News Briefs

Noodles & Company has launched its first-ever Noodles Merch Store. The exclusive Noodles merchandise includes a festive winter-themed sweater, branded holiday onesie, and even matching bandanas for furry friends. With items for everyone, it's the perfect way for every family member to show their love for Noodles all year. 

Loving Noodles Should Always Look This Good

Available exclusively through December 31 while supplies last, the Noodles Merch Store allows fans to flaunt their love for the brand with a limited-edition collection of cozy, must-have winter essentials. Guests can also shop for branded fleece jackets, crewnecks, plush toys, and more. Plus, fans can score other irresistible swag, including: 

• Trendy Noodle Kicks – These stylish sneakers boast Noodles' signature red and yellow brand colors, with the iconic Noodles logo on both sides and a playful macaroni noodle embossed into the sole for a fun, craveable twist.
• Festive Branded Onesie – These cozy white onesies are decked out in a cheerful blue and yellow pattern featuring Noodles icons like best-selling Rice Crispy, bowtie pasta, and festive details like snowflakes, candy canes, and more.
• Cozy Holiday Sweaters – This comfy blue-and-white holiday sweater features a festive design of snowflakes, gingerbread men, and beloved Noodles icons, such as the classic logo, making it the perfect seasonal statement piece.

Even More Reasons to Share Noodles 
To make the holidays even brighter, the limited-edition Noodles onesie will be 50% off from Black Friday through Cyber Monday, allowing fans to stay cozy and stylish for half the price, whether lounging at home or gifting to a fellow noodle lover. The promotion will be automatically applied at checkout, and there is no minimum purchase required to receive this festive deal.

"We're excited to offer our guests a fresh and festive way to celebrate their love for Noodles this holiday season with the launch of our first-ever e-commerce store—just in time for Black Friday," said Danielle Moore, Noodles & Company director of communication. "Our new online merch store is the ultimate destination for limited-edition gear, from cozy holiday sweaters to vibrant bowl koozies. It's a fun and stylish way for our loyal fans to show off their Noodles pride while bringing a touch of Uncommon Goodness home for the holidays!" 

Sign Up to Score Big with Noodles Rewards 
For even more Uncommon Goodness, guests can sign up to join Noodles Rewards for free via the Noodles mobile app or the Noodles website. Upon signing up, new members receive a free regular entree after their first purchase using their Noodles Rewards account and immediately start earning points with every order. Members also have access to exclusive offers such as birthday rewards and the all-new Extra Goodness platform, which guarantees there's always a reward available for members.   

Rewards members and guests can also access Noodles Catering, an excellent option for workplace events, family and friendly gatherings, and more. Guests can conveniently get their noodle fix via quick pick-up or delivery by placing an order online at noodles.com, via the Noodles mobile app, or by visiting their nearby Noodles location. For more information, please visit https://www.noodles.com/rewards/.   

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.

BetMGM, a leading iGaming and sports betting operator, today announced a major enhancement to its customer experience by consolidating BetMGM Reward Points (BRPs) into a single account. In addition to users' cash balance, this feature enables BetMGM Rewards Points to travel with them across jurisdictions.

Streamlining BetMGM Rewards Points into a single account is the next phase of BetMGM's single, digital wallet. With single account, users have one set of login credentials and account settings, along with a single cash balance accessible in all states where BetMGM is available. In August, BetMGM became the first sports betting app to offer Nevada bettors seamless, nationwide connectivity through a single, digital wallet. Through operation and partnership with MGM Resorts, this innovative feature makes BetMGM the only legalized sports betting app that allows Nevada residents and visitors to wager in the state and carry their funds to BetMGM mobile markets across the United States. 

"We are committed to streamlining the loyalty experience for our players so they can enjoy the rewards they earn wherever they are in the U.S.," said Adam Greenblatt, BetMGM CEO. "The BetMGM Rewards Program showcases our key differentiators -- omnichannel play, the iconic hospitality and MGM Resorts International's entertainment, and partnerships including our alliance with Marriott Bonvoy. With every bet at the sportsbook and spin of the slot you are earning rewards that can be used online or in-person."  

Players can earn BetMGM Rewards Points and Tier Credits by playing at BetMGM Sportsbook, BetMGM Casino and BetMGM Poker.

Highlights of the streamlined BetMGM Rewards include:

• BetMGM Rewards Points now travel with you in all single account markets (Puerto Rico and Ontario not included).
• When a player creates an account in a new location, their BRP balance consolidates into one balance.
• Players can earn BetMGM Rewards Points and Tier Credits by playing at BetMGM Sportsbook, BetMGM Casino and BetMGM Poker. Players can redeem BetMGM Rewards Points earned through play in the Rewards Store and use them for odds boosts and Gametime credits. BRPs can also be redeemed at MGM Resorts International destinations, exchanged for Marriott Bonvoy Points, and more.

BetMGM currently operates in 29 markets across North America including AZ, CO, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, MD, MA, MI, MS, NV, NJ, NM, NY, NC, OH, OR, PA, SD, TN, VA, DC, WA, WV, WY as well as Ontario, Canada and Puerto Rico.

As BetMGM continues to expand to new markets and introduces new features, responsible gaming education remains a key focus. BetMGM is proud to provide resources to help customers play responsibly including GameSense, an industry-leading program, developed and licensed to MGM Resorts by the British Columbia Lottery Corporation. Through the integration within BetMGM's mobile and desktop platforms, customers can receive the same GameSense experience they have grown to rely on at MGM Resorts properties nationwide. This complements BetMGM's already existing responsible gaming tools which serve to provide customers with an entertaining and safe digital experience.

Inn-Flow, the all-in-one operations software for hoteliers, announces its new integration with DailyPay, a worktech company and leading provider of earned wage access. This new integration allows hotel owners, managers, and operations teams to offer staff choice and control over their earned pay, increasing employee satisfaction and boosting their financial flexibility.

Research shows that employee satisfaction is a crucial factor in the hospitality industry, as a motivated and financially secure workforce contributes to smoother operations and higher guest satisfaction.

“In today’s competitive labor market, any advantage in employee benefits can significantly boost a business’s ability to attract and retain talent,” adds John Erhart, Founder and CEO of Inn-Flow. “Flexible financial access is a unique perk that appeals to employees across all roles.”

Inn-Flow’s integration with DailyPay provides hotel owners and managers with a powerful tool to enhance employee retention and reduce turnover by addressing one of the top concerns for workers — financial flexibility. According to Hanover Research Study: Companies with EWA Solutions, 95% of companies offering an earned wage access solution today believe it has a positive impact on employee retention.

The integration fully synchronizes payroll and time tracking between Inn-Flow’s labor management tools and DailyPay, eliminating the need for redundant data entry or manual adjustments. With this streamlined process, employees can access their earned wages at a frequency of their choosing between pay cycles, empowering them to take control over their finances.

By simplifying the payroll process and supporting employees' financial wellness, this integration empowers hotel management teams to focus on providing exceptional service and a more positive work environment.

The DailyPay integration is now available to all Inn-Flow users. Existing customers can contact their Inn-Flow Account Manager to start the process to add this new feature.

IDeaS, a SAS company, the world’s leading provider of hotel revenue management software and services, has released its annual trends report, 5 Predictions That Will Shape Hospitality in 2025. To help hospitality companies navigate the new year and beyond, IDeaS collected insight from some of the top minds in the industry, including hoteliers, management companies, and technology partners to identify the major trends hospitality organizations are likely to see, as well as how to implement new strategies and technologies to succeed. 

Key predictions include:

• The generational changing of the guard: Hoteliers are getting serious about the growing travel demand driven by both experienced and first-time travelers. Rising disposable income and the need to cater to the diverse preferences of everything from Baby Boomers to Gen Z and Millennials will be critical when building a personalized approach that is both sustainable and meaningful to all ages.
• Experiential travel demand fuels new opportunities: As over-tourism continues to be a challenge for popular destinations, there are new opportunities for hotels to promote less-traveled areas. Focusing on personalized, curated experiences will be key to enhancing the guest experience. 
• Ancillary revenue and events will have a renewed focus: Room pricing pressure will play a role in the increased adoption of online booking and dynamic pricing for meetings and events. Hoteliers will also look to automate smaller events to streamline operations and staff efficiency.
• Hotels will continue to invest in next-generation technology: With a focus on AI applications to drive real value and efficiency, the collaboration between humans and AI will increase for optimal pricing and revenue management. 
• The cloud revolution will continue to accelerate: Hotel systems continue to reach end-of-life cycles, forcing an ongoing migration to the cloud. As increased access to data empowers next-generation hospitality solutions, modern tech stacks will become crucial to meet next-generation guest expectations. 

Klaus Kohlmayr, chief evangelist and development officer, IDeaS, said: “The hospitality industry is undergoing a profound digital transformation. As guest expectations continue to evolve and technology advances, hoteliers must adapt to stay competitive. By leveraging data-driven insights and innovative solutions, businesses can optimize revenue, enhance guest experiences, and build sustainable models. The future of hospitality lies in the intersection of technology, data, and human creativity - which is why we worked with some of the best and brightest in the industry to help shape this report. We hope these predictions will help hoteliers gain insights into future trends and leverage that information to begin thinking about what’s likely to come in the year ahead.” 

IDeaS collected insights from key industry thought leaders, including: Amadeus, Bookassist, Bookboost, Busy Rooms, D-EDGE, HOTELCUBE PMS, Jonas Hospitality, Mews, Newbook, Oaky, Optimand, Profitroom, Revinate, Sabre Hospitality, Stayntouch, Summerstar Tourist Parks, TrustYou, Userguest and UpsellGuru.

Download the full white paper to discover the 5 Predictions That Will Shape Hospitality in 2025.

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.