Scotiabank Centre, operated by Sodexo Live!, consistently looks for innovative ways to improve the guest experience while driving revenue and operational efficiency.
Facing challenges with line congestion and changing fan expectations, they introduced Dispension’s SmartServ self-serve beer robots for a pilot. The result? Faster service, reduced lines, and exciting new revenue opportunities by offering convenient, self-service beverage access.
Located in the heart of Halifax, the Scotiabank Centre is Atlantic Canada’s largest multipurpose facility, hosting a diverse mix of sporting events, concerts, and entertainment experiences. With a focus on innovation and guest satisfaction, Sodexo Live! leads food and beverage operations, ensuring the venue continues to evolve alongside fan expectations.
%20-14%20edited.webp)
Lineups, Speed of Service & Changing Consumer Habits
Scotiabank Centre’s team, led by General Manager Shaun Britten, is laser-focused on enhancing the fan experience. One major challenge: long lineups that deter fans from leaving their seats and reduce per-capita spend.
Consumers increasingly seek convenience and speed — especially for quick beverage purchases. The venue needed a way to increase throughput without adding more staff and complex service layers.
SmartServ Beer Robots as Convenient, High-Impact Additions
Dispension’s SmartServ beer robots were introduced as a pilot, strategically placed to offer easy, self-serve access to age-restricted beverages. The machines aligned with Scotiabank Centre’s shift to a cashless environment and provided a modern, frictionless fan experience.
SmartServ beer robots allowed the venue to extend beverage sales beyond traditional concession points and offer guests a quick, grab-and-go solution.
SmartServ Created a “Destination SKU Experience”
SmartServ beer robots were used as a destination for fans seeking out a specific SKU – a harvest pear cider that ended up being the top-selling product amongst all demographics, despite being the most expensive SKU in the venue. The fact that it was exclusively available through SmartServ created excitement and buzz throughout the building around both the technology and the brand.
The combination of a premium product and an innovative delivery experience helped elevate the cider’s profile, drove meaningful engagement, and created a go-to destination, driving incremental revenue and giving the cider standout visibility in a crowded beverage lineup.
Faster Service & Reduced Line Congestion: Fans had a new, quick option to purchase beverages without long waits.
Seamless, Scalable Revenue Streams: SmartServ beer vending robots enhanced age-restricted beverage sales by adding a frictionless, self-serve option leveraging unused concourse space—maximizing throughput without requiring additional staff and major renovations.
Revenue Potential in Underutilized Spaces: The machines proved they could generate incremental revenue by placing them in areas beyond the main concessions, turning high-traffic or overlooked spaces into new revenue streams.
Dispension’s SmartServ beer vending robots were introduced as a pilot, strategically placed to offer easy, self-serve access to age-restricted beverages. The machines aligned with Scotiabank Centre’s shift to a cashless environment and provided a modern, frictionless fan experience.
SmartServ beer vending machines allowed the venue to extend beverage sales beyond traditional concession points and offer guests a quick, self-serve solution.
