Pickpad: Streamline Restaurant Takeout & Pickup

The Evolution of Takeout Order Fulfillment

In the past, the responsibilities of a barista were relatively straightforward – simply writing a customer’s name on a cup and announcing it when the order was ready. While occasional misspellings occurred, orders generally reached their intended recipients.

However, the convenience of takeout has become increasingly complex in the current post-pandemic landscape, largely influenced by delivery services like Uber Eats and DoorDash. Pickpad, a Chicago-based hardware startup, is introducing a solution with its compact, square-shaped device.

Introducing the Pickpad System

Unveiled at CES 2025, the Pickpad is a small platform designed for coffee shops and restaurants to place completed food and beverage orders. This modular “smart pad” system integrates directly with a restaurant’s Point of Sale (P.O.S.) system.

Customer names are automatically displayed on the pad’s surface, streamlining the pickup process. Currently, Pickpad is undergoing pilot testing with a café located in Chicago.

Pricing and Service Model

According to Yaro Tsyhanenko, Founder and CEO, Pickpad will be offered as a Hardware-as-a-Service (HaaS) package. The cost is projected to range from $9 to $19 per pad, per month.

This subscription includes comprehensive support, necessary software, and all other resources required for system implementation. Pricing will be determined by the number of pads adopted by a location and the chosen payment schedule – monthly or annually.

Manufacturing and Future Development

Currently, the production cost of each pad is approximately $100, as stated by Tsyhanenko. The company anticipates a significant reduction in costs as manufacturing scales up.

Pickpad is also exploring the development of complete shelving units, designed to integrate seamlessly with standard Ikea bookcases, creating a fully automated order pickup system.