News Briefs

Shift4, a global leader in integrated payments and commerce technology, announced a strategic partnership with ConnexPay, the world’s first all-in-one payments platform. This partnership will empower online travel agencies (OTAs) and hospitality businesses in the UK and European markets by integrating ConnexPay’s payment issuance solutions with Shift4’s leading payment processing infrastructure.

Through this partnership, ConnexPay will leverage Shift4’s expertise in the European payments landscape to expand within the UK and EU markets. Supported by Shift4’s full acquiring services with 3D Secure, ConnexPay is able to offer Gross Settlement payouts via third-party integration, unlocking new growth potential in key regions for both companies. 

By merging PayIn (the process of accepting payments from customers) and PayOut (issuing payments to suppliers) into one unified system, ConnexPay reduces the operational burden on merchants and enhances financial reconciliation. Shift4’s advanced acquiring capabilities will enable ConnexPay merchants to access next-day settlement along with the ability to issue virtual cards in real-time to one or more suppliers using incoming funds from customers.

“Combining ConnexPay’s advanced virtual card issuance capabilities with Shift4’s comprehensive payment processing platform allows us to offer an end-to-end solution that meets the unique needs of the travel and hospitality industries across the UK and EU markets,” said France Blanchard, SVP Account Management & Onboarding, Europe, at Shift4. “We’ve already seen strong interest within key markets, and with ConnexPay’s expansion efforts underway, we’re excited about the potential to scale this solution in more countries across Europe.”

“The combination of ConnexPay’s issuance solutions and Shift4’s acquiring services creates a robust platform that can scale the European continental markets,” said Ben Peters, CEO, ConnexPay. “This partnership allows us to support more OTAs and other travel-related businesses with a secure, all-in-one solution that not only enhances operational efficiency but also improves cash flow management.”

With plans to significantly scale its processing operations in various regions throughout Europe, the growth will be supported by Shift4’s proven capacity to manage billions of transactions annually, alongside ConnexPay’s flexible platform, which simplifies B2B payment processes through a single contract and unified reconciliation.

Encore, a global event technology and production services provider, confirmed today the launch of its pioneering ‘Overtime Savings Program’ in the United States, along with additional people-first programs to further support its ongoing workforce in a seasonal industry.

Powered by UKG’s payroll technology, this first-of-its-kind program aims to enhance financial wellness and stability for Encore’s frontline employees, many of whom work in markets that experience seasonal ebb and flow of business volumes.

With 12,000 team members providing event technology and production services at 2,200 hotels and conference venues in 20 countries, Encore faces the same challenges common in the hospitality industry. Seasonal fluctuations often result in workers’ hours varying from ample overtime during peak times to reduced schedules in off-season periods. This seasonality makes it difficult for workers to maintain consistent earnings and creates challenges for companies to retain talent in the off season.

“Encore has always believed its team members are the heart of our story. This people-first mindset motivates us to constantly evolve our team member experience and innovate around challenges, like the impact of seasonality, that the industry previously viewed as immutable,” said Ben Erwin, president and CEO of Encore.

In addition to the Overtime Savings Program, the company launched a Seasonal Leave of Absence Program, which offers team members the flexibility to take time off during slower seasons while retaining full benefits, accruing paid time off, and maintaining their tenure. This unique program enables employees to explore other work opportunities, pursue education, or focus on personal goals without sacrificing benefits or career progression. Both the Overtime Savings and Seasonal Leave of Absence Programs are active nationwide, with plans for global expansion.

“We established the program as another way to support our team members so that they can be at their best in delivering for our customers,” Erwin added. “With this innovation, they can better plan and save their premium overtime pay for periods of the year when they might not work as many hours. Providing this capability and funding a company-paid match for a portion of the savings should motivate financial wellness and enable them to continue to build their career with Encore. Team member reactions tell us we are onto something,” he said.

With a launch just after Labor Day, usage of the UKG Wallet™ increased tenfold compared to the prior year’s period. he company offered an initial savings match, similar to a 401k program incentive match, to reward healthy financial behavior.

“Financial stress is not a problem isolated to our industry, it’s a stressor for nearly everyone,” said Charlie Young, chief human resources officer at Encore. “Nearly 70% of Americans are living paycheck to paycheck¹ and Americans spent $9B in bank overdraft fees in 2023. The more we can do to reduce stress for our team members, the more focused they can be on our customers. We are successful in the event production business because of the unique combination of our technical expertise, hospitality mindset and ability to work under pressure and through challenges. Seasonal fluctuations are part of our business, but with a partner like UKG that understands every industry has unique challenges, we were able to innovate to support those unique needs to make our team members’ lives better.”

Cody Browne, a technical lead with five years of service for Encore in Las Vegas, said he will try the Overtime Savings program, in addition to accruing and saving his Paid Time Off, for the slow season in December in Las Vegas. He hopes the vacation time, in addition to the saved overtime funds, will afford him an out-of-state vacation to visit family. “I love that Encore is creating new opportunities, that’s one of the reasons I am interested in growing my career here,” he said.

Mark Shambura has joined Panera Bread as Chief Marketing Officer. Shambura will lead all aspects of marketing at Panera, including Brand Building, Digital & Loyalty, Product Strategy & Consumer Insights. An accomplished marketing leader with broad expertise in the restaurant industry, Mr. Shambura has previously held marketing leadership roles during pivotal growth periods for top brands including Chipotle, MOD Pizza, and most recently Papa Johns.

"Mark brings an impressive background building brands and leading marketing teams for fast-casual restaurants, and we’re thrilled to welcome him to Panera Bread,” said José Alberto Dueñas, Chief Executive Officer. “As Panera continues to evolve our brand, guided by listening to our guests, Mark’s depth of experience and ability will help drive our growth as a brand that serves great food you feel good about eating.”

Shambura previously served as CMO at Papa Johns, where he led a revitalization of the brand by enhancing its iconic “Better Ingredients, Better Pizza” platform, and developing a more modern, innovative omnichannel approach to transform how Papa Johns appealed to both new and loyal consumers. As Executive Director at Chipotle, Mr. Shambura guided the marketing function through periods of both sustained growth and transition, providing leadership over brand strategy, advertising, digital, social, events/sponsorships, promotions, and field marketing, including playing a key role in spearheading its “Real Ingredients” brand strategy.

“I’m proud to join the Panera Bread team and excited to build on the momentum of the brand's transformation as it continues to evolve in service of our guests,” Mr. Shambura said. “Panera propelled and cemented its position at the top of the fast casual restaurant segment through its promise of high-quality ingredients and freshly prepared food, and I’m thrilled to join a highly talented team to help shape its next chapter.”

Prior to his tenure in the restaurant industry, Mr. Shambura gained extensive marketing agency experience, working with a broad array of top global consumer brands for over a decade. Shambura will report directly to José Alberto Dueñas, Chief Executive Officer, and officially assumed the role of Chief Marketing Officer on July 29, 2024.

Papa John’s International Inc. announced the appointment of Jenna Bromberg to Chief Marketing Officer, effective Nov. 14. A recognized industry expert known for transformative brand campaigns and deep consumer insights, Bromberg brings a unique blend of quick-service restaurant and modern retail marketing expertise to the role.

“Jenna’s track record of building strong brands and driving innovative marketing campaigns makes her the ideal leader to help take the Papa Johns brand into its next chapter,” said Todd Penegor, President and Chief Executive Officer. “Her proven ability to connect with modern consumers combined with her deep understanding of the restaurant industry, particularly her experience in the pizza segment, will be invaluable as we continue to expand our market presence.”

She joins Papa Johns from Carter's Inc., where she served as Vice President of Brand Marketing & Creative, successfully leading multiple brands through the pandemic period and launching several groundbreaking marketing campaigns. Her return to the pizza industry marks a full-circle moment, building on her previous experience as Director of Core Brand Marketing at Pizza Hut.

Papa Johns previous CMO Mark Shambura is now the CMO at Panera Bread. 

he will lead the company’s marketing strategy, brand development, digital customer experience and creative initiatives, including elevating the brand among current and new audiences through data-driven campaigns, and overseeing the product innovation pipeline to provide consumers with great new products and menu offerings.

Bromberg will report to Penegor and serve on the Papa Johns Executive Leadership Team.

Dave’s Hot Chicken has partnered with Ovation, the guest experience platform for restaurants that starts with a 2-question survey to drive revenue, streamline guest recovery and easily improve operations.

Through this partnership, Dave’s Hot Chicken will leverage Ovation’s innovative guest experience and feedback platform to enhance guest satisfaction and gain real-time insights into customer experiences across its rapidly growing network of locations. This collaboration underscores the brand’s commitment to delivering not only delicious food but also exceptional service. Ovation’s platform will help Dave’s Hot Chicken seamlessly capture guest feedback, operationalize change across their hundreds of locations, recover at-risk customers, and boost its reputation even further as it continues its expansion into new markets​.

“As a brand that prides itself on creating a memorable guest experience, partnering with Ovation was a natural fit,” said Jim Bitticks, President and COO of Dave’s Hot Chicken. “Ovation’s intuitive platform will help us maintain our high standards of service as we grow, allowing us to stay connected with our fans and deliver the outstanding service they expect from Dave’s Hot Chicken.”

Dave’s Hot Chicken uses Ovation to gather significantly more feedback facilitated by integrations with solutions like the online ordering platform, Olo, and strategically positioned QR codes for both on and off-premises occasions. From there, happy guests drive revenue through gift card purchases, reviews, and catering orders. Unhappy guests are placed into a private conversation with management, who can resolve issues easily through AI-powered responses.

Early results are promising for this partnership. In the first weeks since roll out, Dave’s Hot Chicken has received over 15,000 surveys, 400 saved customers, and a 14% increase in Yelp reviews.