News Briefs

ConverseNow, a voice AI technology platform for restaurants, announced a groundbreaking release of its newest generation of virtual ordering assistants, set to impact millions of guests and thousands of restaurant owners and staff. Refined using generative AI from both OpenAI's ChatGPT and Google's Bard, the latest version of ConverseNow's own proprietary software takes conversational AI to unprecedented levels in the restaurant world with more natural, free-flowing conversations and exemplary order accuracy.

By integrating generative AI with its own technology, ConverseNow has equipped its AI engineers with valuable tools to supercharge its patented and award-winning software. ChatGPT and Bard's enhancements allow ConverseNow's voice AI to self-learn at even faster rates, as well as predict limitless conversation flows with guests using deep learning techniques and massive data sets. This process allows ConverseNow's virtual assistants to 'think like a person' when anticipating how to respond to guest dialogue. The technology can now easily handle complex conversational elements that people typically take for granted when talking to each other but were previously challenging to program into AI.

"This is the future of restaurants. In this union of hospitality and technology, we've leveraged generative AI to create the ideal virtual assistant. (S)he recognizes and fixes problems before they take place, personalizes the guest experience, supports store staff, and drives order counts to unprecedented levels," said Vinay Shukla, ConverseNow Co-Founder, and CEO. "We're already processing more information than any restaurant voice AI platform out there, and our newest generation of virtual assistants has further widened the performance gap by evolving at breakneck speed."

The powerful upgrade solidifies ConverseNow as the frontrunner of voice automation within the restaurant industry. Natural, consistent communication and precise order-taking are top priorities for both guests and restaurant operators. ConverseNow's new generation of ordering assistants addresses these requirements head-on, further enabling restaurant guests and operators alike to adopt voice AI as the default method for drive-thru and phone order-taking.

Generative AI has made an impact on many industries already, but the integration of generative AI into restaurants is set to be one of the largest use cases for this technology in consumers' daily lives. Virtual ordering assistants are serving millions of customers, supporting hundreds of thousands of staff, and reshaping operations for owners across the country.

"With our platform serving more than one million guests every month, ConverseNow has the unique advantage of possessing domain-specific and up-to-date proprietary data. The access to this data allows us to continuously augment and improve these proprietary LLMs [large language models] and deliver an even stronger guest experience, thereby creating an upward spiral of continuous improvement," said Rahul Aggarwal, ConverseNow Co-Founder, COO and Chief Product Officer.

The latest version of voice AI is now rolling out across the country to nearly 2,000 stores across 46 states.

Shiji, a global hospitality technology innovator, has partnered with IPORT, an award-winning manufacturer known for enhancing the usability of iPads and iPhones, to introduce an all-in-one software solution for hotel restaurants. This collaboration will provide hoteliers with a seamless combination of a tablet and payment device to maximize their F&B operations.

The integrated iOS and payment device solution simplifies guest service for hotel restaurant servers, providing them with an effortless tool to cater to their guests' needs. As a certified Apple partner, Shiji and IPORT guarantee exceptional performance and reliability. Hoteliers can choose from multiple device options, including iPad Pro, iPad Mini, and iPhone, ensuring flexibility and compatibility with their operations.

“IPORT products are built around modularity and flexibility that empower our hospitality customers to do more with the iOS platform. We are thrilled to partner with a leading iPad and iPhone cloud PMS and POS platform provider like Shiji,” said Chris Lawson, Head of Partnerships, IPORT. “We look forward to innovating with Shiji in disrupting legacy, monolithic providers who have limited the industry from harnessing the power of iOS and mobility. The future is bright, and the possibilities are endless with IPORT, iOS, and Shiji.”

"The partnership with IPORT is a significant milestone for Shiji in our commitment to provide innovative technology solutions for the hospitality industry," said Ryan King, Senior Vice President of Shiji in the Americas. "By combining our expertise with IPORT’s hardware solutions, we empower hoteliers to streamline restaurant operations and deliver exceptional guest experiences. This collaboration represents another step forward in our dedication to driving success in the Americas, and globally."

The tablet and payment device solution seamlessly integrates with multiple payment gateways, allowing hoteliers to choose the system that best suits their needs. By simplifying the payment process, it reduces operational complexities, minimizes errors, and saves valuable time and resources for hoteliers.

Del Taco debuted its new  Fresh Flex  Drive-Thru Only location in Albuquerque, N.M.  The location’s small footprint spans just 1,200 square feet.

“Our Fresh Flex design offers a modern, sleek look that is aligned with our Del Taco ^® Better Mex  brand promise – better quality, better value,” said Tim Linderman, Chief Development Officer. “This design allows us to reduce the overall footprint of the building which creates more real estate flexibility and the potential to reduce total buildout costs which will allow us to further accelerate the growth of our brand.”

In addition to the drive-thru lane, the new design features a walk-up window for ordering and pick-up. Also, to increase drive-thru efficiency, it provides pick-up lockers for orders placed via the Del Taco mobile app and third-party delivery service providers, allowing guests and delivery drivers to skip the line.

The Del Taco Fresh Flex store designs feature a “Menu of Venues” ranging from the drive-thru-only model to free standing, end cap and conversion locations, giving Del Taco franchisees maximum flexibility and options.

Peter Piper Pizza named seasoned restaurant industry executive Genaro Perez as the brand's chief marketing officer, effective immediately.

Perez most recently served as senior vice president of marketing at P.F Chang's. Prior to that, he was vice president of marketing for Peter Piper Pizza.

• Check out more people on the move in #hospitality

As CMO, Perez is charged with all marketing strategy, planning and execution for Peter Piper Pizza, Peter Piper Express and Peter Piper Pizzeria, developing marketing campaigns and content strategies across all channels, including online, digital and social, as well as public relations. Perez will work alongside senior leadership to further develop Peter Piper Pizza's overall brand presence within the marketplace and support the brand's continued expansion.

TGI Fridays said that Brandon Coleman III has been named Chief Executive Officer after an extensive search among internal and external candidates.

Coleman joined the company in October 2022 where he led the domestic corporate and franchise stores as well as the TGI Fridays brand as US President and Chief Marketing Officer. Previously, Coleman had a highly successful career in the restaurant industry, serving as Senior Vice President and CMO of Dave & Busters, various leadership roles at Del Frisco's Restaurant Group, and as Chief Marketing Officer of Romano's Macaroni Grill as well as serving as CEO and Management Consultant for Brava Partners, a consulting group focused on branding and business strategy. In 2013, he was named one of Ad Age's 40 Under 40.

Coleman will lead TGI Fridays into a transformative next phase revitalizing the brand to position it as a growing market leader in the rapidly evolving food and hospitality industry. This entails accelerating the company's evolution as an experiential hospitality and entertainment destination by offering bold new offerings across key dayparts as well as an expansion of restaurant locations, domestically and internationally.

Leaning Into Creative Offerings

TGI Fridays and  Coleman launched, in restaurant and off premise, Krispy Rice, a sushi offering, developed in partnership with food technology company C3.He also recently led the brand through its biggest menu change since the 1990's with the launch of its Grilled & Sauced platform.

Most recently, under his  leadership, TGI Fridays expanded its presence at the Dallas Fort Worth International Airport with a location that is on track to have an annual revenue of $14MM.
TGI Fridays operates and franchises over 650 restaurants across 52 countries. 

Regina Cheung has been promoted from Chief Financial Officer to the role of Chief Executive Officer at Pokeworks. She will pulling double duty as she retains the title of CFO as well. 

During her tenure as CFO, Cheung successfully created a data-driven culture focused on achieving the brand’s KPIs, built strong relationships with franchisees and modernized the company’s systems and infrastructure. In her new role as CEO, she is turning her focus to increasing franchise profitability, introducing the brand to new markets and leveraging the knowledge and talents of Pokeworks' team and board members, including the original founders and Toridoll Holdings, to build a sustainable and scalable franchise business.

• Check out more people on the move in  hospitality

“I like to think of myself as a servant-leader to the team and our franchise owners,” Cheung said. “I want the whole team to feel a positive energy when they come to work and I think that is important for upholding Pokeworks’ core values and culture, which will ultimately lead to accelerated growth and innovation ... I’m also passionate about our entrepreneurial spirit; we are professional, but we’re also scrappy and growing every day.”

The brand has more than 60 locations across 20 states. The company will expand outside of the U.S. – with new locations opening in the Toronto area before the end of the year.