Automated restaurant opening in Toronto

June 11, 2020, Toronto, Ont. – Paramount Fine Foods has announced that Canada’s first fully automated restaurant called Box’d will be opening this month at 4 King St. W. in Toronto.

The company states that the restaurant will fit the needs of all Torontonians and revolutionize the way people order and pick up food.

“We are excited to bring the Box’d experience to Toronto,” says Mohamad Fakih of Paramount. “Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, many Torontonians chose to cook their meals at home, but as the restrictions ease and more businesses open people are looking forward to eating out. We understand that people may still be a little wary of public places, so we have created a dining option that is fast, efficient, and safe.”

Box’d has simplified the order process, so Torontonians don’t spend time standing in line or waiting for their food to be prepared. Guests place their order in advance via a mobile app or they can order at a digital kiosk in-store. Digital status boards within the restaurant update guests when their food is ready and lead them to their pickup location. Digital cubbies and shelves identify orders and create a streamlined experience.

Creators of Box’d consulted with chef Tomer Markovitz to build a menu of recipes that feature lunch and dinner selections, including vegan and vegetarian options. Each have sustainable packaging and express menu options that are accessible in just a few quick and efficient taps. This simplifies Middle Eastern cuisine while adding an innovative spin using new flavours and ingredient combinations from Markovitz.

“Being fully automated means Box’d can offer Canadians a new and exciting smart way to experience eating out safely,” says Ahmed Daify, the Box’d franchisee for Paramount Fine Foods. “Box’d will be the first automated restaurant with a certified chef. We will be hiring at time when the service industry needs it the most. We are excited to bring this opportunity to Canada, since Canada is a country of hope.”

“The state-of-the-art technology used throughout Box’d will revolutionize and transform how consumers experience dining on-the-go and will help our guests feel safe,” says Markovitz. “With one chef per meal, all meals are sealed and delivered to sanitized, individual cubbies which simplifies the process and keeps cleanliness and safety top of mind.”

Menu items will feature Paramount’s hummus and traditional Middle Eastern flavours and spices in recipes created by Chef Markovitz.