News Briefs

Despegar.com, Corp. (“Despegar” or the “Company”), Latin America’s leading travel technology company, announces its first Software as a Service (SaaS) partnership with Karisma Hotels & Resorts. Through this innovative collaboration, Despegar will license its cutting-edge AI Travel Assistant, Sofia, to enhance the existing chatbot functionalities of Karisma Group, setting a new standard for digital engagement in the hospitality industry.

This partnership marks a key milestone in the relationship of both companies as it will allow Karisma’s customers to interact with a digital travel assistant powered by Sofia, benefiting from a range of distinct advantages designed to improve their travel planning and booking experience. By integrating Despegar’s leading AI technology, Karisma Hotels & Resorts aims to offer seamless, personalized assistance to guests, setting itself apart as a forward-thinking hospitality brand.

“Our partnership with Karisma is an exciting step forward for both companies. By integrating our AI Travel Assistant, Sofia, we will not only deepen our collaboration with a valued partner but also position Karisma at the forefront of technological innovation in the hospitality industry. As we move forward, we’re eager to explore new ways to enhance Karisma’s travel assistant, expanding its capabilities to offer even more value to travelers,” commented Damian Scokin, CEO of Despegar.

"We are thrilled to partner with Despegar and integrate their innovative AI Travel Assistant, Sofia, into our services. This collaboration is a true testament to our commitment to leading the hospitality industry in technological advancement. With Sofia, we aim to provide personalized, seamless, and comprehensive assistance, making travel planning as enjoyable as the journey. Together, we are setting a new standard for digital engagement in hospitality," said Miguel Ortiz, Chief Strategic Officer for Karisma Hotels & Resorts.

This collaboration marks the first step in Despegar’s broader strategy to expand its SaaS offerings, setting the company apart from other travel technology firms. Despegar's focus on licensing AI-powered travel solutions like Sofia positions it as a leader in delivering personalized, seamless customer experiences. This differentiation enables Despegar to deepen B2B partnerships and tap into new revenue streams while enhancing customer engagement for its partners. By introducing this innovative service to Karisma’s customers, Despegar strengthens its position in the market and solidifies its reputation for technological leadership in the travel industry globally.

Mark Shambura has joined Panera Bread as Chief Marketing Officer. Shambura will lead all aspects of marketing at Panera, including Brand Building, Digital & Loyalty, Product Strategy & Consumer Insights. An accomplished marketing leader with broad expertise in the restaurant industry, Mr. Shambura has previously held marketing leadership roles during pivotal growth periods for top brands including Chipotle, MOD Pizza, and most recently Papa Johns.

"Mark brings an impressive background building brands and leading marketing teams for fast-casual restaurants, and we’re thrilled to welcome him to Panera Bread,” said José Alberto Dueñas, Chief Executive Officer. “As Panera continues to evolve our brand, guided by listening to our guests, Mark’s depth of experience and ability will help drive our growth as a brand that serves great food you feel good about eating.”

Shambura previously served as CMO at Papa Johns, where he led a revitalization of the brand by enhancing its iconic “Better Ingredients, Better Pizza” platform, and developing a more modern, innovative omnichannel approach to transform how Papa Johns appealed to both new and loyal consumers. As Executive Director at Chipotle, Mr. Shambura guided the marketing function through periods of both sustained growth and transition, providing leadership over brand strategy, advertising, digital, social, events/sponsorships, promotions, and field marketing, including playing a key role in spearheading its “Real Ingredients” brand strategy.

“I’m proud to join the Panera Bread team and excited to build on the momentum of the brand's transformation as it continues to evolve in service of our guests,” Mr. Shambura said. “Panera propelled and cemented its position at the top of the fast casual restaurant segment through its promise of high-quality ingredients and freshly prepared food, and I’m thrilled to join a highly talented team to help shape its next chapter.”

Prior to his tenure in the restaurant industry, Mr. Shambura gained extensive marketing agency experience, working with a broad array of top global consumer brands for over a decade. Shambura will report directly to José Alberto Dueñas, Chief Executive Officer, and officially assumed the role of Chief Marketing Officer on July 29, 2024.

UrVenue will offer an exclusive preview of its new sister platform, UrResort, at The Hospitality Show in San Antonio October 29 to 30 at Booth #444. UrResort is a suite of products designed to power resorts with a comprehensive Property Experience Management System (PXMS), featuring UrVenue’s Venue Management System (VMS) as a key component. The preview will showcase the platform’s capabilities ahead of its official launch in 2025, with a focus on gaining additional pilot partners whose valuable insights will help shape the product and ensure its success when introduced to the broader market.

UrResort delivers centralized management of property experiences, including activity center and guest itinerary management, and distribution of these experiences across direct and third party channels such OTAs. Designed to optimize both on-property and off-property experiences, UrResort enhances operational efficiency, guest satisfaction, and drives revenue growth for hotels and resorts.

Additionally, UrVenue and UrResort are now members of the Oracle PartnerNetwork (OPN) and available on the Oracle Cloud Marketplace. These out-of-the-box integrations with Oracle OPERA Cloud Property Management System (PMS) and Simphony Cloud Point-of-Sale (POS) will enable resorts to streamline guest engagement and operations. The Crane Resort in Barbados will be the first to implement the OPERA Cloud PMS integration with UrResort, creating personalized guest itineraries and centralizing experience management, while Wynn Las Vegas will adopt the Simphony Cloud POS integration with UrVenue, connecting guest bookings, presales, and check data for deeper insights into guest behaviors.

“We’re excited to preview UrResort at The Hospitality Show and demonstrate how our new suite of products, combined with our Oracle integrations, creates the most advanced engine for managing experiences,” said Tracee Nalewak, Chief Growth Officer at UrVenue. “With centralized activity management, group and guest itinerary planning, and seamless distribution of experiences, UrResort will redefine how resorts manage and monetize on- and off-property experiences, driving efficiency, guest satisfaction, and revenue growth.”

Attendees at the show will get an exclusive preview of several key components from UrResort’s experience platform, including standout features and integrations with OpenTable, Book4Time, and Oracle.

QDOBA, America's rapidly growing #2 restaurant brand in the Mexican fast-casual category, today announced Kevin Carroll has joined the company as Chief Operating Officer. Carroll brings extensive restaurant leadership experience and is responsible for all aspects of QDOBA's operations strategy and execution across approximately 800 restaurants in the U.S., Puerto Rico and Canada. This appointment comes on the heels of the brand posting a 7.7% increase in comp sales for its fiscal year ending September 2024, on top of last year's 6.3% comp sales growth.  

"We are thrilled with Kevin's decision to join the QDOBA family," said John Cywinski, CEO of QDOBA. "Kevin is a truly exceptional leader and one of the most respected operators in the restaurant industry. I've worked alongside Kevin for many years, and I know first-hand the invaluable leadership and partnership he'll bring to the QDOBA brand."

Carroll joins QDOBA at a time of robust growth, accelerating momentum and unlimited potential. "I'm fired up to be partnering with John again in support of this extraordinarily well-positioned brand," said Carroll. "QDOBA is indeed the best kept secret in the restaurant industry, and I'm looking forward to working alongside our talented team and franchise partners to unlock our full potential."

Cywinski added, "Kevin is a deeply experienced and highly regarded executive with a well-deserved reputation for excellence. Beyond his character and integrity, what I value most about Kevin is his guest-first orientation and his commitment to a culture of accountability. We are very fortunate to have a leader of Kevin's caliber help guide us at this time of unprecedented growth."

With four consecutive years of unprecedented growth, QDOBA plans to double the size of its current footprint to more than 1,600 restaurants over the next decade.

For the past seven years, Carroll was COO for Applebee's Grill & Bar, leaving an indelible mark on the 1,600-restaurant brand while earning the trust and respect of franchise partners and team members throughout his tenure. Prior to Applebee's, Carroll was Senior Vice President of Operations for Chili's Grill & Bar (Brinker International), accountable for 700 company-owned restaurants, 35,000 team members and an approximate $2B portfolio. Throughout his 27-year tenure with Chili's, Carroll rose steadily through the ranks of the organization from Restaurant General Manager to Area Director to Regional Director to Regional Vice President to Senior Vice President.