Schnucks Markets Brings Smart Salad Bars to 22 Stores

Midwestern retailer Schnucks Markets is enhancing its prepared food offerings with the addition of AI-powered Picadeli smart salad bars at 22 locations.

Select locations in Missouri and Illinois will now offer Picadeli’s modular in-store salad bar, which uses technology to lower food waste, reduce labor and increase profitability. Picadeli allows for full traceability of retailers' supply chain and operations, as well as QR-code scanning to ensure ingredients do not stay out longer than allowed, signaling the need for refilling and AI re-ordering.

Each salad bar is customized for every unique location, learning what ingredients are most sought after in its various markets. Picadeli technology also prioritizes food safety, using hygiene-first materials, technology-enabled shielding hoods, automatic hand sanitizer and bowl dispensers.

“We know customers are looking for convenient, healthy food options, and they’re going to love the fresh new experience of Picadeli,” said Ted Schnuck, EVP, Supermarkets at Schnuck Markets, Inc. “With Picadeli’s AI technology, customers will have the freshest food available to them on the salad bar via its digital management and re-ordering system. We are thrilled to offer our customers a customizable, fresh and healthy food option that complements our existing prepared foods offerings.”

Sweden-based Picadeli launched in the U.S. in October 2021 and currently partners with U.S. retailers including Albertsons (Safeway, ACME, Kings), Ahold Delhaize (The GIANT Company), Sodexo and now Schnucks, including select Eatwell Market banner locations. 

“Retailers today are faced with the unique challenge of both a tight labor market and the demand by consumers for a memorable in-store experience that drives traffic away from delivery apps and into the store. Picadeli has proven to answer both, and most importantly solves the overarching food problem in America: to provide healthy, affordable, fresh food fast,” said Patrik Hellstrand, CEO of Picadeli U.S. “We have demonstrated that we work in markets big and small and that the need for fast, fresh food is universal. We are thrilled to introduce Picadeli at Schnucks, a well-respected family owned business for generations, and to accelerate our growth across the country.”

Schnucks operates 114 stores in Missouri, Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin.