Aramark Sports + Entertainment announces self-checkout technology for 2022 NFL season
Aramark Sports + Entertainment, the award-winning food and beverage partner at 10 NFL venues, is continuing to lead the way in hospitality innovation with new culinary creations and programs as well as self-serve and AI-powered technology offerings.
“As another NFL season kicks off, Aramark Sports + Entertainment is excited to showcase the work of our talented culinary teams in developing new and buzzworthy food programs and creative concepts that provide fans with the best possible dining experience on game day,” Alison Birdwell, president and CEO of Aramark Sports + Entertainment, said in the announcement. “Headlining this season are innovative takes on traditional fan favorites, out-of-the-box dishes as part of our new Snack Hack program, and the latest advancements in self-serve technology that increase speed of service at concessions stands – getting fans back to their seats as efficiently as possible to cheer on their home teams.”
Self-order technology
New in 2022, Aramark is continuing to disrupt the status quo with expansions on its convenient, self-checkout solutions:
Aramark’s AI-powered, grab-and-go models paired with Mashgin smart-checkout devices get fans back to the game at record speeds. This near-contactless technology is featured in the new Drink Mkt at U.S. Bank Stadium as well as FirstEnergy Stadium’s multiple Walk Thru Bru stands and two of its C-Town Eats locations.
Acrisure Stadium, Empower Field at Mile High, GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, NRG Stadium, Paycor Stadium, and M&T Bank Stadium will feature Mashgin and Caper Counter express, touchless checkout systems, allowing guests to set, scan and go.
Beer and cocktail capabilities
Mobile Beer Express: Acrisure Stadium will introduce Blitz Beer this season, powered by Tapin2, where fans can order a beverage from the Steelers app or via QR code, pay through their mobile device, and pick up their order at any of 12 new Beer Express locations after showing their valid government issued ID. FirstEnergy Stadium will also provide expanded mobile ordering capabilities through Cleveland Cold Ones.
Bartesian: Providing bar-quality cocktails at the push of a button, Bartesian cocktail machines will be deployed in suites and on mobile bar carts at Empower Field at Mile High, GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, Paycor Stadium, and U.S. Bank Stadium to serve premium cocktails to fans in less than 30 seconds per serve, after showing their valid government issued ID.
TendedBar: Launched in the summer of 2022 during Empower Field at Mile High’s summer concert series, TendedBar is a 10-foot-long bar that can dispense 10 liquors and 18 mixers at a time. And, with digital age verification via Trueface facial recognition, the high-tech bar verifies guests’ age for each purchase and allows them to mix up a cocktail with a few touches of a screen. No need for fans to pull out their ID again when ordering a drink.
Gear Up with Mobile Scan and Go: GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium will feature a new retail shopping experience in Section 220. Fans will use the Chief's mobile app to scan the barcode for any items they would like to purchase, next fans checkout through their phone and just exit the store. This innovative and convenient shopping process will elevate the experience and get fans back to their seats without missing a minute of the game. Aramark Sports + Entertainment is the exclusive retail provider at three NFL stadiums.
Self-Order Kiosks: FirstEnergy Stadium is the latest venue to offer self-checkout kiosks with Tapin2 Technology at C-Town Eats (two locations) and Pilot Fast Favorites (four locations). Paycor Stadium has also joined the self-order movement with two new alcoholic beverage concepts throughout the venue – Drink Mkt and Walk Thru Bru. Additionally, GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium will expand kiosk ordering at its Walk Thru Bru and John Dough Pizza Co. locations.
Food programs
Snack Hack is Aramark Sports + Entertainment’s latest inventive take on stadium food, featuring iconic snacks like Doritos, Cheetos, Sugar Daddy, and more, transformed into entirely new menu items.
Aramark Sports + Entertainment is also mixing up traditional favorites to create all-new takes on gameday staples and partnering with hometown restaurants to bring local flavors to the fans.
Chefs on the Road is also coming to the NFL this season. The program is designed to offer new culinary experiences to sports fans through menu offerings that are authentic to the visiting team’s hometown cuisine. Executive Chefs from across participating Aramark Sports + Entertainment NFL venues will travel with the team to away games and serve their iconic, hometown dish in the club level of the host team’s stadium. The program enables fans to try new menu items from the rival team while cheering on their own, while providing Aramark the opportunity to invest and develop its culinary leadership through collaboration and exposure to different audiences across its accounts.
