The Rise of AI-Powered Cloud Kitchens
In a bold move that signals the future of food delivery, Athens-based StiQ has secured a landmark €20 million investment from the European Investment Bank (EIB). This support propels StiQ’s vision of transforming healthy dining with a robust, scalable, and sustainable cloud kitchen platform.
What Sets StiQ Apart?
At its core, StiQ brings together software, logistics, and culinary operations into a unified platform. The system leverages artificial intelligence to:
Predict demand and optimize daily operations.
Engineer dynamic menus based on real-time data.
Streamline inventory and reduce food waste through precise management.
Implement smart routing and grouped deliveries, cutting down on emissions and delivery times.
StiQ currently manages five “kitchen hubs” in Athens, preparing and delivering meals for more than 20 brands—brands such as Protein Garden, Dinas, and Healthy Concept—to a market of three million residents. The company’s 200-strong team is rapidly expanding, with an ambitious target of 30 hubs across Europe by 2029.
Championing Sustainability
StiQ’s expansion strategy is built on a foundation of environmental responsibility:
The adoption of zero-waste targets in its operations.
Committing to the use of electric delivery vehicles.
Employing data-driven practices to ensure consistent food safety and high customer satisfaction.
Reducing CO₂ emissions across their network with intelligent logistics.
These steps are not just operational efficiencies—they position StiQ as a leader in building a greener, more resilient food service sector in Europe.
Scaling with Strategic Partners
The EIB’s backing—structured as venture debt with quasi-equity features—provides StiQ with the agility to:
Invest in proprietary technology and AI features.
Rapidly advance digital tools for both consumers and operators.
Enter new EU markets, taking their Greek-born innovation continent-wide.
This investment not only closes a critical gap in early-stage growth capital, it demonstrates a broader European commitment to food system innovation, digital transformation, and strengthening regional economies.
The Future of Fast-Casual Is Here
StiQ isn’t just scaling a business—it’s reshaping the very idea of delivery-first dining, blending cutting-edge technology with culinary excellence and sustainability. As the company accelerates into its next growth phase, it offers a blueprint for how cloud kitchen models can help solve some of the restaurant industry’s most pressing challenges, from food waste to energy efficiency.
