GOPIZZA

GOPIZZA operates as a food-tech company specializing in single-serving, oval-shaped pizzas, positioning itself to transform pizza into a fast-food staple. The company was founded in 2016 by Jaewon (Jay) Lim, who was inspired to create a "McDonald's of pizza" after experiencing frustration with the long wait times, high costs, and large portions typical of conventional pizza offerings. Lim, a graduate of Singapore Management University and KAIST with a Master's in Management Engineering, started his journey with a single food truck in Seoul, South Korea, after identifying operational inefficiencies in the pizza industry while working part-time at a pizzeria.

The business functions as a chain of pizzerias, serving customers through franchise stores, food trucks, and increasingly, through a 'shop-in-shop' model within convenience stores, cinemas, and petrol stations. This hybrid retail-restaurant approach minimizes rental and labor costs, allowing for rapid and capital-efficient expansion. GOPIZZA generates revenue through direct sales at its own and franchised outlets and by supplying its proprietary cooking technology to business partners. The company has expanded internationally, operating in countries like India, Singapore, Japan, Indonesia, and Thailand, tailoring its menu to local tastes while maintaining core product quality. For instance, vegetarian options are prominent in India, where they account for approximately 70% of sales.

Central to GOPIZZA's model is its suite of proprietary technology. The 'GOVEN' is a patented automated oven capable of baking a pizza in under five minutes. This is complemented by a specially formulated, pre-baked 'parbake' dough that eliminates the need for on-site kneading, ensuring consistency and speed. The company also utilizes the 'GOBOT,' a cooperative robot for tasks like slicing and saucing, and an 'AI Smart Topping Table' that uses real-time computer vision to guide staff and ensure standardized topping distribution. This technological integration allows outlets to operate with a small footprint, some as compact as 50 square feet, and a minimal number of employees, significantly reducing operational expenses.

Keywords: food-tech, quick service restaurant, QSR, personal pizza, single-serving pizza, pizza franchise, automated cooking, AI in food service, robotic kitchen, GOVEN, GOBOT, parbake dough, shop-in-shop model, food and beverage, international expansion, South Korean startup, Jaewon Lim, affordable pizza, fast-food pizza, food technology solutions, convenience store F&B, automated ovens, AI food quality