Kodiak Robotics and the Martin-Brower Company are working together on autonomous, time-critical food deliveries for quick-service restaurants. The two companies have announced a partnership that to autonomously deliver time-critical refrigerated freight for quick service restaurants eight times per week between Dallas and Oklahoma City.

'Shuttle Lane' Autonomous Deliveries

Martin-Brower specializes in supply chain solutions. The two companies have worked together on various autonomous freight initiatives since July 2022. To date, Kodiak has completed over 600 autonomous deliveries for Martin-Brower. The companies said they are currently exploring additional ways to expand their commercial operations across the Martin Brower network.

Kodiak operates what Martin-Brower calls a “shuttle lane.” In these operations, autonomous trucks shuttle full trailers between major hubs and local drivers handle distribution of goods to multiple restaurants. This latest effort includes two of the top five largest fast food chains in the United States, the companies said in a press release. Both companies are working together to explore additional shuttle lane opportunities that will optimize and future-proof Martin-Brower’s network, allowing it to better serve the growing demands of its customers.

“We chose Kodiak because we share a mutual commitment to safety and customer service,” said Mark Grittner, director, global capital, fleet & facilities, Martin-Brower. “By working together, we are able to benefit from the safety, reliability and efficiency provided by Kodiak’s autonomous technology while also ensuring our local drivers can continue to provide the best-in-class customer service that is foundational to Martin-Brower’s reputation.” 

 “Your next order of fries may have traveled on a Kodiak truck,” added Don Burnette, founder and CEO, Kodiak. “Autonomous trucks are well-suited to the difficult work of long-haul driving, while allowing our partners’ local drivers to handle last-mile deliveries and provide a personal touch for customers. Martin Brower’s shuttle lane model is an ideal application for Kodiak that enables us to demonstrate the value of our technology within our customers’ existing networks.”

 As part of the partnership, Martin-Brower has joined the Kodiak Partner Deployment Program. This program helps carriers establish autonomous freight operations and integrate the Kodiak Driver, Kodiak's self-driving system, into their fleet.