Bear Robotics, a service robot company backed by LG Electronics, is officially entering the European market through a new partnership with UK-based foodservice equipment distributor Jestic Foodservice Solutions. The deal marks a major step in Bear’s global expansion, with the company aiming to meet growing automation demands across the food and hospitality sectors.
As part of the collaboration, Jestic has begun showcasing Bear’s flagship autonomous serving robot, Servi+, at its development kitchen in Paddock Wood, Kent. Bear will handle product development and technical support, while Jestic takes charge of sales, distribution, and live product demonstrations.
The partnership is designed to provide scalable automation solutions that address two key industry challenges: labor shortages and operational inefficiencies. With the UK serving as an initial launchpad, both companies hope to drive adoption of service robotics across Europe.
“Giving customers the opportunity to see and interact with Servi+ in a real-world kitchen environment is expected to boost awareness and trust in the product,” the companies said in a joint statement. “This could pave the way for wider deployment and increased sales across the region.”
What is Servi+?
Servi+ is an AI-powered, autonomous serving robot capable of carrying more than 16 dishes at once and delivering to multiple tables simultaneously. It’s equipped with adaptive LED lighting, customizable displays, and can navigate uneven surfaces with ease. The robot also supports up to four large trays, making it suitable for a variety of foodservice environments.
Founded in Silicon Valley in 2017, Bear Robotics has quickly become a leader in the commercial robot space. The company operates in the U.S., South Korea, Japan, and opened its European hub in Dublin in 2023. Its partnership with Jestic signals an aggressive move into the UK and broader European markets.
Strategic Expansion Across Europe
The UK is seen as an ideal entry point due to its large dining-out culture and growing interest in automation. Bear Robotics plans to use its partnership with Jestic to establish a strong local track record, with an eye toward expanding into Germany, France, and other European markets.
“Labor costs continue to be a major concern in the restaurant industry,” said Michael Eyre, Product Director at Jestic. “We’re proud to introduce a solution that not only boosts efficiency but also improves staff satisfaction by reducing physical strain and burnout.”
Bear Robotics CEO John Ha added, “We’re excited that industry professionals visiting Jestic’s test kitchen can experience Servi+ firsthand. Our mission is to transform the foodservice industry through innovation, and we’re eager to bring our technology to more businesses across the UK and beyond.”
LG’s Role and Vision
LG Electronics acquired a 21% stake in Bear Robotics in March 2023 with a $60 million investment, and increased its ownership to 30% earlier this year, effectively taking over management control. Bear will now serve as LG’s commercial robotics arm, while LG focuses on home and industrial automation technologies.
As labor challenges continue to pressure the foodservice industry, LG and Bear are betting that robots like Servi+ can fill the gap — efficiently, reliably, and at scale.
