Pepsi® Dig In, a platform dedicated to promoting and supporting Black-owned restaurants, is inviting food enthusiasts to nominate their favorite eateries for its Restaurant Royalty program. Returning for its third year, the initiative partners with Pinky Cole Hayes, CEO and founder of the popular plant-based fast food chain Slutty Vegan, to highlight the country’s best Black-owned restaurants and offer substantial rewards for both diners and establishments.
Hayes, a long-term beneficiary of Pepsi Dig In’s support, will serve as the program’s ambassador, using her influence and insights to inspire the next generation of Black-owned restaurant success stories.
“Slutty Vegan wouldn’t be where it is today without its community of fans,” said Hayes. “From the start, they’ve been dedicated and loyal, supporting Slutty Vegan’s journey from a food truck to a multi-city restaurant chain and $100 million brand. That’s why I’m thrilled to partner with Pepsi Dig In, a platform that has been there for me since the beginning, to inspire even more foodies to be vocal about their favorite restaurants and help crown them Restaurant Royalty.”
Fans can nominate their favorite local Black-owned restaurants on DigInShowLove.com until June 30, with the chance to win several food-centric experiences. Prizes include a grand prize trip for two to football’s biggest game in New Orleans in 2025, an intimate chef’s table experience in New York City, participation in the 2024 Pepsi Dig In Day celebrations, curated food tours, and roundtrip JetBlue travel certificates. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Void Where Prohibited. U.S. res. of 50 US/DC, 18+ (19+ for AL/NE). Ends 6/30/24. Rules: DigInShowLove.com.
The fan-nominated winning restaurant will be featured in the Pepsi Dig In Restaurant Royalty Residency in Las Vegas, through a partnership with MGM Resorts International. This year’s winner will also receive one-on-one mentoring from Hayes, supporting the Pepsi Dig In mission to address the challenges restaurateurs face.
“Pepsi Dig In has been a proud supporter of Slutty Vegan since the beginning, and part of the restaurant’s success is a testament to the platform’s mission to help grow the businesses it backs,” said Scott Finlow, Chief Marketing Officer of PepsiCo Global Foodservice. “Programs like Restaurant Royalty are an integral step in that process because they rally restaurants’ existing fans, engage new ones, and leverage the Pepsi brand’s network and scale to help make a long-term impact.”
The top five nominated restaurants will also receive additional business resources, including point-of-sale hardware from Square, digital and financial tools, $4,000 in Yelp digital media credits, and digital amplification by Pepsi Dig In and EatOkra, the largest database of Black-owned restaurants. They will also be enrolled in Black Restaurants Deliver, a program designed with Figure 8 Logistics to enhance their online presence and ordering capabilities.
Food enthusiasts can find Black-owned restaurants through EatOkra and nominate their favorites at DigInShowLove.com. For more information, visit PepsiDigIn.com and follow @PepsiDigIn on Instagram, Facebook, X, and TikTok for the latest updates.
