Papa Johns lays claim to industry first with launch of Lou AI digital pizza assistant via Google Cloud

Papa Johns has unveiled Lou AI, the first AI powered platform deployed through Google Cloud’s Food Ordering agent.

Available in the Papa Johns app, Lou AI acts as an always on digital concierge, anticipating group needs, adapting in real-time and guiding customers to smarter, stress free decisions.

“Let’s say you’re hosting your kid’s birthday party - the first order of business is always pizza,” says Kevin Vasconi, Chief Digital and Technology Officer at Papa Johns. “You want everyone to be happy, but how do you land on that perfect order? Lou AI is designed to take away this friction, so families and friends can spend less time deciding and more time enjoying being together.”

Instead of coordinating opinions, users describe the group and their preferences. Lou AI takes it from there. The aim here is: customised variety from across the menu that reflects everyone at the table; decisions made with intention, not compromise; confidence that feels built-in, even for picky eaters.

“We’re using AI and personalisation to bring back the feeling of being known - just like how you feel with your favourite bartender or barista,” says Vasconi.

Lou AI - named to honour the brand’s roots in Louisville, Ky. - is available now in the Papa Johns mobile app for iOS and Android.

2026 RTIH Innovation Awards

AI will be a key focus area at the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards.

The awards are now open for entries and celebrate global retail technology innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world.

Our winners will be revealed at the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards Ceremony, taking place at The HAC in Central London on Wednesday, 4th November.

Check out our 2025 winners here.

Our 2025 hall of fame entrants were revealed during a sold out event which took place at The HAC on 16th October and consisted of a drinks reception, three course meal, and awards ceremony presided over by award winning comedian, actress and writer Tiff Stevenson.

In his welcome speech, Scott Thompson, Founder and Editor, RTIH, said: “This is the awards’ fifth year as a physical event. We started off with just 30 people at the South Place Hotel not far from here, then moved to London Bridge Hotel, then The Barbican, and last year RIBA’s HQ in the West End.”

“But I’m conscious of the fact that, to quote the legend that is Taylor Swift, You’re only as hot as your last hit, baby. So, this year we’ve moved to our biggest venue yet, and also pulled in our largest number of entries to date and broken attendance records.”

He added: “This year’s submissions have without doubt been our best yet. To quote one of the judges: The examples of innovative developments across both traditional and digital retail spaces were truly remarkable.”

Congratulations to our winners, and a big thank you to our sponsors, judging panel, the legend that is Tiff Stevenson, and all those who attended our 2025 gathering.