US Foods adds two technology offerings: Bear Robotics and 7shifts

US Foods Holding Corp., one of America’s largest foodservice distributors, announced the addition of two transformative technology offerings to its Check Business Tools program: Bear Robotics and 7shifts. US Foods Check Business Tools program provides foodservice operators with a growing suite of technology solutions designed to help drive traffic, simplify staffing and reduce waste.

Bear Robotics and 7shifts were ultimately selected to join the US Foods Check Business Tools lineup after participating in the company’s Innovative Partnerships incubator program with more than 20 restaurant technology companies vying for the opportunity.

“Bear Robotics and 7shifts offer highly advanced and meaningful technology solutions that directly address many of the labor challenges our restaurant operators face today,” David Eschler, vice president of culinary and restaurant operations at US Foods, said in the announcement. “We know that as the technology space continues to expand in the restaurant industry, operators’ technology needs also have rapidly advanced. Providing our customers with access to the latest technologies as part of our Check Business Tools program is core to helping our customers ‘Make It.’ We are energized by the opportunity to share these innovative solutions with operators across the country.”

Aligned with the growing trend of automated solutions for addressing labor challenges, Bear Robotics offers “Servi,” a hospitality robot that helps operators and staff increase efficiency, reduce labor burdens and empower guest interactions. Servi can run food, deliver drinks and bus dishes back to the kitchen, eliminating repetitive service needs. Each robot is self-driving and equipped with multiple cameras and LiDar sensors for nimble navigation across any restaurant space.

“The US Foods Check Business Tools program allows technology companies like Bear Robotics to be warmly introduced by a trusted US Foods Check Business Tools representative who both understands the needs of their customer as well as the benefits of Bear’s technology, to create a trusted solution available to all of their customers,” Jim Livingston, vice president of sales for Bear Robotics, added in the announcement.

7shifts is an all-in-one team management platform that can be used across mobile and desktop, designed specifically for restaurants. The platform provides restaurants with the team management tools, including scheduling, communication, tip management, tasks and more.

Bear Robotics and 7shifts were selected to join the company’s Check Business Tools program after participating in the US Foods Innovative Partnerships incubator program. The US Foods incubator program was designed to help the company find the most innovative and proven technology solutions for its customers. The program takes applications twice a year. Potential technology solutions are then selected to participate in regional customer engagement events to demonstrate the solution and gauge operator interest and viability. Following a successful introduction, the solution is eligible to be activated nationally within the Check Business Tools program.

Current companies taking part in the next US Foods Innovative Partnerships program are:

InKind, a financing platform that provides restaurants with cash in exchange for food and beverage credits, sold to consumers through the inKind app.

Kickfin, a cashless tipping software for restaurants, bars and hotels that sends instant tip payouts directly to employees' bank of choice, 24/7,365.

Tablz, a guest personalization tool that turns diner upgrades into new revenue for restaurants.