Innovation

🔊 At MURTEC 2025, SoundHound AI's VP of Partnerships Mike Lauricella presented AI solutions for restaurant drive-thrus and phones. 50% of restaurant operators plan to implement voice AI, as highlighted in HT's 2025 Restaurant Technology Survey. AI assists with staff shortages, allowing employees to focus on food quality and customer service. Insights were also shared from Domino's Pizza at the 30th MURTEC anniversary event.

💳 ROH, a hospitality industry payments platform, secured $9.2 million in financing led by Highgate Technology Ventures and Acrew Capital, aiming for rapid expansion. The hotel industry sees over 80% of its $4 trillion annual payments requiring manual processing. ROH's solutions offer automation that minimizes errors and boosts efficiency. Highgate's portfolio piloted ROH, leading to this investment and broader roll-out. In 2024, ROH managed nearly $250 million in invoices and saw a 523% increase in bookings through its AI tool.

🌿 Pandan, a Southeast Asian herb described as having vanilla and coconut flavors, is gaining popularity in American cuisine. Thoa Nguyen of Banh & Butter Bakery in Aurora, Colorado, uses it in desserts and drinks. Sweet Piglet Bakery & Cafe in Randolph, Massachusetts, offers pandan cupcakes, while chef Carlo Lamagna serves Basque-style pandan cheesecake at Magna Kusina in Portland, Oregon, and Magna Kainan in Denver. Wanderlust Creamery in Los Angeles created pandan tres leches ice cream. Pandan is sold fresh for under $1 per kilogram, dried leaves for $3 to $4.50 per kilo, and pandan powder between $7 and $13. Upscale pandan offerings include Matcha Pandan Mille Crêpes cake for $100 and Pandan Pistachio Royale for $84.50 at Lady Wong Patisserie in New York City. Drinks featuring pandan, such as pandan lattes and pandan-flavored cocktails, are also on menus, as seen at Hood Famous Bakeshop in Seattle and the Welton Room’s Monkey Bar in Denver.

❄ Castle Peak Holdings acquired Snow King Resort in Jackson Hole, Wyo., joining the Trailborn brand. This is their largest transaction to date. In late 2020, Trailborn partnered with Marriott International for bookings and Marriott Bonvoy points. The portfolio includes 559 rooms across five locations, with more in development. Snow King features eight acres, ski-in/ski-out, meeting spaces, and proximity to national parks. Renovations will upgrade public areas and amenities. Trailborn's current operations are in Wrightsville Beach, N.C.; Williams, Ariz.; Estes Park, Colo.; Highlands, N.C., and soon in Mendocino, Calif.

🍳 Kitchenless won the AAHOA 2025 Tech Pitch Competition in New Orleans, Louisiana, for its innovative food platform using proprietary steam technology and QR code intelligence. Digit7 and Orca tied for second, while M3 secured third place. The judging panel, including experts from AAHOA, HFTP, and other organizations, evaluated six finalists. Kitchenless' victory earns them a booth at AAHOACON26 in Philadelphia, highlighting their system's ability to serve dishes without traditional kitchens, reducing labor and infrastructure costs.

📘 Ongoing training for hourly hospitality employees has dwindled to a mere one hour per month, according to the Council of Hotel and Restaurant Trainers (CHART). AI-powered training platforms are changing the game, providing employees with simulations of real-world service scenarios. Traditional training methods fall short due to lack of personalization and adaptability, leading to high turnover and guest dissatisfaction. By contrast, AI training has 72% of learning and development professionals reporting improved work quality, with teams completing projects up to 4 times faster than with conventional methods. AI also standardizes training across locations, offering cost-effective solutions that enhance operational efficiency, guest satisfaction, and brand loyalty.

🏨 Hotels are leveraging artificial intelligence (AI), cloud software, and smart gadgets for contactless check-ins and personalized experiences. The industry faces a challenge in integrating systems for real-time data sharing, impacting guest loyalty and operational efficiency. Seamless data connectivity can automate tasks, share guest preferences, and support financial transactions. However, disconnected systems hinder AI's ability to personalize guest stays. Efficient data integration enables personalized offers, tailor-made marketing campaigns, and informed decision-making, ultimately enhancing guest satisfaction and profits.