Innovation

💾 Lunchbox appointed James Walker as CEO, with Nabeel Alamgir as Executive Chairman, focusing on AI and automation to advance restaurant technology. Walker brings 30+ years of experience from Subway®, Nathan's Famous®, and Cinnabon®. A record 340% increase in average deal size since 2022 and 300% growth in product adoption with clients using 1 to 4 products. Funding led by Shift4 will enhance Lunchbox's enterprise solutions and SkyTab POS integration.

📢 James Walker appointed CEO of Lunchbox, Nabeel Alamgir becomes Executive Chairman; they aim to scale Lunchbox with AI and automation. Walker brings 30+ years' experience from Subway®, Nathan's Famous®, and Cinnabon®. Lunchbox saw a 340% increase in average deal size and 300% growth in product adoption since 2022. Shift4 leads a new funding round for Lunchbox, planning to integrate with its SkyTab POS system to enhance services for enterprise restaurants.

Google Premier Partner status solidifies SHR’s role in helping hotels maximize visibility and bookings Houston TX, 10 MARCH 2025 – Hotel technology specialist SHR has been recognized as a 2025 Google Premier Partner,…

💸 Digital tipping in hotels, encouraged via QR codes, aligns with guests' preferences for digital payments, which account for one-third of on-premises transactions according to McKinsey data. Hotel managers report that digital tipping boosts employee morale, sparks competition, improves service quality, and may increase cash tips. It also aids in reducing turnover costs by fostering employee engagement with the hotel's mission. Russ Lemmer, founder of Grazzy in 2021, aims to enhance service workers' earnings in various industries, including hotels, by promoting digital tipping, which can add several dollars per hour to employees' wages. Lemmer's background includes co-founding Silvercar, Inc., acquired by Audi in 2017, and creating Dealerware, a fleet management platform.

🏥 The WHO declared the Covid crisis over in May 2023. A May 2024 AHLA survey showed 76% of hotels face staff shortages. In 2024, international travel nearly reached pre-pandemic levels at 99%. More than half of Americans plan to travel more in 2025. Hospitality IT teams are now using advanced tools for demand prediction. Hurricane Ian's impact led to a major hospitality client outsourcing 1,472 service hours within 48 hours. The gig customer service model is being adopted, and Arise Platform helps hospitality brands with flexible staffing. In 2022, training initiatives for a cruise client increased revenue per booking by almost 12%.

📱 Eva Klausner, Director of Guest Experience at Numa, discusses on March 10, 2025, how they've redefined hospitality without a traditional front desk, focusing on a digital-first guest experience. The episode features Danica Smith from MorningStar GX and is supported by Sojern's marketing platform for hoteliers. Music for the podcast is by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound.

📱 Eva Klausner, Director of Guest Experience at Numa, discussed how Numa has redefined hospitality by removing the traditional front desk in favor of a digital-first guest experience on March 10, 2025. The episode also featured Danica Smith, founder of MorningStar GX. Sojern, a marketing platform for hotels, was mentioned for its email solution that helps hoteliers drive direct bookings and retain more revenue. Music for the show was produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound.

🏨 Only 30% of hotels use Revenue Management Systems (RMS), with a mere 10% employing advanced RMS tools. RMS adoption is low due to perceived complexity and training requirements. Key for high-performing RMS includes simplicity, mobile accessibility, and transparency. Effective RMS should have an intuitive interface, quick adoption, mobile access, provide clear pricing rationale, and support manual overrides. Trust in RMS is built through transparency of factors influencing price recommendations such as demand changes, local events, and competitive trends. RMS benefits extend to fairer pricing for travelers and a more balanced market.

📊 PPDS announces its 50" Philips Signage 3650 EcoDesign as the first digital signage display to receive the EPEAT Climate+ Gold designation for sustainability in electronics. The Philips Signage 3000 Series EcoDesign uses eco-friendly manufacturing, materials, packaging, and software, boasting 4K performance with 50% less energy consumption compared to similar models. The series has energy label ratings of E, D, and C for its 50", 55", and 65" models, respectively. The product is designed for easy recycling, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and the elimination of toxic chemicals. Packaging is 90% recycled and 100% recyclable, with the removal of plastic bags and polystyrene, replaced by 100% recycled carton cushioning. PPDS emphasizes continuous enhancement of product sustainability and energy efficiency.