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.

Cisco and MGM Resorts International announce that the companies have signed a Whole Portfolio Agreement, empowering MGM Resorts with the majority of Cisco's software portfolio. This includes cybersecurity, software defined networking, software defined-WAN, digital experience assurance, full-stack observability, data center and services. This agreement spans 5.5 years, benefiting guests and employees across all of MGM Resorts' properties.

The agreement will enable the automation of MGM Resort's network. This will pave the way for future location services and next-generation machine learning applications in the gaming and hospitality industry, unlocking new channels of guest engagement. Additionally, Cisco technology will ensure uptime and security—essential for the delivery of exceptional guest experiences in its 24/7 operations.

"Guests expect world-class hospitality from MGM Resorts, and technology helps us deliver," said Branden Newman, Chief Technology Officer, MGM Resorts International. "The new agreement with Cisco will give our employees the technology, speed and agility they need as we continue to deliver amazing guest experiences at all MGM Resorts' destinations."

Cisco and MGM Resorts' relationship dates back many years, with Cisco technology playing an integral role in MGM Resorts' operations.

The WPA strengthens this relationship. Together, the companies will ensure MGM Resorts' employees have secure access to all applications so they can continue to transform the business. Additionally, the deployment supports MGM Resorts' sustainability goals as Cisco's portfolio can be used to reduce emissions, improve resource efficiency and enable more circular business models.

"At Cisco, we securely connect everything to make anything possible," said Scott Herren, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Cisco. "We are excited to continue our partnership with MGM Resorts in this next phase of their digital transformation. With decades of technology and expertise, Cisco aims to help MGM Resorts navigate into the future and simplify processes to drive innovation at scale."

"As the lead Cisco partner on this WPA, we look forward to delivering the outcomes expected by MGM Resorts as part of its digital transformation plans," added Marco Mohajer, President, Technologent. "Equipped with data from across the business, we can predict and proactively address MGM Resorts' technology and communication needs to deliver an exceptional customer experience."

Serve Robotics Inc., an autonomous robotic delivery company,  announced its agreement to acquire the assets of Vebu Inc.

Financial terms of the all-stock transaction were not disclosed and the transaction is subject to customary closing conditions.

Vebu's signature robotic product, the Autocado cuts, cores and scoops avocados to prepare guacamole. The Autocado allows employees to load up to 25 pounds of avocados into the device and walk away to focus on serving customers and preparing other items. It is in pilot testing in Chipotle's Huntington Beach, Calif. restaurant.

The transaction is expected to unlock key opportunities:

• Deeper Partnerships: The acquisition is expected to strengthen Serve’s competitive position by providing its restaurant partners with a suite of automation solutions and expanding Serve’s offering beyond delivery into back-of-house automation. Vebu will help Serve become a more integral partner to restaurants, accelerating partner adoption as Serve expands its geographic footprint in new cities across the U.S. 
• Increased Market Opportunity: By introducing Vebu's back-of-house automation to Serve's existing offering, Serve intends to open up new market opportunities by addressing a broader range of operational needs for restaurants. This aligns well with Serve’s recent expansion into delivery over all distances through its partnership with Wing Aviation, together making Serve one of the most comprehensive automation providers in the restaurant industry.
• New Partners: Vebu’s existing partnership with leading restaurant companies such as Chipotle will extend Serve’s existing business relationships, which include Shake Shack and 7-Eleven, among others. 

Vebu's founder and CEO Buck Jordan will join Serve Robotics as SVP of Kitchen Automation upon closing the transaction. He will continue to lead the Vebu team, overseeing Autocado’s continued development, and driving additional innovations on the product roadmap. Mr. Jordan, a serial entrepreneur who previously founded Miso Robotics, brings deep expertise and connections in kitchen automation that will bolster Serve’s ability to address the automation needs of the restaurant industry. 

Related:  Chipotle Adds Avocado-Processing Robot

"By adding Vebu's pioneering kitchen automation capabilities to our autonomous delivery offering, we will be uniquely positioned to utilize robotics and AI to solve the labor shortages plaguing the restaurant industry. This acquisition underscores our commitment to helping our partners operate more efficiently and to expanding our partnerships with national chain restaurants. We are thrilled to have Buck and his accomplished team pioneering an innovative technology join us once we close this transaction,” said Dr. Ali Kashani, CEO and co-founder of Serve Robotics.

Buck Jordan, founder and CEO of Vebu, commented, “I am thrilled to join Serve Robotics once this transaction closes. I have known the Serve team and supported them since the early days as an investor. This is an exciting opportunity to merge our efforts, experience, and expertise to bring groundbreaking automation to a wider audience. Together, we will strive to provide a suite of automation solutions that will change the future of restaurant operations.”

Upon closing, Vebu will join Serve with a balance sheet that supports its operations to complete its pilot with Chipotle and Serve does not anticipate undertaking additional financing to support this transaction. The acquisition is expected to strengthen Serve’s core business and long-term strategy to be a leader in restaurant automation. 

EVPassport, a global EV charging network, announced a strategic partnership with Daly Seven, a leading owner and operator in the hospitality industry, to provide electric vehicle (EV) charging stations across Daly Seven’s portfolio of 42 properties in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia, further expanding its footprint in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern regions of the United States.

Daly Seven is recognized as an experienced hotel operator and asset manager by Hilton Hotel Corporation, Marriott International, Hyatt, InterContinental Hotels Group, and Best Western Hotels & Resorts. Under this deal, Daly Seven properties will have access to EVPassport’s innovative and reliable hardware, exclusive cloud-based software, and connected infrastructure technology through the EVPassport infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS) platform. With EVPassport, hotels and their guests will benefit from a turnkey solution that prioritizes the customer experience through high reliability and an easy-to-use charging experience.

"More hotel guests are driving electric vehicles today than ever before and looking for hotels that provide a seamless, reliable charging experience,” said Hooman Shahidi, Co-founder and CEO of EVPassport. “Through our enterprise partnership with Daly Seven, hotels can deliver a superior EV charging experience that drives guest satisfaction and engagement, operational efficiency, and ancillary income opportunities while further sustainability. We’re proud to support Daly Seven in this critical era of technological advancement.”

“Today's environmentally conscious travelers expect hotels to provide sustainable options, such as convenient EV charging,” said Joe Daly, Chief Executive Officer of Daly Seven. “EVPassport’s trusted charging solutions empower our hotel properties to reaffirm their commitment to providing a premier guest experience through delivering a convenient, reliable charging experience to guests. Together with EVPassport, we are proud to drive innovation and advance sustainability across the hospitality space, ensuring better outcomes for guests and hotels alike.”

According to a recent study by MIT researchers, hotels and businesses within about 300 feet of an EV charging station see sales increase compared to similar businesses that don't have a charger nearby. That adds to several hundred dollars of extra revenue at each store annually. The EVPassport and Daly Seven partnership represents a pivotal step in shaping a more innovative and efficient hospitality sector.

Learn more about EVPassport and EV charging solutions for hospitality at www.evpassport.com/solutions/hospitality.

 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.