News Briefs

Shiny, a provider of associate engagement and retention services, released its inaugural report on tipping for the hospitality industry. Entitled “Tipping and Beyond: Data-Driven Tactics to Address Hospitality Staffing Challenges,” the report draws on 2023 sources to both provide insights and solutions to vexing labor shortage issues.

“Even before the pandemic, the three top issues most affecting hotels were labor acquisition, labor productivity and labor retention,” said Rebecca Robinson, co-founder, Shiny. “That problem was only exacerbated by COVID, and now more than ever, employers are looking for ways to attract and retain the best talent out there. This report illuminates current tipping trends and provides insights to hire and keep staff more effectively, ultimately aiding in resolving the prevailing labor shortages.”

The study utilized tipping records gathered from 28 hotels across the U.S., including select- and full-service branded and independent hotels using Shiny’s tipping software, each providing at least six months’ worth of tipping data. The dataset, comprising 594 tipped employees, including housekeepers, valets, lounge staff, breakfast servers and others, provided intriguing patterns such as the most popular day to leave a tip, a finding that can help hoteliers create improved operational strategies and work schedules.

Highlights of the report include:

1. Guests are most likely to leave gratuities for hotel associates on a Sunday. Tuesday is the least likely day (by a factor of two).
2. $10.60 is the average tip amount received across departments (housekeeping, valet, dining, lounge, front desk, etc.)
3. 80% of tips are left at check-out.
4. Loyalty program members are twice as likely to leave a tip.

“It seems rather obvious on the surface that more money will make for happier employees, but we found that isn’t the one-size-fits-all silver bullet solution that some owners and operators think it is,” Robinson added. “By speaking directly with general managers and hotel level associates, we were able to devise multiple strategies to help reduce turnover, ranging from implementing more streamlined tipping solutions to providing employees with transparent scheduling to give them more control over their time and simplify the process for managers to create schedules and communicate changes. Identifying and recognizing trends is important, but we wanted to go the extra step with this report to provide useful solutions to the issues uncovered.”

To download a copy of the report, please visit https://www.stayshiny.co/tipping-report.

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.

Sonesta International Hotels Corporation (Sonesta), the 8^th largest hotel company in the U.S., announced the appointment of Jeff Knowlton as Chief Information Officer.

“We welcome Jeff to Sonesta and look forward to leveraging his 25 years of experience leading IT teams and successfully implementing strategic initiatives within the hospitality industry,” said John Murray, President and CEO at Sonesta. “As an accomplished technology executive, Jeff has the comprehensive experience that we believe will fuel Sonesta’s growth and drive innovation in our business.”

Mr. Knowlton most recently served as Vice President of Information Technology at Pursuit Collection, a Denver-based hospitality and attractions company, where he built the IT department to support the company’s growth. Prior to Pursuit Collection, Mr. Knowlton was Vice President of Property Technology at Sage Hospitality, a hospitality management and investment company, where he played a vital role in developing and implementing the company’s IT strategy for both hotels and restaurants.  Earlier in his career, Mr. Knowlton held a series of progressively senior IT roles at Vail Resorts and Marcus Hotels & Resorts.

“I am excited to join Sonesta during this period of tremendous growth,” said Jeff Knowlton, newly appointed CIO at Sonesta. “I look forward to supporting Sonesta’s continued growth by leveraging technology to contribute to creating unforgettable experiences for our guests and great value for our owners.”

Last year, Pace was acquired by FLYR. Ever since, both teams have been hard at work integrating and growing these platforms. Pace's transition to the FLYR umbrella is a testament to this joint effort. 

"We are taking another important step in our journey as we become FLYR Hospitality,” said Jens Munch, CEO. “Since our founding, we have been on a mission to transform the hospitality industry with AI and machine learning. We are excited to take this to the next level under the broader FLYR brand."

Moving forward as FLYR Hospitality, the company will remain laser focused on delivering the best results for its customers and the best experience for its team. It will continue to accelerate its AI-first approach, as it delivers hospitality revenue optimization solution.

LivAway Suites™, the developer-centric, economy-extended stay hotel brand, has announced a partnership with software-as-a-service company, Virdee, to strengthen their technology-forward brand standards for guests.    

The collaboration with Virdee will implement a variety of user-friendly technologies in order to enhance and streamline the overall guest experience. These technologies include self-serve check-in, around-the-clock virtual reception, and pre-check-in options, as well as other web, mobile, and kiosk services. Through the digital guest engagement platform, customers will enjoy 24/7 touchless check-ins and digital room keys all from the palm of their hand. 

For developers, this partnership will provide a competitive advantage, operational efficiencies, and the ability to drive more revenue through cross-sale opportunities within the check-in process and add-ons available through the app.

"Contactless technology is a boon for our industry, and our partnership with Virdee provides a seamless digital guest service solution through mobile, kiosk and online - at the same time offering additional revenue streams and reducing operational costs at each LivAway Suites hotel," remarked Kevin Dailey, Chief Operating Officer of LivAway Suites. "Our partnership with Virdee doubles down on our commitment of being the most tech-forward brand in our segment 'because our guest deserves better™.'" 

"LivAway Suites' technology-centered, developer-focused approach makes them an ideal hospitality partner for Virdee", said Branigan Mulcahy, Co-Founder of Virdee.  "Leveraging the operational efficiencies that Virdee offers, gives LivAway Suites an innovative leg up on their competition in the extended stay segment."  

LivAway Suites, created "for developers, by developers™," currently has over 25 locations in various phases of development across the United States. Over the past few months, LivAway Suites has broken ground on locations in metro areas of Tennessee, Washington, and Utah, with many more markets to follow in the coming months.   

To learn more about LivAway Suites, visit www.livawaysuites.com