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Automatic

2375 posts
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  • 3 min

Beyond Discounts: How Brands Can Win Customer Loyalty in 2025

💸 To build customer loyalty, brands should focus on convenience, recognition, and meaningful connections rather than solely on discounts. Integrating digital convenience with in-person hospitality and rewarding various forms of engagement can foster long-term relationships. Successful loyalty programs acknowledge customer actions beyond spending, such as trying new menu items or providing feedback, and offer smart recommendations based on individual preferences and dietary restrictions. The approach aims to create a seamless, personalized experience across all ordering channels.
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Chipotle Brings Back Its Biggest Digital Promo

🍴 TouchBistro's 2025 American Diner Trends Report surveyed 1,500 U.S. diners, finding a 12.5% increase in dining costs hasn't deterred the average consumer, with weekly dining out up slightly from 39% to 42%. Takeout and delivery demand outpaces dining in, with 28% ordering more frequently. DoorDash leads delivery apps with 73% usage, followed by Uber Eats (56%) and Grubhub (34%). Loyalty program engagement has risen to 47% weekly, from 34% in 2023. Households earning less than $50k dine out and order takeout less often compared to higher-income groups. Gen Z's dining habits include 20% eating out daily and 50% planning to order more takeout. They engage with restaurants through social media (67%) and favor limited time offers (81%). Despite cost increases, average tipping remains at 16%, with Boomers tipping around 18% and Gen Z 13%. The report suggests strategies for restaurant operators, including minimizing price hikes and leveraging technology and limited time offers. Download the full report for free.
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REPORT: Resilience in Consumer Habits, Signaling Optimism for Restaurants

🍴 TouchBistro's 2025 American Diner Trends Report surveyed 1,500 U.S. diners, revealing a 12.5% increase in dining and takeout costs. Weekly dining out rose slightly from 39% to 42%, with 28% ordering more takeout and delivery. DoorDash leads delivery apps at 73%, Uber Eats follows at 56%, and Grubhub is at 34%. Loyalty program engagement weekly increased from 34% in 2023 to 47%. Lower income households making less than $50k dine out 27% weekly, compared to 64% for $200k+ incomes. Gen Z, despite being frugal tippers at 13%, are dining out daily (20%) and 50% plan to increase takeout/delivery. Average restaurant spending is $54, up from $48, with average tips at 16%. Five suggestions for restaurants include minimizing price increases, expanding off-premise options, leveraging LTOs, enhancing digital presence, and implementing tech efficiently.
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  • 3 min

Four Strategies to Build a Reliable Hiring Pipeline

💼 Plan hiring for seasonal needs, clearly communicate job duration and potential for extended employment. Utilize open hiring events and employee referrals with incentives to bolster the hiring pipeline. Maintain connections with former employees for potential rehiring. Emphasize unique workplace benefits in job postings, address online negative reviews, and use social media to showcase company culture. Track recruitment metrics like time to hire, quality of hire, and referral success rate to refine hiring processes. In 2025, honesty in hiring is key to building a reliable workforce.
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QSR Adds Custom AI Chatbot

🍴 TouchBistro's 2025 American Diner Trends Report surveyed 1,500 U.S. diners, revealing a 12.5% increase in consumer spending on dining and takeout. Weekly dining habits slightly rose from 39% to 42%, with takeout and delivery demand marginally higher; 28% are ordering more than last year. DoorDash dominates delivery apps at 73%, followed by Uber Eats (56%) and Grubhub (34%). Loyalty program engagement has jumped to 47% weekly from 34% in 2023. Inflation affects lower-income households (
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SevenRooms Unveils New AI Features

🍴 TouchBistro's "2025 American Diner Trends Report" surveyed 1,500 U.S. diners, revealing an optimistic outlook for the restaurant industry despite a 12.5% increase in dining and takeout costs. Weekly dining out increased slightly from 39% to 42%, with takeout and delivery up 28% from last year. DoorDash leads delivery apps at 73%, followed by Uber Eats (56%) and Grubhub (34%). Loyalty program engagement is up to 47% weekly. Inflation impacts lower income households more, with only 27% of those earning under $50k dining out weekly compared to 64% of households earning over $200k. Gen Z, despite lower income, has 20% dining out daily and 48% planning to eat out more. Average restaurant spending rose to $54, with a 16% average tip, but Gen Z tips less at 13%. Five strategies are suggested for restaurant operators in 2025, including minimizing price increases and leveraging limited time offerings.
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  • 3 min

Why Hotels Must Modernize Infrastructure to Innovate

💾 Zaplox President and CEO Tess Mattisson emphasizes the importance of foundational infrastructure for hospitality innovation. NFC-based wallet keys are preferred over app-based Bluetooth solutions for digital keys, offering guests a faster, more reliable experience. However, PMS integration complexities hinder mobile key adoption. Zaplox's Web Provisioning technology allows mobile keys via a secure web link, reducing the need for an app and benefiting operational efficiency by decreasing front desk congestion. To leverage such innovations, hotels must modernize their digital infrastructure, which is vital for future-proofing operations and embracing future advancements.
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  • 4 min

The Missing Link in Hospitality’s Experience Economy

🏨 Hospitality industries face labor shortages, rapidly changing guest expectations, and a need for efficient operation. The Guest Journey Manager emerges as a new role to streamline the guest experience, replacing fragmented service, and maximizing revenue opportunities. This role blends technology, operations, and data to optimize the entire guest journey. Drivers for this role include a shift from service to experience, the integration of technology with human touch, and labor shortages. The Guest Journey Manager utilizes AI messaging, real-time monitoring, CRM, and automated systems to enhance guest satisfaction, driving revenue through better reviews, repeat bookings, and increased ancillary revenue. Success is measured by Net Promoter Score, Guest Lifetime Value, Ancillary revenue growth, and Guest Effort Score.
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