The Robotic Lemonade Revolution

Previously, Chick-fil-A employees at individual restaurants were responsible for manually squeezing lemons—a task that often resulted in injuries and inefficiencies. Now, robots handle almost every aspect of the lemon juice production process, including unloading crates, sorting fruit, squeezing juice, and packaging it for shipment.

Driverless forklifts, robotic arms, and high-pressure pasteurization technology ensure that nearly 100% of each lemon is utilized, a major improvement from the 40% efficiency rate when workers performed the task manually. The company saw automation as a necessary step to keep up with its rapid expansion and labor shortages. With over 3,200 locations and plans for international growth, Chick-fil-A is seeking ways to optimize operations while maintaining its high customer service standards.

Automation in Fast Food: A Growing Trend

Chick-fil-A is not alone in its push toward automation. Fast-food chains across the industry are experimenting with technology to enhance efficiency and cut costs. Taco Bell and Wendy’s are testing AI-driven order-taking systems, while Chipotle has piloted machines to cut and peel avocados. McDonald’s even launched a highly automated restaurant in Texas, showcasing a future where robotics play a larger role in food service.

Despite concerns that automation may lead to fewer entry-level jobs in the fast-food sector, Chick-fil-A insists that no jobs have been lost due to the shift. Instead, employees are freed from repetitive tasks like squeezing lemons and can focus on preparing orders and enhancing customer service.

Looking forward, the company is exploring additional automation efforts, such as pre-chopped salads and pre-made egg-and-milk mixes for its fried chicken, to further streamline kitchen operations. Beyond operational improvements, automation has also opened new revenue opportunities for Chick-fil-A. The Bay Center Foods facility extracts lemon oils during the juicing process, which the company now sells to the cosmetics and fragrance industries. This additional income stream demonstrates how automation can drive profitability beyond labor savings.

The Future of Automation in Fast Food

While Chick-fil-A has no immediate plans to build another facility on the scale of Bay Center Foods, its success highlights a broader industry trend. As labor shortages persist and consumer demand for faster service grows, more fast-food brands are likely to integrate automation into their supply chains. Whether through AI-driven order systems or robotic food prep, the industry is shifting toward a more tech-driven future.

In the Classroom

This article can be used to discuss operations (Chapter 8: Supply Chain:

Procurement, Operations, and Logistics).

Discussion Questions

1.     Do you think increased automation in fast food will eventually lead to job losses, or will it create new opportunities?

2.     Should companies have an ethical obligation to implement automation if it improves worker safety, even if it means fewer traditional jobs in the future?

3.     How can automation help businesses create additional income streams beyond reducing labor costs?

This article was developed with the support of Kelsey Reddick for and under the direction of O.C. Ferrell, Linda Ferrell, and Geoff Hirt.