A new addition to the Rancho Cordova shopping center has grabbed attention: a pizza vending machine.
PizzaForno, an automated pizza chain, has introduced its first pizza-serving robot in California at Nimbus Winery along Folsom Boulevard. The installation, completed in late June, marks a significant step for the chain in expanding its presence on the West Coast.
Charlene Pabro-Leconte, a local PizzaForno owner, led the venture. A former tech sales professional, Pabro-Leconte decided to bring the automated pizza experience to the Sacramento area, where she grew up. The vending machine stores frozen pizzas and, upon order, sends them through a conduction oven.
Customers can select from six different flavors: pepperoni, meat-lovers, cheese, vegetarian, breakfast, and barbecue chicken. The 12-inch pizzas, which yield six to eight slices depending on how they’re cut, are prepared and served by robotic arms within the machine.
“Robotic arms lift it up from the pizza box, cook it, and it goes right back in the pizza box and comes out the door,” Pabro-Leconte explained.
The machine is serviced every three to four days, during which it is cleaned, restocked, and maintained to ensure smooth operation.
PizzaForno: A Growing Trend in North America
Headquartered in Toronto, Canada, PizzaForno has rapidly expanded its presence since its inception. The company’s vending machines began appearing in hospitals, campuses, and gas stations across Ontario in 2020. Their U.S. debut occurred in 2021, with the first successful installation in Jackson, Michigan.
Today, PizzaForno machines can be found in several states, including Texas, Utah, Mississippi, Georgia, Louisiana, and Florida. The company also has plans to expand into Costa Rica.
Pabro-Leconte revealed that the company intends to install more machines throughout Sacramento County, within Sacramento city limits, and in Southern California.
She believes the appeal of automated pizza systems lies in their operational efficiency, space-saving design, and scalability. “These machines can operate around the clock, enhancing convenience and increasing sales opportunities,” she said. “Less space is required compared to traditional restaurants, and they can easily be scaled to multiple locations.”
Rob Wassmer, an economics professor at Sacramento State University, noted that automated machines are becoming more attractive to business owners because they help reduce costs.