Case Study: How One Restaurant Increased Sales with a Robot Waiter
Sponsored by:
Robot Center – Buy Robots. Robotics Consultancy. Robot Integration Experts.
Robots of London – Robot Hire and Rental for Events, Retail, and Hospitality.
Robot Philosophy – Robot Consultancy and Recruitment by RoboPhil – the UK’s leading Robotics Influencer and Consultant.
📞 To book a call: 0845 528 0404
📧 Email: sales@robotcenter.co.uk
Introduction: The Future of Dining Is Here
The restaurant industry is evolving faster than ever. From self-ordering kiosks to AI-driven delivery systems, automation is becoming a key ingredient in modern hospitality. But one of the most revolutionary introductions in recent years has been the robot waiter — an intelligent, autonomous assistant that can deliver meals, interact with customers, and reduce operational strain.
In this case study, we look at how one forward-thinking restaurant partnered with Robot Center and Robots of London to implement a robot waiter solution. The result? A 23% increase in sales, a 40% improvement in staff efficiency, and a noticeable rise in customer satisfaction scores.
This story demonstrates what’s possible when human hospitality meets robotic precision.
The Challenge: Rising Costs and Staffing Shortages
Like many in the food and beverage industry, The Green Orchid Restaurant (a mid-sized Asian fusion restaurant in the UK) faced major challenges after 2022.
1. Staff Shortages
The post-pandemic era saw a shortage of waiters and hospitality staff. Recruiting, training, and retaining good people was becoming increasingly difficult.
2. Increasing Overheads
With rising energy bills and wage increases, management needed a way to keep operations smooth without sacrificing customer service quality.
3. Customer Expectations
Customers wanted speed, novelty, and consistent service. With long wait times during peak hours, even loyal patrons started to drift away.
The owner, Daniel Wong, decided it was time to innovate. He reached out to Robot Center, a UK-based robotics consultancy and supplier specialising in commercial service robots.
The Consultation: Finding the Right Robotic Fit
At Robot Center, we believe in the “ROI Method” — a three-step process designed to maximise a company’s return on robotics:
R = Resources – Identify where robots can add the most value.
O = Optimise – Integrate and train your staff around the new system.
I = Intellectify – Use robot data to enhance ongoing performance.
Our consulting team visited The Green Orchid to conduct a full robotics audit. The goal was to identify where automation could improve speed, reduce costs, and enhance the customer experience.
The audit revealed several key opportunities:
Food and drink delivery from kitchen to tables took 30–40% of waiter time.
Staff fatigue was high, particularly during weekend service.
Wait times averaged 12–15 minutes for food delivery.
Customers loved the idea of interactive experiences.
Based on these findings, we proposed deploying a robot waiter — a semi-autonomous service robot designed to deliver dishes, clear tables, and even interact with guests.
The Solution: Deploying the Robot Waiter
After assessing multiple models, The Green Orchid chose the LuckiBot Plus, a popular model available from Robot Center and Robots of London.
Why the LuckiBot Plus?
Smart Navigation: Uses LiDAR and SLAM technology to move safely among tables and guests.
Voice Interaction: Can greet guests, thank them, and even sing “Happy Birthday.”
Custom Branding: The restaurant added a branded apron and a logo on the screen for personality.
Efficient Workflow: The robot can carry up to 40kg of food and automatically return to the kitchen after delivery.
Integration Support
Robot Center’s team handled:
Mapping of the restaurant layout.
Robot calibration and obstacle testing.
Staff training sessions on how to interact with and schedule the robot.
The robot was named “Lulu”, a friendly, humanised name chosen by the staff.
The Implementation: Week One to Month One
Week 1 – Staff Training and Testing
The first week was focused on acclimatising staff and customers. The robot was introduced gradually during quiet service hours.
Staff quickly learned to:
Load food trays efficiently.
Communicate with Lulu using her touchscreen interface.
Use the “summon” feature to send Lulu to a specific table.
Week 2 – Customer Engagement
Once Lulu began operating during dinner hours, she immediately drew attention. Children loved following her movements, and adults were impressed by her precision.
Social media engagement skyrocketed as customers shared videos of their robotic dining experience. Within days, The Green Orchid’s TikTok account gained 15,000 new followers, and a local news site featured the story.
Month 1 – Measurable Impact
After just one month, the results were impressive:
Sales increased by 23%.
Service time reduced by 35%.
Customer satisfaction improved by 28%.
Staff reported higher morale due to reduced physical strain.
The Results: Quantifiable and Qualitative Wins
1. Boost in Efficiency
By handling repetitive delivery tasks, Lulu allowed human waiters to focus on upselling, customer interaction, and service quality.
“The robot didn’t replace anyone — it made everyone’s job easier,” said Wong. “My team now spends more time with customers instead of running back and forth to the kitchen.”
2. Increased Revenue
Customers visited more frequently, drawn by curiosity and convenience. The restaurant even hosted a ‘Meet Lulu Night’ event, which sold out every table.
3. Marketing Impact
Videos of Lulu serving food went viral across Instagram and Facebook. Organic marketing worth thousands of pounds was achieved for free, just through novelty and customer delight.
4. Sustainability
The robot consumes very little electricity — less than a kettle per day — and reduced food waste by improving delivery accuracy.
5. Future Expansion
The restaurant plans to add a second robot waiter for weekend shifts and is considering a robot host for greeting guests at the entrance.
The Bigger Picture: Robots in Hospitality
This success story mirrors a global trend. Across Europe and Asia, robot waiters are being adopted in cafés, hotels, and restaurants.
The Benefits Are Clear:
Reduced staffing pressure
Increased speed of service
Consistent performance
Novel customer experience
Positive social media exposure
In the UK, robot adoption in hospitality has grown by more than 120% since 2023, according to Robot Center’s internal market data. Early adopters like The Green Orchid are not just saving money — they’re setting the stage for the future of dining.
How Robot Center Can Help You
If you’re considering introducing robotics into your hospitality or retail business, Robot Center can help you identify the right robot for your needs.
Our Services Include:
Robot Consultancy: Discover how robots can optimise your business operations.
Robot Integration: We handle setup, training, and support.
Robot Maintenance: Full technical service and ongoing updates.
Robot Recruitment: Need skilled robotics staff or technicians? We’ll find and train the right people.
Whether you want to buy a robot for long-term use or rent one for short-term events, our team provides end-to-end support.
📧 Email: sales@robotcenter.co.uk
📞 Call: 0845 528 0404
Robots of London: Hire or Rent Robots for Events
If you’d like to test the impact of a robot waiter before buying, Robots of London offers short-term robot hire for events, pop-ups, and trial periods.
Why Rent a Robot?
Perfect for testing public reaction before a full purchase.
Great for exhibitions, marketing activations, or PR campaigns.
Includes delivery, setup, and onsite support.
Robots of London has worked with brands across retail, hospitality, and corporate sectors — from The Dorchester Hotel to tech expos and trade shows.
Their range includes:
Robot waiters
Reception robots
Delivery robots
Humanoid robots for events
Robot Philosophy: Insights from RoboPhil
Behind these innovations is Robot Philosophy — the educational and consulting platform led by Philip English, also known as RoboPhil.
RoboPhil is one of the UK’s top robot YouTubers, trainers, and consultants, with years of experience helping companies understand how to make robotics profitable and sustainable.
His site offers:
Robot consultancy and recruitment services
Training workshops on robot integration
Insights and trends in humanoid, service, and industrial robotics
If you want expert advice, thought leadership, or even a media interview about robotics in hospitality, RoboPhil is the person to speak to.
Lessons Learned: The Human-Robot Partnership
The Green Orchid project taught us that robots don’t replace humans — they empower them.
Key Takeaways:
Start Small: A single robot can make a big difference.
Train Your Team: Staff acceptance is key to success.
Use Data: Robots collect valuable insights about workflow and customer behaviour.
Promote It: Don’t hide your robot — showcase it to boost marketing reach.
Think Long-Term: Robot systems can scale as your business grows.
With proper consultation and integration, robots can enhance service quality, cut costs, and transform the dining experience.
The Future: Smarter, More Connected Restaurants
The restaurant of the future won’t just have robot waiters — it will have integrated AI systems that link the kitchen, service robots, POS systems, and inventory management.
Imagine:
A robot waiter delivering meals and automatically updating the kitchen when plates are empty.
AI predicting stock shortages based on customer orders.
Real-time performance analytics helping managers plan shifts more efficiently.
That’s where Robot Center’s consulting and recruitment services make the difference — connecting human teams and robotic systems into one intelligent ecosystem.
Ready to Transform Your Restaurant?
Whether you run a small café or a multi-venue restaurant group, now is the perfect time to explore what robotics can do for you.
Start with a consultation from Robot Center, or rent a robot from Robots of London to experience the benefits first-hand.
📧 sales@robotcenter.co.uk
📞 0845 528 0404
Visit our sponsors for more information:
Robot Center – Buy Robot, Robot Consultancy, Robotics Solutions
Robots of London – Hire Robots for Events and Hospitality
Robot Philosophy – Robotics Consultancy & Recruitment by RoboPhil
Final Thoughts
The Green Orchid’s story proves that robots aren’t a futuristic dream — they’re a practical, profitable reality.
When implemented correctly, robot waiters improve efficiency, boost revenue, and delight customers. But more importantly, they help staff focus on what truly matters: human connection.
At Robot Center, Robots of London, and Robot Philosophy, we’re not just selling robots — we’re building the future of work.
Book your free consultation call today and take your first step toward an automated, intelligent, and more profitable future.
📧 sales@robotcenter.co.uk | 📞 0845 528 0404
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I14kFkJIEKc