ABQ Times

A University of New Mexico senior, Younes Slaoui, has developed an innovative app designed to streamline food delivery at sports events, ensuring fans don't miss crucial game moments. The app, named Peanut Tech, allows spectators to order food directly to their seats by scanning a QR code. The food arrives within minutes, and payment can be made with cash or card at the point of delivery.

Highlighting the convenience of Peanut Tech, Slaoui emphasizes, "Chances are, you’ll be waiting upwards of 20 minutes for food due to congestion around the stadium and long lines. Then, you need to carry your order back to your seat, and if you're ordering for kids, the order size might be too much to carry through crowds. While this is happening, you're missing the game which is the reason you're there in the first place. Peanut resolves those issues," he said. Slaoui's creation eliminates login requirements, card details, and seat identification, simplifying the process for the user.

The idea was conceived in November 2023, inspired by food delivery giants DoorDash and Uber Eats. While initially a joint effort, Slaoui chose to continue independently, recruiting a professional software engineer for technical assistance. The service was launched at Los Alamos High School’s football stadium, where Slaoui adjusted the app for the venue's scope. During the debut game, sales figures were promising, with an increase of 13% in the school's sales derived from the app.

Reflecting on the experience, Slaoui stated, "It was such an amazing experience figuring out all these things on paper, solving problem after problem, and then boom, it's game on, and it actually works." He fondly recalls his sister, Houda, delivering the app's first major order, surprising a customer with its efficiency.

Although the project has proven successful locally, Slaoui faces challenges expanding due to staffing shortages. Currently, the primary workforce includes his friends, but a more permanent solution is necessary for broader deployment.

Slaoui is also involved in Hima Tech Consulting, assisting with tech startups and developing software solutions, websites, and AI tools. Reflecting on his journey, he stated, "Two main takeaways for me were that sometimes, to make a big project work, you need to start small with precision and then expand quickly. I also made sure the goals and timelines were always slightly out of reach, which helped keep the momentum alive."

Beyond entrepreneurship, Slaoui's academic pursuits are notable. His involvement with the Department of Homeland Security and internships at Indica Labs and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory highlight his expertise in AI and biotechnology. With graduation on the horizon, Slaoui considers future possibilities, contemplating paths in biotech or AI.

As he reflects on his achievements, Slaoui expresses gratitude for the skills and experiences gained, which he expects will serve him well in future ventures.