News Briefs

HotelKey, an all-in-one cloud-based system for hotel operations, announced today that IHG Hotels & Resorts has named the company’s technology platform as its first approved cloud-based Property Management System (PMS) solution for limited-service brands in the United States and Canada.

Announced earlier this week at the 2024 IHG Americas Investors & Leadership Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada, HotelKey's technology platform provides elevated performance and improved efficiency for IHG's select service brands including: Holiday Inn Express, avid hotels, Garner, Atwell Suites, Staybridge Suites, and Candlewood Suites.

HotelKey's solution provides hotel owners and operators with turnkey property management. It also allows their teams to prioritize guest engagement, upsell opportunities, stay enhancements and simplify the IHG One Rewards enrollment process –all while reducing the operations around daily tasks.

“IHG is working hard to drive step-change performance for our hotels through modern, connected technology. Over the last year, we enhanced the capabilities of our Guest Reservation System, introduced a cutting-edge revenue management platform, and now, we’re evolving the core property system – the PMS,” said Jolie Fleming, Chief Product & Technology Officer, IHG Hotels & Resorts. “HotelKey’s cloud-based property management is another step in our journey to offer a best-in-class suite of technology for IHG hotels.” 

"We are excited to bring our technology platform to IHG's limited-service portfolio, driving enhanced guest experience and operational efficiency at each property," said Aditya Thyagarajan, Co-Founder and President, HotelKey.

HotelKey will be deployed at 250 IHG properties by the end of this year, with a goal of 1,500 properties online by the end of 2025.

"Through our close collaboration with the IHG team, we're committed to delivering a seamless transition that paves the way for long-term success," said Fareed Ahmad, Co-Founder & CEO, HotelKey.

Shift4 has acquired a majority stake in Vectron Systems AG, a European suppliers of point-of-sale (POS) systems to the restaurant and hospitality verticals. 

Based in Germany, Vectron has 65,000 POS locations across Europe, representing. Shift4 is expected to acquire additional ownership of Vectron through a public tender offer that is expected to conclude within the next month, with a de-listing and formal integration process to occur shortly thereafter.

The acquisition is expected to provide Shift4 with an expansive customer footprint across Europe as well as a distribution network of ~300 POS resellers. As a result of the acquisition, Shift4 believes it will be able to add its integrated payment services to current Vectron customers and products, while also empowering the sales force with a compelling all-in-one POS and payments solution unrivaled in Europe.

“Shift4 was at the forefront of the convergence between software and payments in the restaurant and hospitality verticals in the US. We see an incredible amount of demand for a similar all-in-one solution across Europe,” states Shift4 CEO Jared Isaacman. “With our integrated payments and SkyTab offering, we believe we have the best solution at the right price point. Vectron will provide valuable local expertise, infrastructure, and the distribution necessary to meet the demand. This acquisition is right out of the Shift4 playbook – enabling us to unlock synergies, expand our distribution, and monetize payments for a large existing install base.”

Completes Revel Systems Acquistion

In addition to the acquisition of Vectron, Shift4 has also completed its previously announced acquisition of Revel Systems. Revel has over 18,000 merchant locations across the United States and internationally which Shift4 estimates represents a $17B+ payment opportunity. Revel also has a direct sales and dealer distribution network which Shift4 believes can be leveraged to accelerate SkyTab distribution both domestically and abroad. 

Shift4 has signed a definitive arrangement agreement to acquire Givex Corp., a global provider of gift cards, loyalty programs and point-of-sale solutions. 

The Arrangement Agreement is subject to customary closing conditions and the transaction is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of this year. 

With across more than 100 countries, Givex serves a wide range of businesses in various industries, including 7-Eleven, Wendy’s, Best Western, Texas Roadhouse. 

The company offers robust gift card and e-gift solutions as well as customizable loyalty programs, and a point-of-sale (POS) system for various business types, among other value-added services.

 “Givex has a considerable footprint around the world which will dramatically increase Shift4’s overall customer base,” states Shift4 President Taylor Lauber. “At the same time, their gift card and loyalty solutions are second to none and will add significant value for our current customers, creating stickier relationships andh 130,000+ active locations enhancing our overall value proposition. Similar to other deals we have recently completed, this acquisition aligns perfectly with how we like to deploy capital – adding blue-chip merchants at a low customer acquisition cost while delivering additional benefits to our customer base.” 

“The Givex team looks forward to joining the Shift4 family and bring our enterprise gift card capabilities and loyalty programs to hundreds of thousands of new customers,” says Don Gray, CEO of Givex. “By combining Shift4’s end-to-end payment solution with our value-added engagement services, we can deliver an unparalleled package to both of our customer bases.”  

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.

Designed with accessibility and financial freedom in mind, the new Instant mobile app is released with a list of innovative new features and functionality including:

• Faster Access to Earned Wages: Employees have access to their hard-earned wages in fewer steps, with an improved user interface (UI) and key elements surfaced more prominently within the app.
• Modern Security Features: State-of-the-art security protocols, such as facial and fingerprint biometrics, multi-factor authentication, and encryption technologies protect user information and provide peace of mind.
• Flexible Payment Options: Users have the freedom to choose how and when they access their wages. Whether it’s through direct deposit, the Instant card, or a mobile wallet, the new app offers a greater degree of flexibility for all employees, ensuring convenience for all.
• Clear and Informative Design: With improvements to the user interface (UI), the app offers a user-friendly experience, empowering users to make informed choices and navigate the app confidently.
• New Technology Framework: Underpinned by a new technology infrastructure, the new Instant mobile app is faster, more responsive, and built to allow for additional features and functionality to meet the needs of employees and how they are paid.

“Employee demands regarding how they access their wages are constantly shifting, and our new app is meeting that head-on,” said Tal Clark, CEO of Instant Financial. “Whether it’s to cover unexpected expenses, avoid predatory loans, or simply to enjoy more control over their finances, Instant is continually revolutionizing the way people get paid.”

By releasing this enhanced version of its mobile app experience, Instant is furthering its mission of delivering pay to employees, when they want, where they want, and how they want, all free of fees.

Pickpad, a modular system of smart pads powered by sensors and machine learning, has been awarded the prestigious CES 2025 Innovation Award for its pioneering concept to transform the customer experience in restaurants. The Award, produced by the Consumer Technology Association, is an annual competition honoring outstanding design and engineering in 33 consumer technology product categories.

Pickpad’s innovative solution is designed to enhance operational efficiency and boost customer retention for busy restaurants. Seamlessly integrating with existing tech systems, setups, and designs, it operates in the background to automate key processes — double-checking order accuracy, updating statuses, collecting data points, and delivering a uniquely personalized customer experience. This enables restaurants to focus on what truly matters: providing exceptional hospitality.

This new concept has captured the attention of industry experts, earning Pickpad the CES 2025 Innovation Award in the most competitive “Artificial Intelligence” category.

"There are no longer separate digital and physical experiences — there’s only phygital: a seamless customer journey that unites both worlds. Pickpad is designed for this new reality" said Yaro Tsyhanenko, founder and CEO of Pickpad. “We worked tirelessly to develop a solution that not only benefits restaurants, but completely redefines customer experience. This award reflects our commitment to innovation and we are excited to continue pushing the boundaries of technology in the restaurant industry."

The CES Innovation Awards program is highly competitive and recognizes the most innovative and cutting-edge products and services in the technology industry. The judges, consisting of a panel of independent industrial designers, engineers, and members of the media, evaluated submissions based on criteria such as engineering, design, and user value. Pickpad's win in the category of “Artificial Intelligence”  is a testament to its potential to revolutionize the restaurant industry.

The CES 2025 event will take place in Las Vegas from January 9–12, 2025, showcasing the most innovative products across a variety of industries. Pickpad will be featured in the Eureka Park, alongside other groundbreaking startups.

Following this milestone, Pickpad is poised to expand its presence across the U.S., targeting quick-service restaurants to help them achieve unprecedented operational efficiency and customer satisfaction. With successful pilots already completed, the company is gearing up for a broader rollout in 2025.