Innovation

🏦 Hi Auto, an AI voice technology startup for the QSR industry, raised $15 million in Series A funding, totaling $23 million in capital, plus a $4 million credit line. Backed by Delek Motors, Zisapel Family, others, it delivers 96% order accuracy and over 90% completion with its SaaS platform. The tech enables dynamic upselling, boosting ticket sizes, and is used by Bojangles, Checkers & Rally's, and others. Founded in 2019 by Roy Baharav, Eyal Shapira, and Zohar Zisapel, the company now has 100 employees. 🌐

📢 AI Voice Agents are transforming hotel operations by providing 24/7 support, handling booking inquiries, offering multilingual support, reducing staff workload, and creating personalized guest experiences. They differ from chatbots, Siri, and Alexa by engaging in nuanced, real-time voice interactions tailored for hospitality. Hotels using AI Voice Agents can capture every booking opportunity, focus staff on high-value interactions, and drive revenue through upselling and cross-selling. The technology enables hoteliers to offer efficient service without losing the human touch, giving them a strategic advantage in the AI-driven future of hospitality. Michael J. Goldrich, Chief Experience Officer at The Hotels Network and Founder of Vivander Advisors, underscores the significant shift in guest service driven by AI Voice Agents.

🏛 Aman Nai Lert Bangkok, Aman’s second property in Thailand, opened in the Nai Lert Park district with 52 suites and 34 branded residences. This 36-story estate includes a 16,145-square-foot spa, multiple dining venues, and emphasizes Thai heritage with bespoke art installations. The hotel offers suites starting at 1,012 square feet, with the Aman Suite being 7,675 square feet. It features a three-story wellness facility with a spa, fitness center, hydrotherapy areas, and the Banya Spa House. The property provides cultural experiences and joins Aman's 24 properties worldwide.

🎬 In the event industry, AI is the leading category with rapid growth. Criteria for map inclusion include new features, revenue milestones, media coverage, client acquisitions, funding, market penetration, discussion presence, and reviews. Contributors can submit for inclusion by June 15, 2025. The map, based on subjective editorial analysis, is not pay-for-play, and not all listed companies have worked with the analyst. It isn't for sale or buyer advice. A PDF with clickable links is available on request.

🏆 Betsy Seiler, Director of Menu Operations & Pricing at Jack in the Box, was honored with the Hospitality Technology’s Top Women in Restaurant Technology Innovator Award at MURTEC 2025. Starting her career in supply chain management, she evolved into a leadership role emphasizing mentorship, cross-functional collaboration, and the integration of marketing, operations, and technology teams. Seiler’s initiatives led to the formation of a new department, enhancing business value through strategic technological alignment.

🍕 At MURTEC 2025, Christopher Thomas-Moore, SVP and Chief Digital Officer at Domino’s Pizza, discussed digital transformation in QSRs. He emphasized leveraging technology for customer loyalty, highlighting his role in e-commerce strategies and tech innovation. The event marked the 30th anniversary of MURTEC, showcasing insights into restaurant technology. Further details can be found at hospitalitytech.com/murtec.

📌 UATP, a global payment network, partnered with corporate lodging platform HRS, now a UATP Merchant, facilitating UATP payments for business travelers and crews. The partnership marks UATP's first significant move into hotel acceptance. HRS offers business-travel ready hotels with corporate rates, invoice automation, and financial reporting, addressing a primary expenditure in corporate programs. This integration was announced before UATP's Airline Distribution® 2025 in Budapest on March 19. HRS's AI-powered technology provides booking, payment, and hotel trend tracking, while UATP specializes in payment processing and data services.

📌 UATP, a global payment network, partners with HRS, a corporate lodging and payment technology platform, to accept UATP payments and offer corporate rates through HRS' AI-powered platform. This partnership marks UATP's first major move into hotel acceptance, announced just before UATP’s Airline Distribution® 2025 event in Budapest. UATP and HRS' combined services aim to streamline hotel booking, payment, and financial reporting for business travel, leveraging HRS’ automated payment processes for better efficiency and compliance.

🏢 Matrix – Revenue Control V2 offers automation, customizable seasons, and dynamic rate management, ensuring adaptable seasonal pricing. Key features include flexible season management, optimized master rates with new formula functions, advanced formula management with rate grid preview, revenue control panel enhancements with new rate management methods and rule functionalities, and historical rate tracking for transparency. This tool helps hotels and property groups make data-driven decisions, increase profitability, and streamline operations. 📈✅