July 05, 2023

When AI Levels Up Your Kitchen, with Mike Guinan, Vice President Operations Services at White Castle

33 minutes

On today’s episode, we talk with Mike Guinan, Vice President Operations Services at White Castle. White Castle is America's first fast-food hamburger chain, started in 1921. The family-owned business now owns and operates more than 350 restaurants.

Mike Guinan has worked in many roles since he started at White Castle more than 38 years ago. He began behind the counter learning the grill, and eventually made his way to Vice President Operations Services. In his current position, Mike oversees Destination locations, Real Estate, Construction, Engineering as well as leading the company in Robotic and Automations.

In this episode Mike discusses how White Castle is bringing robots, AI and tech into the kitchen to revolutionize the restaurant industry. He describes how the business makes quality food that meets or exceeds expectations, with greater efficiency.

Quotes

"We're very excited about [kitchen robotics]. I promise you, it's not gonna take anyone's job away. It's gonna enhance their job. And more importantly, it's going to enhance how the customer is able to interact with us and how we're able to deliver against what their expectation is." - Mike Guinan

Time Stamps

**(00:31) How Mike got started

**(02:27) How White Castle stands the test of time

**(08:23) White Castle’s iconic design

**(13:13) Leveraging robots and tech in the kitchen

**(21:50) Evolving the restaurant space

**(28:23) Adapting to technology

Links