Today in Restaurant and Grocery Tech: Fiserv Acquires BentoBox; Albertsons Sees Digital Recovery

Today in restaurant and grocery tech news, Albertsons makes a digital comeback, while Fiserv announces the acquisition of restaurant marketing and commerce platform BentoBox with an eye towards integrating the company’s products into Fiserv’s Clover point of sale (POS) solution. Plus, Chris Hartman, co-founder and chief experience officer at travel ordering and delivery service AtYourGate, discusses how the digital ordering boom is transforming airport dining.

Albertsons Companies Sees Digital Growth Recovery Driven by Loyalty Deals

In the quarter ended Sept. 11, 2021, grocery giant Albertsons Companies saw pandemic-driven eCommerce habits stick, with digital sales continuing to grow over 2020 levels. The grocer, parent company of brands Albertsons, Safeway, Jewel-Osco and Vons, among others, announced Monday (Oct. 18) that digital sales grew 5% year over year, for a cumulative 248% growth over 2019 levels. This digital strength was driven in part by the launch of the grocer’s new app and loyalty program.

Race for Most All-Encompassing Restaurant POS Heats Up with Fiserv’s BentoBox Acquisition

The race for tech providers to fold all of restaurants’ digital needs into one POS-centric solution is growing more competitive. Fiserv announced Monday (Oct. 18) that it has signed an agreement to acquire restaurant marketing and commerce platform BentoBox with a goal to integrate the company’s technology into Fiserv’s Clover restaurant technology solutions.

The On-Demand Economy Comes for Airport Dining

Out in the streets, food delivery orders have become the norm. Now, Chris Hartman, co-founder and chief experience officer at travel ordering and delivery service AtYourGate, speaks with PYMNTS about bringing the digital shift to airport dining and about the technologies transforming the industry.