News Briefs

Encore, a global event technology and production services provider, confirmed today the launch of its pioneering ‘Overtime Savings Program’ in the United States, along with additional people-first programs to further support its ongoing workforce in a seasonal industry.

Powered by UKG’s payroll technology, this first-of-its-kind program aims to enhance financial wellness and stability for Encore’s frontline employees, many of whom work in markets that experience seasonal ebb and flow of business volumes.

With 12,000 team members providing event technology and production services at 2,200 hotels and conference venues in 20 countries, Encore faces the same challenges common in the hospitality industry. Seasonal fluctuations often result in workers’ hours varying from ample overtime during peak times to reduced schedules in off-season periods. This seasonality makes it difficult for workers to maintain consistent earnings and creates challenges for companies to retain talent in the off season.

“Encore has always believed its team members are the heart of our story. This people-first mindset motivates us to constantly evolve our team member experience and innovate around challenges, like the impact of seasonality, that the industry previously viewed as immutable,” said Ben Erwin, president and CEO of Encore.

In addition to the Overtime Savings Program, the company launched a Seasonal Leave of Absence Program, which offers team members the flexibility to take time off during slower seasons while retaining full benefits, accruing paid time off, and maintaining their tenure. This unique program enables employees to explore other work opportunities, pursue education, or focus on personal goals without sacrificing benefits or career progression. Both the Overtime Savings and Seasonal Leave of Absence Programs are active nationwide, with plans for global expansion.

“We established the program as another way to support our team members so that they can be at their best in delivering for our customers,” Erwin added. “With this innovation, they can better plan and save their premium overtime pay for periods of the year when they might not work as many hours. Providing this capability and funding a company-paid match for a portion of the savings should motivate financial wellness and enable them to continue to build their career with Encore. Team member reactions tell us we are onto something,” he said.

With a launch just after Labor Day, usage of the UKG Wallet™ increased tenfold compared to the prior year’s period. he company offered an initial savings match, similar to a 401k program incentive match, to reward healthy financial behavior.

“Financial stress is not a problem isolated to our industry, it’s a stressor for nearly everyone,” said Charlie Young, chief human resources officer at Encore. “Nearly 70% of Americans are living paycheck to paycheck¹ and Americans spent $9B in bank overdraft fees in 2023. The more we can do to reduce stress for our team members, the more focused they can be on our customers. We are successful in the event production business because of the unique combination of our technical expertise, hospitality mindset and ability to work under pressure and through challenges. Seasonal fluctuations are part of our business, but with a partner like UKG that understands every industry has unique challenges, we were able to innovate to support those unique needs to make our team members’ lives better.”

Cody Browne, a technical lead with five years of service for Encore in Las Vegas, said he will try the Overtime Savings program, in addition to accruing and saving his Paid Time Off, for the slow season in December in Las Vegas. He hopes the vacation time, in addition to the saved overtime funds, will afford him an out-of-state vacation to visit family. “I love that Encore is creating new opportunities, that’s one of the reasons I am interested in growing my career here,” he said.

 Incognia announced its partnership with Grubhub. As part of the company's trust and safety initiative,  the U.S. food ordering and delivery marketplace is leveraging Incognia's fraud prevention technology to increase security on the platform and provide a seamless experience for its community of customers and delivery partners. Initial testing shows the solution will make a substantial impact - Incognia has already been proven to increase order profitability and decrease care costs for Grubhub.

"At Grubhub, we aim to provide a seamless and enjoyable experience for everyone who uses our platform, and maintaining safety and security is key to that commitment," said Jared Horton, Senior Director of Logistics at Grubhub. "Our partnership with Incognia strengthens our ongoing efforts to enhance safety across the platform. Their expertise in keeping marketplaces secure makes them an ideal partner for addressing the unique and complex trust and safety challenges facing platforms like ours."

Users rely on delivery platforms to keep them safe and their accounts secure without compromising a seamless experience. Incognia leverages device fingerprinting, location analysis, and tamper detection features to prevent a variety of fraudulent actions impacting the operational efficiencies of food delivery companies today.

"We're thrilled to partner with Grubhub. This collaboration represents a significant milestone in Incognia's mission to empower safe and seamless digital experiences," said André Ferraz, Co-founder and CEO at Incognia. "By combining Grubhub's expertise with our cutting-edge technology solutions, we're confident this partnership will set a new trust and safety standard for the food delivery industry."

Incognia is used by global companies across industries, including food delivery, ride-hailing, peer-to-peer marketplaces, and financial services. After securing $31M in funding earlier this year, Incognia is dedicated to expanding its strategic partnerships and continuing to develop and enhance its robust fraud prevention offerings.

For more information, visit www.incognia.com. 

PAR Technology, a global foodservice technology company, announces the introduction of PAR Clear — a drive-thru communications headset system built to elevate the entire customer experience. 

Communication at the drive-thru can make or break the customer experience, and when it falls short, it can lead to longer wait times, order errors, and reduced profitability. PAR Clear addresses these challenges with exceptional audio clarity, extended range, and intuitive controls, empowering quick-service restaurants to streamline operations, increase order accuracy, and keep lines moving — all while boosting customer satisfaction and profitability.

With the drive-thru’s role continuing to expand, industry data highlights the impact of effective communication: total service times are faster, and wait times drop significantly when customers don’t need to repeat their orders. Designed with these demands in mind, PAR Clear provides crystal-clear audio essential for eliminating miscommunication and driving throughput. Additionally, order accuracy increases when communication is clear, further underscoring the need for PAR Clear’s high-fidelity audio in delivering a fast, seamless drive-thru experience.

"PAR Clear isn’t just another headset system; it’s the next step in drive-thru innovation," said Savneet Singh, CEO of PAR Technology. "We designed it to give operators a competitive edge with superior clarity and range that truly sets it apart from the competition. This is the future of drive-thru, and it’s here today."

Key highlights include:

• Crystal-Clear Audio: With HD Wideband Audio and a state-of-the-art Digital Signal Processor, PAR Clear delivers superior clarity, even in the busiest environments. Its dual-array microphones aim to capture every word, whether from the driver or backseat passengers.
• Extended Range & Flexibility: Powered by DECT 6.0 technology, PAR Clear has the longest range in the industry — providing operators with the flexibility to handle even the most complex store layout.
• Cloud-Based Management: The cloud-based platform allows operators to manage their system remotely, allowing for smooth operation with full control over updates, configuration, and troubleshooting.
• Sleek Command Console: The 11.6” wall-mounted touchscreen offers quick, easy control over the system’s settings, such as volume and headset registration, all without needing an internet connection.
• Future-Ready: Designed for scalability, PAR Clear supports multiple lanes and can easily integrate with future technologies — so operators can expand and adapt without needing additional hardware.

"Our focus has always been on delivering hardware that helps operators stay ahead of the curve," added Jason Riggs, General Manager for Hardware at PAR Technology. "PAR Clear enables operators to reduce service times while positioning them to easily integrate with future technologies, like AI, in the years to come.”

Bringing the Future of Drive-Thru Technology, Today

After successful beta testing in select locations, PAR Clear is now available to QSR operators, bringing significant improvements in communication clarity and operational flexibility. Early customer feedback confirms that PAR Clear delivers faster service and minimizes miscommunication errors, resulting in higher customer satisfaction and throughput.

Don’t wait — experience the future of drive-thru communication now.

For more information on PAR Clear and how it can help transform your drive-thru operations,  visit partech.com.

Wonder, a new kind of food hall that is revolutionizing the food industry by creating the super app for mealtime, announced that it is acquiring Grubhub, a food ordering and delivery platform with more than 375,000 merchants and 200,000 delivery partners across the United States. Integrating Grubhub with Wonder is the next step in Wonder’s mission to make great food more accessible, bringing together the convenience, speed and selection of first-party and third-party restaurants, groceries and meal kits in a single app order. Additionally, all Wonder locations will be available on Grubhub for third-party delivery.

Wonder will acquire Grubhub from Just Eat Takeaway.com for an enterprise value of $650 million, including $500 million of senior notes and $150 million cash. Completion is expected during Q1 2025, subject to customary closing conditions including regulatory approvals. Jefferies served as Wonder’s exclusive financial advisor on the transaction.

Wonder has also announced an additional $250 million in capital raised exclusively from new investors to further its mission and growth.

Founded Marc Lore,  who was President and CEO of Walmart U.S. eCommerce, Wonder is making great food more accessible while pioneering a new category of “Fast Fine” dining. Wonder offers Multi-Restaurant Ordering, a first in the industry where customers can order from upwards of 30 restaurants in a single order, with each item being made-to-order in a sequenced fashion so that they finish simultaneously and can be delivered to the customer together.

The platform features exclusive offerings from the world’s best chefs–including Bobby Flay, Marcus Samuelsson and José Andrés–and the country’s best restaurants–including Maydan, Tejas Barbecue, Di Fara Pizza and Fred’s Meat and Bread. Wonder currently has 28 locations in the Northeastern U.S., with seven additional locations slated to open by the end of the year. Leveraging its proprietary technology, Wonder is able to differentiate itself from every other restaurant or food delivery concept by offering exceptionally high-quality food, with order-to-delivery times below 30 minutes.

For 20 years, Grubhub has connected merchants with nearby customers looking for takeout and delivery. Its logistics network covers the vast majority of the U.S. population with on-demand delivery from independent restaurants, leading national restaurant brands, and convenience, grocery, pet and office supply retailers. The company’s loyalty program, Grubhub+, provides members with $0 delivery fees, lower service fees and 5 percent back on pickup orders. Beyond its consumer delivery marketplace, Grubhub has a Campus Dining business that powers online ordering at more than 360 universities and a Corporate Accounts business that provides flexible meal perks platforms for more than 10,000 companies.

“Wonder’s acquisition of Grubhub continues our mission to make great food more accessible. As we enhance our customer experience with selection, speed, and variety, we’re excited to soon offer a curated selection of Grubhub’s restaurant partners directly in the Wonder app, alongside our owned and operated restaurants and meal kits,” said Marc Lore, Founder and CEO of Wonder. “Bringing Wonder and Grubhub together is the next step in our vision to create the super app for meal time, re-envisioning the future of food delivery.” 

“I am incredibly excited for Grubhub to join forces with Wonder and bring more value to our diners, merchants and delivery partners,” said Howard Migdal, Grubhub CEO. “Since our earliest days, Grubhub has helped restaurants open their doors to new customers, while introducing diners to new cuisines. That’s why I’m confident that Grubhub will complement Wonder’s mission to make great food more accessible and that together we will create remarkable dining experiences for more customers across the country.”

Arlo Hotels, the lifestyle hotel brand known for its vibrant designs and unparalleled guest experiences, is proud to announce the appointment of Jimmy Suh as the company president, effective immediately. Suh brings a wealth of knowledge and a visionary approach to leading Arlo Hotels into its next chapter of growth and success.

Suh steps into this position with over 20 years of leadership experience in the hospitality industry. His dynamic career has been marked by a series of executive roles at some of the most revered lifestyle hotel brands, including Kimpton, Loews, and The Standard hotels, where he envisioned and formed brand marketing, revenue, and guest experience strategies. In July 2021, Suh joined Arlo Hotels as its chief commercial officer, responsible for revenue maximization, profitability, marketing, brand value, public relations and stakeholders’ returns.

As Arlo Hotel’s chief commercial officer, Suh has continued his mark for performance excellence by creating forward-thinking, innovative programs to help establish Arlo as a recognized force in the lifestyle hotel space. His visions have led to some of the company’s most successful programs to date, which include the If You Arlo program, which turns social influencers into the next generation travel agent, and Arlo Means Business, an online marketplace for small to medium sized enterprises to enjoy the benefits traditionally reserved for Fortune 500 companies. In addition, Suh has guided his team to raise the hotels’ community value with elevated cultural and entertainment events for both locals and out-of-town guests to discover and enjoy.

In the past three years, Suh has been instrumental in launching three new Arlo hotels in Miami (Wynwood), Chicago and Williamsburg. As president, Jimmy Suh, will lead the next stage of company’s growth, overseeing the hotels operations and marketing, heightening guest experience, and maximizing the brand value for both guests and stakeholders, alike.

"We are thrilled to see Jimmy Suh take on the role of President at Arlo Hotels,” said Oleg Pavlov, founder of Arlo Hotels. “His exceptional work ethic, thoughtful and entrepreneurial approach to innovation, unwavering commitment to guest service excellence, while fostering a diverse and motivated workplace culture make him the ideal candidate to represent the brand and the company."

Arlo Hotels currently operates six properties: four in New York City (Williamsburg, Midtown, NoMad and SoHo), one in Miami (Wynwood) and one in Chicago. Its seventh hotel, Arlo Washington DC, is slated to open on November 18. To learn more about the brand, book stays at any of the properties and stay up to date about upcoming openings, visit arlohotels.com And follow Arlo Hotels on Instagram at @arlohotels.

Sparkfly, an award-winning retail technology solutions company, shared results from its partnership with Costa Vida Fresh Mexican Grill, highlighting significant improvements in the restaurant brand's customer engagement and loyalty initiatives.

Since implementing Sparkfly's comprehensive suite of solutions less than 12 months ago, Costa Vida has seen substantial improvements across key performance metrics, including:

• 12% growth in reward redemptions
• 6.5% increase in email deliverability
• 15% increase in email click-through rates

Costa Vida, known for its fresh, Baja-inspired Mexican cuisine across more than 95 locations in the U.S. and Canada, selected Sparkfly to revamp its rewards and offer management technology while improving integration with its customer engagement platform’s email solutions. The partnership includes implementation of Sparkfly's Offer Management, Loyalty, Digital Wallet, and POS Middleware Platform.

• Related:  82% of customers want to receive discounts as a benefit of their loyalty program membership, according to HT's 2024 Customer Engagement Technology Study

“Costa Vida’s focus is on operational excellence and we are committed to serving ‘amazing’ – one person, one meal, one experience at a time,” said Wade Allen, President of Costa Vida. “Sparkfly shares our commitment to quality and has helped us implement a stable, powerful system on a flexible platform that easily integrates with our other key partners. The team has been incredibly collaborative, working closely with us to ensure seamless operations and continuous improvement.”

In related news, Allen shared his insights in HT's webinar for the 2025 POS Software Trends Study: Powering Automation. 

"Costa Vida’s strategy is a model of a forward-thinking and innovative approach to unifying guest engagement technologies,” said Catherine Tabor, Founder and CEO of Sparkfly and HT's Top Women in Restaurant Technology Innovator in 2020. “By creating a seamless connection between Costa Vida's POS, digital ordering, and customer engagement platforms, we're helping them deliver the personalized experiences that guests demand. The significant improvements in email engagement and reward redemptions demonstrate how the right technology foundation can transform customer relationships and drive measurable business results."