News Briefs

Incentivio launches Menu Intelligence, a solution that offers users insights into their menu and how it affects customer retention. This new product will provide restaurant owners and marketers alike with insights to make data-driven decisions around their menu and marketing campaigns. 

Sales numbers don't tell the entire story when determining the success factor of dishes. On top of seeing which items sold the most or drove the most revenue, there is great power in knowing which items are driving the highest customer retention and which are creating more churn. 

• 83% say using data to understand guest preferences and behavior is impacting POS upgrade decisions in 2024, according to HT’s 2024 POS Software Trends Survey

For example, fries may be a top seller due to most dishes coming with fries; however, that doesn't mean the fries are particularly good. It doesn't mean that when someone orders your fries, the fries contribute to bringing restaurant customers back for another visit. Before Menu Intelligence, all that is known is that fries are ordered a lot— and that information alone would be missing most of the story. 

"Because Incentivio has data not only on the volume at which menu items are ordered but also rich data on who those customers are, we can provide much more meaningful menu analysis. This can help restaurateurs decide which items they need to improve or even take off the menu entirely and also which items they should be promoting more," said Mathew Todtenkopf, Head of Product at Incentivio. 

Beyond a Buzz Word

Menu Intelligence moves AI beyond a buzzword and allows it to become an integral and impactful part of restaurants of all shapes and sizes. Incentivio had machine learning engineers and data scientists spend nearly a year analyzing which data points on each item contributed to long-term customer loyalty and churn. They then used this analysis to create an AI model that scores each menu item based on how they impact long-term customer behavior. 

For more information, visit incentivio.com

Domino's Pizza Inc. introduces its new and improved loyalty program. 

Domino's Rewards offers loyalty members even more opportunities to earn and redeem points across its corporate and franchise store locations. Domino's enhanced rewards program allows customers to:

• Earn points for less
  • Loyalty members will now earn 10 points on every order of $5 or more
• Redeem points for even more menu items – and earn free Domino's after just two orders
  • Members can redeem a variety of points for more menu items:
    • 20 points: A free dipping cup, a 16-piece order of Parmesan Bread Bites or a 20 oz. drink
    • 40 points: An order of Bread Twists or Stuffed Cheesy Bread
    • 60 points: A medium, two-topping pizza; pasta; Oven-Baked Sandwich; or a 3-piece order of Chocolate Lava Crunch Cakes
• Earn more rewards
  • Loyalty perks are now even better, as members will have exclusive access to member-only deals, special discounts and opportunities to earn bonus points!

"We are thrilled to give the brand's loyal customers additional ways to earn free Domino's items more often," said Mark Messing, Domino's vice president of digital experience and loyalty. "At a time when most brands are scaling back their loyalty programs and making it more difficult to earn and redeem points, Domino's is doing the opposite. We want to make it easier to reward our customers and give them more options so they can get rewarded faster."

Marketing a LTO 

From now until Oct. 22, 2023, rewards members can take advantage of a limited time offer to redeem 20 points for a free order of Domino's new Pepperoni Stuffed Cheesy Bread, which is normally a 40-point redemption, in celebration of the product's recent launch. 

Midland, a provider of two-way radio communication technology, introduces BizTalk BR180 On-Site Business Radio.

Ideal for restaurant and hospitality, the BR180 offers an affordable, ready-to-use solution that improves operational efficiency for better customer experiences and output.  

After speaking with business customers, Midland reimagined the business radio to meet business-specific needs, including:  

• Comfortable to Wear for Long Periods – The lightweight BR180 comes equipped with a belt clip and holster with a rotating hinge and a comfortable headset
• Easy to Use
• Long Battery Life – The BR180 holds a charge for 14 hours. 
• Two-year Warranty 

“Efficiency is a make-or-break metric for an outstanding guest experience at a restaurant like Jack Stack BBQ,” said Nick Beffer, general manager at Jack Stack BBQ in Kansas City. “We run a high-volume restaurant that demands exceptional customer service, and without the BR180 we would struggle to quickly communicate between different functions, address customer complaints or seamlessly turn tables. Since we adopted the radio, we’ve seen an immediate improvement in these areas and many others, we consider it a critical tool.”  

In addition to adding efficiencies, the BR180 also acts as a key safety device in case of emergencies since it’s equipped with NOAA Weather Alerts and doesn’t require cell phone or internet service to communicate with others. 

For more information visit www.midlandradio.com .  

DISH Business launches EVOLVE M1, a Google Certified Android  Set-Back-Box (SBB) purpose-built for commercial deployments. Leveraging a user-centric feature set and powerful hardware, the EVOLVE M1 provides a great in-room entertainment experience. This new SBB seamlessly integrates with the existing suite of DISH Business entertainment solutions.

OnStream, the live linear video delivery service, developed by DISH Business, is delivered to the EVOLVE M1’s processor and AndroidTV firmware on board. The anti-microbial voice remote returns with upgraded Bluetooth functionality and an onboard microphone, enabling guests to find their content fast. The EVOLVE M1 easily allows hoteliers to restrict the user interface and prevent guests from tampering with crucial settings, thus reducing troubleshooting from on-site staff. Guests can easily access their favorite streaming applications, via the OnStream user interface, allowing hoteliers to deliver on modern demands. It automatically clears user credentials from third-party apps.

Versatility in EVOLVE M1 allows for deployments with a wide variety of cable plants and property infrastructures. The sleek, low-profile design conceals unsightly LEDs and the VESA-compatible mounting bracket can hide the device altogether. The EVOLVE M1 embraces a seamless, distraction-free design, both physically and on-screen.

Virdee, a provider of guest experience technology and check-in automation,  has raised $12.4 million in an oversubscribed Series A funding round. Virdee will use this funding to further the company’s technological innovation with expanded product features and functionality, while growing its workforce, and deepening its presence in the hospitality sector. 

The investment follows previous Series Seed financing. Virdee’s total funding has now surpassed $21 million.

Founded in 2020 by Nadav Cornberg and Branigan Mulcahy, Virdee has seen expansion over the past two years, registering nearly 600% revenue growth in 2022 with similar expectations for 2023. Virdee’s platform connects guests and hotels via digital applications and AI, seamlessly automating all front desk transactions. Everyone from large hotel brands to boutique properties can plug Virdee’s solution into their existing digital experience – elevating the guest experience, eliminating lines, and turning front desk staff into guest relationship managers. Virdee’s installation base includes four of the largest casino hotels in Las Vegas and several other major hotel brands. 

VAI Resort, the upcoming largest hotel and entertainment destination in Arizona, is gearing up to open its doors in 2024 with the support of Oracle Cloud. With Oracle’s OPERA Cloud hospitality management platform combined with Oracle NetSuite, VAI will be able to unify its core data and operations on a single, secure infrastructure. This will empower VAI with the tools and intelligence it needs to keep its operation running smoothly while delivering unforgettable guest experiences.

VAI will also be using Oracle MICROS Simphony Cloud POS to manage all its restaurants and bars and Oracle Nor1 to deliver more impactful upgrade offers for guests and boost incremental revenue.

“VAI is the manifestation of a dream to create the world’s most iconic resort,” said Howard Weiss, Vice President of Entertainment, VAI Resort. “Our mission is to deliver the best luxury hospitality and entertainment experience in Arizona—and that requires the best technology. From room availability to drinks to our back-office operations, the combined power of Oracle’s Hospitality and NetSuite’s unified platform and real-time analytics and reporting will give us a constant view into our performance which will help us continually evolve how we serve and delight our guests.”

Creating an Oasis with Oracle

The new $1 billion 60-acre resort oasis destination, VAI Resort will consist of 1,100 rooms across four hotel towers with 12 dining establishments, 10 unique bars, and a man-made party island. Additionally, the property will include a two-story nightclub, a state-of-the-art 360-degree concert stage, a five-acre swimming oasis surrounded by white sand beaches, luxury retail, and a Spa and Wellness Center, all right next door to the world’s first Mattel Adventure Park.

Oracle Hospitality OPERA Cloud Platform and MICROS Simphony will enable VAI to seamlessly manage its entire hotel and dining operations including securely managing guest data and preferences, room availability and rates, food waste, and more. With an open architecture, built-in integration services, and open APIs, OPERA Cloud will also enable VAI to accelerate innovation to continually redefine the guest experience. Together with the Oracle Nor1, staff will also be equipped to deliver real-time offers to hotel guests, helping increase revenue.

In addition to Oracle Cloud, VAI will also use NetSuite enterprise resource planning (ERP) system to automate financial processes and improve business visibility across its operations. With a unified view of its business performance, VAI will be able to make more informed, data-driven decisions to improve guests’ experiences and grow its business.

“VAI Resort is creating a truly unique resort and an entertainment destination, all in one stunning package,” said Alex Alt, executive vice president and general manager of Oracle Hospitality. “With Oracle Cloud, VAI will have the ability to unify data across its operations, which will enable them to curate unforgettable experiences for guests, while efficiently managing all of the rooms, restaurants, and amenities those experiences require.”