The $5M Restaurant Startup Taking on Labor, Real Estate, and Delivery All at Once

Is it time to rethink how restaurants are built—literally from the ground up?

On this episode Kyle sits down with Nipun Sharma, CEO and co-founder of Appetronix, to talk about how robotics, AI, and first-principles thinking are completely transforming what a “restaurant” can be. With nearly two decades of global food experience and a sharp eye for operational pain points, Nipun is leading the charge with fully autonomous restaurant pods that slash labor, rent, and delivery inefficiencies—all while delivering chef-quality food.

From launching in Columbus Airport with Donato's Pizza to raising funds in a post-hype market, Nipun shares how thinking like a restaurant operator—not a tech bro—is what sets Appetronix apart.

💡 Actionable Takeaways:

• The future of food service isn’t Jetsons—it’s profit-driven design

• Automating a bad system won’t fix the economics—start from zero

• Use AI for food quality, inventory prediction, and real estate strategy

• Choose launch partners based on food credibility, not novelty

• Embrace automation as an extension of hospitality, not a replacement

  
  

  🎯 Who This Episode Is For:

  • Franchise executives exploring automation for expansion

  • Real estate developers seeking 24/7 food solutions

  • Restaurant tech investors evaluating next-gen platforms

  • Operators struggling with labor costs, late-night coverage, or staffing gaps

  • Food founders rethinking traditional kitchens

    
    

    Connect with Nipun on LinkedIn:

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/nipun-sharma-to/

    
    

    Appetronix Website

    https://appetronix.com/

    If you enjoyed this episode, can we ask a small but mighty favor?

    Taking 30 seconds to subscribe and/or leave a review truly changes everything for an independent podcast like ours.

    Here's why: Each review not only makes our day (seriously, we screenshot and share them with the whole team), but it also helps new listeners discover Closed Monday when they're searching for restaurant growth content.

    The algorithm gods favor podcasts with active reviews, and your words help us climb those charts and reach more operators and franchisors who could benefit from these conversations.

    Whether it's a quick star rating or a few words about what you found valuable, your review helps us continue bringing you these expert conversations week after week.

    Thank you for being part of our community. We're building something special here, and your support makes all the difference!

    
    Thanks,

    Kyle