News Briefs

InnSpire, a provider of a comprehensive technology suite that helps drive a seamless, world-class guest experience for some of the world’s most iconic hotels and brands, announced the expansion of its 5-year strategic partnership with Techlive International, a global provider of comprehensive content portfolio and global TV services to the hotel and healthcare sectors. The new agreement has been extended to include Airtime, the world’s first hospitality cloud-based movie and content streaming service that eliminates the need for on-site servers or other additional hardware.

Techlive’s new Airtime solution is compatible with leading smart TV providers, such as Samsung, LG and Philips Android, and is available in 188 countries. Its flexible commercial models (including a zero OPEX option) enable hotel properties to offer outstanding entertainment options to their guests, including early-release blockbuster Hollywood movies in up to a dozen languages, along with award-winning TV features and international channels. Because Airtime is cloud-based, it eliminates the need for additional hardware, reducing costs and expediting deployment, while simplifying system management for the property.

“Historically, hotel TV content has been delivered via on-premise servers, which require additional time and costs for installation,” said Reece Aherne, Business Development Manager with Techlive International. “Through our partnership with InnSpire, all that is needed to access Airtime’s plethora of cloud-based content is a compatible commercial TV and an internet connection.”

The early release movies are automatically added to the system as soon as they are released in each specific country, ensuring maximum exposure to the guests. Techlive offers a wide umbrella of studio content like Disney, Pixar and Universal, along with a full spectrum of lifestyle content, such as fitness & wellness, luxury fashion, and a variety of live international TV channels. Currently, there are over 200 movies on Airtime, which typically refresh with four to five new titles each month.

The Airtime cloud-based service enhances InnSpire’s IPTV solutions by offering yet another entertainment option for guests of its client properties. Unlike casting and streaming from their own mobile devices, Airtime is accessible directly from the TV and does not require a separate login or subscription. Guests simply pay for what they watch via a secure payment gateway. Alternatively, hotels may opt to pay a fixed fee and offer the content free to the guest as an added-value service.

“We have partnered with Techlive since 2018 to bring the most robust and desirable IPTV content to the guests of our clients’ properties around the globe,” said Martin Chevalley, InnSpire CEO. “We look forward to deploying Airtime to make it even easier and more cost effective for our clients to enhance their guests’ stays with the latest in in-room entertainment.”

In addition to its comprehensive IPTV platform, InnSpire’s award-winning digital solutions work collaboratively to allow for guest control over their entire travel experience, from guestroom access to temperature and lighting. The company’s full-featured Guest Journey App, its InnCable and InnSmart in-room TV solutions, iOT-based room controls and the innovative “F&B Anywhere” solution all work in concert via the property’s Wi-Fi network to provide travelers and hotel operators with seamless and highly personalized command over the guest experience.

Weldon Spangler, a longtime TGI Fridays board member and highly experienced restaurant executive, has been appointed CEO of TGI Fridays, effective immediately. He succeeds Brandon Coleman, who has resigned for personal reasons.

Spangler will lead implementation of the growth plan to revitalize the brand on a global scale. There are currently 700 TGI Fridays restaurants in 51 countries offering high quality American food and drinks. 

Spangler brings extensive background in the restaurant industry and his impressive career spans over 30 years of experience, during which he has built a reputation for his unwavering focus on customer experience, store operations, and marketing with successful tenures at Subway, Papa Murphy's, Dunkin' Brands, and Starbucks.

Rohit Manocha, Co-Founder of TriArtisan Capital, a New York-based private equity firm and the controlling shareholder of TGI Fridays with extensive experience in the restaurant sector, will continue to collaborate closely with Mr. Spangler and the dedicated team at TGI Fridays in his role as the active Chairman of the company.

Lunchbox  recently announced its partnership with DeliverThat, gaining access to a network of nearly 20,000 active delivery drivers.

With Lunchbox's enterprise catering order management solutions, restaurants have a tremendous opportunity to break into the booming Food at Work catering segment. The DeliverThat and Lunchbox partnership will provide a comprehensive catering delivery service, allowing Lunchbox Delivery Dispatch users to tap into DeliverThat's vast fleet of 20,000 active drivers, coverage across all 50 states, and 98.7% fulfillment rate.

• 71% of restaurants offer catering, 8% plan to add it this year, according to HT’s 2023 Restaurant Technology Study

"Catering will grow over 10% in the next 7 years, and it's our job to enable our enterprise restaurants to tap into that revenue," said Nabeel Alamgir, CEO and Co-Founder of Lunchbox. "We're delivering a best-in-class off-premise ordering solution and we're now building on top of that, partnering with DeliverThat to provide an end-to-end catering delivery experience for our clients."

The collaboration between Lunchbox and DeliverThat is expected to elevate the customer experience, allowing restaurants to manage their entire catering delivery process — from order placement to delivery, with greater efficiency and precision.

To learn more about Lunchbox Catering, visit lunchbox.io/catering.

Posiflex Technology Inc.  announces the availability of a POS terminal featuring a clamshell design that optimizes maintenance efficiency, conserves space and enhances operational security. The Haydn ZT Series enables effortless lifting of the monitor using a touch button, providing convenient access to internal modular components for easy repairs, replacements, and upgrades. This entire process can be completed in as little as one minute. This feature renders it an ideal choice for deployment in restaurants and other retail or hospitality venues.

• 71% of restaurants are leveraging data gathered via the POS for digital engagement, according to HT's 2023 POS Software Trends Report

For most customer-facing businesses, the POS serves as a vital lifeline. Ensuring its smooth and efficient operation is crucial, as any downtime can lead to increased costs and reduced profit margins.  

Super-Rugged, Smooth Operations

Powered by a high-performance Intel  Tiger Lake or Elkhart Lake CPU, the ZT Series employs a die-cast aluminum chassis design to facilitate effective cooling without the need for a fan. The fan-free and screwless design eliminates mechanical weak points and offers robustness and reliability advantages. Rigorous IP44 protection is also integrated to safeguard against dust, dirt, grease, and spills, ensuring seamless operation and extended service life under the demands of daily and continuous use.

Concealed Designs for Data Protection and Clutter Prevention

To further guarantee uninterrupted operation and service, the Posiflex ZT Series incorporates a hidden I/O design that prevents connection to untrusted devices, thereby averting potential data corruption. The USB ports are secured with a locking mechanism to prevent unauthorized data transfer and virus infection.

Moreover, the power supply is concealed in the base, and a 3-way cable management system maintains tidiness on the desk, enhancing the store environment and user experience.

Flexible Installations and Viewing Angle

To accommodate diverse environments, the ZT Series offers a choice of 15" or 15.6" true-flat PCAP touchscreen monitors, along with various desktop and wall mounting options tailored to specific workstation requirements. Additionally, the ZT Series supports a unique 0-90° swivel hinge design that provides users with a more comfortable viewing angle and adaptable deployment scenarios.

Enhanced Connectivity and Functionality

The Posiflex ZT POS terminals further enhance the functionality through diverse and flexible I/O deployment. Select models are equipped with the convenience of 24V PoweredUSB, broadening connectivity options. The terminals can be supplemented with dedicated side attachments to provide versatile features that cater to different needs. This includes retained ports for seamless integration with fingerprint sensors/i-Button, MSR, and RFID devices and a second monitor featuring an internal scanner.

Scooter’s Coffee, known for its fast drive-thru and specialty coffee, announced that Joe Thornton will be appointed Chief Executive Officer of Scooter’s Coffee, effective January 1, 2024. 

Thornton currently serves as the company’s President and will succeed Todd Graeve, who will retire after serving as CEO since 2016 and after nearly two decades in the Scooter’s coffee business.

The remainder of 2023 will serve as a transitional period for Thornton and Graeve.

“I am honored to continue the leadership legacy and lead Scooter’s Coffee into the future in support of our franchisees and employees. The family roots, core values and stability of this company are unmatched,” said Thornton. “I knew this company was special from the moment that I arrived, and I have a deep commitment to ensure that we continue to build an enduring brand.”

Thornton has 40 years of leadership experience in large-scale operations, strategy and human resources at some of the most prominent industry-leading companies, including most recently as Chief Operating Officer at HMSHost and, prior to that, Chief Operating Officer at Jamba Juice. Thornton also spent 25 years combined at Starbucks and Blockbuster in executive leadership roles earlier in his career.

As the company looks ahead to a strong future with Thornton leading the growth and changes on the horizon, the co-founders also recognize and are appreciative of the path built over the last 25 years.

Graeve joined Scooter’s Coffee in 2005 as a franchisee and developer in Kansas City, alongside his business partners. In 2008, he joined the leadership team at the company as Chief Financial Officer of Scooter’s Coffee. He served as CFO for eight years, before transitioning to CEO in April 2016.

“Almost 20 years ago, I started on this journey at Scooter’s Coffee as a franchisee, and I’m so excited to circle back to my beginnings and help my family with their Scooter’s Coffee franchise journey,” said Graeve. “I will always treasure my time as CFO, CEO and a franchisee, and I will be rooting loudly from the sidelines as this company continues to build on its greatness.”

Scooters' network is approaching 750 stores in 30 states.