Wendy's Partners with Pipedream to Pilot Industry-First Underground Delivery System for Mobile Orders

Wendy's is the first QSR to introduce Pipedream Instant Pickup, with the goal of delivering an even faster and more convenient experience for customers

DUBLIN, Ohio, May 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Wendy's Company today announced a new partnership with Pipedream, a hyperlogistics company, to pilot its underground autonomous robot system with the goal of delivering digital food orders from the kitchen to designated parking spots in seconds, for faster and more convenient pick-up experiences. As the first quick service restaurant (QSR) to pilot this cutting-edge technology, the partnership marks another bold step for Wendy's in driving industry innovation as it strives to serve digital-forward customers with greater ease, speed and accuracy.

"We know that serving orders quickly and accurately leads to increased customer satisfaction," said Deepak Ajmani, U.S. Chief Operations Officer, The Wendy's Company. "Pipedream's Instant Pickup system has the potential to unlock greater mobile order speed of service and accuracy, enabling us to consistently deliver hot and fresh Wendy's products to our fans."

Pipedream's technology is designed to make digital order pick-up fast, reliable and invisible. By connecting the Wendy's kitchen to an Instant Pickup portal positioned outside the restaurant, this first-of-its-kind delivery system is designed to provide digital customers with a fast and convenient pick-up option without having to leave their car and increase efficiencies for restaurant crew members by streamlining digital order pick-up points. The technology uses autonomous robots to transport meals underground and deliver at the car-side Instant Pickup portal.

"At Wendy's, we are consistently innovating to meet our customers however they choose to engage with us," said Matt Spessard, Senior Vice President and Global Chief Technology Officer, The Wendy's Company. "As mobile ordering preferences increase, we're thrilled to be the first quick service restaurant to partner with Pipedream, leveraging their unique delivery technology and system with the goal of reinventing digital pick-ups to bring more Wendy's to more people as quickly and efficiently as possible." 

"We're proud to partner with an iconic, innovative brand like Wendy's to bring the future of mobile order pick-up to the quick service industry," said Garrett McCurrach, CEO, Pipedream. "By solving order handoff, the final leg of the digital experience, our Instant Pickup technology allows Wendy's restaurant team members to focus on what matters: serving delicious, high-quality food and connecting with customers in this digital-first world."

Wendy's plans to integrate Pipedream's industry-first underground delivery system into an existing restaurant later this year. For more information about Wendy's or becoming a Wendy's franchisee, visit www.wendys.com.

ABOUT WENDY'S:  
Wendy's was founded in 1969 by Dave Thomas in Columbus, Ohio. Dave built his business on the premise, "Quality Is Our Recipe^®", which remains the guidepost of the Wendy's system. Wendy's is best known for its made-to-order square hamburgers, using fresh, never frozen beef*, freshly-prepared salads, and other signature items like chili, baked potatoes and the Frosty^® dessert. The Wendy's Company (Nasdaq: WEN) is committed to doing the right thing and making a positive difference in the lives of others. This is most visible through the Company's support of the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption^® and its signature Wendy's Wonderful Kids^® program, which seeks to find a loving, forever home for every child in the North American foster care system. Today, Wendy's and its franchisees employ hundreds of thousands of people across approximately 7,000 restaurants worldwide with a vision of becoming the world's most thriving and beloved restaurant brand. For details on franchising, connect with us at www.wendys.com/franchising.Visit www.wendys.com and www.squaredealblog.com for more information and connect with us on Twitter and Instagram using @wendys, and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/wendys. 

*Fresh beef available in the contiguous U.S., Alaska and Canada. 

ABOUT PIPEDREAM
Pipedream is the autonomous underground delivery company on a mission to make hyperlogistics possible this decade. Founded in 2021 and based in Austin, TX, Pipedream is working to build a world where restaurants, retail stores, warehouses, homes, and offices can move atoms with the same efficiency the internet is able to move bits. The Pipedream system includes fully autonomous above ground portals that interface with fully autonomous underground robots to move food, packages, groceries, and more in seconds. The fully electric underground system is designed to help merchants, cities, developers, and more prepare for the ever increasing delivery needs of the future while removing all emissions and congestion and significantly improving safety. To learn more about Pipedream, visit our website at www.pipedreamlabs.co or follow us on Twitter @pipedream_labs.

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SOURCE The Wendy's Company