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Investors Shift Focus to AI Agents as Potential Replacements for Booking.com and Expedia in Travel Industry

💵 Last week in Bangkok, the Skift Asia Forum spotlighted a shift in investment towards "OTA 2.0," with VCs betting on AI agents replacing platforms like Booking.com and Expedia. Investors aim to reshape hotel bookings, potentially squeezing independent hotels' margins for another 20 years. However, these hotels seek a simpler approach, akin to "OTA 0.0," focusing on direct guest interactions without intermediaries. Owners must question how much direct demand is at risk of being intermediated again.
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  • 2 min

Uber Partners with Expedia to Enable Hotel Bookings in App, Expanding Travel Super-App Ambitions

📊 Google updated Maps with Gemini technology, while Uber partnered with Expedia for hotel bookings, marking a new phase in the travel super-app race. Dara Khosrowshahi, Uber's CEO, highlighted Uber's transformation into a versatile app. Uber's Eats division generated $1.5 billion in advertising revenue in Q1 2025, a 60% increase year-over-year. The profitability of Uber's ride services contrasts with the plateau in Eats commissions, yet both areas offer significant growth opportunities.
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Study Reveals 75% of Consumers Now Eat Sustainable Foods, Highlighting a 5-Point Drop Among Foodservice Operators

🍱 Last week's webinar highlighted a two-year study by BITE and Datassential on sustainable eating. 75% of consumers already eat sustainably, up 7% from last year, with 42% planning to increase this practice. Gen Z significantly influences this trend, with 53% recommending sustainable eating. However, only 62% of foodservice operators offer sustainable options, down 5% from last year. Onsite operators lead with 71% menuing sustainable choices, compared to 56% in full-service and 51% in limited-service restaurants.
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Relex Solutions Report Finds 67% of Leaders Trust AI More in Supply Chains, Yet Only 10% Allow Autonomy

💻 AI-driven software platform Relex Solutions released the State of Supply Chain 2026 report on Thursday. 67% of leaders now trust AI more than last year, yet only 10% allow AI full autonomy; 54% prefer AI recommendations with human decisions. 71% plan to invest in generative AI and 60% in predictive AI within 3-5 years. Retail faces 30% demand fluctuations, while 57% of manufacturers struggle with raw materials. AI helps improve forecasting and supply chain resilience.
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U.S. Restaurants See 7% Increase in Snack Sales as Consumers Opt for Cheaper Dining Options in 2026

🍝 Nearly 60% of consumers say dining at restaurants is essential, with 70% saying they'd dine out more if affordable. Gen Z and millennials show even higher interest. Snack occasions in restaurants rose by nearly 7%, driving $600,000 in revenue for Vicious Biscuit. McDonald's snack wraps, reintroduced at $2.99, boosted traffic by 15%. Coffeehouses like Dutch Bros and Ziggi’s expanded snack menus, with food contributing to 4% growth expectations. The Cheesecake Factory added 12 small-plate items, starting at $6.95.
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Brooke Buchanan Named Panera's Chief Corporate Affairs Officer Amidst Company Turnaround and Controversial Product Lawsuit

📊 Brooke Buchanan joined Panera in late 2024 as Chief Corporate Affairs Officer to restore its image following a lawsuit over its Charged Lemonade. Panera's turnaround plan, Panera RISE, seeks to return the brand to relevancy. Buchanan joined the Women's Foodservice Forum board in 2025, emphasizing the need to elevate women in the foodservice industry. Notably, 55% of employees and 57% of supervisors are women, yet only 35% hold C-suite positions, with less than 10% as CEOs.
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Tender Greens Launches Limited-Time Spring Menu Featuring Garden Toast and Other Seasonal Specials

🥜 Garden Toast at Tender Greens celebrates spring with seasonal specials including Happier Vegan, Spring Harvest Salad, and Pineapple Basil Agua Fresca. Smalls Sliders introduces the BBQ Bacon Jalapeño Slider, its first new slider, alongside the Strawberry Shake and Lemonade. Ruby Slipper in New Orleans offers seven new cocktails and a 50% discount for National Cocktail Day, featuring Lavender 75, Mardi Gras Punch, and more, plus a Taste of Ruby Flight.
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  • 4 min

Google Reports 32% Increase in Malicious Prompt Injection Attempts on Public Web Content, Affecting AI Search Visibility

💻 Google published a security release on April 23, 2026, highlighting indirect prompt injections targeting AI systems on the web. Using Common Crawl data, Google found prompt injections for pranks, SEO manipulation, and more. A notable 32% increase in malicious detection was observed from November 2025 to February 2026. Indirect prompt injections are embedded in web content and can influence AI agents, posing a new challenge for technical SEOs to manage AI-input hygiene.
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