Tasti D-Lite, the “ice-cream” shop of guilt-free fro-yo indulgences, is spreading its stores across the nation, rapidly expanding its franchise model. The company has found a niche in the digital space with progressive and aggressive social and mobile strategies. Here, BJ Emerson, VP, Technology, Tasti D-Lite, talks about how he and the company are leveraging various channels to market, and how the company is bringing the digital experience in-store.

In Part I of this two-part podcast interview, BJ discusses how he and the company are merging the digital/mobile space with the in-store experience. Tasti’s innovations include the “TastiPad,” a branded iPad app that delivers a bunch of engaging options in store.

Listen to the podcast below.

Stay tuned for Part II, where BJ and Kelly discuss how to target the mobile customer when they’re NOT in the store. In Part II, he also gives us his idea of the three things any brick and mortar retailer must understand before forging ahead into the mobile space. It’s pretty simple stuff, but SUPER important to do if you want that strategy to succeed.