The Pepsi Black Restaurants Deliver Program Provides Pro Bono, Bespoke Digital Consultation And Services For D.C. Eateries, With More Cities To Come
August 11, 2021
Washington, D.C., August 12, 2021 - The Pepsi Dig In Black Restaurants Deliver program, a pro-bono digital consultancy, is bolstering some of Washington, D.C.'s most delicious and culinary-diverse Black-owned restaurants. Washington, D.C. was the pilot market for Black Restaurants Deliver, which served 10 local restaurants with an 8-week digital consultation to optimize their online ordering and delivery capabilities.
The program offers personalized, expert consulting services designed to provide immediate and lasting improvements to restaurants' food delivery business. Participating D.C. restaurants worked with a team of advisors to level-up delivery logistics, technology, marketing, online presence, packaging, operations and menu development.
"Providing great food delivery service is equally important as ensuring a great dine-in experience," said Donna Henry, owner of Soup Up in Brightwood Park, part of the inaugural class of participating restaurants. "By helping businesses bring their menus directly into people's homes, the program offers an experience that is straightforward, seamless, and sensible. It's a win-win for everyone!"
The pandemic made online ordering vital to restaurant survival, and more than half of adults say takeout or delivery meals are now "essential to the way they live."With the pandemic accelerating digital ordering , the Black Restaurant Deliver program provides Black-owned restaurants with expertise, tools and increased visibility to help sustain their businesses in the new digital era," said Scott Finlow, chief marketing officer, PepsiCo Global Foodservice.
"We're Proud To Enable Black-Owned Restaurants With The Business Resources And Tools They Need To Thrive."
– Derek Lewis PepsiCo Beverages North America, President, South Division
Consumers can now more easily discover and order online from the following participating restaurants:
An iconic eatery in Northwest Washington, D.C. known for its Original Half Smokes, Burgers, Chili Cheese Fries, Milkshakes, and celebrity sightings since 1958.
Florida-style seafood with locations on H Street and Brandywine, MD.
Located on H Street, this family-owned restaurant offers more than 25 traditional and specialty Po' Boys on its Cajun-inspired menu.
Located at 14th St NW and Monroe, this full-service contemporary restaurant serves unique dishes and craft cocktails inspired by the diverse cultures of New Orleans.
Serving lite bites, sweet treats, and refreshing drinks to guests at the District Wharf, the restaurant was started by Darryl Jones after two decades as the only Black business owner at the Wharf to create a legacy for his daughters Lena, Brittany, Briana, and Andrea.
A Caribbean-inspired deli with a truly eclectic menu at Minnesota Ave NE and Benning Rd
Located in Brightwood Park community in northwest D.C., this specialty soup shop spoons out high-quality, natural and delicious, low-sodium soups.
An American-inspired, family-friendly restaurant specializing in burgers ground in-house daily; two locations in Brandywine & Laurel, MD.
Serving D.C., Maryland, and Virginia, this award-winning caterer does weddings, parties, and events of all sizes.
A seafood eatery just outside of D.C. that serves seafood-centric soul food, with one location opening soon in Upper Marlboro, MD.
After seeing successful results in D.C., Pepsi is expanding the program to provide additional support to restaurants across the U.S. Select restaurants in the Greater DMV, Oakland, Kansas City, Atlanta, and Ben\u2019s Chili Bowl in D.C. \u2013 who recently selected Pepsi as its exclusive beverage partner, are currently in the midst of the consultancy. Restaurants in the New York, Houston, Los Angeles, New Orleans and Detroit areas can apply for future phases of the Black Restaurants Deliver program and eateries across the country can request a complimentary digital delivery playbook that comes with a few consulting hours here.
"We're proud to enable Black-owned restaurants with the business resources and tools they need to thrive," said Derek Lewis, PepsiCo Beverages North America, President, South Division. "After Black-owned small businesses in the U.S. saw the highest rates of shutdowns as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and consumers are increasingly utilizing digital channels to order food, these partnerships come at a pivotal moment."
To learn more about and support Black-owned restaurants nationwide, visit PepsiDigIn.com or follow @PepsiDigIn on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
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PepsiCo products are enjoyed by consumers more than one billion times a day in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. PepsiCo generated more than $70 billion in net revenue in 2020, driven by a complementary food and beverage portfolio that includes Frito-Lay, Gatorade, Pepsi-Cola, Quaker, Tropicana and SodaStream. PepsiCo's product portfolio includes a wide range of enjoyable foods and beverages, including 23 brands that generate more than $1 billion each in estimated annual retail sales.
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