Agreement expands access to global expertise, resources and support to accelerate adoption

EXTON, Pa., Oct. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Ricoh USA, Inc. today announced a partnership with food-service automation company Hyphen to facilitate and scale the adoption of robotics in the food service industry in the U.S. through RICOH Service Advantage, a lifecycle management solution that enables companies, such as emerging technology organizations, to address the challenges associated with rapid expansion, including deployment and ongoing support.

The global market for restaurant robotics, including automated food-preparation systems, is expected to triple from $2 billion in 2026 to $6 billion by 2033, with North America as the primary driver.

“While we’ve seen tremendous interest in the potential of robotic technology to improve operations and provide a superior, more consistent customer experience, the ability to scale has hampered traction in this industry,” said Shawn Lange, Senior Vice President of Go-To-Market, Hyphen. “Our partnership with Ricoh is a game changer, enabling us to quickly ramp up, train, and implement solutions for restaurants that wish to deploy chainwide.”

The supported technology includes the Hyphen Automated Makeline, backed by both Chipotle and Cava. This system receives digital drive-thru, online, and kiosk orders then automatically assembles rice and salad bowls under-the-counter while team members focus on in-house customers and serve them from the top-of-counter as always.

“Restaurant operators are turning to technology to improve the top line by delivering a differentiated and consistent brand experience, as well as the bottom line by driving down costs,” said Steve Sanders, Vice President, Service Advantage, Ricoh North America. “Pairing Hyphen’s robotic solutions with Ricoh’s world-class service promise will enable more food-service providers to gain a competitive edge in a highly competitive industry.”

The National Restaurant Association’s latest industry report found that more than 90% of operators cite food, labor, insurance and inflation-related costs as significant challenges. As restaurants look for ways to improve efficiency and manage rising expenses, partnerships that combine automation with scalable deployment and service capabilities are becoming increasingly important.

About Hyphen

Hyphen automates meal production and augments labor to increase profitability and efficiency in foodservice. Hyphen’s automated makeline produces over 200 meals an hour while eliminating order defects and cross-contamination. Through its CulinaryOS, Hyphen’s platform allows restaurants to create recipes in seconds, fulfill multiple orders from digital channels, and assist with kitchen-specific tasks. Customers include some of the world’s most innovative restaurant chains, virtual brands, and co-packers.

For further information, please visit www.usehyphen.com.

| About Ricoh |

Ricoh is a global integrator in workplace transformation, operating in approximately 200 countries and regions and headquartered in Tokyo. Supporting customers’ value creation, Ricoh offers workplace services and solutions that empower organizations to work smarter through advanced technologies—including AI—together with long-standing expertise rooted in printing. Ricoh also operates commercial and industrial printing businesses and delivers new solutions leveraging inkjet technology. In the financial year ended March 2026, Ricoh Group had worldwide sales of 2,608 billion yen (approx. 16.4 billion USD).

For 90 years since our founding, Ricoh has upheld its mission and vision of empowering individuals to find Fulfilment through Work—and that commitment continues today. By understanding and transforming how people work, we unleash their potential and creativity to realize a sustainable future.

For further information, please visit www.ricoh.com.

© 2026 Ricoh USA, Inc. All rights reserved. All referenced product names are the trademarks of their respective companies.

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SOURCE Ricoh USA, Inc.