiency across corporate departments and customer service operations and enable innovation in product design. For the most part, the consumer goods, foodservice, and packaging sectors will not play a significant role in creating and developing AI hardware or platforms. Instead, these sectors will help scale up the adoption of AI technologies, such as CV, conversational platforms, and smart robots. This adoption will be driven by the financial benefits and potential cost savings AI automation delivers across global supply chains.