News Briefs

Hospitality Technology Advisory has appointed Joshua Beagrie to the role of Consultant.

Beagrie will be working directly with partners to optimize hotel service, operations, and profitability through digital and IT transformations that elevate both guest and staff experiences.

He joins the company from Alliants, where he held the role of Senior Business Analyst for more than three years. Prior to that he was at Kognitiv Corporation, where he worked on the group’s distribution, loyalty programme and travel technology strategies. 

Beagrie said: “Having been founded only last year, Hotel Technology Advisory is already a trusted partner to some of the most reputable hotel brands, and sits precisely in the sweet-spot of advisory as well as execution and solution implementation. I’m very excited to make tangible change and help hotels exceed in an ever changing business environment. 

“Being a critical friend that you can trust is a principle of mine. I'll be working closely with our partners to deliver robust service delivery; enabling staff to deliver a better guest experience, and data insights that drive revenue opportunities and a stronger bottom line.”

Looking forward, Beagrie said: “Hotels are moving towards a cohesive technology stack that unifies guest and staff experiences, and new data insights for better profitability. With a drive towards tightening operational standards and a reduction in the burden of administration, we expect to see opportunities across the sector.”

Kevin Edwards, HTA CEO, said: “Having worked with Joshua before, I know the depth of his abilities in delivering operational improvements and creating better guest experiences.

“We look forward to drawing on his extensive experience in the sector, and to delivering our vision of driving better business performance through innovation and increased profitability.”

HTA was launched in early November by Edwards and Simon Kaye, hotel experts who have identified an opportunity to align technology more closely with properties' needs.

The company operates globally, across branded and unbranded properties.

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.”  

Tucker’s Farm Corp. has acquired Pizza Factory Inc., a restaurant franchisor. The acquisition was completed via the Farm’s franchisor platform Wonder Franchises. Founded in 1979 by Danny Wheeler and Ron Willey, Pizza Factory has approximately $94 million in system sales across 84 franchisees and 110 restaurants. Since 2012, the business has been led by owner and CEO, Mary Jane Riva, who will stay on as CEO moving forward.

In 2023, Tucker’s Farm launched Wonder, a franchise-focused holding vehicle, with $30 million of committed, long-term equity capital. Wonder is dedicated to partnering with and acquiring emerging to mid-size brands with the goal of long-term growth. Wonder’s priority is to be a great partner to sellers and a responsible steward for world-class brands and related assets.

“We’re extremely excited to be acquiring Pizza Factory and to be partnering with MJ to take Pizza Factory to the next level. We love the longevity and stability of the system, the passion that MJ and her team have for their franchisees, and the community-focused culture of the brand. We feel fortunate to be partnering with someone with as much character and knowledge as MJ and believe there’s a great fit both culturally and in terms of our respective skillsets. We’re excited to have the deal closed so we can now focus on driving value for our franchisees,” said Adam Lewin, a partner on the private equity team at Tucker’s Farm and CEO of Wonder Franchises.

This is the third franchise transaction for Tucker’s Farm in recent months, after portfolio company VIO Med Spa, the nation’s med spa franchisor, was successfully sold to Freeman Spogli in September 2024, and Wonder acquired The Decor Group, the leading holiday decorating franchisor with 245 franchised territories and $75 million in system sales, in November 2024.

Riva received HT's Top Women in Restaurant Technology - Lifetime Achievement Award in 2024.  

“I’ve been part of this system for more than 30 years and this company means the world to me. I chose Wonder because I really felt they were the partner that could help improve and grow the system but would do so in a way that took good care of the brand and the franchisees. The Wonder team is smart, young, and energetic – all things that I love – but the thing that really stood out compared to other groups was the way they asked so many questions. They didn’t come in with a ‘we know best’ mindset, they truly wanted to learn about Pizza Factory, understand what’s gotten us this far, and build on what we’re doing. The better I’ve gotten to know their team, the more confident I am that Wonder is the right partner and that the next chapter for Pizza Factory will be a great one.” 

A community staple in 100-plus communities, Pizza Factory has stayed true to its roots with hardworking operators, family-friendly dining and high-quality products, offering fresh, hand-tossed pizza, pasta, wings, sandwiches, salads, beer, wine and more. With multiple restaurant designs, an Express model, and robust off-premise dining options including delivery and mobile ordering through a custom app, Pizza Factory is built to excel in the restaurant industry moving forward.

AiDEN Automotive, a leader in privacy-first connected vehicle technology,  announces an exciting partnership with Mavi, the creators of the innovative Mavi OnMyWay Commerce platform. This collaboration will bring Mavi’s full-featured food and beverage shopping platform to a wide range of vehicles, enabling drivers and passengers to enjoy top-tier eCommerce experiences while on the go.

The automotive e-commerce market is experiencing significant growth, with projections indicating an increase from $100.14 billion in 2024 to $343.13 billion by 2032, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.6% during the forecast period, according to Fortune Business Insights.  This surge underscores the expanding role of digital commerce within the automotive sector.
 

On the Go Convenience

Mavi OnMyWay Commerce is designed to redefine convenience for travelers, empowering them to shop for food, beverages, and other essentials seamlessly from their vehicle's interface. By integrating AiDEN’s advanced connected car technology, Mavi can now scale its platform quickly and efficiently across diverse automotive ecosystems, ensuring a smooth and reliable experience for consumers.

Mavi was a finalist in Restaurant Technology Network's Start-Up Alley at MURTEC in 2024 and 2023.  

“We’re thrilled to partner with AiDEN to expand the reach of Mavi OnMyWay Commerce,” said Cynthia Hollen, CEO, Mavi.io.  Hollen was one of HT's Top Women in Restaurant Technology - Rising Star Award in 2023. “With AiDEN’s cutting-edge connected car solutions, we can bring our robust eCommerce platform to a broader audience, making in-car shopping more intuitive, efficient, and enjoyable than ever.”

The partnership leverages AiDEN’s expertise in vehicle connectivity and data integration, ensuring that Mavi’s OnMyWay Commerce platform operates seamlessly across a variety of vehicle brands and models. Together, the companies are poised to transform the connected car landscape, combining Mavi’s eCommerce expertise with AiDEN’s technology to deliver best-in-class shopping experiences to drivers and passengers worldwide.

“Integrating eCommerce into the connected car experience is the next frontier, and our partnership with Mavi marks a significant step in that direction,” said Niclas Gyllenram, CEO and Co-founder of AiDEN Automotive. “By uniting AiDEN’s advanced vehicle technology with Mavi’s leading commerce solutions, we’re setting a new standard for convenience and innovation in the automotive industry.”

The collaboration reflects both companies’ commitment to pushing the boundaries of what connected vehicles can offer. With the integration of Mavi OnMyWay Commerce, the future of in-car shopping promises to be faster, smarter, and more connected than ever before.

For more information about the partnership and its impact on connected vehicle commerce, visit aiden.ai or mavi.io.

HotelREZ, a hotel representation company, has teamed up with Greengage, sustainability solutions provider, to introduce ECOsmart certification - international certification to demonstrate venues’ commitment to sustainable practices and achievement of recognized standards - to its member properties. 

The partnership enables hotels, accommodation and hospitality providers to prove their sustainability credentials and cater to the growing demand for sustainable accommodation, positioning HotelREZ at the forefront of the hospitality industry's environmental revolution. 

Under the new partnership, ECOsmart certification will now be available for all HotelREZ properties, providing them with a certification platform to showcase their commitment to sustainability and consultancy support for next level improvements.  

"HotelREZ is a trusted name in the industry, and their technology simplifies the certification process for hoteliers," said Andrew Perolls, CEO, Greengage Solutions. "Through this partnership, we can extend the ECOsmart framework to thousands of independent hotels across the UK and Europe, making sustainable hospitality more accessible than ever."

Since its inception in 2020, the ECOsmart certification has helped properties demonstrate their environmental commitments, with a growing number already within the HotelREZ network. The certification is available in Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Platinum levels, awards are accompanied with transparent information on how the hotel qualifies including details such as carbon footprint per night and the availability of sustainable amenities like EV charging points.

"Bookings are increasingly driven by a demand for sustainable travel options," commented Daniel Simmons, CCO, HotelREZ. "This collaboration not only empowers our properties to meet these expectations but also aligns with our mission to support the planet and agencies requirements with their preferred global accommodation partners. Greengage's ECOsmart solution was the clear choice for helping hotels navigate and maximise opportunities in this sustainably focussed marketplace. This certification supports hotels to secure additional business by appealing to the sustainability needs of the consumer, agencies and corporate bookers – to meet the requirements of the corporate responsibility programmes leading to more inclusion and agency bookings and loyalty. Today - sustainability is a necessity, not a luxury."

The ECOsmart certification will be integrated into HotelREZ’s REZtoMarket content platform and the Cvent negotiated corporate solicitation tool, which has streamed the application process. Hotels’ sustainability credentials will also be prominently displayed on the GDS platforms, REZMedia image tool and HotelREZ's consumer site Best Loved Hotels.  

The hotel's sustainability details will be clearly visible to potential guests and booking agents identifying specific criteria behind the certification such as a commitment to no single-use plastic, reduced laundry cleaning or recycling of water usage. This supports the increasing demand from environmentally conscious travellers for transparency to show what steps hotels have put in place to be sustainable .

HotelREZ is taking its commitment to sustainability seriously by undergoing its own ECOsmart audit. This initiative demonstrates the company’s dedication to "walking the walk" and setting an example for its clients.

Together, HotelREZ and Greengage are setting a new standard for the sustainably conscious in the hospitality industry, empowering properties to attract discerning travellers and contribute to an environmentally sustainable future.