News Briefs

Chicostay, a leading provider of hospitality technology solutions and a member of Oracle PartnerNetwork (OPN), today announced that its digital check-in, in-stay, upsells and check-out solution is now available on Oracle Cloud Marketplace and can be deployed on Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) and integrated with OPERA Cloud via the Oracle Hospitality Integration Platform (OHIP). Oracle Cloud Marketplace is a centralized repository of enterprise applications offered by Oracle and Oracle partners.

Chicostay empowers hotels to start digitizing their guest journey experience from post-booking through after-stay, resulting in the hotel being more productive at the front desk and increasing upsell revenues whilst also improving the guest experience. The managed service removes operational work from hotel teams and ensures all your guests receive personalized automated communications to boost the upsell and conversion rates for your products and services. Our two- way integration with Opera PMS ensures all changes are kept updated. Most importantly, our business model enables the service to be a new revenue stream and not a cost.

Oracle Cloud Marketplace is a one-stop shop for Oracle customers seeking trusted business applications and services offering unique solutions, including ones that extend Oracle Fusion Cloud Applications.

OCI is a deep and broad platform of cloud infrastructure services that enables customers to build and run a wide range of applications in a scalable, secure, highly available, and high-performance environment. From application development and business analytics to data management, integration, security, AI, and infrastructure services including Kubernetes and VMware, OCI delivers comprehensive security, performance, and cost savings. In addition, with multi cloud, hybrid cloud, public cloud, and dedicated cloud options, OCI’s distributed cloud offers customers the benefits of cloud with greater control over data residency, locality, and authority, even across multiple clouds. As a result, customers can bring enterprise workloads to the cloud quickly and efficiently while addressing the strictest regulatory compliance requirements. 

"Chicostay's availability on Oracle Cloud Marketplace helps customers with modern hospitality that owners and managers are looking for," said Tony Barker, CEO of Chicostay. ”Chicostay’s participation in Oracle Cloud Marketplace further extends our commitment to the Oracle community and enables customers to easily reap the benets of our digital check-in, in-stay, upsells and check-out solution. We look forward to leveraging the power of OCI to help us achieve our business goals.”

Chicostay, established in 2014, has redened guest experience through technology, gaining traction in the UK and across Europe. Following a successful transition to new ownership in 2024, the company remains focused on its mission to improve hotel guest experiences while lowering operating costs and creating new revenue streams.

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.

Jack in the Box Inc. announced a strategic leadership restructure as Tony Darden, SVP, Chief Operating Officer, will depart from his role. Darden has been a valued member of the Jack in the Box executive team since June 2021.

“It has been an incredible privilege to work alongside such talented colleagues and franchisees at Jack in the Box the past few years,” says Darden. “I am immensely proud of what we achieved together during my time here.”

Darden’s departure is consistent with a planned restructure that includes Ryan Ostrom, currently serving as EVP, Chief Marketing & Digital Officer, assuming responsibility for Jack Operations in addition to his current function. Ostrom has been named Chief Customer & Digital Officer, effective December 6, 2024.

“We are grateful for Tony’s dedication and the many contributions he’s made to the Jack in the Box brand,” said CEO, Darin Harris. “As we look to the future, we have a greater focus on customer centricity and are confident that Ryan’s proven leadership and deep understanding of our customers will help us execute that drive.”

Ostrom has been with the company since February 2021, leading the path for the Jack in the Box and Del Taco digital transformation and modernizing how customers engage with the brands. In this new role, he will continue to drive their initiatives of building brand loyalty and driving operations excellence while fostering alignment and efficiency across teams.

“I am excited to lead this next chapter for the company as this evolution will help us create greater alignment and focus,” said Ostrom. “I am confident that we will navigate this transition seamlessly and continue to drive value for our customers.”

In a city where the extraordinary is an everyday experience, Resorts World Las Vegas is ready to elevate luxury and convenience to new heights through an exciting collaboration with technology innovator Alliants. The introduction of an avant-garde contactless guest experience through Alliants technology signals a bold new era for one of Las Vegas's newest state-of-the-art resorts.

Launching in early 2025, the guest experience at Resorts World Las Vegas will be transformed where guests can stroll into their rooms without waiting at the front desk, thanks to a sophisticated contactless check-in process. This remarkable feature also empowers guests to update reservations, add companions, and even share their anticipated arrival time—all before setting foot on the property. The integrated technologies will also support early check-in and check-out capabilities, ensuring guests enjoy maximum flexibility during their stay.

“We are always innovating and finding ways to improve the guest experience,” says Shannon McCallum, Vice President of Hotel Operations at Resorts World Las Vegas. “Creating a truly unforgettable, top-tier, and seamless experience is our highest priority. Alliants is helping us to accomplish that mission with the latest integration of their technology in our resort.”

The suite of services includes a digital key feature that allows guests to access their rooms effortlessly without requiring them to download an app. This innovative service lets guests securely add their hotel room key to their device, providing touchless entry and a seamless experience. Guests can easily navigate their stay, from viewing booking details to accessing their rooms, the pool, the fitness center, and other common areas, all through their mobile devices.

“Our mission at Alliants is to give each of our customers a uniquely tailored experience that works best for them to elevate their guest experiences,” stated Andrew Pirret, SVP Product at Alliants. "By delivering a long-term partnership alongside our technologies, we are thrilled to support Resorts World Las Vegas so they can continue to set new benchmarks in the luxury hospitality industry."