News

Eatsa closing 5 units, selling tech platform to other brands

November 27, 2017

Eatsa announced last week that it's closing five of seven of its locations, saying on its website that because of its "eagerness to get the Eatsa experience in front of as many people as possible, we now realize that we expanded our retail footprint too quickly."

The chain, which opened two years ago and relies solely on kiosks for ordering and transactions, will close the units in New York, D.C., and Berkeley in an effort to better and more quickly test menu items.

The two San Francisco units, however, will remain open and serve as a place to experiment and innovate faster. The goal, according to the site, is to resume retail expansion in the future.

Eatsa is also concentrating on selling its technology to other restaurant brands in hopes of improving their customer experience and operations.

Wow Bao, for example, is using the technology to open a fully automated dining experience Dec.1 in Chicago.

It will feature an automated storefront that enables digital ordering via mobile app or in-store kiosk, delivering both a seamless customer experience and optimum food delivery speed, according to a Wow Bao press release. Once orders are placed, diners will pick up their food via one of 12 custom LED-lit cubbies. Displaying the guest's name along with social media-friendly animation, each cubby will give a series of prompts, including when the food is cooking or when to double-tap and open for a completed order. A Wow Bao concierge will be on hand to answer any questions and explain the process within the store.

"When I first heard about eatsa's technology back in 2015 I knew they were onto something special," Wow Bao President Geoff Alexander, said in the release. "Within months of their San Francisco opening, I visited their store to get a firsthand understanding. The platform created a seamless customer service experience that was both entertaining and efficient. I knew right away it would be the perfect piece to incorporate into our future locations. We couldn't be more excited to be the first restaurant partner for Eatsa and look forward to delivering the same high-quality food our customers expect in a way they have never seen before."