News Briefs

On the United Nations’ World Environment Day, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group is delighted to announce a significant stride in environmental stewardship with the goal of having Winnow’s food waste technology installed across all its hotels by the end of 2025. This initiative is a testament to Mandarin Oriental’s commitment to setting a new standard for sustainability in the luxury hospitality sector.

In a resounding endorsement of the effectiveness of Winnow’s AI technology, Mandarin Oriental has already observed a remarkable 36% reduction in food waste in four pilot hotels: Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong; Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London; Mandarin Oriental, Miami; and Mandarin Oriental Jumeirah, Dubai. [CO1] These impressive results underscore the Group's dedication to operational excellence and environmental responsibility.

Implementing Winnow’s cutting-edge technology across all Mandarin Oriental hotels is core to the Group’s broader sustainability strategy. In the knowledge that food waste accounts for up to 10% of the world's greenhouse gas emissions^[1] and that between 5-15% of the food purchased by kitchens is typically wasted, contributing to the Group’s goal to reduce waste intensity by 50% by 2030. This commitment is aligned with the United Nations SDG 12.3, which aims to halve global per capita food waste by 2030.

Winnow’s data will enable hotel teams to make informed decisions that positively impact both the environment and their bottom line, with kitchens typically saving between 2-8% on food costs. Initiatives to manage food waste will expand upon existing ones, including colleague educational campaigns, overhauling buffet operations, donating excess edible food, and innovative composting programmes to improve soil condition and support efficient absorption of rainwater.

With Mandarin Oriental restaurants holding 28 Michelin Stars around the world including Michelin’s Green-star recognition at Amber, the signature French fine-dining restaurant at The Landmark Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong, the Group also looks forward to leveraging the creative platform of their chefs to raise awareness on the importance of tackling food waste. Looking ahead, chefs will be able to use insights from Winnow’s data to inform zero waste menus and recipes.

Torsten van Dullemen, Group Director of Sustainability and Area Vice President Operations, states, “Our commitment to sustainability goes hand in hand with our promise to deliver exceptional guest experiences. The integration of Winnow’s technology across our global portfolio is a bold step towards reducing our ecological impact and reinforcing our position as an industry leader.”

Marc Zornes, CEO & Co-founder of Winnow, comments, “Mandarin Oriental is at the forefront of sustainability in luxury hospitality. Our collaboration is already demonstrating the powerful impact of technology and data in reducing food waste. We’re honoured to support Mandarin Oriental in their ambitious goals, and together, we’re not only setting new industry standards but also making a tangible difference for our planet.”

Successful  pilot programmes at Mandarin Oriental hotels in Miami, Dubai, London and Hong Kong resulted in annualized net savings of $207,000, 66 tonnes of food waste, and 289 tonnes in CO2e emissions.^[2] The Group will be building on this success by rolling out Winnow’s technology to all 40 hotels by the end of 2025.

How AI Works at Mandarin Oriental

The Winnow technology implemented in Mandarin Oriental’s kitchens enables staff to seamlessly track exactly what wastage occurs throughout their production stream. With this data, users are empowered to optimize efficiency, change behaviors, and drive significant waste reductions.

Designed to require minimal interaction, the Winnow system consists of a camera, smart-scale and tablet. The camera, featuring computer vision trained to identify over 600 food items, automatically identifies waste as it is thrown away. The weight and cost of the food discarded is then instantly calculated and displayed.

All captured data is uploaded to the cloud, where food waste from each day is recorded and analyzed. With the preparation of daily, weekly, and monthly reports, Mandarin Oriental kitchens receive the necessary information to drive operational efficiencies, change behaviors, and innovate on techniques in preparation, cooking and plating.

The result is a win-win: using AI in its kitchens will allow Mandarin Oriental to improve its signature quality of service alongside significant reductions in costs and environmental impact.

Boxxtech announces the launch of their second alcohol vending machine at Progressive Field, the home stadium of Major League Baseball’s Cleveland Guardians. Ballgame attendees can skip long lines and purchase beer and pre-packaged cocktails from the refrigerated The Boxx machine.

“We are excited to be among the first companies to make unattended alcohol sales safe and effective by embedding ID authentication directly into the machine,” said Boxxtech CEO, Lauren Smee. “For busy environments like stadiums and festivals, The Boxx is an ideal way to keep lines down for pre-packaged products, and reduce staffing costs while still serving the same amount of product.” Boxxtech first demo’d the technology at SuperBowl LVIII, where more than 1,000 beverages were dispensed before and during the game, generating more than $68 every minute it was operational. 

Unattended retail has previously been challenged to sell 21+ products due to ID verification. Boxxtech integrates IDScan.net Age Restricted Vending package, which includes best-in-class ID authentication, capable of rapidly confirming customer age, and detecting up to 95% of fake IDs. The tech also includes face matching, ensuring that the customer in front of the machine matches the photo on a valid ID or drivers license. This technology replaces visual ID checks that would normally be performed by bartenders or event staff.

“IDScan.net ID verification technology was the clear winner among the three services we tested for integration into The Boxx. Not only does it successfully catch all fake IDs, keeping minors from accessing products inside the machine, but it was easy to set up without complicated business logic, providing us a clear ‘yes’ or ‘no’ on every verification,” said BoxxTech CTO Chris Davis.

Boxxtech machines have served more than 27,000 customers since launch in April 2024. Two The Boxx machines are currently operational, with an additional 50 planned for rollout by the end of 2024, including at least one in a major league sports stadium, and a fleet for placement in a major hotel chain that is looking to sell beer in their lobbies without adding additional staff. The Phoenix-based company has already won several major awards, including the AZ Fire Inno Award by the Phoenix Business Journal, and the 2024 Female Founder Venture Madness Award. Additionally, Boxxtech has been awarded with the coveted Innovation Award for NFL Legends, and counts former Oakland Raider Lamarr Houston as its President. They are a Techstars portfolio company, with additional backing from the founder of RetailMeNot. 

GiftAMeal, the innovative cause-marketing program that turns customer photos into meals for local families in need, announces a significant milestone in donated meals with restaurant partner Lee’s Famous Recipe  Chicken.  As of June, Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken has donated 150,000 meals to families in need through GiftAMeal’s charitable partnership. In 2023, GiftAMeal was named one of HT’s Industry Heroes  for its solution.

Customers of Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken will soon notice something special about their orders – packaging – from drink cups to side boxes – will feature its involvement in GiftAMeal, along with information on how guests can participate in making a difference in their community. This creative initiative not only serves as a platform to raise awareness for the cause but also invites customers to join in supporting food banks across the country. The co-branded packaging will be available at locations nationwide, ensuring that every customer has the chance to fight local hunger. 

The new packaging will complement a digital effort announced earlier this year in which Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken revamped its mobile application and added a GiftAMeal button on the home page that allows customers to engage directly and effortlessly with the GiftAMeal program. By simply clicking the button and uploading a photo of their dining experience, customers trigger a restaurant-funded donation to a local food bank to help provide a meal to a family in need.

"By integrating GiftAMeal directly onto their packaging and mobile app, Lee’s has transformed each dining experience into a catalyst for change. Our partnership showcases how technology and collaboration can unite us in a shared mission to nourish those in need, and we are thrilled to continue this journey together," says Andrew Glantz, CEO and Founder of GiftAMeal.

With 130 restaurant locations participating in GiftAMeal, Lee's Famous Recipe Chicken is one of GiftAMeal's larger partners.

"The integration of GiftAMeal on our brand-wide packaging reflects our deep-rooted commitment to community engagement and enhances the impact we can make, all with no extra effort for our franchisees,” says Dan Sokolik, VP of Marketing at Lee's Famous Recipe Chicken. “Reaching 150,000 meals highlights the tangible difference we and our guests are making in the lives of local families in need.”

As GiftAMeal continues to expand its network of restaurant partners, the potential to combat food insecurity grows exponentially. Each new partnership amplifies the collective impact, enabling more families to receive the nourishment they need.

To learn more about GiftAMeal, visit www.giftameal.com. Restaurants interested in joining can visit  giftameal.com/partner to schedule a free demo today.

Hospitality America has promoted Justin Deyo to Corporate Director of Operations under the leadership of Vice President of Operations Frank Cook. Deyo’s addition to the Hospitality America leadership team aims to put a focus on mentoring and developing hotel leaders, driving the organization’s performance standards, and providing strategic support for renovations and new hotel openings. 

With a hospitality career spanning 20 years, Deyo joined Hospitality America in 2013, demonstrating a penchant for developing talent through exemplary leadership and operational expertise. He recently served as area General Manager in Columbia, S.C., overseeing two key assets in the Hilton Columbia Center and Hampton Columbia Historic District. Additionally, Deyo served as the inaugural Chair of Hospitality America’s Leadership Council which consists of property leaders across the portfolio tasked with vetting and deploying new processes and procedures. 

“I’m humbled to join an already impressive leadership team and looking forward to elevating our property leaders to another level of excellence,” Deyo said. In addition to serving as Chair of Hospitality America’s Leadership Council, Deyo is an active community leader, serving on the board for Friends of Fisher House, Tax A Committee of Columbia, and a member of the Columbia Vista Guild. 

“Under Justin’s exceptional leadership, two of our top-performing assets have not only thrived through three multimillion-dollar renovations over the past five years but have consistently remained at the pinnacle of their competitive sets,” said Leigh Holloway, Chief Strategy Officer. “His contagious passion and dedication will prove invaluable to Hospitality America’s vision. We’re thrilled to welcome him to our leadership team.”