Predicting the future of the foodservice industry: A robot-based economy perspective

Abstract

This paper ascertains the perceptions of Turkish foodservice industry experts (i.e., executive chefs, business owners, and academicians) to predict the future of the foodservice industry in the robot-based economy. A content analysis was performed by drawing on the qualitative data that occurred through 18 semi-structured interviews. The findings illustrate the present and anticipated status of the usage of robots and AI and the possible impact of robotization and AI on employment in the foodservice industry based on its’ experts’ perspective. It reveals a futurity glimb for the foodservice industry in the robot-based economy era. Several theoretical and managerial implications are discussed.