News Briefs

PopID and Steak n Shake announced today that all Steak n Shake locations in the United States now accept PopID Check In (to review favorite orders and loyalty points) and PopPay for checkout. With more than 300 locations, Steak n Shake is the first national restaurant brand in the United States to adopt biometric check-in and checkout nationwide. PopID’s biometric check-in feature makes kiosk ordering faster, easier, and more personalized.

The implementation of PopID in every Steak n Shake location was accomplished rapidly and at low cost through a partnership between PopID and ACRELEC, a leading supplier of kiosk-ordering hardware and drive-through products. Cameras were shipped to every restaurant for attachment to the existing ACRELEC kiosks. “As explained in our recent publication, ACRELEC believes that our integrated biometric solution provides various benefits to restaurant operators related to throughput, ticket size, and loyalty engagement,” says Bruno Lo-Re, President of ACRELEC America.

“We are thrilled about our partnership with PopID and to be on the edge of biometric technology for the benefit of our customers. Our guests now have the option to use biometrics for a faster and more seamless experience,” says Sardar Biglari, Chairman of Biglari Holdings, the parent company of Steak n Shake.

Now that biometrics are enabled for all ordering and payment inside Steak n Shake restaurants, PopID and Steak n Shake will begin implementing biometric check-in and checkout at the restaurant’s drive-through units. “Similar to the kiosks, biometric check in can increase loyalty participation and revenue at the drive thru while also reducing payment processing costs,” says John Miller, CEO of PopID and Chairman of Cali Group. “Additionally, biometric payment at the order confirmation screen enables staff members to work on tasks other than taking payments by card and phone at the order pick-up window.”

Mews, a hospitality cloud, is an official sponsor for Hotelschool The Hague’s Sustainable Hospitality Challenge, an initiative that aims to champion the evolution of eco-friendly hospitality.

The Sustainable Hospitality Challenge (SHC) is in its 10^th year and has evolved into a global knowledge-based initiative. Targeted at future-thinking students around the world, it aims to stimulate and create investment in innovative, sustainable solutions that will have a tangible impact on the industry.

“It’s a real privilege to support an event that has such an important message, and it’s heartening to see such passionate and brilliant engagement from the future generation of hospitality professionals,” said Matt Welle, CEO at Mews. “I can’t wait to see the ideas the challenge generates.”

SHC is the biggest student challenge within hospitality. Students from over 75 of the world’s top universities present products and solutions to a ‘Shark Tank’ of industry leaders, including support from the likes of UN Tourism, Accor, Hilton and Marriott.

“We are incredibly excited to have Mews on board as a sponsor of the Sustainable Hospitality Challenge,” said Paul Griep, Director of Alumni & Industry Relations at Hotelschool The Hague and founder of SHC. “Mews brings a fresh and innovative perspective to the challenge with their expertise in hospitality technology. Their commitment to sustainability will inspire our students to think outside the box and explore new dimensions of hospitality innovation. Their involvement not only elevates the prestige of the challenge but also broadens the horizons of what sustainable solutions can be in our industry.”

Hotelschool The Hague, is the proud founder of the Sustainable Hospitality Challenge, provides high-quality education and cutting-edge research in the field of international hospitality management, with an emphasis on the transformation of sustainability and digitalization. Ultimately, developing students into sought-after hospitality graduates who excel in leadership roles worldwide.

The sponsorship is the latest in a long series of actions by Mews that advocate for more eco-conscious travel. A unique partnership and integration with Hotels for Trees has seen over 40,000 trees planted in place of housekeeping turnovers, saving 20,000 hours of housekeeping services. Mews has also published many materials to encourage hoteliers to act more sustainably – including a guide to the Green Hotel of the Future – and a dedicated internal committee on climate action.

Redberry Restaurants, a leading operator of quick-service restaurants in Canada, announces the appointment of Chelsea Kellock as the new Vice President of Marketing, effective immediately.

Plans for Expansion

Redberry has ambitious plans to open over 600 new Burger King, Taco Bell and Jersey Mike's locations across Canada in the next decade. To support this unprecedented expansion the company has created an executive role dedicated to overseeing its marketing initiatives. This strategic move aligns with Redberry's vision to become the largest and fastest-growing quick-service restaurant (QSR) franchisee in the country.

Kellock joins Redberry with extensive experience in leading business strategy and executing cross-functional initiatives within the Canadian restaurant industry. She brings a wealth of knowledge and a proven track record of success in senior-level marketing and operational leadership roles, particularly within well-established Canadian QSR and casual dining brands.

"Our brand partners increasingly look to Team Redberry for long-term brand strategy and activation," said Chris Racine, Chief Operations Officer. "Chelsea's appointment is a testament to our commitment to evolving from tactical marketing to strategic brand leadership at the executive level. Her expertise and leadership will be pivotal as we continue to grow and achieve new milestones."

Founded in 2005, Redberry is one of Canada's largest QSR restaurant Franchisees. Redberry owns and operates 190-plus restaurants across the country operating under the BURGER KING®, Taco Bell and Jersey Mike's Subs brands.

Long John Silver’s (LJS) has joined forces with four leading tech innovators – Attentive, Bikky, Plein Air, and Sparkfly – to transform its customer engagement strategy through implementing a 360-degree, next-generation digital and in-store experience across more than 300 corporate stores and participating franchisees.

A Tightly Integrated Ecosystem

The tightly integrated ecosystem will leverage a suite of best-in-class platforms including Attentive’s CRM and SMS Messaging; Bikky’s Customer Data Platform; Plein Air’s Web and Mobile App; and Sparkfly’s Offer Management, Loyalty, Digital Wallet, and POS Middleware Platform to create more meaningful messages, offers, and digital experiences for LJS guests.

“At Long John Silver's, we're dedicated to delivering treasured moments for our customers,” said Jason Antony, Director of Digital Marketing for Long John Silver’s. “By incorporating this cutting-edge technology into one 360° engagement ecosystem, we're excited to seamlessly blend the online and in-store experience and cater to today’s modern, digital-first consumer.”

• 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

With decades of combined experience supporting growth and innovation in the quick-service restaurant (QSR) industry, Long John Silver’s team of technology partners offers the flexibility, simple functionality, and deep integrations necessary to revolutionize how customers interact with the brand, driving engagement, loyalty, and sustainable growth.

“By harnessing the power of Attentive SMS and Email, we are excited to help Long John Silver’s create personalized interactions with their customers. Our collaboration aims to bridge the gap between in-person dining and digital interactions, providing a seamless experience that enhances customer satisfaction and loyalty,” said Angelique Kamara, VP of Partnerships at Attentive.

“Long John Silver’s is an iconic brand that changed the QSR industry when they first opened their doors over 50 years ago,” said Abhinav Kapur, co-founder and CEO of Bikky. “We are proud to play a role in helping them once again reinvent the industry with a top-tier digital and marketing stack that covers ordering, messaging, analytics, and above all, incredible hospitality.”

By streamlining the ordering process and personalizing rewards, LJS’s new engagement ecosystem creates a seamless and tailored experience for each guest, fostering deeper connections and enhancing overall satisfaction to keep them coming back. This approach will not only drive customer loyalty but also unlock valuable insights to continuously refine and optimize the brand's offerings, ensuring long-term success and growth.

“From the beginning of our partnership, our objective was clear: to enhance the guest experience, drive traffic, and grow sales. When the goals and teams align, it’s a great environment to build a best-in-class solution,” said The Plein Air Group Co-CEO Jason Abelkop. “We’re incredibly excited about the possibilities ahead.”

“We are thrilled to bring LJS’s vision to life alongside the best and brightest in the industry,” said Catherine Tabor, founder and CEO at Sparkfly. “Together, we're paving the way for a new era of customer engagement that prioritizes convenience, personalization, and a seamless experience."

The initial phase of the digital transformation went live in April 2024.

SpotOn has been added to the U.S. Foods CHECK Business Tools program. This program provides foodservice operators with a growing suite of technology solutions designed to drive traffic, simplify staffing, and modernize operations. The collaboration between U.S. Foods and SpotOn will empower US Foods customers with the point-of-sale, labor management, and other technology they need to succeed.

With a shared commitment to best-in-class support and a personal touch, SpotOn will bring its fully integrated restaurant operating system to US Food’s customers nationwide. Known for flexible, cloud-based technology complemented by personalized support, SpotOn offers solutions that enable restaurants to process payments, streamline operations, and create exceptional employee and guest experiences.

• 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

“This collaboration with US Foods is a significant step for SpotOn in reaching hundreds of thousands of restaurant operators nationwide,” said Mark Brodahl, Chief Revenue Officer of SpotOn. “US Foods’s commitment to the restaurant industry aligns with SpotOn’s mission to help restaurant operators everywhere thrive with great technology and best-in-class service and support with a human touch. Together, we will help restaurants run smarter, more efficient, and more profitable operations with the right tech and the right partners.”

SpotOn's restaurant operating 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 enable 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 automated 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.

"We are pleased to announce SpotOn as our newest addition to the CHECK Business Tools program," said Adam Stinn, Director, Business Solutions, US Foods. “We are enthusiastic about our collaboration and its potential to empower US Foods customers with the necessary tools to modernize their operations."

SpotOn and US Foods share a commitment to supporting restaurant operators with the same hospitality and support restaurants bring to their own communities nationwide. Together, they aim to empower restaurants with the resources, expertise, and technology solutions necessary to thrive in an ever-changing market.

Trusted by restaurants and venues across the United States, SpotOn invests in programming and activations to inspire restaurant owners and operators to run their businesses on their own terms with flexible technology, actionable data, and personalized service. Together with US Foods, SpotOn is paving the way for restaurant operators to leverage technology to address their most significant challenges, including workforce management, rising costs, and changing guest expectations.