Why Do Large Bakeries Automate, but Small Ones Don't?

How Smaller Bakeries Can Start Gaining the Same Advantages—Without Breaking the Bank.

Repetitive motion injuries account for over 60% of all occupational illnesses, according to OSHA.

In the world of commercial baking, large-scale producers have long embraced automation as a means of driving efficiency, consistency, and profitability. With high production volumes and tight delivery schedules, automation allows them to meet demand without depending heavily on manual labor. From robotic decorating lines to automated mixing and packaging systems, large bakeries can justify these investments because the cost savings and production gains scale quickly. Labor shortages and increasing wage pressures have only accelerated the need for machines that can work faster, longer, and with greater consistency than a human workforce.

Smaller bakeries, however, often hold back from automation—not due to a lack of interest, but because of cost, complexity, and perceived risk.

Perception #1 - Expensive

Many small business owners view automation as an expensive leap, one that may seem out of reach without guaranteed ROI.

Perception #2 - Losing the "Handmade" look

There’s also an emotional component: smaller bakeries often pride themselves on craftsmanship and fear that automation could compromise the “handmade” quality their customers love.

Perception #3 - I'm not technologically savvy

Robotics is inherently scary to most people. The thought of a big machine with many moving parts can be overwhelming and a major barrier to growing the business.

Perception #4 - Maintenance will be too complex - I don't have an engineer on staff

Without an engineering degree or an engineer on staff, I will not be able to easily troubleshoot or manage obstacles that come up.

Changing the narrative for small and mid-sized bakeries is essential to staying competitive.

Outdated perceptions about automation—too big, too expensive, too complex—no longer reflect today’s reality. Modern decorating systems are compact, affordable, and designed for ease of use, even without technical staff. Many concerns stem from older machinery or poor vendor support, but the landscape has changed.

With rising labor costs and a shrinking pool of skilled decorators, bakeries of all sizes are turning to smart automation. Modular machines and customer-operated cake writers offer practical entry points that increase throughput without sacrificing quality. Automation isn’t just for industrial giants anymore—it’s a tool that empowers every bakery to scale, stay consistent, and thrive.

Cookie flooding with just a touch of a button!

At BeeHex, our machines are designed to be user-friendly and require only basic maintenance, which we fully train your team to handle—no in-house engineer needed. Plus, we offer remote support and easy-to-follow service guides to keep things running smoothly.