Innovation

🤖 Nearly 80% of companies use generative AI, but 80% report no significant earnings impact. Gen AI, valued at $11-$18 trillion, requires a shift from horizontal to vertical use cases, with only 10% of the latter scaling beyond pilot. AI agents could change this by automating complex processes. AI has potential to add $2.6-$4.4 trillion in value. Organizations must reimagine workflows, with CEOs driving AI transformation for economic gains.

💻 March 11, MURTEC: Elizabeth Hawes, recognized with the Rising Star Award, highlights AI's potential to improve restaurant efficiency and sustainability through data-driven operations. She emphasizes the importance of mentorship and collaboration in her career, thanking her mentors and allies. Hawes envisions customizable, flexible POS systems for the future. The Top Women in Restaurant Technology Awards, sponsored by Milagro, will open nominations for the 2026 awards on December 1.

📅 Groups360 launched GroupSync Connect, integrating its hotel marketplace capabilities into third-party event platforms. On June 2025, Canapii, an event management platform, became the first integrator, enhancing hotel booking for users globally. GroupSync Connect provides real-time access to hotel rates and availability, eliminating external tools and RFPs. This initiative aims to streamline event planning, offering immediate value and expanding accessibility to instant group bookings. Future rollouts plan to transform traditional hotel sourcing.

📱 Groups360 has launched GroupSync Connect, enabling direct access to real-time hotel booking from third-party event platforms. On June 2025, Canapii became the first to integrate this solution, enhancing planner efficiency and the attendee experience. This integration allows Canapii customers streamlined access to thousands of global hotels with real-time group rates and availability. Groups360 aims to transform traditional hotel sourcing by embedding GroupSync into existing event tools, improving the booking process for diverse events.

🥞 Keke’s Breakfast Cafe, acquired by Denny’s in 2022, is modernizing with PAR Technology's POS and payment systems. With 73 locations and over 140 more in development, Keke’s is enhancing operational efficiency and guest experiences. The integration of mobile tablets aims to reduce wait times and improve service without losing personal interaction. This tech upgrade supports a broader transformation, including new store designs and menu changes, positioning Keke's as a leader in the breakfast sector.

💻 Fast-growing Keke’s Breakfast Cafe partners with PAR Technology Corp. to enhance its service with PAR POS, PAR Pay, and new hardware. Acquired by Denny’s in 2022, Keke’s now operates 73 locations, with over 140 units underway. The tech upgrade aligns with a brand transformation to improve operational efficiency. PAR’s cloud-based platform ensures seamless integration, empowering staff to deliver faster, personalized service. This modernization sets new standards in the breakfast space for Keke's.

📑 NYU SPS Jonathan M. Tisch Center of Hospitality, RateGain Travel Technologies, and HEDNA released the second edition of "The State of Distribution 2025". The report analyzes insights from over 700 hotel brands and 21,000+ properties across 310 cities worldwide. Key findings reveal early-stage AI adoption, varying commercial strategies by hotel size, leaner distribution functions, and the need for improved system integration—with 80% of hotels spending up to two days per week on manual reporting.

💻 Episode 31 of Matt Talks explores 10 Mews features reshaping hotel operations. Apple Wallet room keys simplify access; Match and Merge cleans guest profiles; AI insights generate 1.6 million summaries weekly; automated payments and Passkey login enhance security. Dynamic early check-in and pricing boost revenue. Virtual credit card automation and Activity Reports streamline operations. Upcoming features include Guest Selfie for recognition and revamped accounting. Mews' innovations aim to personalize and optimize hotel experiences.

🧀 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.