Shin Starr presents

About Shin Starr presents

Shin Starr Presents Corp. is a food robotics company aiming to address the high labor costs and inefficiencies in the food service industry, particularly within Korean cuisine. The company was co-founded in 2019 by Jay Shin, a former technology investment portfolio manager, and Kish Shin, who previously managed US franchises for the prominent Korean barbecue brand, Kang Ho Dong Baekjeong. Their combined expertise in technology and the Korean restaurant industry spurred the idea to integrate robotics with traditional food preparation.

The company's core product is a proprietary autonomous kitchen platform, SPACE+ Technology™, which features modular robotic systems including refrigeration units, dispensing systems, and 'auto-woks'. This technology is designed to be versatile, likened to 'Lego blocks' that can be configured for various kitchen setups. Shin Starr operates through a multi-faceted business model. It has a direct-to-consumer brand, Olhso Korean BBQ & Seafood, which utilizes fully automated kitchens inside mobile food trucks. These trucks, currently operating in Foster City, California, employ a 'cook-en-route' system where meals are automatically prepared while the truck is on its way to the customer, ensuring freshness upon delivery. This model aims to reduce delivery costs and time for consumers. Orders are placed through a dedicated app, and the only human employee in the truck is the driver.

Beyond its consumer-facing food trucks, Shin Starr has a significant B2B component. The company's robotic kitchen technology has attracted corporate clients, notably Samsung, which placed an order for 31 robotic systems for its corporate cafeterias after a successful trial. The company's strategy involves using its own brand to showcase the best practices of harmonizing robotics and food, thereby generating more B2B opportunities. Shin Starr's future plans include opening a flagship restaurant in San Mateo by late 2024 and launching a vending machine version of its robotic kitchen by mid-2025 for high-traffic locations. The company is also exploring franchising its food trucks, restaurants, and vending machines.