As independent distributors continue to trailblaze with eCommerce solutions that push the foodservice industry forward, there is more than just a need for detailed, accurate, and up-to-date product information. Product content must be dynamic, robust, and constantly improving to fit the ever-changing needs of the savvy online shopper who demands a next-level shopping experience. Furthermore, it is critical that this information be acquired legally and ethically with brand owner’s permission. 

One topic consistently captures the collective imagination in food service, especially if you work in distribution or manufacturing: the evolving role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its implications for the industry. The conversation around AI is not about an abrupt emergence reminiscent of sci-fi scenarios—far from being a sudden apparition akin to Jarvis from Ironman or Skynet from Terminator. In reality, AI has been subtly weaving its way into the fabric of food service for quite some time, albeit in less conspicuous ways. With that, let's take a look at where AI has been in food service, then dig into 6 ways we see AI playing in food service right now.‍‍

Charlie’s Meat, a meat distributor based in Toronto, used the Pepper app and AI Image Enhancement to go from zero to 80% product image coverage on high-velocity SKUs, modernizing their customer ordering experience and recovering missed sales opportunities.

Saint Joe Distributing, a fourth-generation, family-owned convenience distributor serving over a thousand locations, has been leaning into a digital shift. By equipping its sales team with modern digital tools, Saint Joe is establishing what a consultative sales experience looks like for convenience and setting the pace for stronger sales growth.

Schenck Foods, a broadline distributor, achieved double-digit incremental case growth and increased sales rep productivity using Pepper’s data-backed Growth Agent platform.

Learn how Snowball Distribution, a C-Store distributor, replaced manual ordering with Pepper to drive faster expansion, higher catalog visibility, and easy customer adoption

Learn how Terranova Coffee Co. transformed its manual ordering process with Pepper's B2B eCommerce app and Luminous integration, driving efficiency and customer growth.

Discover how The Powell Company and Rightway unified their JanSan and foodservice ordering onto the Pepper platform, driving customer adoption and freeing sales reps from 'order taker' mode.

Discover how Fox River Dairy accelerated foodservice revenue, launched a new website in hours, and modernized operations with Pepper’s growth platform.

Discover how Countrywide members achieve high digital adoption, 10% sales uplift, and higher customer satisfaction by unifying members on Pepper’s modern ordering platform.

By upgrading from a legacy system, Willie Itule boosted sales through off-guide discovery, cut order errors with visual catalogs, and delivered a seamless, mobile-first experience that chefs now ask for by name.

See how Ideal Meat & Specialty Food uses Pepper to automate catchweight pricing, eliminate manual entry, and boost accuracy across thousands of protein SKUs.

See how Brown Foodservice uses Pepper Order Automation to boost accuracy, save reps 1–2 hours daily, and onboard new team members faster.

Flanagan Foodservice boosted online adoption with Pepper, driving higher order volumes and 10x more effective promotions.

Fierman Produce boosted growth by digitizing orders, enabling outbound sales, and integrating ERP with Pepper. See how they redefined terminal market sales.

Read how Alpha Eagle Group, an jansan distributor, modernized their operations with Pepper

Discover how Pride of the Morning, a FreshByte distributor, launched eCommerce with Pepper in just 35 days—simplifying ERP integration and boosting customer adoption fast.

Read how K&A Foods, an Australian broadline food distributor, modernized their operations with Pepper

From archaic order taking to serving more accounts even faster with Pepper

Palmer Food Services reduces chargeback rate and collects more faster with Pepper Payments

Discover how Pepper helped strengthen customer relationships for food distributors by streamlining communication, enhancing service, and driving lasting loyalty in this success story.

Seattle Fish uplifts their eCommerce and Sells More with Pepper