PepsiCo launched Hello Goodness, a fleet of self-driving robots that contain snacks and beverages for college students. Rapper Pusha-T and 1800 Tequila launched a new recording and artist discovery platform. Pizza Hut announced it will continue to expand its category-first beer delivery program.

For your convenience

PepsiCo, in collaboration with Bay-area based Robby Technologies, launched Hello Goodness, a fleet of self-driving robots that contain snacks and beverages for college campuses. Hello Goodness was first launched at the University of the Pacific in Stockton, Calif., giving college students a direct, better-for-you snacking experience, the company says. The snackbots are user-friendly and are stocked with consumables including Smartfood Delight, Baked Lay’s, SunChips, Pure Leaf Tea, bubly, LIFEWTR and Starbucks Cold Brew. “We’re thrilled to launch our Hello Goodness autonomous delivery snackbots and reimagine college snacking for the future,” said Scott Finlow, vice president of innovation and insights at PepsiCo FoodService, in a statement.

The perfect combo

Pizza Hut announced the expansion of its category-first beer delivery program. First launched in December 2017 in parts of Arizona and California, the company announced plans to expand the program to nearly 300 restaurants across Florida, Iowa, Nebraska, North Carolina and Ohio. The rollout is a brand priority as Pizza Hut is aiming to grow beer delivery capabilities to 1,000 restaurants across new markets by this summer, it says. “We are proud to be pioneers of beer delivery and are well-poised to take on more markets in the coming year,” said Marianne Radley, chief brand officer at Pizza Hut, in a statement.

A chance to create

Rapper Pusha-T and 1800 Tequila launched 1800 Seconds, a new recording and artist discovery platform that gives unsigned artists a chance to write and release a new three-minute track with the full production and marketing support of a record label, the company says. 1800 Seconds intends to seek out new hip-hop sounds and help 10 on-the-rise artists release their music on a national scale, it adds. Each artist was handpicked by Pusha-T and will be featured on a 30-minute compilation album on 1800seconds.com, Spotify, Apple Music and SoundCloud, the company says. 

Sponsored energy

Obstacle course race event Warrior Dash and X2 All-Natural Energy entered into a partnership making X2 the official energy drink of the race. Backed by 10 years of research and development, X2 features a patented formulation of critical ingredients that support the development of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the body’s essential source of real energy, the company says. Warrior Dash participants will be treated to X2 Energy samples in addition to contests and activities at the X2 Energy display located in the Warrior Dash festival, it adds. Scheduled to begin in March, Warrior Dash events take place throughout the year.

Cook off for charity

Hall Wines announced plans for its 10th annual Cabernet Cookoff, which will take place in April at the wine’s headquarters in St. Helena, Calif. Hosted by Vintner Katheryn Hall, the annual event will feature a lineup of renowned Bay Area Chef teams vying for a chance to win proceeds for a charity of their choice by participating in the food-and-wine-pairing competition, the company says. One-hundred percent of ticket proceeds benefit nonprofit organizations as selected by the winning teams, it adds. “This event makes a difference for many lives in our community,” Hall said in a statement. “So many people come together to celebrate passion for food and wine, and in the end, local nonprofits garner awareness and proceeds. Everyone participating comes out a winner.”