News Briefs

SpotOn has been named the Preferred Technology Partner of the Texas Restaurant Association (TRA), the state's leading advocate for the restaurant industry. The two organizations celebrated the partnership with a gathering at the annual Texas Restaurant Show in Houston, the annual restaurant and foodservice show. This collaboration between SpotOn and TRA aims to empower Texas restaurant operators with the technology needed to boost profit, streamline operations, and manage staff in a fast-paced, dynamic industry.

As the restaurant industry rapidly evolves, technology has become essential for restaurants to adapt and grow. SpotOn offers a comprehensive suite of tools and services designed specifically for the unique needs of the hospitality sector. By partnering with TRA, SpotOn aims to deliver transformative solutions that will enable the nearly 55,000 restaurants of Texas to drive sustainable growth.

"As a native Texan, I’m incredibly proud that The Texas Restaurant Association has recognized SpotOn as their Preferred Technology Partner," said Bryan Solar, Chief Product Officer of SpotOn, TRA Board Member, and Austin Resident. "The TRA's commitment to supporting and future-proofing the Texas restaurant industry aligns closely with SpotOn's mission to provide restaurants with the innovative technology necessary to run smarter, more delightful, and more efficient operations. SpotOn does all this while saving restaurants valuable time, money, and mindspace. Together, we will empower Texas restaurants to thrive for years to come in an increasingly competitive landscape."

SpotOn's restaurant management system combines point-of-sale (POS) systems, commission-free and fee-free online ordering and reservations, labor management software, and more. SpotOn technology helps restaurants streamline daily operations, reduce overhead costs, and enables their team to focus on what matters most – providing exceptional guest experiences. In addition to its technology suite, SpotOn offers a range of customer engagement and marketing tools to help restaurants increase customer loyalty and drive repeat business. From digital loyalty programs and targeted email campaigns to online ordering and gift cards, SpotOn provides the tools and expertise to help restaurants adapt and thrive in today's digital-first world.

"SpotOn's commitment to innovation, exceptional customer service, and their deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by the restaurant industry made them the ideal partner," said Emily Williams Knight, President and CEO of The Texas Restaurant Association. "We look forward to working together to equip Texas restaurants with the tools they need to succeed."

SpotOn's partnership with TRA reflects a shared mission in supporting Texas restaurants and promoting the industry's growth. Together, they aim to empower restaurants with the resources, expertise, and technology solutions necessary to overcome challenges and drive success in an ever-changing market.

SpotOn is investing in programming and activations to inspire Texas restaurant owners and operators to run their businesses with flexible technology, actionable data and personalized service. 

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.

Steak n Shake will offer PopID Check In and PopPay on its self-ordering kiosks in select locations in the Orlando market, with plans to expand to more than 300 corporate locations. PopID Check In is an opt-in service that enables consumers to scan their face to automatically sign into their loyalty reward account and see their past orders, making the ordering process as convenient as possible. When a guest checks in with PopID, they also have the option to use PopPay to automatically complete their payment.

• 57% of respondents say enabling new payment options is a  top business driver impacting POS upgrade decisions, according to HT’s2 2023 POS Software Trends Report.

“Our partnership with PopID is a key part of our effort to provide guests with a fast and seamless ordering experience," said Keith Correia, Chief Information Officer. "When using PopID Check In, a guest does not need to use their phone or take out their wallet as part of the ordering process. They will automatically be checked in for loyalty rewards, and they can choose to make an automated payment with PopPay. A guest can even see their past orders and quickly reorder their favorite menu items. Ordering at Steak n Shake has never been easier or more convenient.”

In addition to enhancing the guest experience and improving order throughput, PopPay helps to reduce fraud and offers lower payment processing fees.

Mews, the innovative hospitality cloud, has been chosen by Place Value to run its successful multi-property hotel operations.

Place Value is a hotel management company that specializes in budget, economy and midscale hotels. They operate 10 properties across Germany, most of which now run under their own Styles Hotels brand.  

“Mews is a powerful hospitality cloud that allows us to manage multiple properties easily while also giving us the flexibility to bring out the individuality of each hotel,” said Martin Kemmer, Founder and CEO at Place Value. “By unifying our technology, we have the ability to provide a more cohesive guest experience and easier, more intuitive handling for our employees.” 

All 10 hotels were onboarded with Mews between January and June 2023, including key features such as full payment automation with Mews Payments. Place Value also implemented Mews POS, providing their properties with a modern point-of-sale solution with digital ordering, connected inventory and real-time reporting. 

“We’re delighted to welcome the Place Value portfolio onto Mews,” said Matt Welle, Mews CEO. “They’ve already proven their operational success throughout Germany, and I’m confident that they’ll be able to drive even better business performance and guest experiences through Mews.” 

The group joins Mews from Cenium, which was acquired by Mews in 2022. As part of the migration, Mews custom-built a new connection to Microsoft Business Central that leveraged the old Cenium ERP (enterprise resource planning) connector. This will help ensure seamless business continuity across all departments. 

In a continued effort to innovate in how the company rewards its loyal customers, Iberostar Beachfront Resorts embarks on an exciting new chapter enabling IHG One Rewards loyalty members to now earn points and enjoy on-property perks at participating properties. This step forward in the strategic alliance with IHG promises further benefits and advantages to staying with Iberostar.

At the end of 2022, Iberostar Hotels & Resorts and InterContinental Hotels Group PLC (IHG Hotels & Resorts) announced a long-term commercial agreement alliance for resort and all-inclusive hotels under the Iberostar Beachfront Resorts brand, which has become the 18th brand for IHG. Iberostar is a family-run business based in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, with more than 65 years experience in the industry, and with an excellent reputation for operating resorts in outstanding locations with and a strong commitment to quality and sustainability. Through this strategic alliance, Iberostar retains 100% ownership, preserving its autonomy and values.

By integrating into joining the IHG One Rewards loyalty program, Iberostar provides IHG with an opportunity to welcome to a new set of travelers while also meeting the desire from existing guests and loyalty members for more resort destinations and the option of all-inclusive stays in award-winning hotels – ranging from family friendly premium offerings to adult only luxury. These new options offer members with increased access to some of the most popular destinations, including Spain, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica and Brazil.

Brett Warbrick, Chief Marketing Officer, Iberostar Group: “We’re thrilled that Iberostar Beachfront Resorts are now part of the IHG One Rewards program. We can’t wait to host IHG One Rewards members at our collection of beautiful, beachfront resorts in many of the world’s most sought-after destinations. We operate a responsible tourism business model that revolves around caring for both people and the environment, so members can be assured that every component of their stay with us was designed with both sustainability and exceptional quality in mind.”

Heather Balsley, SVP, Global Loyalty and Partnerships at IHG Hotels & Resorts: “At IHG, we’re always looking for new ways to offer our guests memorable experiences on and off property. As we celebrate the one-year anniversary of our reimagined IHG One Rewards program, I’m excited to welcome our new and existing members to the incredible Iberostar Beachfront Resorts properties. Our members can look forward to enjoying all their amazing loyalty benefits when staying in beachside destinations from Mexico to the Dominican Republic to the Canary Islands in Spain, and so many more.”

Remington Hospitality, a hotel management company, announced its partnership with DailyPay, a provider of on-demand pay. With DailyPay, Remington Hospitality employees have access to their earned pay as they earn it. This critical financial wellness benefit provides the employees with the power of choice and control over their pay, allowing them to pay bills, spend, save, and invest on their own schedules.

Remington Hospitality’s guiding light is its motto, “Where Passionate People Thrive,” underscoring the company’s commitment to genuine hospitality. Its hard-working associates are the heart and strength of its business. Remington Hospitality strives to provide benefit options that protect its employees’ physical, mental, and financial well-being so they can thrive.

"DailyPay has revolutionized the way we approach associate financial well-being. With this optional innovative payroll advance platform, our team members now have access to their hard-earned wages on a daily basis,” said Amanda Gray, Chief Human Resource Officer at Remington Hospitality. “This groundbreaking solution has not only empowered our associates to better manage their finances but has also provided them the control they want and financial planning resources to maximize this benefit. We firmly believe that DailyPay is a game-changer for the modern workplace."

Through its partnership with DailyPay, Remington Hospitality is adding a critical financial wellness benefit to its already robust total rewards package, enabling its employees to be in the driver's seat of their financial well-being. Remington Hospitality prides itself on having the best in class programs and partners. Among the company’s dedication to financial wellness, Remington Hospitality provides on-demand pay, income protection, discount programs, company benefits, financial planning, and retirement 401(k).