When most people think of Pepsi, they think of drinks. But for Cali BBQ, Pepsi is now in the business of helping them sell more barbecue. As part of their partnership, Pepsi’s digital sales team recently conducted a free audit of Cali BBQ’s online menu, and the results were eye-opening.
The audit scored Cali BBQ just 26% on Pepsi’s “Aroma” scale, which measures three pillars of a strong digital menu: visibility, value, and variety. That meant there was plenty of room to grow, and Pepsi had the data and tools to help.
Free Tools for Restaurants
The first surprise? This is not a premium service. Pepsi offers free menu optimization to any of its restaurant partners in the United States. That includes updated images, detailed product descriptions, and even combo meal creation to make online ordering easier for guests and more profitable for operators.
“It is a free service that we offer to all our Pepsi partners,” explained Preksha Kaushik, who works on Pepsi’s digital sales team in Southern California. “It is part of our partnership to update your online menus and create a more seamless experience. The goal is to help you increase your digital sales, since it is such a growing part of restaurant business.”
Combos That Increase Sales
By simply adding combo meals featuring Pepsi products, restaurants can increase check sizes and give guests more value. And operators do not need to stage a new photoshoot. “All we would need is a picture of your food,” said Kaushik. “Then we send those combo images right back to you within a few days.”
For Shawn Walchef, founder of Cali BBQ, this was an important takeaway. “We do not think like quick service restaurants,” he said. “Pepsi has the data to help us think differently, and that can make a big difference in sales.”
Fixing the Details That Drive Sales
Pepsi’s Menu Pro Optimize service also tackles the small but important details that influence buying decisions. In Cali BBQ’s case, that meant updating outdated Pepsi logos on their DoorDash menu and adding more precise descriptions like drink sizes and product variations.
Kaushik walked through the process in real time. “From here we will add in all the Pepsi products that you carry,” she said. “We can select within a fountain, bottle, and can, whatever you carry. Then we just add pricing and it is as simple as that. Everything will flow through and update on all your platforms.”
Why It Matters
In a world where more guests are ordering online every week, the quality of a digital menu is directly tied to the bottom line. Better images and smarter combos mean higher visibility, bigger orders, and a smoother experience for customers.
“If you are a current Pepsi customer, ask your rep about it,” Walchef said. “If you are not, let’s get you connected. It is one of the easiest wins you can get for your online sales.”
