Rebirth of the Automat

Filed in archive Entrepreneur on September 6, 2006

Or what I like to call the bionic Cafeteria.

The hottest new eatery in New York won't get rave reviews for fine service provided by its waiters. It doesn't have any. Nor does Bamn! have tables, cashiers or any of the other basic amenities diners have come to expect.

Instead, Bamn is a throwback to the first half of the 20th century -- it's an automat diner. Windowed compartments display hot, fresh food. Customers throw in a few coins and are rewarded with instant gratification. Bamn's menu focuses on fast comfort food: hot dogs, grilled cheese, chicken strips, mac & cheese, etc.

So-called 'waiterless restaurants' were first brought to the United States from Berlin in 1900, and Horn & Hardart Automats was once the largest chain of restaurants in the world. The last automat closed in 1991. Repeating history, Bamn's founders came up with the idea of reviving the automat after visiting Amsterdam two years ago.

Convinced that the "satisfaction is automatic" approach would once again be a hit with New Yorkers, Bamn imported automats from Holland, and set up shop at 37 St. Mark's Place. Most items are less than USD 2.50, and the retro-futurist snack shack is open 24 hours a day.

I smell a business opporunity here, how about you? Check out Bamn and the Rebirth of the Automat