Dive Brief:
- BeeHex, a startup building 3-D food printers, has raised $1 million to launch the Chef 3D, the world’s first pizza printer, according to Tech Crunch.
- The concept was originally conceived as a way to cook food for astronauts.
- Anjan Contractor, BeeHex’ CEO and cofounder, said the company will launch by working with select pilot customers.
Dive Insight:
While the 3-D pizza maker may seem like something out of "The Jetsons," BeeHex has made it a reality and its invention may be popping up in food stores all over the world. Its goal is to produce machines that can make snacks or meals on the spot, tailored to a customer's needs or desires.
Retailers who look for ways to innovate will do better at leading people to think about their stores as destinations for lunch and dinner choices. That’s why this 3-D machine could change the landscape of the way people shop for meals. Pizza in custom shapes or made with a particular crust recipe elevate the experience of eating at the grocery to something for which shoppers make a special trip — not just for sake of convenience.
There are many innovations that grocery retailers are trying to become more personable for consumers. This is one of the reasons why food bars and meal kits have been seeing such an upward trend over the years. Consumers like when they are able to decide things for themselves and make choices about their meals.