QSR Dog Haus creates ‘beverage destination’ with KDP deal

Quick service restaurant Dog Haus inked a national beverage partnership with Keurig Dr Pepper to expand the brand’s drink program across fountain beverages, premium packaged drinks, coffee, bar offerings, takeout and delivery.

The move reflects trends affecting unattended retail, including vending, micro market and office coffee service operators.

• Beverages are becoming a destination category. For Dog Haus, this means adding regional favorites, nostalgia brands and premium formats to drive return traffic to its locations. Vending operators can apply the same thinking to coolers, micro markets and pantry programs.
• Regional brands can drive local demand. Dog Haus will strategically deploy less mainstream brands such as Big Red, Squirt, Sun Drop and Canada Dry to create localized assortments. Operators already use the same techniques to customize offerings in markets, workplaces or for specific customer demographics, but optimizing the offerings can boost sales.
• Consumers continue to seek out premium and functional beverages. Dog Haus is meeting this moment with ready-to-drink coffee, brewed teas and agua fresca-style refreshers. These categories and others have broad appeal among vending and micro market customers.

The bottom line: Vending and refreshment services operators have opportunities to build loyalty, increase choice and differentiate the customer experience using beverages.

The news: Dog Haus has launched a national beverage partnership with Keurig Dr Pepper, making it reportedly the first restaurant brand to exclusively use KPD’s full beverage portfolio across those channels. Dog Haus will offer national brands such as Dr Pepper, Dr Pepper Zero Sugar, Dr Pepper Cherry, RC Cola, RC Cola Zero Sugar, 7UP, Sunkist, Hawaiian Punch and IBC Root Beer, as well as regional options such as Big Red, Squirt, Sun Drop and Canada Dry, in its restaurants, depending on the market.

Dog Haus said the launch is part of a broader beverage innovation plan that will include seasonal offerings, specialty beverage concepts and menu integrations.