News Briefs

Push Operations has joined the Toast Partner Ecosystem. This integration will help automate tedious administrative tasks for Toast customers in the US and Canada by centralizing Push Operations employee solutions to Toast's platform.

Push Operations is an all-in-one solution for easy people management in the restaurant industry. With thousands of customers across North America, Push has perfected the art of human resources, automated payroll, and generating schedules in seconds. 

Toast is a cloud-based, all-in-one digital technology platform purpose-built for the entire restaurant community. It works with integration partners in its Toast Partner Ecosystem, a curated portfolio of more than 200 partners who deliver specialized technology and services to help restaurant operators increase sales, engage guests, and keep employees happy.

• 84% of survey participants plan to add new functionality, features, or modules to their current POS software, according to HT's 2024 POS Software Trends Survey

"We are thrilled to welcome Push Operations to the Toast Partner Ecosystem, and delighted to offer our customers the ability to integrate their Toast POS with Push's people management solution," says Keith Corbin, Senior Director, Business Development from Toast. "By integrating  with Push, restaurants can now easily bring in live and historical sales data and leverage their technology to make smarter scheduling decisions through labor forecasting."

The integration of Push and Toast is designed to allow restaurateurs to take advantage of a leading POS and restaurant management system combined with Push's advanced HR, payroll, and scheduling capabilities. Push brings in live and historical sales data from Toast to help operators make more accurate scheduling decisions. Push's heat map technology can also provide staffing insights on a more granular level based on the time of day.

"We're really excited about this integration with Toast, it comes at a time where restaurateurs are looking for ways to stay ahead of the technological curve that the industry is experiencing," says Tina Lum, CEO, Push Operations. "Integrating with a forward-thinking company like Toast will only benefit our customers!"

Technology is becoming essential for restaurants in today's shifting economy. Push's Industry Report found that "90% of restaurateurs consider inflation a challenge and are turning to technology to address the issues it brings". The combination of Push and Toast provides a unique way to help restaurateurs navigate those challenges. 

Winnow, the market-leader in AI-powered food waste management, announces today an exclusive partnership with zero-waste chef and pioneer Vojtech Végh. As Winnow’s new Zero Waste Culinary Advisor, Vojtech brings his expertise in helping chefs to reimagine food waste. The focus of the partnership will be on reducing trimmings waste—an often-overlooked opportunity in commercial kitchens.

"I'm thrilled to join Winnow as their new Zero Waste Culinary Advisor,” said Vojtech. "I’ve spent my career reimagining what’s possible with wasted ingredients. Winnow’s data shines a critical light on what ends up in the bin, and I see enormous potential in what we can achieve together."

Vojtech’s background, which spans over a decade in top kitchens around the world—from Michelin-starred restaurants to founding the first zero-waste, plant-based restaurant, Surplus, in Cambodia—adds a powerful new layer to Winnow’s expertise. The chef currently provides food waste prevention workshops and masterclasses to kitchens around the world, working chef-to-chef to apply data led strategies to reduce waste and cost. His experience brings Winnow’s clients direct access to the knowledge of a professional chef who fully understands the intricacies of low-waste cooking and using data to drive results.

From Trash to Treasure

Winnow’s VisionAI uses computer vision to recognise and track food waste as it is thrown away. It tracks a kitchen’s full waste stream, covering overproduction, spoilage, plate waste, and trimmings to give chefs clear insights into where and why waste is happening. Total food cost savings from using the tool can be as high as 8%. 

In many kitchens, trimmings waste (otherwise known as ‘cuttings’) flies under the radar, viewed as an unavoidable byproduct. However, Winnow’s data shows that over 40% of trimmings waste can be avoided, reducing food purchasing costs by 1-2.5%. 

A Case Study in Tackling Trimmings

A pilot project for the partnership saw seven Red Carnation Hotels reduce total trimmings waste by 40% in just six months under the guidance of Vojtech’s expertise and using Winnow’s food waste tracking tools. Innovations now enjoyed by guests include watermelon skin chutney, pasta made from breadcrumbs, and fruit trimming cocktail syrups. Fruit trimmings are also used to make molasses, a substitute for the treacle that goes into a Red Carnation signature Irish soda bread.

Speaking of the partnership David Mac Donald, Head Chef at one Red Carnation property, said, “Our partnership with Winnow and Vojtech has not only allowed us to dramatically reduce our food waste, but challenged our attitude towards food. We’ve really enjoyed generating progressive ideas and recipes that provide an experience and a story to our guests — elevating our offering and their engagement.”

Expert Training and Insight

A key component of Winnow’s partnership with Vojtech will be the expert guidance provided to Winnow’s team and clients. Vojtech will personally train Winnow’s customer success team, enabling them to better support kitchens in unlocking the creative opportunity of cooking with trimmings. Clients will also benefit through tailored training materials and exclusive webinars led by Vojtech himself. 

Winnow and Vojtech’s collaboration marks a significant step forward in transforming how kitchens approach food waste. By using Winnow’s real-time data and insights, paired with Vojtech’s culinary expertise, chefs can optimise their workflows, reduce waste, and ultimately unlock new creative opportunities.

Winnow founder Marc Zornes said of the partnership, "I’m struck by the creativity of chefs in Winnow’s community on a daily basis. Through our partnership with Vojtech, we aim to further fuel that creativity, combining our data with his culinary expertise to inspire, share knowledge, and support a movement of chefs who will lead us toward the kitchen of the future.”

ezCater released its third annual Lunch Report, revealing new insights into employees’ lunch habits. Although 98% of employees recognize the benefits of lunch breaks on job performance and productivity, nearly half (49%) skip lunch altogether at least once a week. Employees cite fear they won’t have enough time to get their work done (23%) and having too many meetings to take a break (19%) as key reasons they skip the lunch break.

“Lunch breaks are often sacrificed due to tight schedules, but they can play a major role in bringing people together and improving employee well-being,” said Kaushik Subramanian, Chief Revenue Officer, ezCater. “Organizations can be intentional in encouraging employees to take a break, and bringing in lunch is a great way to do that.”

This year, ezCater surveyed 5,000 full-time U.S. employees, uncovering how lunch breaks influence job performance, satisfaction, and well-being across generations and regions. Additional findings from ezCater’s 2024 Lunch Report include:

• Lunch breaks are losing ground: While employees recognize that lunch breaks can enhance job performance (98%), happiness (51%), and mental clarity (49%), only 38% take a break away from their desk every day during lunch.
• Gen Z workers are least likely to break for lunch: Despite half (50%) considering it the best part of the workday, 47% of Gen Zers miss out on lunch twice or more per week. Gen Zers are also four times more likely than Boomers to feel guilty for taking a break from work.
• Inflation bites into lunchtime: 78% of employees say inflation has impacted their lunch habits, with 36% opting for cheaper alternatives, 31% purchasing fewer meals, and 22% leveraging value menus, discounts, coupons, or loyalty programs.
• 'Little Treat Culture' sweetens the workday: A trend that gained popularity on TikTok has become an office norm, especially among younger workers. Employees seek out small food treats for energy (53%), as a reward (42%), or stress relief (38%), with 87% of Gen Z enjoying treats weekly—the most of any generation.
• Free lunch boosts work attendance: Nearly 6 in 10 hybrid workers (58%) would work on-site 3 days a week if their employer provided free lunch.

“Providing lunch to employees not only prevents them from skipping meals and burning out, it also makes a sizable impact on their wallets. Whether companies subsidize some or all of the food cost, it is a workplace perk that will pay dividends in employee productivity and loyalty,” added Subramanian.

The full findings from ezCater’s 2024 Lunch Report are here. To learn more about how employers can use these insights to increase overall workplace productivity and job satisfaction, visit www.ezcater.com.

Hapi, a provider of hospitality data and connectivity solutions, announces the appointment of Jeff Bzdawka as company President. Bzdawka brings over 30 years of hospitality experience to Hapi, with a proven track record of building customer and colleague-focused solutions, scaling teams, and driving growth.

"I am thrilled to join Hapi at this exciting time for the hospitality industry," said Bzdawka. "Hapi has a strong track record of providing innovative solutions that help hoteliers improve their operations and guest experiences through the transport and transformation of data. I look forward to working with the Hapi team to continue to build on this success."

Bzdawka has extensive experience as both hotelier and hospitality technology provider bringing a unique perspective to help Hapi unlock additional value to Hapi’s customer base. Bzdawka most recently served as CEO of Knowland, where he led the organization’s growth as a critical hotel data partner during post-COVID recovery and brokered its recent acquisition by Cendyn. He previously served as SVP, Global Hotel Technology at Hyatt, where he managed the property technology roadmap for its global portfolio of 1,000+ hotels. He has also held leadership positions at TravelClick and Pegasus Solutions, and currently serves on the board of directors for both BirchStreet Systems and Evention LLC.  

“I am excited and honored to have such a strong, proven hospitality leader join our team,” said Luis Segredo, CEO of Hapi. “Our teams and customers will benefit from his industry acumen and his drive to care for those he serves.”

Bzdawka is a recognized leader in the hospitality technology industry and is actively engaged in various industry forums to increase awareness of how technology can be used to enable change and scale activation. In 2022, he was inducted into the HFTP Hospitality Technology Hall of Fame in recognition of his leadership in technology innovation, and he is currently on the leadership team for AHLA : HTNG’s T100.

For many, checking into a hotel can mean the beginning of an exciting adventure, a relaxing getaway or important moments in life. For guests who are blind or have low vision, exploring the unfamiliar surroundings of a hotel could pose unique and specific challenges that have the potential to impact their stay.

Hilton, a global leader in hospitality, announced today an industry-first, exclusive partnership with Be My Eyes to ensure guests who are blind or have low vision can experience a more accessible, seamless and welcoming stay. Together with Be My Eyes, Hilton is making available AI-powered assistance and dedicated Hilton Reservations and Customer Care support to guests who are blind or have low vision across the U.S. and Canada. Be My Eyes is a free mobile app that connects blind and low vision users with sighted volunteers and companies through live video and AI, and now, directly connects Hilton guests with a team of dedicated, specially trained English-speaking Hilton Reservations and Customer Care agents.

Through this partnership, Be My Eyes users in the U.S. and Canada can use their smartphone to navigate to Be My Eyes’ “Service Directory,” select the “Hotels” category and choose the participating Hilton brand to be directly connected to Hilton’s dedicated teams. Hilton teams will be available to help users navigate the hotel, including helping guests identify and adjust the in-room thermostat, operate in-room coffee machines, identify window coverings, or navigate to the hotel’s meeting spaces and amenities such as bars, restaurants, gyms or spas.

Assistance is available across a variety of Hilton’s portfolio of brands, including Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, DoubleTree by Hilton and Hampton by Hilton, among others. The partnership provides both leisure and business travelers who are blind or have low vision with personalized assistance for every stay occasion.

“As a leading hospitality company, Hilton is committed to creating an experience that is welcoming for every guest, at every hotel, every time,” said Mike Gathright, senior vice president, customer excellence and innovation, Hilton. “We believe that every guest – regardless of ability or any other factor – deserves a reliable and friendly travel experience, and we are proud to partner with Be My Eyes to make that more of a reality for thousands of Be My Eyes users.”

Today’s announcement marks a significant milestone in the collaboration between Hilton and Be My Eyes. Hilton first partnered with the organization in 2023 to train and improve “Be My AI,” an OpenAI GPT-4 language model that powers the Be My Eyes app, to enhance its ability to recognize objects and navigate the furniture and fixtures found in Hilton brand hotel rooms. Earlier this year, the partnership was expanded to include the development and training of a specialized team of Hilton Reservations and Customer Care agents who can support Be My Eyes users that may need assistance during their stay.

“Our mission at Be My Eyes is to break down accessibility barriers in everyday life, and this partnership with Hilton is a significant step along that path, helping travel and hospitality to be much more inclusive,” said Mike Buckley, CEO, Be My Eyes. “Hilton is once again leading by example, and we’re excited to provide the world’s best customer service platform to help Hilton serve blind and low vision consumers.”

In addition to leveraging Hilton’s dedicated Reservations and Customer Care team, guests can take advantage of Hilton’s industry-leading “straight-to-room” digital self-service tools that create a seamless experience from check-in to check-out. Where available, these tools include the ability to choose your room, digitally check in, use the Digital Key to open guest room doors with mobile phones and digitally check out. With this technology, guests who require additional assistance can adapt their travel experience based on their specific needs.

While Hilton’s partnership with Be My Eyes will support thousands of guests who are blind or have low vision, the hospitality leader is on a continuous journey to understand and accommodate the needs of individuals with disabilities, so all guests can experience a reliable and friendly stay.

Hilton is proud to have been recognized as a Top Company for People with Disabilities by Fair360, a Leading Disability Employer by the National Organization on Disability (NOD) and a Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion in the U.S. by Disability:IN. These recognitions represent the company’s continued commitment to learning how to better serve guests with diverse needs, including members of the blind and low vision communities.

Domino's Emergency Pizza program is back. Domino's Pizza Inc.  is once again offering customers a free medium, two-topping pizza to use whenever they need it most. Any Domino's customer who places a qualifying online order today through Jan. 19, 2025, can earn an Emergency Pizza, available for redemption from their Domino's Rewards account.

"We launched our Emergency Pizza program last year and customers loved it so much we knew we had to bring it back in a big way," said Kate Trumbull, Domino's senior vice president – chief brand officer. "Life can throw unexpected curveballs, and sometimes a hot, delicious pizza is just what you need to turn things around. Maybe you tested a new dinner recipe that turned out to be a disaster, or perhaps you ran out of time to buy groceries – whatever your emergency, Domino's is here to help with a free pizza."

The 411 on Emergency Pizza
To receive an Emergency Pizza, customers simply need to place a delivery order online or a digital carryout order of $7.99 or more. Once the order is confirmed, customers will automatically receive a Domino's Emergency Pizza under "My Deals & Rewards" within their Domino's Rewards account. 

• Related:  Domino’s Revamped Loyalty Pays Off

"Not only is Domino's Emergency Pizza program back, but it's in more places than ever," Trumbull said. "We're excited to launch a series of new, unexpected brand partnerships that consumers can have fun with. Domino's has partnered with Amazon and Twitch, as well as Olive & June to bring Emergency Pizza to life in two completely different, yet very entertaining ways. But that's not all – we have even more fun brand integrations planned for Emergency Pizza in the future, so be on the lookout!"

Gaming: Domino's Joins Forces with The Glitch – Amazon and Twitch's Newest Game
Domino's is making its debut in gaming by teaming up with Amazon and Twitch to integrate Emergency Pizza into their new Fortnite game, called The Glitch. Domino's dedicated brand experience within The Glitch launches on Oct. 14, 2024. Within it, players can:

• Experience a Domino's-branded "Red vs. Blue" player map where teams can compete against each other for "Domin-ation" by capturing and maintaining control of a Domino's storefront.
• Have access to a secret weapon: Emergency Pizza! In case of an emergency, players can "break the glass" to collect it and fully restore their health.

Domino's is also collaborating with gaming influencers to host live streams as they explore Domino's dedicated brand experience within The Glitch. 

Glam: Domino's Partners with Everyone's Favorite Nail Brand, Olive & June
Pizza and beauty enthusiasts can purchase the following items exclusively at oliveandjune.com, starting on Oct. 17, 2024:

• Domino's and Olive & June Emergency Pizza Mani Kit
  • This limited-edition kit comes with two exclusive Domino's nail polish colors – carryout (red) and delivery (blue) – as well as quick dry top coat for the perfect nails. It also features pizza topping nail stickers for a delicious finishing touch.
• Domino's and Olive & June instant mani press-on nails
  • Give yourself an instant manicure by choosing from three press-on nail designs: "I Heart Pizza French," "Secret Sauce Velvet" or "Extra Cheese Please." "Extra Cheese Please" comes with an assortment of mouthwatering pizza topping nail stickers.