Partnership Creates AC Barbeque Lifestyle Brand on Campus
Sodexo, a leader in foodservice for campuses across North America, SodexoMagic, a joint venture between Magic Johnson Enterprises and Sodexo, Inc., and Jackson State University, a public historically black research university in Jackson, Miss., have partnered with Virtual Dining Concepts, the industry leader in the virtual dining space, to launch AC Barbeque on campus in Spring 2024. AC Barbeque is a new BBQ lifestyle brand created by friends, comedians and grilling enthusiasts, Anthony Anderson and Cedric The Entertainer.
“Students want fun, convenient, and unique food offers that enhance their feeling of belonging on campus. With that in mind, our partnership with Virtual Dining Concepts has allowed us to bring AC Barbeque to the Jackson State University campus,” said Raz Barnwell, vice president of digital innovation, Sodexo. “This community focused brand is an ideal fit for the campus and is an elevated dining experience made possible through our innovative partnerships.”
When Sodexo, SodexoMagic, and Virtual Dining Concepts offer AC Barbeque on campus in Spring 2024, students will be able to order their favorite dishes on the Sodexo Everyday app.
“We are very excited to team up with Virtual Dining Concepts and SodexoMagic to introduce our first AC Barbeque restaurant at the historic Jackson State University campus,” said Cedric The Entertainer and Anthony Anderson. “Our food is rooted in culture and fueled by community, and we couldn’t be more proud to bring that here to Jackson State. See y’all for a bite in Spring 2024! J.S.U. Thee I Love!!”
AC Barbeque is a new BBQ lifestyle brand created by beloved comedians and grilling enthusiasts, Anthony Anderson and Cedric The Entertainer. Founded on the principles of Black excellence, family tradition, and bringing people together, AC Barbeque aims to provide the tools, flavor, and community that’ll take grilling to the next level. When you need to up your BBQ game, just look to the AC Flame. Learn more at http://www.acbarbeque.com and follow @acbarbeque on Instagram.
Virtual Dining Concepts is the creator of virtual restaurant brands poised to expand the revenue of independent kitchens. The delivery-only infrastructure, exclusive online platform (with third-party delivery interface), and marketing strategy services guide existing restaurant operators from set-up to inception. Virtual Dining Concepts offers celebrity and non-celebrity backed brands with menus deriving from diverse cuisines.
Menus are available for order online through their individual websites, proprietary apps, and most major third-party delivery services. VDC is proud to launch its most recent brand, AC Barbeque, which is poised for national expansion.
Sodexo North America is part of a global, Fortune 500 company with a presence in 53 countries. Sodexo specializes in sustainable food and valued experiences at every moment in life: learn, work, heal and play. The company employs 94,000 people at thousands of sites in all 50 U.S. states, Canada, Puerto Rico and Guam, and indirectly supports more than 100,000 additional jobs through its annual purchases of $20B in goods and services from small to large businesses. Routinely recognized for the organization’s commitments to sustainability as well as diversity, equity and inclusion, Sodexo North America’s purpose is to create a better everyday for everyone to build a better life for all.
SodexoMagic is a joint venture between Sodexo and Magic Johnson Enterprises that provides food and facilities management services to corporate, education, healthcare, and government clients. SodexoMagic is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion and has a proven track record of delivering high-quality services to its clients.
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Ghirardelli Sends a Valentine: Brownie Cookie Bar Mix
Elevating dessert with premium chocolate is a Ghirardelli specialty so it’s only natural the chocolatier would bring together two of America’s most beloved chocolatey desserts – cookie and brownie – for a decadent new Brownie Cookie Bar Mix. Just in time for Valentine’s Day, the new mix celebrates the perfect pairing of brownie and cookie and brings the craftsmanship, rich-taste and indulgence of Ghirardelli into the kitchens of home bakers.
The mix combines rich, fudgy brownies with chocolate chip cookies loaded with premium Ghirardelli chocolate chips made from high-quality cocoa beans for a decadent chocolate taste in every bite. Convenient and simple to make anytime, just add butter, water, oil and an egg to the mix, place into an 8×8 pan and bake as directed.
“Why choose one when you can have both? Home bakers have been hacking “brookie” recipes for some time, so we knew with our fan favorite brownie and chocolate chip cookie mixes, we were the right brand to play matchmaker and officially bring the two together,” says Megan Wright, Marketing Director of Ghirardelli. “Combining two favorites in one mix, the rich chocolate brownie layer topped with chocolate chip cookie creates a delicious dessert and delectable treat for any occasion.”
Ghirardelli Brownie Cookie Bar Mix (SRP: $3.99) is now available nationwide at Walmart with additional distribution at Kroger beginning in February. The mix is available in 16.5oz packages containing one brownie pouch and one cookie pouch, yielding an 8×8 pan of brownie cookie bars.
For more information about Ghirardelli products, visit www.ghirardelli.com.
Ghirardelli strives to create the finest chocolate products from bean to bar that delight and satisfy its consumers. Founded in 1852 and now a part of the Lindt & Sprüngli group, the global leader in premium chocolate, Ghirardelli is passionate about producing consistently excellent chocolate products with high quality ingredients. Ghirardelli takes pride in the manufacturing process, from cocoa bean sourcing and production to finished product. Ghirardelli’s proprietary bean blend and unique methods of roasting and processing contribute to the quality, craftsmanship, and flavor of their chocolate products. Ghirardelli Makes Life A Bite Better! For more information, visit https://www.ghirardelli.com/about-ghirardelli.
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UNO Pizzeria Celebrates 80th Anniversary, National Pizza Week
National Pizza week is Jan. 14-20 and Uno Pizzeria and Grill is celebrating with deals on all styles of its amazing pizza. Uno Pizzeria and Grill is the inventor of deep dish pizza and just celebrated its 80th birthday. To mark the occasion and National Pizza Week, Unos is offering a deal a day on their different pizza styles. Each day features a different deal.
On Tuesday, Jan 16, the offering is Detroit Style Pizza with a BOGO .80 cents deal. Buy one small Detroit style pizza (cheese or pepperoni) and receive a second for only .80 cents. Available for take-out and dine-in. Available at select locations only. Limit one deal per guest.
On Wednesday, Jan. 17, the deal is $6 individual cheese or pepperoni thin crust pizzas. Available for take-out and dine-in. Limit 5 per guest.
On Thursday Jan. 18, celebrate the 80th birthday of deep dish pizza with a $6 individual deep dish cheese or pepperoni pizza. Available for take-out or dine-in. Limit 5 per guest.
On Friday Jan. 19, enjoy the new tavern-style pizza for $9.99. This new Unos pizza style features a buttery and crisp crust, a flavorful sauce and a tangy mozzarella and cheddar cheese blend. It is available at select locations only and is for dine-in only.
On Saturday Jan. 20, the deals end with a take-out deal that features a BOGO 5 percent off pizza deal. Buy any pizza and get the second one for 50 percent off. Enjoy your weekend with this great deal.
Availability on all offers may vary by location.
Come join in the celebration of both National Pizza Week and the 80th birthday of Uno Pizzeria and Grill.
Based in Boston, Uno Restaurant Holdings Corporation includes approximately 80 company-owned and franchised UNO Pizzeria & Grill restaurants located in 18 states, and the District of Columbia, India and Saudi Arabia. UNO is all about connecting people over pizza – from its famous Chicago Deep Dish, which UNO invented in 1943, to its Chicago Thin Crust to its gluten-free and vegan pizzas. For more information, visit www.unos.com.
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