Sukhna Lake, a serene oasis sprawling across 3 square kilometers and embedded into Chandigarh’s landscape since 1958, exudes picturesque charm, making it a must-visit destination in the city. However, a new irresistible addition is stirring up the tourism scene – a ‘Pizza ATM’!
The Chandigarh Industrial and Tourism Development Corporation (CITCO) has unveiled a groundbreaking pizza maker capable of crafting piping hot pizzas in a mere three minutes, marking a first for North India. Situated amidst serene waters, it offers visitors a tranquil ambiance to savor their culinary delights.
As per a report by the Indian Express, this newly installed pizza vending machine stands as the sole operational ATM of its kind across India.
Dr. Rohit Shekhar Sharma, the Founder & CEO of iMatrix Group of Companies (iMatrix World Wide) and the visionary behind this culinary delight, shared his insights, stating, “We drew inspiration from France for the ‘Pizza ATM’ concept. Determined to make it accessible, we crafted the machine ourselves at our Mohali factory.”
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Sharma mentioned that a similar endeavor was undertaken in Mumbai after the Covid-19 pandemic, but it did not achieve the same level of success.
Nevertheless, the narrative takes a different turn at Sukhna Lake. Sharma highlighted that their ATM dispenses an average of 100 pizzas daily, a number that surges to 200-300 on weekends. Moreover, the pricing is exceptionally reasonable, offering a 35% discount compared to the rates of Domino’s and Pizza Hut.
As for how the machine operates, Sharma reveals, “Once you’ve chosen your pizza preferences, a robotic arm springs into action. It assembles the base with your desired toppings, bakes it to perfection, and serves it up in just three minutes.” And here’s the kicker – the machine can multitask, preparing up to seven pizza bases simultaneously!
CITCO officials revealed that the lakeside location, bustling with tourists seeking a variety of culinary delights, set the stage for this delicious sensation.
However, the journey was not devoid of challenges. Sharma recounted the struggle with a Chinese machine, which managed tasks ranging from dough preparation to toppings. Nevertheless, technical difficulties necessitated a change in strategy.
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Sharma oversees the day-to-day operations of the pizza ATM, including staffing, training, upkeep, and maintenance. CITCO stressed that the licensee must guarantee a superior customer experience, ensuring excellence in every aspect, from the ambience to the cleanliness surrounding the kiosk.
Global Trends: Pizza ATMs in the US Universities
In the US, Pizza ATMs have become a common feature on college campuses, offering fresh pizzas around the clock.
According to Delish, Pizza ATMs originated from Xavier University in 2016 and have since expanded to institutions such as Ohio State University, with the latest addition being the University of North Florida.
Managed by kitchen personnel, these ATMs guarantee that students can access hot meals, even during late-night study sessions.
They accept on-campus dining dollars, offering a convenient dining option for students.
Despite the $60,000 investment, universities deem them worthwhile for fulfilling students’ needs.
Expanding Innovations: WTC Vending Machine in Hyderabad
In June 2023, Hyderabad unveiled the world’s first Water, Tea, or Coffee (WTC) vending machine, transforming the landscape of beverage and snack dispensing. This fully automated innovation mimics the operations of a conventional street corner tea shop, providing tea, coffee, water, and biscuits round the clock without requiring human assistance.
Customers can effortlessly select their desired product by scanning the QR code on the machine, promptly dispensing it through the system. Engineered with user-friendliness in mind, the machine includes integrated voice assistance, guaranteeing a smooth experience for all users.
This initiative tackles the shortage of vending machines in India, especially in public areas such as malls, government schools, and offices.