2008 Breakthrough Award Winners Honored at Annual Summit
For the past four years Hospitality Technology has been honoring restaurant companies for their outstanding achievement in increased business growth and innovation, and this year is no exception. The 2008 Breakthrough Awards, presented annually at the Restaurant Executive Summit, recognized winners in the categories of Overall Technological Innovation, Excellence in Guest Services, and Brand Growth.
"The pool of nominees for the Breakthrough Awards grows in size and stature each year and, despite current economic challenges, this year is no exception. The restaurant industry continues to innovate and strive for excellence. It is our pleasure to recognize these restaurant operators for their outstanding vision and execution," says Abigail A. Lorden, editor of Hospitality Technology.
Awards were presented to uWink in the area of Overall Technological Innovation; Cara Operations Ltd. in the area of Excellence in Guest Services; and Marco's Pizza in the area of Brand Growth.
The award for Overall Technological Innovation is presented to a company that has leveraged technology beyond standard practice and has achieved proven results. "uWink is a harbinger of what is to come in the hospitality industry," says Nolan Bushnell, CEO of uWink. "We have demonstrated that our customer-facing self-service and entertainment technology injects speed and fun into the restaurant experience while significantly improving labor efficiency. We are very gratified that our vision and results are validated by this award."
The award for Excellence in Guest Services is presented to companies who have demonstrated excellence in guest services, resulting in an increase in guest satisfaction, guest loyalty, and/or brand reputation. "On behalf of Cara and each of its branded restaurants, I'm honoured to accept this award," says John Thompson, vice president of information technology, Cara Operations Ltd. "As Canada's leading branded restaurant organization and with more than 120 years in the services industry, this award speaks to Cara's ongoing commitment to delivering the very best guest experience at each of its restaurants and recognizes the hard work and ongoing efforts of our Associates, who help make that experience a reality each and every day."
The Brand Growth category is awarded to the company who has experienced marked brand growth, brand awareness, and/or strategic brand repositioning within the past year and who shows the greatest growth potential in the industry. "Marco's Pizza is stoked and honored to accept Hospitality Technology's award for industry-leading growth," says Cameron Cummins, vice president of marketing and franchise recruitment for Marco's. "The Marco's brand is building awareness and momentum throughout the country as we expand into new territories. This is largely because of our fresh, authentic Italian pizza, but also because we have sustained profitability while many in our industry are struggling."
Former award winners include Legal Sea Foods, Ruth's Chris Steakhouse, Kahala - Cold Stone Creamery, Jason's Deli. Noodles & Co., and Buca, Inc.
"The pool of nominees for the Breakthrough Awards grows in size and stature each year and, despite current economic challenges, this year is no exception. The restaurant industry continues to innovate and strive for excellence. It is our pleasure to recognize these restaurant operators for their outstanding vision and execution," says Abigail A. Lorden, editor of Hospitality Technology.
Awards were presented to uWink in the area of Overall Technological Innovation; Cara Operations Ltd. in the area of Excellence in Guest Services; and Marco's Pizza in the area of Brand Growth.
The award for Overall Technological Innovation is presented to a company that has leveraged technology beyond standard practice and has achieved proven results. "uWink is a harbinger of what is to come in the hospitality industry," says Nolan Bushnell, CEO of uWink. "We have demonstrated that our customer-facing self-service and entertainment technology injects speed and fun into the restaurant experience while significantly improving labor efficiency. We are very gratified that our vision and results are validated by this award."
The award for Excellence in Guest Services is presented to companies who have demonstrated excellence in guest services, resulting in an increase in guest satisfaction, guest loyalty, and/or brand reputation. "On behalf of Cara and each of its branded restaurants, I'm honoured to accept this award," says John Thompson, vice president of information technology, Cara Operations Ltd. "As Canada's leading branded restaurant organization and with more than 120 years in the services industry, this award speaks to Cara's ongoing commitment to delivering the very best guest experience at each of its restaurants and recognizes the hard work and ongoing efforts of our Associates, who help make that experience a reality each and every day."
The Brand Growth category is awarded to the company who has experienced marked brand growth, brand awareness, and/or strategic brand repositioning within the past year and who shows the greatest growth potential in the industry. "Marco's Pizza is stoked and honored to accept Hospitality Technology's award for industry-leading growth," says Cameron Cummins, vice president of marketing and franchise recruitment for Marco's. "The Marco's brand is building awareness and momentum throughout the country as we expand into new territories. This is largely because of our fresh, authentic Italian pizza, but also because we have sustained profitability while many in our industry are struggling."
Former award winners include Legal Sea Foods, Ruth's Chris Steakhouse, Kahala - Cold Stone Creamery, Jason's Deli. Noodles & Co., and Buca, Inc.