Technology

Papa Johns introduces Google Cloud-powered AI ordering tool

Photo: Papa Johns

April 29, 2026

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Papa Johns has launched Lou AI, a digital assistant integrated into its mobile app designed to automate the process of coordinating group food orders, according to a press release.

The platform is the first of its kind deployed via Google Cloud's Food Ordering agent. According to the company, the AI aims to eliminate the "guessing game" of volume and variety when ordering for multiple people with different dietary preferences, such as vegetarians or those requesting specific toppings and sides.

By using the assistant, customers can describe their group's needs rather than manually reconciling individual requests.

"Let's say you're hosting your kid's birthday party — the first order of business is always pizza," Kevin Vasconi, chief digital and technology officer at Papa Johns, said in the press release. "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."

The assistant's name is a tribute to the company's founding roots in Louisville, Kentucky. Vasconi noted that the implementation of the technology is part of a broader push toward digital personalization.

"At Papa Johns, we're using AI and personalization to bring back the feeling of being known — just like how you feel with your favorite bartender or barista," Vasconi said.

Lou AI is currently available for users on both iOS and Android versions of the Papa Johns app.