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💾 At MURTEC 2025, Jason Lechner of Pizza Ranch and Felicia White of Ascent Hospitality Management discussed how advanced training technologies in foodservice improve onboarding, skill-building, and employee retention. Key topics included the people-to-people aspect of the industry and the value of a well-trained team.

📲 Square launched Square Handheld, a portable POS device, today. Weighing 11 ounces, under an inch thick, with IP54 rating, 6.2" Gorilla Glass touchscreen, barcode scanning, 16 MP camera, full payment functionality, and integration with Square's software ecosystem. Square Handheld operates with the unified Square Point of Sale app, featuring seven customizable modes like Quick Service, Bar, and Retail. The device is essential for various businesses, especially restaurants and retailers, which composed 50% of Square's GPV in 2024. Available for $399, with Belkin SheerForce cases starting at $39. This release is part of Square Releases, a biannual product launch event.

📱 Today, Square launched Square Handheld, a portable point-of-sale device available for $399 online at Square Shop. Weighing 11 ounces and less than an inch thick, it features a 6.2" Gorilla Glass touchscreen, barcode scanning, and a 16 MP camera. Designed for fast-paced businesses, it supports tap and dip transactions and integrates with Square’s software ecosystem. In 2024, restaurants and retailers accounted for 50% of Square’s gross payment volume. Belkin offers cases starting at $39.

🍴 2025, Loescher sees AI-driven inventory management optimizing restaurant operations through automation and personalization. She won the 2025 Top Women in Restaurant Technology Innovator Award, highlighting her role in tech-driven restaurant transformation. Mentored by industry leaders like Cary Broussard and her Six Sigma Black Belt mother, Loescher emphasizes women's empowerment. Awards presented at MURTEC on March 11, sponsored by Milagro. Nominations for the 2026 awards open December 1.

🏨 Mews launched the Hospitality Industry Advisory Board in 2025 to enhance the hospitality sector with technology. Members include industry leaders like Charlie MacGregor and Bashar Wali, reflecting decades of experience. The board's mission is to address key challenges and innovate hospitality experiences for staff and guests. CEO Matt Welle emphasizes the board's role in driving meaningful change. Members include 14 notable figures from various hospitality and technology sectors, aiming to redefine the hospitality landscape.

💸 Tariffs are impacting the cost of plastic lids, foil wrap, stainless steel equipment, kitchen parts, and containers, with food prices also climbing due to unstable global supply chains and rising costs of imported ingredients, packaging, and transportation. Independents are facing a new wave of margin pressure, with experts cautioning against simply raising prices, cutting portions, or reducing headcount. AI is suggested as a tactical advantage to control operations amidst these financial challenges.

💾 Dave’s Hot Chicken, over the past 18 months, tested two robotic arms and piloted kiosks, digital menu boards, and other technologies. Robotic arms improved fry consistency and portioning but didn't reduce labor. Kiosks, now processing 25% of orders, increased average checks by 4-6%. Technology investments aim to enhance guest experience and streamline operations, such as integrating robotic fryers with POS systems and predicting wait times for more accurate delivery scheduling.

🍻 On Jun 12, 2025, Hospitality Technology will feature Coca-Cola, which has spent 139 years in the industry, discussing its role in shaping the future of digital beverage offerings. Coca-Cola's research indicates digital ordering may comprise 35%-50% of restaurant revenue in the next decade. The company's partnerships with DoorDash and UberEats account for approximately 90% of third-party platform orders, which exceed 10 million daily orders in the U.S. Coca-Cola helps restaurants increase profitability through optimized digital menus and effective customer engagement. A case study highlighted significant revenue growth from menu adjustments. The webinar features Josh Gurley, Coca-Cola's VP of Digital Partnerships & Capabilities, and is sponsored by Coca-Cola.

🦋 The FDA approved three natural food colorants, phasing out petroleum-based dyes between 2026-2028. The approved colorants are Galdieria blue, butterfly pea extract, and calcium phosphate. This follows the ban of nine artificial food dyes linked to health risks by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The FDA plans to authorize four more natural additives soon, as stated by FDA commissioner Dr. Martin A. Makary. Galdieria extract blue is now approved for a wide range of foods and beverages, butterfly pea flower extract can be used in additional snack items, and calcium phosphate is approved for certain confections and ready-to-eat chicken.