Pepsi’s Digital Lab Aims to Help Restaurants Succeed

PURCHASE, N.Y. – PepsiCo has announced the launch of its new Foodservice Digital Lab, a first-of-its-kind suite of capabilities built to connect foodservice operators with the companies, services, insights and solutions best suited for their specific digital and online needs, according to Gurufocus.com.

Technology has impacted every aspect of the dining experience, and many foodservice operators want more information about how they can best use it to their advantage. A recent survey of foodservice operators found that nearly half (47%) felt unsure about the longevity of emerging technology. Although 63% said they plan to upgrade their foodservice technology this year, many admitted they are frustrated about the time and energy needed to research and onboard the best solutions for their business.

“The digital age has disrupted everything–including the way people order, eat and experience food and beverages,” said Scott Finlow, chief marketing officer, PepsiCo Foodservice. “PepsiCo is helping our customers stay ahead of the curve … With the customer-focused Digital Lab, we created a one-stop service for operators to access the resources and knowledge needed to drive a better consumer experience and impactful business results in the digital era."

As an industry leader with global reach, PepsiCo brings together knowledge that spans the entire food and beverage industry to create a seamless operator experience. The Digital Lab, the first offering of its kind from a foodservice manufacturer, will teach operators how to identify and deploy technology solutions that benefit their business through:

1) Digital Insights: Using proprietary and partner inputs, PepsiCo will share unique insights with customers, including the digital habits of their target demographics.

2) Digital Playbooks: The Digital Lab will offer comprehensive solutions to make digital tools approachable, achievable and effective for businesses of any size.

3) Digital Activation: PepsiCo will partner with operators to optimize the execution and activation of digital solutions, such as online ordering and delivery platforms to increase sales.

4) Digital Innovation: PepsiCo will experiment with the latest digital innovations, such as voice, augmented reality and machine learning.

PepsiCo Foodservice worked with key customers and partners, such as Grubhub, to identify and remedy friction points that restaurants experience when fulfilling online ordering and delivery. Plus, the Digital Lab teamed with loyalty and digital consumer engagement providers, such as Mobivity, to improve incremental occasions for brands and deliver personalized experiences that delight consumers.

“Collaborating with the PepsiCo Foodservice Digital Lab allows us to test creative solutions that ultimately reach diners and help increase average order size for our restaurant partners,” said Goody Seif, senior director, Business Development at Grubhub. “The insights already gained have identified new opportunities to ensure beverages are top of mind for orders on our platform, and we’re continuing to collaborate on ways Grubhub and Pepsi can work together on co-branded incentives moving forward.”