Insider Brief
- Aniai has launched the Alpha Grill Single Platen, a compact version of its robotic cooking system designed for foodservice operators with limited kitchen space, and has opened a pilot program in North America.
- The 24-inch-wide unit can cook up to six food items simultaneously while automating grill-station tasks, and can be installed individually or paired with a second unit to increase output within the same footprint.
- Originally developed for burgers, the system is now being used for a broader range of foods including eggs, bacon, hash browns, French toast, chicken, steak, pork and vegetables, with Aniai saying the technology is intended to improve consistency and support kitchen operations during peak periods.
Aniai has launched a compact version of its Alpha Grill cooking robot for busniesses that want automation but have limited kitchen space.
According to the company, the new Alpha Grill Single Platen was developed in response to requests from convenience store operators seeking automated cooking equipment that could fit into smaller footprints.
“Our customers challenged us to make automation fit the realities of modern kitchens,” CEO Gunpil Hwang said in the announcement. “The AG Single Platen is the result of listening closely, moving quickly, and building around the needs of operators.”
At just 24 inches wide and designed to sit on standard worktables or refrigerated bases, the grill can cook up to six food items simultaneously while automating a range of repetitive grill-station tasks. The company noted the system also features an IPX6-rated waterproof design intended to simplify cleaning and washdown procedures.
For businesses needing more capacity, two units can be installed side-by-side on a standard 48-inch refrigerated base.
While the original Alpha Grill was developed primarily for cooking burgers, Aniai said the system can also be used for other foods ranging from breakfast foods such as eggs, bacon, hash browns and French toast, along with other foods inlcuding chicken, steak, pork and vegetables.
According to Aniai, the system is intended to help operators improve consistency, reduce dependence on specialized grill staff and support kitchen operations during busy service periods.
The Alpha Grill Single Platen is already deployed in commercial kitchens in South Korea, the company said. Aniai is now working with pilot customers in the United States to evaluate the system in North American foodservice environments.
Aniai, which is headquartered in New York with research, development and manufacturing operations in South Korea, debuted the new system at the 2026 National Restaurant Association Show and is now available through a pilot program in North America.
