The Automat

The Automat is a historical documentary that examines a century of the Horn & Hardart restaurant chain. Through the memories of former patrons, the film explores how the business rose to prominence by offering communal dining and coffee, eventually serving as an inspiration for Starbucks. The narrative follows the company's journey from its height of popularity to its struggle against the rise of fast food within a changing American society.

Directed by Lisa Hurwitz and written by Michael Levine, the production was handled by A Slice of Pie Productions in the United States. The film features interviews with several individuals appearing as themselves, including Mel Brooks, Carl Reiner, and John W. Romas, along with a total credited cast of 24 people. Since its release on September 2, 2021, the 79-minute film has received generally positive feedback from viewers. On IMDb, it holds a rating of 7.8/10 based on 1,900 votes, while on TMDB, it has a rating of 6.8/10 from 23 votes.