Single-serving GOPIZZA scales up with smart tech
It plans to open as many as 2,000 outlets this year.
South Korean food tech startup GOPIZZA is setting up more compact outlets in high-traffic areas such as convenience stores and cinemas to boost sales whilst using technology to standardise operations with minimal staff.
“Our proprietary Parbake Dough and GOVEN and standardised processes allow us to maintain uniform quality no matter where we set up our shop,” GOPIZZA's Global CEO and Founder Jay Lim told QSR Media Asia.
GOPIZZA’s artificial intelligence (AI)-powered oven, known as GOVEN, ensures consistent cooking without requiring a trained chef.
“The single-serving pizza concept is widely accepted and adaptable to local tastes, whilst the compact footprint eases real estate concerns,” Lim said. “Partnerships with established local operators, combined with the global appeal of Korean food culture, help us quickly integrate and resonate with diverse markets.”
Whilst most quick-service restaurants expand by opening large stores, hiring more employees, and increasing production capacity manually, Gopizza scales its operations through tech. It offers a convenient, on-the-go dining option by embedding its outlets in existing retail infrastructure such as convenience stores, cinemas, and other nontraditional locations.
“By placing our products within everyday consumer touchpoints, we provide a seamless experience that can reduce operational costs and streamline service,” Lim said.
GOPIZZA, which started as a food truck in 2016 and is one of the fastest-growing food tech startups in the Asia-Pacific region, plans to open 1,500 to 2,000 outlets this year, mostly in South Korea, India, and other Southeast Asian countries.
It now operates more than 1,000 stores across several countries, including South Korea, India, Singapore, Thailand, and Indonesia.
“For retailers, we significantly reduce their labour costs and investment compared with setting up a real restaurant whilst keeping the quality on par or higher,” the CEO said. “They can increase the basket size effectively.”
For customers, the smaller, tech-enabled format also ensures consistent quality and faster service, delivering a satisfying meal at a fraction of the usual wait, he pointed out.
Lim is attending the QSR Media Asia Conference on 3 April in Singapore, where he expects to learn how the industry is addressing operational challenges that are different from their approach, such as staffing, digital engagement, and shifting consumer preferences.
“To be honest, we would like to see if our model has many needs from the actual decision-makers in related industries such as gas stations and cinemas,” Lim said. “We want to make the conference an excellent sales opportunity for us but also a solution-seeking session for retailers.”
