News Briefs

Intel 471 today announced that it is proud to continue its support of The Retail & Hospitality Information Sharing and Analysis Center (RH-ISAC), a partnership that enables Intel 471 to help safeguard the retail and hospitality industries.

Through its operationalized cyber threat intelligence (CTI) and expertise, Intel 471 enables organizations to proactively neutralize threats and mitigate risk which enhances their overall security postures. Intel 471 will collaborate with RH-ISAC to secure some of the world’s biggest consumer brands, including leading retailers, hotels, restaurants, gaming casinos, consumer products and travel companies.

RH-ISAC is a retail and hospitality focused cyber intelligence community that serves as a trusted source for sharing timely and actionable cyber threat intelligence, best practices and incident response guidance for the retail and hospitality industries. RH-ISAC delivers both strategic and tactical information through sharing channels, routine threat briefings, workshops and webinars. Since 2014, the community has committed to helping retail and hospitality organizations become more empowered and effective in fighting cyber threats and reducing their overall business risk.

“As customer-focused industries, retail and hospitality are high-reward targets for cybercriminals. At Intel 471, our cyber intelligence-driven solutions deliver a robust security posture based on controls and detections that are aligned and prioritized to real-world threats. Our global team augments our automated data collection with extensive research into threat actors, who look to exploit interactions between hotels and retail companies and their customers for malicious activities,” said Brandon Hoffman, Chief Strategy Officer at Intel 471. “Partnering with the RH-ISAC advances our role in helping secure such critical industries, improve their cybersecurity posture and ultimately protect their customers from damaging cyber attacks.”

“RH-ISAC is excited to have Intel 471 as an Associate Member and we look forward to working with them to enhance the security in the retail and hospitality industries,” said Suzie Squier, president of RH-ISAC.

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.”  

HungerRush, a  provider of integrated restaurant technology solutions, is proud to announce a strategic partnership with Backofhouse.io, a venture owned by Gordon Food Service. This partnership empowers restaurants across the U.S. with access to HungerRush's industry-leading point-of-sale (POS) and online ordering platforms.

This collaboration provides restaurants with the ability to streamline operations, enhance online ordering and delivery capabilities, and boost revenue through loyalty programs and automated marketing. By leveraging HungerRush’s technology, restaurants can take orders faster, reduce friction in day-to-day operations, and deliver an exceptional experience to their guests.

Choosing Technology for Restaurant Growth

HungerRush and Back of House share a mutual commitment to helping restaurants succeed in an increasingly competitive landscape. The addition of HungerRush’s robust offerings provide restaurants with scalable solutions across all areas of their business. From off-premise ordering capabilities to in-house operational optimizations to delivering food to their guests, restaurants can build a resilient and successful business. Restaurants also benefit from HungerRush’s customer-first approach to building and delivering their technology solutions.

“Partnering with Backofhouse.io and Gordon Food Service is a pivotal step in expanding the reach of our innovative restaurant management solutions,” said Nick Butrym, CRO at HungerRush. “Our purpose is to help restaurateurs prosper by delivering great experiences for their customers and employees, and this collaboration allows us to extend that impact to a broader network of businesses.”

Finding the Right Technology

Back of House offers a unique and innovative way for restaurant operators to learn about restaurant technology, compare vendors, and access expert consultants for guidance on business technology decisions.

“Thanks to our partnership with HungerRush, we can provide restaurant operators with high-quality options when it comes to finding the right technology solutions,” said Nick Florek, Head of Back of House. “It’s a partnership that will give them peace of mind that their technology decision is the right one for their specific needs.”

Back of House is available to all restaurant operators across the U.S. Additionally, Gordon Food Service customers get unique benefits, including preferred pricing from leading restaurant technology software providers and free access to consulting services.

To learn more about Back of House please visit the website. For more information on HungerRush, click here.

Flybuy, the AI-powered location engine that streamlines restaurant operations, has unveiled catering order optimization, a powerful new feature designed to simplify and enhance large catering pickups and deliveries. With this enhancement, restaurants utilizing Flybuy can now seamlessly manage catering fulfillment, ensuring a more efficient, organized, and streamlined process.

Flybuy seamlessly integrates with online ordering platforms, enabling restaurants to ingest, fulfill, and hand off catering orders effortlessly - minimizing friction for both staff and customers. These orders are automatically tagged as catering orders within the Flybuy Dashboard and Kitchen Display Systems (KDS), ensuring clear differentiation from regular customer orders. Additionally, commonly included items like utensils and trays can also be visually tagged, helping staff when package orders accurately and efficiently.

With advanced scheduling and real-time alerts, staff can proactively plan and allocate resources to fulfill large catering orders with accuracy. By providing ample lead time and configurable reminders, Flybuy ensures teams stay organized and prepared to deliver seamless, high-quality service.

“Catering has become a major growth driver for restaurants, and Flybuy is committed to helping them streamline the process,” said Marc Wallace, CEO of Flybuy. “With this new feature, restaurants can fulfill large orders with greater efficiency and accuracy—enhancing customer satisfaction and driving revenue growth.”

With Flybuy's catering order optimization, restaurants can stay ahead in a competitive market by providing a superior, hassle-free catering experience.

For more information about Flybuy and its catering order optimization feature, please visit www.flybuy.com

Torchy’s Tacos has chosen PAR Punchh to elevate its guest experience and create deeper connections with its fans. Together, they’ve launched Torchy’s Tacos Rewards, a dynamic loyalty program that combines personalization, surprise-and-delight campaigns, and seamless functionality to transform how guests interact with the brand.

Since its launch in October 2024, Torchy’s Tacos Rewards has already captured the attention of more than 1 million members, offering them tailored rewards, exclusive surprises, and new ways to engage with their favorite taco brand. By combining creativity with innovative technology, the program delivers a loyalty experience as bold and unique as the Torchy’s brand itself. Guests are treated to perks like Welcome Queso & Chips and Birthday Queso & Chips—fan favorites that add an extra layer of celebration to every milestone. Dynamic frequency challenges, such as earning bonus points for visits, trying specific food items, or reaching spending milestones, keep the experience fresh and engaging, ensuring there’s always something exciting to look forward to.

• Related: 82% of customers want to receive discounts as a benefit of their loyalty program membership, according to HT's 2024 Customer Engagement Technology Study

“When we set out to create Torchy’s Tacos Rewards, we knew we needed more than just a loyalty program—we needed a platform that matched the bold spirit of our brand,” said Thai Tran, CTO of Torchy’s Tacos, “With Punchh’s expertise and technology, we’ve built something that truly reflects the unique Torchy’s Tacos experience. Our guests are loving it, and we’re just getting started.”

Savneet Singh, CEO of PAR added, “Torchy’s Tacos isn’t just raising the bar for guest experiences—it’s smashing it. With Punchh’s platform and strategic collaboration, we’ve built a loyalty program that doesn’t just reward guests, it creates an experience they’ll keep coming back for. Torchy’s Tacos Rewards blends innovation and the brand’s unmistakable personality to make every interaction memorable. This is where tech meets tacos.”

Torchy’s required a loyalty solution that could meet their ambitious goals and provide the flexibility to deliver exceptional guest experiences. With PAR Punchh, they gained cutting-edge technology and strategic guidance to design a loyalty program that stands out in a crowded marketplace. Punchh’s team worked closely with Torchy’s to develop a custom-tailored structure that aligned with their business goals and guest preferences. Moving away from the limitations of manual processes, Torchy’s Tacos Rewards now leverages real-time automation to execute on-demand campaigns. From automated customer journeys that keep engagement fresh to A/B testing creative offers and challenges tailored to different guest segments, the program delivers a level of personalization that feels hand-crafted for each member.

Since its launch, Torchy’s Tacos Rewards has driven increased guest satisfaction and engagement, with members spending more and visiting more frequently than ever. The program’s innovative features include the ability to scan receipts for missed check-ins—ensuring members never miss out on rewards—and a flexible points-based system that lets guests redeem points for the rewards they value most.

The launch of Torchy’s Tacos Rewards demonstrates how strategy-driven technology and creative design can work hand in hand to transform guest engagement. With the flexibility of PAR Punchh’s automated platform, Torchy’s now delivers real-time, on-demand campaigns that surprise and delight guests while staying true to the brand’s bold and iconic identity. Members enjoy more than just tacos—they’re rewarded with tailored perks, exclusive access, and memorable experiences that keep them coming back for more.