Innovation

💰 Twice Daily, a Nashville-based convenience store, saw a 225% sales increase after integrating Paytronix Order and Delivery into its loyalty program. Between January 23 and December 22, 2023, the company also had a 55% monthly lift in orders and a 95% increase in unique customers. The Twice Daily & White Bison Rewards app combines loyalty with online ordering. Tri Star Energy, the parent company, operates over 200 stores in 17 states and owns 20 White Bison Coffee shops in Tennessee and Alabama.

🤝 Nashville-based Twice Daily, a convenience store brand by Tri Star Energy, saw a 225% increase in sales dollars after adding Paytronix Order and Delivery and a custom app to its loyalty program. This surge occurred from January 23 to December 22, 2023, alongside a 55% monthly lift in orders and a 95% increase in unique customers. The Twice Daily & White Bison Rewards app has improved the purchasing process by integrating loyalty with online ordering. Tri Star Energy, founded in 2000, owns over 200 c-stores and supplies fuel across 17 states.

🏨 Cloudbeds in San Diego, CA, enhances hospitality management tech with the hiring of AI experts Amit Popat and Nikhil Shah. The duo, with backgrounds from the University of Cambridge and experience in AI sectors ranging from energy to travel, aims to integrate intelligence and machine learning for hoteliers. Cloudbeds, led by CEO Adam Harris, anticipates advancements in real-time operations insights, automation, and collaboration across hotel departments. Popat previously established an AI consultancy; Shah co-founded S-Cube and contributed to high-stakes energy decisions. Together, they created Hotel Cloud in 2020.

🍺 BrewLogix users reportedly reduce draft beer inventory time by 99% with accuracy over 99%, cut draft waste by up to 20%, and increase ticket sales by up to 15%. Named among "The World's Most Innovative Companies of 2024" by Fast Company, BrewLogix provides real-time kegged inventory management and insights to bars and restaurants. Its Performance Platform aids in keg planning and workflow automation. BrewLogix's ecosystem also includes MarketMyBrewery for brewers and a consumer mobile app, BreweryDB, which lists over 9,500 craft breweries and 132,500 craft beer products.

🍴 Over 1,000 restaurant leaders surveyed reveal operational strain: 36% state online ordering comprises over half of revenue; 35% of staff spend most time managing digital orders; 67% feel constrained by outdated tech; 93% planning tech upgrades in 2024, with focus on ordering/delivery systems (29%), payment processing (27%), POS integrations (26%). Successful restaurants prioritize flexible tech and strategic partnerships.

🍕 Sushirrito founders Peter Yen and Ty Mahler launched Mochiko Mochi Pizza in Burlingame, California, in November and expanded to San Francisco and Palo Alto Sushirrito locations in early 2023. The pizza features a unique crust made from mochiko flour, offering a crispy and chewy texture. The menu includes eclectic toppings, like pepperoni and spicy minced pork, with large pizzas priced at $18 ($20 for a combo) and medium pizzas at $13 ($15 for a combo). Only medium sizes are available in San Francisco due to oven size.

📰 95% of travelers read reviews before booking, with 9 out of 10 expecting a hotel response. Addressing negative reviews can prompt 2 out of 3 guests to return. A one-star rating increase can lead to a 5%-9% revenue boost for hotels. The average global response rate to reviews rose from 39% in 2019 to 44% in 2022. Hotels that reply to reviews see a 12% increase in reviews and a ratings boost of 0.12-0.5 stars within 6 months. TrustYou’s responseAI can cut reply efforts by up to 80%, personalizing and translating responses efficiently.

📱 Palantir Technologies Inc. partners with Wendy’s Quality Supply Chain Co-op to implement AI and transform operations. QSCC, serving over 6,400 Wendy's across the U.S. and Canada, is the second largest buying cooperative in the QSR industry. The initiative will include moving to Palantir’s AI Platform for enhanced decision-making and developing AI-driven supply chain management solutions, aiming to generate cost savings and efficiencies. The partnership underscores Wendy’s commitment to data-driven business strategies and positions the brand at the forefront of industry innovation.

💸 A study by GBTA and Cvent reveals a significant potential for integrating AI and blockchain in corporate travel, with 88% of TMCs, 74% of suppliers, and 59% of buyers confident in their tech use. Technology spend is expected to remain flat, yet most suppliers and TMCs anticipate increased investment, compared to only 36% of buyers. On average, 18% of travel program budgets are allocated to technology, with European buyers more likely to increase tech spending than North American counterparts. Data was collected from 388 North American and European travel professionals between February 6-19, 2024.

🏨 Amadeus surveyed 100 global hotel leaders from ten markets for its "Travel Technology Investment Trends 2024" research. All respondents plan to invest in digital media, with 33% allocating $50,001-$100,000 and 21% spending over $100,000. Digital campaigns are prioritized to target profitable audiences, with 41% praising data-driven ads for reaching new guests. One King West Hotel & Residence increased revenue per booking by +57% via digital ads. AI is embraced by 98% of hoteliers, seeing its potential to enhance operations, including Capital Region USA boosting visitors with AI-based ads.