News Briefs

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.

With the launch of PAR OPS, PAR Technology Corp. connects the proven back-office capabilities of PAR Data Central  and Delaget’s advanced analytics and loss prevention expertise. Designed for multi-unit operators, franchisees and enterprise brands, PAR OPS equips operators with a solution to streamline operations, cut costs and recover margins lost to delivery channels.

Trusted by over 38,000 locations and 200+ brands, PAR OPS stands for more than just operations:

• Optimizing [O]perations: Turn operational data into actionable insights with predictive analytics, real-time alerts, and expert support, reducing manual effort and improving decision-making.
• Driving [P]rofitability: Control key costs – including food, labor, and third-party delivery, while uncovering new opportunities to safeguard and optimize margins.
• Delivering [S]olutions: Select from our powerful suite of modules including Food & Inventory Management, Labor Management & Scheduling, Enterprise Reporting & Analytics, and Loss Detection & Recovery.

“The restaurant industry doesn’t stand still, and neither should the tools operators rely on,” said Savneet Singh, CEO of PAR. “We didn’t just want to create another tool; we wanted to deliver a solution that simplifies complexity and gives operators the confidence to focus on what truly matters—serving their guests. While the industry has invested heavily in the front of house, we’re doubling down on the back of house so that as the consumer journey continues to transform, the restaurant can change just as dynamically.”

Redefining the Future of Restaurant Operations

Building on the strong foundation of PAR Data Central and enhanced by the industry-leading analytics expertise of Delaget, PAR OPS has expanded offerings to tackle the most pressing industry challenges. These new features, coming in 2025, will empower operators with:

• Delivery Data Insights: Track delivery data, automatically mitigate losses, and analyze third-party delivery performance with enhanced tools to facilitate loss prevention and operational transparency.
• AI-Driven Forecasting and Chatbot Support: Use AI to predict sales, optimize labor, and get real-time support with an AI-powered chatbot for daily challenges.
• Enhanced Reporting for Franchisees: Access customizable reports with multi-location insights, loss prevention tools, and actionable recommendations.
• Multi-Language Functionality and Support: Enable seamless collaboration across teams with support for multiple languages.

“Every restaurant operator knows that margins are tight, and delivery often makes them even tighter,” said Jason Tober, General Manager of PAR OPS. “With PAR OPS, we’re equipping franchisees and operators with the tools to dive deeper into their data, identify where margins are slipping, and take actionable steps to recover them. By integrating delivery data alongside food and labor costs, operators can make smarter, data-driven decisions to not only stay competitive but drive profitability.”

For all long-time PAR Data Central and Delaget customers, as well as newcomers to the PAR family, the transition to PAR OPS is seamless. With uninterrupted service, expert guidance, and dedicated support, operators can adopt the solution confidently and efficiently.

PAR OPS reflects PAR’s commitment to delivering purpose-built solutions that evolve with the restaurant industry’s changing needs. By simplifying operations, it empowers operators to achieve consistency, efficiency, and stronger results —allowing them to streamline their efforts and maximize their potential.