PEPSI Dig In, the brand’s platform designed to drive access, business growth, and awareness to Black-owned restaurants, returns with Pepsi Dig In Day, its annual calling to encourage diners across the country to visit Black-owned restaurants. 

This year, Pepsi Dig In Day is Aug. 19, timed to National Black Business Month and is expanding its efforts to amplify and support Black-owned restaurants. New marquee activities across the country include a block party in Washington, D.C. highlighting local Black businesses, curated dinner events featuring chefs and restaurateurs in partnership with the James Beard Foundation, and Pepsi Dig In covering $100,000 in free meals for consumers when they visit select restaurants across the country.

In addition, Pepsi Dig In is once again encouraging foodies to show the love on social media by posting a photo of their meal from a Black-owned restaurant and tagging the eatery and Pepsi Dig In for the chance to win $5,000 to dine at their favorite Black-owned restaurants as well as unlock a $5,000 donation to the restaurant.

“Our goal for Pepsi Dig In has always been to celebrate and generate awareness for Black-owned restaurants, not just on Pepsi Dig In Day, but all year long,” said Scott Finlow, chief marketing officer of PepsiCo Global Foodservice, in a statement. “This year, we’re turning up the flavor and excitement with the support of renowned partners like the James Beard Foundation and events like our Washington D.C. block party where people can indulge in delicious food, cheer on talented chefs, and soak up the vibrant culture that accompanies every dish.”

This year, Pepsi Dig In is giving food lovers a chance to discover every bite is Better With Pepsi and explore more ways to get involved and dine at Black-owned restaurants across the country:

•    Offering complimentary signature dishes at 25 restaurants (while supplies last) in major cities nationally. Pepsi Dig In is covering $100,000 in free food to encourage diners to discover Black-owned restaurants and explore their diverse offerings in cities including Los Angeles, Nashville, Chicago, Houston, Philadelphia and more. Consumers can visit EatOkra, the largest database of Black-owned restaurants, to find participating locations and other establishments in their area. In addition, foodies can check out Black and Mobile to order delivery from Black-owned restaurants in their local neighborhood.

•    Hosting a Pepsi Dig In Day Block Party on Aug. 19 in Washington D.C., already a city that boasts one of the largest concentrations of Black-owned businesses in the United States, Pepsi Dig In is bringing its festivities to Anacostia, one of the country’s historic African American neighborhoods. The block party at Sandlot Anacostia will host performances by GRAMMY Award nominated artist Pusha T, Alex Vaughn, Black Alley, DJ Five9 and DJ Money to bring locals together, create connections, and foster a sense of community while spotlighting Black restaurateurs and small Black-owned businesses. Featured local restaurants include Roaming Rooster, Jerk at Nite, Money Muscle BBQ and more.

•    Giving consumers the chance to win $5,000 when they post their meal on Instagram or Twitter and tag their favorite local Black-owned eatery and @PepsiDigIn with #DigInShowLove #Sweepstakes from Aug. 1 to 31. See Official Rules for details and restrictions.

Beyond Dig In Day, Pepsi Dig In is also encouraging diners to visit or order in from Black-owned restaurants throughout the month of August. Consumer do so through the following suggestions:

•    Spotlighting four Black chefs with week-long residencies during August at Platform by the James Beard Foundation (JBF) — a show kitchen and event space for culinary arts programming in NYC — with live cooking demonstrations, special dining experiences, and workshops for consumers. John Cleveland of Post & Beam in Los Angeles, Shenarri Freeman of Cadence in New York City, Ricky Moore of Saltbox Seafood Joint in Durham, North Carolina, and Maya-Camille Broussard of Justice of the Pies in Chicago will showcase their talents to a new food-loving audience. Together, Pepsi Dig In and JBF will offer short-term and long-term tools to drive the continued success for these restaurateurs.

•    Partnering with more than 40 corporate partners, as they offer employees a sponsored lunch from Black-owned restaurants during Pepsi Dig In Corporate Week from Aug. 14 to 18. Companies include the following: National Football League, National Basketball Association, National Hockey League, Buffalo Bills, Chicago Blackhawks, Chicago Bulls, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Guardians, Dallas Cowboys, D.C. United, Detroit Tigers, Los Angeles Chargers, Los Angeles Football Club, Los Angeles Rams, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Marlins, Motive, New England Patriots, New England Revolution, New Jersey Devils, Pittsburgh Steelers, Miami Dolphins, Washington Commanders, Denver Nuggets, Memphis Grizzlies, Miami Heat, Orlando Magic, Arizona Diamondbacks, Baltimore Orioles, Kansas City Royals, Minnesota Twins, Colorado Avalanche, Tampa Bay Lightning, Minnesota United FC, Orlando City SC, Orlando Pride, James Beard Foundation, Acceleration Community of Companies, FUSE, Golin, Genesco Sports Enterprises, Figure 8, Bento Box, Intersport, and more.

Pepsi Dig In continues its work year-round to support and spotlight Black-owned restaurants, offering restaurateurs access to Black Restaurants Deliver ― a free eight-week program that offers personalized expert consulting services to support restaurants in building online ordering capabilities and search presence. 

With program management by Figure 8, Black Restaurants Deliver upskills restaurateurs and their offerings to increase sales and revenue long term to stay competitive in today’s ever evolving digital world. To date, the program has helped more than 250 restaurant locations across the country nearly double their online sales. 

Additionally, Pepsi Dig In has partnered with global gaming and entertainment company MGM Resorts International to give Black restaurateurs opportunities to be recognized on a national scale with its Restaurant Royalty Residency program. In alignment with MGM Resorts’ commitments to greater inclusion, this initiative features talented chefs and their curated, limited-edition menu items for four weeks at specialty restaurants at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino and Luxor Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.