Welbilt, Zume Pizza Partner For Next Generation Delivery Vehicles

Zume Pizza, the California pizza-delivery chain that boasts baked-on-the-way technology, has teamed up with Welbilt Inc. to launch a second-generation version of delivery vehicles for its use as well as for use by other foodservice operations.

The chain, under the new corporate Zume Inc. structure, is partnering with Welbilt to introduce a suite of Food Delivery Vehicles 2.0, each powered with six high-efficiency Welbilt ovens allowing Zume to bake 120 pizzas per hour. In the future, Welbilt will incorporate a significant portion of its portfolio of custom-built appliances—including steamers, griddles, and broilers— into the vehicles.

“Our mission is to feed the planet without ruining it, and we do that by providing healthier, more affordable food to every American. We recognize that we can’t do that by ourselves, which is why we are excited to partner with Welbilt and open up the platform to other food companies who share our vision,” says Alex Garden, CEO and co-founder of Zume.

“We are very pleased to be working with Zume on their next generation Food Delivery Vehicle,” states Hubertus Muehlhaeuser, Welbilt’s President and CEO. “Their vision for how automation, connectivity, and artificial intelligence in the kitchen enhance the food delivery experience is closely aligned with Welbilt’s FitKitchen. Our success with multiple accelerated cooking technology platforms demonstrates that we know how to identify industry-changing opportunities and seize them through agile technology discovery and rigorous product development.”

This year, the Mountain View, Calif., chain plans to expand to 26 new markets across the San Francisco Bay area. The new Zume Inc. business structure allows Zume to continue to operate brands including Zume Pizza, and eventually cultivate a collection of companies and services alongside it.