Sodexo is testing new technology designed to consolidate menu, recipe, purchasing and inventory management systems. Poising itself to gain new contracts, the foodservice management company says its new Drive Platform system will help save operators time and simplify back-of-house processes.
When it comes to foodservice technology, a pain point for many directors is the inability of different operational systems to talk to each other. With combined menu and purchasing programs, for instance, operators don't have to jump into multiple programs to fully understand food costs while menu planning.
Sodexo also used data when selecting which recipes to inlcude on Drive. All the recipes in the system have been curated based on consumer insights. “Our culinary team develops standard menus and recipes that have been researched and vetted with our consumers, and comply with nutritional requirements,” said Brian Smith, Sodexo vice president of information services and technology, in a news release. “It takes the guesswork out of menu and recipe planning.” In addition, the software allows Sodexo's team to quickly edit recipes, accelerating the company's speed to market with menu improvements.
Drive is being piloted in three locations this month, with Sodexo expecting to expand it to all units in the coming years.