Innovation

📢 Yum! Brands targets hundreds of U.S. Taco Bell drive-thrus for Voice AI technology implementation by end of 2024, with over 100 locations in 13 states already using it. Benefits include improved order accuracy, reduced wait times, and enhanced team member and customer experiences. The Company's digital sales approached $30 billion, with over 50% through digital channels in Q1 2024, doubling since 2019. Taco Bell's ecosystem, including digital menu boards and the Poseidon POS system, supports this tech which is also being tested in five Australian KFC drive-thrus.

💸 Hyatt utilized LinkedIn Sales Navigator to modernize their sales strategy, resulting in 6,200 saved leads and 2,600 new connections over approximately three months. The pilot program saw 100% of participants wanting to continue using the tool, leading to Hyatt's decision to enter a long-term partnership with LinkedIn. The integration of AI features like Account IQ has further empowered Hyatt's sales teams to effectively target and build relationships at scale.

✈ American Airlines renewed its subscription to Sabre's PRISM, a travel contract management solution. PRISM provides 24/7 analytics and reporting, with technical support, optimizing corporate travel contracts by processing data from over 5,000 sources globally. In 2023, PRISM processed more than 2 million individual corporate flight bookings. American Airlines aims to enhance planning, execution, and measurement of corporate contracts leveraging PRISM analytics.

🏡 W Sydney, a five-star hotel with 588 rooms and suites, chose IRIS for mobile ordering and digital guest experiences. Anand Prabeer, W Sydney's B&F Director, noted a significant rise in room service orders and ancillary revenue within the first 6 months of implementing IRIS's app. The app allows guests to access hotel information, menus, and local attractions, enhancing guest experience and operational efficiency. IRIS VP Sales and Marketing, Graham Rushin, emphasized the app's role in boosting F&B revenue and improving service.

📦 W Sydney partnered with global leader IRIS to enhance guest experience with a digital ordering platform. The five-star hotel, boasting 588 rooms and suites, was a notable opening in 2023 at Darling Harbour. IRIS app empowers guests to personalize their stay using their smartphones or tablets, offering instant access to hotel amenities, dining options, and local attractions. Within the first 6 months, W Sydney saw a significant increase in room service orders and ancillary revenue. The app's integration ensures increased F&B revenue, optimized staff workflows, and reduced operational costs for the hotel.

📱 IRIS partners with W Sydney to elevate guest experiences with a mobile ordering platform, enhancing the luxury hotel's operational efficiencies. W Sydney, a five-star hotel with 588 rooms, opened in 2023 and quickly adopted IRIS's innovative hospitality app. Within six months, W Sydney noted a substantial increase in room service orders and ancillary revenue. The app allows guests to access hotel services and local info directly from their smartphones, contributing positively to the hotel’s reputation for modern luxury services.

🍴 Brian Malarkey, a "Top Chef" alumnus and California restaurateur, opened Hawkeye & Huckleberry Lounge in Bend, Oregon, in mid-June. Teaming with brother James and chef Tony Torres, the 11,000-square-foot venue reflects a "modern cowboy" style and offers steaks, seafood, and wood-fired dishes. They source food locally and raise their own chickens and beef. Additionally, Malarkey inaugurated Le Coq, a French-inspired steakhouse, on June 27 in San Diego with Tara Monson as the executive chef.

📈 Global restaurant digitization market expected to reach $29.6 billion by 2032. Virtual Dining Concepts introduces Linked Eats, a suite with 12 tech tools for real-time analytics. Blackbird Labs, backed by American Express, launches Blackbird Pay, a Web3 restaurant rewards app and payments platform. Despite numerous SaaS solutions, one in five operators feel overwhelmed by tech stack choices. New entrants continue to innovate, leveraging AI and data analysis to create niche software solutions for internal and market needs.