Hyphen’s Automated Makelines Help Restaurants Work Faster with Support from Chipotle and Cava

Chipotle

Prime Highlights:

  • Hyphen’s automated makelines help restaurants serve food quickly and handle busy times efficiently.
  • Major chains Chipotle and Cava have invested in Hyphen to expand its technology across U.S. restaurants.

Key Facts:

  • The makelines can prepare a bowl every 10–15 seconds, providing more capacity during peak hours.
  • Hyphen plans to add software for kitchen scheduling and explore partnerships with colleges and office buildings.

Background:

San Jose startup Hyphen is helping restaurants work faster with its automated makelines. Chipotle and Cava have invested in the company.

Hyphen’s CEO, Stephen Klein, said the makelines can make a bowl every 10–15 seconds, keeping up with busy times.  The makelines rely on robotic hands to prep salads and bowls efficiently, while keeping the process out of public view for a cleaner, more “elegant” experience.

In August 2025, Hyphen closed a Series B financing round, including up to $10 million from Cava. Chipotle has contributed a total of $25 million through its Cultivate Next venture fund. The funding will support scaling production with Re: Build Manufacturing in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and expand the rollout across U.S. restaurants.

Hyphen’s technology also helps restaurants reduce food waste by tracking ingredients “down to the gram” and ensuring precise portions. The system operates 95% of the time, with staff stepping in only during rare downtimes. Klein emphasized that most restaurant customers see a return on investment in less than a year, making it a cost-effective solution.

The startup initially began with a fully robotic food truck in Los Angeles, but pivoted to focus on licensing the technology to existing restaurants following the pandemic. Hyphen plans to add new software for kitchen scheduling and is looking to work with colleges and office buildings.

Its automated makelines help restaurants work faster and handle busy times, giving support to an industry facing challenges.

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