Innovation

🧀 Appetronix launched a fully-autonomous kitchen for Donatos Pizza in Columbus, Ohio, last week and is developing new robotic verticals for Asian and Mexican cuisines. Their system integrates AI and robotics to improve QSR operations in airports, hospitals, and more. Key partners include Viam, providing AI for quality assurance, and investors N49P and AlleyCorp. Appetronix aims to solve labor crises and achieve scalability, with plans for a nationwide rollout and further investment.

💻 2023's Rackspace report reveals 75% of travel/hospitality firms view AI as key, but 56% cite accuracy issues. Only 28% are “AI leaders,” while 250% AI spending growth is expected from 2024 ($2.5M) to 2025 ($8.7M). Top AI uses: customer service (51%), productivity (44%). Key barriers: resistance (54%), talent gaps (52%). 42% of companies plan $1M–$5M AI investments in 2023, with 78% planning more by 2030. Compliance challenges grow with evolving data laws.

📈 Early in her career, a supportive general manager helped Angela Englett transition into Revenue Management by providing training and autonomy. Managing a portfolio of 100 hotels, she uses technology to isolate patterns and address specific issues. AI advancements excite her for enhancing revenue strategies and guest experiences. At Dreamscape Hospitality, she aims to build a tech-savvy team. Her advice: seek mentorship, be curious, and embrace unexpected opportunities for growth in hotel tech and revenue leadership.

📱 Taco John's integrated Flybuy's Smart Fire technology to optimize order timing for pickup, drive-thru, and delivery. This update led to a 70% increase in mobile order sales, a 10% reduction in delivery driver wait times, and a 23% decrease in missing or incorrect orders. Orders are prepared when customers are nearby, ensuring freshness and quick service. This has enhanced customer satisfaction and boosted loyalty through improved order accuracy and efficiency.

💻 AI is revolutionizing travel searches. Today, travelers use AI tools like ChatGPT and Google's Search Generative Experience to plan trips more conversationally. Hotel websites now act as the first point of contact, emphasizing content quality over visuals. Key strategies include leveraging storytelling, detailed content, and personalized communication. While AI aids discovery, human connection drives bookings. Independent hotels can excel by offering personalized experiences. RevOptimum helps hotels navigate this transition with data-backed strategies and content marketing integration.

📶 Guests expect seamless digital experiences. SD-WAN and SASE platforms enhance this by encrypting tunnels and enforcing zero-trust segmentation. With 5G-ready SD-WAN, hospitality brands avoid costly $5,000-a-minute downtimes. These networks allow instant services like room unlocking or digital menu access. Strategy involves mapping digital journeys, assessing 30-minute outage costs, and ensuring diverse connectivity with at least two wired providers plus a 5G link. This approach bridges the competitive gap in the hospitality sector.

🏖 Chalets 1066 in Les Gets, France, managed 60+ properties, facing booking challenges. Switching to STAAH's platform, they streamlined operations, reducing manual errors and overbookings. Integration with 500+ channels and enhanced features led to a 20% increase in OTA revenue. The seamless connection with their PMS allowed for real-time updates, improving efficiency and focusing on guest experience. STAAH's support and evolving features played a crucial role in their success.

📈 Agilysys, Inc. announced Intelligent Guest Profiles at HITEC 2025, enhancing hospitality service through guestsense.ai technology. From June 17 to 19 in the exhibition's Booth #1611, attendees can explore how IGPS technology aggregates guest data across Agilysys systems, amplifying personalized service, upselling, and loyalty. Rohith Kori, SVP, explains its advanced data synchronization, enabling sophisticated AI usage. On June 18, from 11:15 to 11:45 a.m. in Booth 801, a detailed session will occur.

💻 In 2025, hotels globally will benefit from digital registration, cutting lobby wait times and enhancing front desk efficiency. Implementing digital registration cards enables smoother check-ins, transforming guest experiences. The initiative, outlined by Vanshikha Dhar on June 21, 2025, highlights the shift towards technology-driven hospitality solutions to streamline operations. This step is part of broader trends in the industry to optimize guest satisfaction and operational performance.

💻 Michael Levie, co-founder and former COO of citizenM, discusses the importance of collaborating with technology partners to enhance innovation in hospitality. This archived podcast episode highlights strategies for maximizing impact through tech solutions. Perfect for industry professionals looking to leverage technology in their business operations.