News Briefs

Legion Technologies, an innovator in workforce management (WFM), has expanded its relationship with Vail Resorts,a leading mountain resort company. Over the past winter season, Vail Resorts mountain resort leaders, managers, and frontline employees implemented the technology and data in the Legion WFM platform, allowing them to optimize resort staffing to elevate guest service, employee experience, and efficiency.

Vail Resorts initially piloted Legion WFM's scheduling functionality at its two largest mountain resorts, Whistler Blackcomb and Park City Mountain. Over the past season, Vail Resorts expanded this functionality to all 37 of its resorts in the US and Canada.

“As an experience company, we are always looking to invest in innovative technology to improve not only the guest experience but our team members’ experience,” said Bill Rock, president of the Mountain Division, Vail Resorts. “Our leaders and employees had been giving us feedback that they wanted a better experience that gives them better visibility and flexibility to schedule our employees where and when they can make the biggest impact on the experience of our guests. Legion’s workforce management tool has helped us schedule our employees more efficiently, which is essential given the intricacies of our mountain resort operations.”

“Vail Resorts’ operations are complex, from running retail and rental to staffing lifts and restaurants and scheduling team members in hospitality; Vail Resorts needs intuitive and flexible scheduling software to optimize labor operations. With Legion’s experience and employee-centric platform, we help ensure they always have the right staff at the right time in the right place to meet demand while simultaneously maximizing employee engagement,” said Sanish Mondkar, CEO and founder, Legion Technologies.

The expansion of the Vail Resorts partnership marks another milestone in what remains a remarkable year for Legion. Earlier this year, the AI Breakthrough Awards named Legion WFM the “Best AI-based Solution for Workforce Management” for the second year in a row. In addition, the company ranked No. 26 on Inc. Magazine’s list of the Pacific region’s fastest-growing private companies and made Deloitte’s Fast 500 list of the fastest-growing technology companies in the United States.

HungerRush, a provider of integrated restaurant management solutions, launches Feedback, a new customer engagement tool designed to capture real-time, actionable insights from guests to help enhance customer experiences and drive business growth. 

A recent HungerRush survey found 77% of diners prefer restaurants with good service reviews, and 63% of guests said they would avoid a restaurant with poor food quality reviews. This means responding to customer feedback and prompting customers to share positive reviews online is crucial for success. To help ensure customers feel heard, HungerRush developed Feedback to benefit both parties.

The new offering, Feedback, simplifies the process of capturing customer feedback so restaurants can take immediate action, implement changes, address customers directly, and improve the overall customer experience. As a result, restaurants can increase customer satisfaction, loyalty, and repeat customers.

“The guest feedback tool has made a positive impact on our operation. It gives us direct insight into our guests’ experience,” said Joel Mills, Co-founder of Piesano’s. “It also allows us to directly communicate and follow up with them. The tool organizes surveys so they are easy to view and sort through to help manage operations.”

Feedback offers a suite of features tailored to meet the unique needs of the restaurant industry:

• Customized Digital Surveys: After placing an online order, customers receive a survey that can be customized by the restaurant, allowing them to share feedback about their experience.
• Google Review Integration: 5-star responses automatically prompt customers to share their experiences on Google, boosting online visibility and enhancing the restaurant's reputation.
• Real-Time Issue Resolution: All feedback, whether positive or negative, notifies designated managers or staff members in real-time, enabling them to access detailed order information and respond directly to customers, ensuring every customer feels heard and valued.
• Centralized Feedback Dashboard: The comprehensive dashboard consolidates survey data across all locations, providing valuable insights, trend analysis, and actionable data to identify strengths and areas for improvement.
• Appreciation Campaigns: Automatically rewards customers who leave positive & passive feedback with customized offers, encouraging repeat visits and building brand loyalty.

"At HungerRush, we build technology that makes it easy to deliver an outstanding customer experience," said Eran Hollander, Chief Product Officer at HungerRush. "With Feedback, restaurants have a powerful tool that helps them understand their customers and empowers them to take proactive steps to increase satisfaction in a situation they otherwise have little control over. It builds back the ever-important restaurant-customer relationship."

Feedback is an invaluable new addition to HungerRush's comprehensive suite of restaurant management solutions. It offers a unified tool where operators can manage customer insights, enhance guest experiences, and create brand champions.

For more information about Feedback and how it can transform your restaurant's customer engagement strategy, please visit www.hungerrush.com/feedback.

As holiday festivities draw near, ezCater, the #1 food tech platform for workplaces in the US,  released its Workplace Holiday Party Trends Report. Based on a survey of office workers and party planners, the report reveals that 81% of employees plan to attend their company’s holiday celebration this year and 43% of businesses are increasing their party budgets. Above all, food is set to be the star of the event, with 78% saying it is what they look forward to the most.

“With employee attendance and budgets trending up, holiday gatherings continue to be a big part of workplace culture," said Kaushik Subramanian, Chief Revenue Officer, ezCater. "Employees are increasingly looking for ways to socialize and build camaraderie, and there’s no better opportunity for that than over a meal at the company holiday party.”

Key findings from ezCater’s report include:

• Holiday party attendance is trending upwards: Planners estimate that 69% of employees attended last year's holiday party and 81% of employees say they plan to attend it this year.
• Food fuels excitement and camaraderie at holiday parties: A majority of employees (78%) are most excited about the food at holiday parties, with 85% believing it plays a central role in fostering social interaction.
• Alcohol might not make the guest list this year: Although 89% of employees say they try to avoid drinking too much at workplace holiday parties, 27% of decision-makers don’t feel comfortable making alcoholic beverages available in a work setting.
• Companies are increasing their holiday party budgets: 43% of decision-makers expect to spend more on this year’s holiday party than last year’s. On average, they plan to spend $44 per guest on food and beverage.
• Partying on the clock is a much-anticipated holiday gift: 55% of employees favor afternoon office celebrations. Gen Z workers are 50% more likely to look forward to early work dismissals than any other generation.

The full findings from ezCater’s Workplace Holiday Party Trends Report are here. Customers can also find a selection of seasonal menu items for holiday celebrations at www.ezcater.com.

Renaissance Hotels, part of Marriott Bonvoy's distinguished portfolio of over 30 hotel brands, has embraced local discovery as its defining characteristic, connecting travelers with the vibrant spirit of neighborhoods worldwide. Each property reflects the unique culture and character of its surroundings through thoughtfully designed spaces, the guidance of Renaissance Navigators, and its annual Global Day of Discovery, a lively celebration of local businesses held at each of the brand's 170+ properties around the world.

Renaissance Hotels Launches R FINDS, a Digital Marketplace for Local Discovery

Today, on the 10th anniversary of Global Day of Discovery, Renaissance Hotels' celebration of localism takes on new significance with the debut of R FINDS – a global digital marketplace celebrating and supporting local artisans, creators, and small businesses, and connecting travelers to the heart of the communities that Renaissance Hotels co-exist within. Beginning with 175+ products representing Renaissance Hotels' 175+ properties across the globe, R FINDS is more than an online marketplace — it's a cultural bridge that brings the soul of each property's neighborhood to travelers everywhere, offering exclusive access to hidden gems and small businesses around the globe.

The new platform has been curated with the support of Renaissance Hotels' Navigators, the brand's onsite experts with deep-rooted connections to the community. Now, in addition to providing the best local discoveries for guests to savor, shop, sip and see, the Navigators' expertise offers consumers an authentic way to discover and support the best - and often hidden - creative businesses in the neighborhoods they call home. From handcrafted goods and artisanal foods to bespoke home decor and wearable art, the array of products have been curated to embody the distinctive spirit of Renaissance neighborhoods. The commission-free marketplace empowers local artisans and entrepreneurs by providing them with global exposure without additional costs, directly benefiting the small businesses that fuel these communities.

"With the launch of R FINDS, we're evolving Global Day of Discovery from a one-day celebration of localism to a platform that fosters meaningful connections year-round," said Jennifer Connell, Vice President and Global Brand Leader of Premium Distinctive and Collection Brands at Marriott International. "This digital marketplace connects travelers instantly to unique makers from around the world, proving that our commitment to generating positive and sustained impact for our neighbors extends far beyond the walls of each hotel."

Global retailers will include brands such as Amorío from Mexico, EIRA from India, Larimar from the Dominican Republic, Suraquia from Spain, and Mince from Thailand; along with US retailers like Chicago's Sunday Standard, Ox & Pine Leather Goods from Texas, and Meyer the Hatter from New Orleans. Additional highlights from the marketplace include fragrances, vintage posters, watches, jewelry, home goods, purses, and apparel, with products, such as the brand's custom blended honey kit, to be added in early 2025. The honey kit will include unique tasting profiles representing three destinations, including Edisto Gold Honey from Charleston, South Carolina, Heaven's Honey from Chicago and Manoa Honey & Mead from Wahiawa (Oahu), Hawaii. The kit will also include corresponding cocktail recipes curated from each nominating hotels' Evenings Ritual program.

With an editorially driven approach, the site features curated content from Wallpaper magazine and contributions from celebrity guest editors, such as James Beard Award-winning chef, artist, and advocate Sophia Roe, as well as other notable tastemakers. Through these collaborations, R Finds reinforces Renaissance's commitment to daily discovery, offering thoughtful perspectives on the people, products, and stories that make each neighborhood unique.

"Arriving at a time of the year when countless small business owners that make up our vibrant communities are being recognized and supported, I'm honored to help craft, shape, and share the stories of local communities that connect to travel experiences," said Sophia Roe. "R Finds is a natural platform for stories that reflect the commitment Renaissance Hotels has to making an authentic difference in local communities – and creating memorable, meaningful experiences for travelers."

Renaissance Hotels worldwide will celebrate Global Day of Discovery today, November 19, where each property will host immersive, community-focused events with the centerpiece of the celebration being the launch of R Finds. Connecting travelers and locals from all parts of the globe, Renaissance Hotels' new platform not only honors its properties but also uplifts the people and communities that make each destination worth discovering.

To discover intriguing neighborhood finds from around the world all in one place or for more information on R Finds, visit www.R-Finds.com. To learn more about Renaissance Hotels, visit www.renhotels.com.

Power Knot LLC, a provider of on-site organic waste management solutions, announced the successful implementation of its LFC-50 biodigester at fine dining gem Somni, led by renowned Chef Aitor Zabala. As part of Somni's reopening in West Hollywood, California, this partnership underscores the restaurant's commitment to sustainability and highlights the substantial benefits of integrating advanced waste management technology into the fine dining experience.

Somni, named after the Catalan word for dream, has always blended culinary artistry with innovation. With its upcoming reopening on November 26, Somni is taking this philosophy to the next level by incorporating sustainable practices into both the front and back of the house.  The restaurant, set to offer an exclusive dining experience to 14 guests nightly, features a brand new kitchen with state-of-the-art equipment, including the LFC-50 biodigester.

The LFC-50 biodigester, a stainless steel machine, converts food waste into water through an aerobic digestion process. This technology reduces the volume of waste that would otherwise end up in landfills, helping businesses comply with environmental regulations such as California's Senate Bill 1383, which mandates reducing methane emissions by diverting organic waste through sustainable practices.

"In our kitchen, there's no room for waste—whether it's time, space, or food," stated Zabala. "The LFC-50 biodigester allows us to manage food scraps efficiently, reducing the risk of pests and ensuring that we maintain the highest standards of cleanliness and sustainability. It's an honor to be the first restaurant in the greater Los Angeles region to adopt this technology, as it reflects our commitment to innovation and environmental responsibility."

By integrating the LFC-50 biodigester into its operations, Somni not only meets these environmental mandates but also sets an example for fine dining establishments aiming to reduce their carbon footprint. The biodigester's automated process enables Somni's kitchen staff to focus on delivering exceptional culinary experiences while maintaining a commitment to its ecological footprint.

Power Knot LLC is proud to support Somni in its efforts to create a more sustainable future. As more restaurants and businesses recognize the importance of sustainable practices, Power Knot's LFC biodigesters offer a practical, efficient solution for managing organic waste.