News Briefs

DerbySoft, a global provider of hotel distribution services, has announced its innovative collaboration with HotelsByDay, pioneering daytime booking connectivity. The partnership emphasizes the flexibility and convenience of the 'day-use' bookings.

DerbySoft's high-performance distribution services has over 700 live connections worldwide, to which HotelsByDay has experienced impressive growth, with triple-digit bookings per month. Notably, July 2023 saw a +82% month-to-month progress in day-use bookings alone.

Key Features of the Partnership:

• Zero Night Rate Code: Enables hotel rooms to be booked for durations ranging from three to 12+ hours.
• Global Reach: Already active in 15 countries, with plans to expand to 41 additional countries.
• Diverse Offerings: From day-use rooms for work, showers, naps, and layovers, to daycations by the pool. Future additions include meeting rooms, coworking desks, pool passes, cabanas, gym passes, and parking.

“The HotelsByDay team and I are more than excited to announce the game-changing partnership with DerbySoft,” said Yannis Moati, founder and CEO of HotelsByDay. “With this new breakthrough technology provided by DerbySoft, our marketplace app grants hotels a way to optimize revenue and monetize idle inventory without displacing overnights, at scale. We look forward to growing and establishing our phenomenal partnership with a forward-thinking team such as DerbySoft and provide guests with what they really want, full flexibility of space + time and new experiences.”

Duane Overgaard, President of Connectivity and Senior Vice President at DerbySoft, states, "DerbySoft is in the business of connecting people and companies through a myriad of Connectivity options like HotelsByDay, and by developing a Zero Night Rate Code not only connects our partners but broadens the technology scope for DerbySoft.”

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.

Jack in the Box Inc. opened its first drive-thru only location featuring its CRAVED image. It is also the second opening this summer in the Salt Lake City metro area.

“This location features our dynamic new CRAVED image which includes a new color package, signage, and imagery. As a drive-thru only prototype, it includes a drive-thru and walk-up window for ordering and pickup, and dedicated parking for mobile and third-party delivery orders,” said Tim Linderman, chief development officer. “Our historic entry into the Salt Lake City metro area is strengthened with our new Ogden restaurant. We’re an iconic brand with a loyal following and we’re excited to bring Jack in the Box to our fans in Ogden.”

The new Ogden restaurant comes on the heels of the July opening in Salt Lake City, which reported a record-breaking full-first-month sales that outperformed the previous record setting new market opening by 66%. This was the brand’s first new market in over a decade and the first to feature the CRAVED image with dine-in seating.

“Growing our presence in new markets is a key Jack in the Box initiative. We’re excited because the Salt Lake City metro serves as a fantastic example of the success our brand is building as it expands across the United States,” said Linderman.

Additional CRAVED image restaurants are planned to open in the future, including locations in Louisville, Kentucky, another new market entry for the brand.

Boostly,  a text marketing and feedback solution for restaurants, has announced its partnership with ChowNow, a platform for independent restaurants that provides a suite of operating and marketing tools, including branded mobile apps, commission-free online ordering, automated email marketing, and more. The Boostly and ChowNow integration enables ChowNow’s restaurant partners to drive more incremental revenue, increase customer retention, and generate more feedback and reviews through Boostly’s  SMS marketing platform.

• 71% say the ability to integrate with other systems is driving their POS purchase decisions, according to HT’s2 2023 POS Software Trends Report.

According to recent research, restaurant customers who opt-in to text marketing spend $12-$15 more per transaction than customers who have not opted-in to a texting program.

“We love that ChowNow has focused on the success of independent restaurant owners. Both Boostly and ChowNow have always advocated for restaurants’ ability to control their customer data and relationships, so we’re thrilled to give ChowNow’s partners the opportunity to leverage their data for SMS marketing in ways that they haven’t had access to previously,” said Shane Murphy, Co-Founder and CEO of Boostly.

Boostly provides unique competitive advantages compared to other text marketing companies such as:

• Working seamlessly with the restaurant’s point of sale, online ordering, and phone system providers
• Providing an entirely automated experience
• Behavioral based texting, which sends unique content based on the customer’s interactions with the brand
• Interactive and gamified texting that performs 10x better than traditional SMS messages
• Collecting feedback on the customer experience to resolve issues in real time

 

Boostly is backed by Y Combinator. To learn more about Boostly, visit boostly.com.

Canadian-founded,  automated pizzeria chain, PizzaForno is opening kiosk locations in the public transportation sector with a public transit provider  Metrolinx. The PizzaForno kiosks at the 407 Bus Terminal and Weston GO & UP Station now serving pizza, baked fast and fresh in 3 minutes 24/7, to thousands of riders daily.

Thousands of riders daily can now enjoy hot and delicious pizza, baked fast and fresh in 3 minutes 24/7 at the station, as well as at Weston GO & UP station. PizzaForno marks the transit leader's first automated hot pizza option with additional kiosks anticipated to be announced at GO Transit stations in the coming months.

Metrolinx is responsible for the operation of GO Transit, UP Express, and PRESTO. It operates over 400,000 buses and trains and serves over 100 million commuters.

PizzaForno has more than 70 units across North America, with an additional 800 units already committed through 2024. PizzaForno uses patented technology to serve consumers the best in food, flavor, and convenience. Its 9 x 6 ft. kiosks are seamlessly installed and operating in food courts, convenience stores, post-secondary schools, military bases, tourist destinations, and boating marinas throughout Canada and the US.

PizzaForno app

PizzaForno customers have the benefit of touchless ordering. They can use the new PizzaForno app to pre-order to make the experience even speedier or order directly at the kiosk from an automated screen. A robotic arm takes the refrigerated pizza and puts it into an oven for baking. Less than three minutes later, a hot pizza in a box emerges from a slot. PizzaForno also offers a take-and-bake option to enjoy at home.

Founded in 2018 by Canadian entrepreneurs William Moyer and Les Tomlin, PizzaForno offers a selection of pizza options, each made with high-quality ingredients. Utilizing technology made popular in France by ADIAL, PizzaForno has built the brand on a proven machine with 2,500 units operating in Europe.  

Photo credit: (CNW Group/PizzaForno)

First Hospitality, a national hotel management and development company, is pleased to announce an agreement to acquire the majority of the hotel management agreements of Hostmark Hospitality Group, headquartered in Schaumburg, IL. This strategic move significantly expands First Hospitality's geographic presence, augments its collection of restaurants and bars, and promises to bring added benefits to its expanded portfolio, which will include more than 70 hotels nationwide.

David Duncan, President and CEO of First Hospitality, stated, "Our alignment with Hostmark Hospitality Group fits well with our strategy of being the first and obvious choice in every market we serve. With our experienced team and strong operational capabilities, we are well-positioned to provide increased value to all our owners and partners, including the Hostmark community. This acquisition positions us for further accelerated growth in key markets throughout the US and builds deeper relationships with hotel ownership groups that prioritize superior financial performance, enriched guest experiences, and increased associate satisfaction.”  

The transaction adds 17 hotels to First Hospitality's management portfolio, bringing the total to over 70 hotels with more than 10,000 keys and supported by over 3,200 world-class associates. The company's footprint now extends to markets in California, Texas, and Florida, while further strengthening its presence in key Midwestern markets.

“We are thrilled to be joining forces with First Hospitality,” says Jerry Cataldo, President & CEO of Hostmark Hospitality Group. “This next chapter in our story aligns us with a team that shares our values, our passion, and our dedication to delivering outstanding hospitality management.”

This integration promises several advantages, including attracting top-tier talent, improved operational efficiencies and investments aimed at optimizing hotel performance and guest experiences.

Stephen Schwartz, Chairman of First Hospitality said, “I have known the Cataldo family for a long time and have great respect for the legacy, track record, and culture that Jerry Cataldo and his family have built at Hostmark. We look forward to building on this foundation.”

Duncan added, “I am especially excited that Jerry has agreed to join our team to focus on further expanding our portfolio and strengthening owner relationships. This acquisition sets us up for accelerated growth in new markets and allows us to provide further depth of resources to benefit our entire ownership community.”

Closing of the transaction, which is subject to customary third-party approvals, is scheduled for early fourth quarter.