Aniai Introduces Alpha Grill for Foodservice Hamburger Cooking
Aniai, a leader in kitchen automation and AI solutions, announced its first North American showroom in Midtown Manhattan. Aniai’s flagship product Alpha Grill leverages advanced AI and robotics to automate the hamburger patty cooking process, enhancing efficiency and consistency in restaurant kitchens. Aniai has partnered with several notable, North American, quick-service restaurant brands to conduct pilots, with an anticipated rollout at multiple locations over the next year.
With the launch of its New York showroom, Aniai is excited to offer existing and potential restaurant operators a direct glimpse of its Alpha Grill in action.
“We look forward to welcoming customers and industry professionals to our New York showroom to witness the future of kitchen automation,” says Eric Hansen, head of sales, North America. “I genuinely feel that we’re at the very beginning of a significant paradigm shift within the foodservice industry- a shift that embraces robotics to improve the lives of employees by reducing labor intensity and providing myriad ancillary benefits for restaurant operators over the long run.”
For restaurant operators who want to see firsthand the future of kitchen robotics sooner, Aniai made its second consecutive appearance at the National Restaurant Association show in Chicago, where it showcased the Alpha Grill along with several enhancements, most notably, Alpha Cloud. Using cloud-based AI, Alpha Cloud can discern the color of hamburger patties and assess their quality in real-time through vision sensors that monitor the cooking process; promptly notifying kitchen staff about patty quality while ensuring rigorous and enhanced quality control.
“Seeing is believing,” said Aniai CEO Gunpil Hwang. “When introducing innovative technology that’s the first of its kind, it’s important that potential adopters can see it in action and to fully understand exactly how it can enhance their businesses. This is what we’re planning to accomplish with our New York showroom, a permanent extension of what we’ve offered at the NRA Show.”
Founded in 2020 and based in New York City, Aniai is a global innovator in automation and AI within the foodservice sector. The company’s mission is to empower restaurants to improve their kitchen operations by delivering intelligent solutions that increase production and enhance quality and service.
Aniai’s flagship Alpha Grill empowers restaurant team members to focus on crafting high-quality burgers while improving the employee experience by automating numerous mundane and repetitive tasks, including grill cleaning and cook time management. The semi-autonomous grill features a rapid cooking system with a double-sided grill capable of preparing up to eight hamburger patties at a time (or 200 patties per hour) and features an innovation self-cleaning function.
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Reser’s Kicks Off Good Times Tour in Cincinnati
The Reser’s Good Times Tour is hitting the road and visiting nine festivals in 2024. Reser’s is inviting fans to come enjoy the good times at some of America’s favorite events!
Reser’s Fine Foods, Proud Sponsor of Good Times, is on a mission to spread joy and deliciousness to all. Whether it’s camping, tailgating, or enjoying a day at the park, Reser’s Deli Salads and Sides are the perfect addition while having a good time with friends and family.
“At Reser’s, we know that great food turns moments with friends and families into memories,” said Anne Nelson, senior brand strategy manager, deli. “We are excited to make every festival stop a memorable celebration.”
During each stop of the Good Times Tour, fans will be able to sample Reser’s mouth-watering Deviled Egg Potato Salad and Original Macaroni Salad, while enjoying amazing activities. Fans can make their own custom sunglasses at select festivals, take photos on the Reser’s pergola swing, cool down with a misting station, and challenge friends to a friendly game of ‘ring on a string’. Each event is guaranteed to put smiles on faces!
The ‘Good Times Tour’ will make stops at these festivals throughout 2024:
- Taste of Cincinnati (Cincinnati) – May 25-27
- Roots Picnic (Philadelphia) – June 1-2
- Giant National Capital Barbecue Battle (Washington, D.C.) – June 22-23 (sampling only)
- Columbus Jazz & Rib Fest (Columbus, Ohio) – July 19-21
- Minneapolis Aquatennial (Minneapolis) – July 24-27
- Chicago Air & Water Show (Chicago) – Aug.10-11
- Art, Beats and Eats (Detroit) – August 30-Sept.2
- The Big E (West Springfield, Mass.) – Sept. 13-15
- American Royal (Kansas City, Mo.) – Oct. 30-Nov. 2
The Reser’s Good Times Tour is part of a larger campaign that celebrates the fun of being together with family and friends. Visit Reser’s Good Times Central at www.resers.com/goodtimes to win awesome prizes in our Good Times Sweepstakes, track the Good Times Tour Schedule or find your favorites salads and sides to enjoy with friends and family.
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Maison Solutions Acquires Arizona-Based Asian Grocer Lee Lee Supermarkets
Maison Solutions Inc. a U.S.-based specialty grocery retailer offering traditional Asian and international food and merchandise, has acquired Lee Lee Oriental Supermart, Inc., a three-store supermarket chain operating under the name, Lee Lee International Supermarkets, in the greater Phoenix and Tucson metro areas.
The company acquired the supermarkets through AZLL, LLC, an Arizona limited liability company and the company’s wholly owned subsidiary. The purchase price of $22.2 million will be paid over a 10-month period and includes $7 million in cash paid immediately at closing on April 8, with the rest paid through a secured note agreement.
“This transaction demonstrates our strategy of expanding by acquisition in geographic locations with large and growing Asian and ethnic populations,” said John Xu, president and chief executive officer of Maison Solutions. “Lee Lee International Supermarkets has an established brand presence in Arizona and is a perfect fit for Maison, giving us a base for further growth in the region.
“The strategic acquisition is expected to add approximately $70 million in annual revenue for us, effectively doubling our current size. We remain committed to future growth through new store openings and acquisitions,” Xu added.
Stores Highlights:
- The Chandler (Phoenix metro area) store comprises more than 52,000 square feet. This market includes a Vietnamese restaurant, a bakery, and a jewelry store.
- The Peoria (Phoenix metro area) store comprises more than 60,000 square feet. This market includes a Vietnamese restaurant, a boba tea store, a jewelry store and a clothing store.
- The Tucson store comprises more than 51,000 square feet. This market includes a Vietnamese restaurant and a BBQ restaurant.
Lee Lee International Supermarkets is the largest international market in Arizona. Its three locations offer products from more than 30 countries and regions, and provide the highest quality product selection available. Founded over 30 years ago, Lee Lee International Supermarkets has won multiple awards for best international supermarket, Asian market and specialty foods.
Maison Solutions Inc. is a U.S.-based specialty grocery retailer offering traditional Asian food and merchandise, particularly to members of Asian-American communities. The Company is committed to providing Asian fresh produce, meat, seafood, and other daily necessities in a manner that caters to traditional Asian-American family values and cultural norms, while also accounting for the new and faster-paced lifestyle of younger generations and the diverse makeup of the communities in which the company operates. Since its formation in 2019, the company has acquired equity interests in four traditional Asian supermarkets in the Los Angeles area, and has been operating them under the brand name HK Good Fortune.
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