Mangal has partnered with Circus SE to launch what is described as the world’s first fully autonomous restaurant chain, powered entirely by AI-driven robotics. The rollout begins in fall 2025 with the deployment of 500 CA-1 robots, marking the first phase of an expansion plan that could grow to 2,400 locations across Europe, Turkey, and Japan.
The autonomous quick-service restaurants will operate under a newly developed brand and will debut in Germany before expanding internationally. The concept is led by Mangal’s founders, Metin Dağ and Lukas Podolski, along with former KFC executive Marco Schepers. The robotic system, developed by Circus SE, is designed to handle all aspects of food preparation and service without human intervention.
Circus SE CEO Nikolas Bullwinkel described the partnership as a milestone in food automation, emphasizing its potential to redefine quick-service dining. Mangal, a fast-growing kebab chain in Germany, aims to leverage AI-powered automation to scale operations efficiently. The company plans to focus on Turkish cuisine, a significant segment in Germany’s fast-food market, where kebabs generate billions in annual sales.
