Kyochon to automate chicken frying with Doosan robots

Doosan Robotics is set to supply chicken frying robots to Kyochon F&B for the automation of the cooking process and increased efficiency and safety.

The chicken frying robot developed by Doosan Robotics for Kyochon F&B [DOOSAN ROBOTICS]

Doosan Robotics will supply chicken frying robots to Kyochon F&B, the country's second largest fried chicken franchise in terms of sales, in a move that is expected to streamline the cooking process at Kyochon restaurants.

The robot is able to operate six frying baskets at the same time, frying up to 24 chickens in an hour. It will also allow for easier oil changing and floor cleaning, according to Doosan Robotics on Monday.

The first machine will be installed at the Kychon headquarters in Osan, Gyeonggi within the month, and will be gradually expanded into franchise restaurants.

From right, Doosan Robotics Co-CEO Park In-won, Kyochon F&B vice-president Song Jong-hwa, Doosan Robotics Co-CEO Ryu Jung-hoon and Kyochon F&B CEO Yoon Jin-ho pose for a photo after the MOU signing on Monday. [JOONGANG ILBO]

A memorandum of understanding to adopt the robotic chicken fryer in Kyochon’s restaurants nationwide was signed by the two companies on Oct. 12. Under the deal, Doosan will supply robots engineered to cook Kyochon’s recipes, and Kyochon will introduce the robots to its restaurants to automate the cooking process.

The chicken made at Kyochon follows a three-step process: a first round of frying, removing the excess breading, and then frying a second time. “The implementation of the collaborative robot is expected to not only increase work efficiency and safety for workers but also [cook chicken] that are of uniform quality and taste,” said an official at Doosan.

Some other merits attached to the machine include a user-friendly interface and a warranty service available at all times for maintenance. It was also certified by the U.S. National Sanitation Foundation for food hygiene safety and received an IP66 rating, meaning a high level of waterproofness and dust resistance, by the International Electrotechnical Commission.

Doosan Robotics has supplied service robots that automate the cooking processes of fried chicken, noodles, on-site meals, and ice cream to Robert Chicken, CJ Foodville, Ourhome and XYZ.

“We will continue to partner with domestic and international franchises to provide a variety of customized solutions for the food and beverage industry,” said Doosan Robotics co-CEO Ryu Jung-hoon.

Doosan Robotics announced the partnership on Monday during a signing ceremony attended by Doosan Robotics Co-CEOs Park In-won and Ryu Jung-hoon, Kyochon F&B vice president Song Jong-hwa and CEO Yoon Jin-ho.

BY LEE SOO-KI, KIM JU-YEON [kim.juyeon2@joongang.co.kr]