Article

Popbar serves up digital signage with gelato

QSR Popbar has been delivering gelato on a stick since 2009 and it is now using digital signage to further boost the customer experience with traditional and interactive deployments.

Image via Popbar

August 15, 2019 by Bradley Cooper — Editor, ATM Marketplace & Food Truck Operator

QSRs have often struggled to keep up with technology, especially due to the sheer amount of new solutions coming out every year. From loyalty programs to mobile ordering to self service kiosks, there are a near infinite number of solutions for restaurants, and with increasingly tightening margins, it can be difficult to determine which ones to use and which ones to pass up.

One tool that many QSRs are learning is an absolute necessity is digital signage, because it provides an easy way to not only update menus but keep guests engaged. One QSR that is staying on the cutting edge of digital signage is Popbar, a gelato ice cream franchise headquartered in New York City with 22 locations in the U.S. and four locations in Canada and Singapore. Digital Signage Today spoke with Reuben BenJehuda, CEO and founder of Popbar about the franchise and how it is using digital signage to boost the guest experience.

Q. What is the history of Popbar?

A. Back in 2009, we were looking for a decadent twist on a classic dessert. We discussed ice cream, popsicles, and other frozen treats. Being from Italy, I thought about the possibility of serving gelato in a new way — on a stick! After a lot of research and development, we perfected our recipes, the visual aspects of our store, and added a make-it-your-own element, offering the option to customize with premium dippings and toppings. From there, Popbar was born.

Q. What's unique about Popbar?

A. For starters, taste is our number one focus and in this sense, we are still a mom and pop shop.  We make all of our pops in-house daily with all-natural, kosher ingredients and there is truly something for everyone, even those looking for gluten, dairy-free, vegan options. On any given day, customers can choose from 20-25 flavors, and customize with five chocolate dippings and seven crunchy toppings! Where else can you get a freshly made strawberry gelato pop dipped in dark chocolate with crushed coconut and waffle cone?! 

We offer a very visual experience: we stand out because our eye-catching display case and customers often share photos of their creations on social media, which has certainly helped spread the word. 

Q. How does Popbar use digital signage?

A. We make sure each one of our location has at least three displays. One of them is dedicated to our menu — and it's usually more static. A second one is connected to a box run by the company CrownTV, which lets us display videos and slides unique for every location. That way, if a franchisee wants to push a particular flavor or a promotion that is happening in their store only, they can. Last but not least, the third display is the most interactive one: we call it PopbarTV, with technology from a company called UpShow. It visualizes a Slideshow of Instagram/Twitter posts that contain both the hashtags #Popbar and #PopbarTV. Our fans post their favorite Popbar creations and their photos get 'beamed' to our locations in about 15-30 seconds!

Q.How does digital signage improve the customer experience?

A. Being that we have a very visual product, we try to complement it with digital signage. A clear improvement, for example, is showing off possible combinations of pops with dippings and toppings, to encourage the consumer to make their own treat, the way they like it.

Q.Do you use any analytics to track customer engagement with loyalty programs/kiosks/signage?

A. Besides the digital signage, we utilize a loyalty program from AppCard. It's a point-based program that lets our fans enjoy $5 off every $40 spent, and a free pop on their birthday! It provided us with a lot of feedback on consumer behavior and we are very happy about this implementation

Q. Do you have any other plans in the future for technology at your locations?

A. We are always trying to evolve and keep track of what is new, without sacrificing the human interaction and the mom and pop feeling of our locations. We will definitely test and implement more programs once proven.

About Bradley Cooper

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Bradley Cooper is the editor of ATM Marketplace and Food Truck Operator. He was previously the editor of Digital Signage Today. His background is in information technology, advertising, and writing.

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