Think Simplicity, a cloud communication technology provider of all-inclusive voice and chat solutions for the hospitality industry, announced that RainMaker Hospitality, a full-service hotel management firm, has selected Think Simplicity to provide cloud communication services at its newest property, Towne Place Suites in Georgetown, Ky. This is the twelfth property in the RainMaker portfolio to use Think Simplicity’s technology.

Think Simplicity’s solution was selected for its scalability, reliability, and affordability. All charges are provided in a fixed monthly invoice that is easy to understand for on-property and above-property managers. In addition to cost savings, the RainMaker Hospitality group relies upon Think Simplicity for its seamless installation and activation process, its ongoing innovative software updates, and 24/7/365 support.

Prakash T. Maggan, CFO, Rainmaker Hospitality, said: “Think Simplicity’s customer service and support, ongoing innovations, and lower costs are a benefit to our participating properties. From the beginning, Think Simplicity’s dedication ensures that every installation is tailored to each of our managed properties. By working with one vendor, we alleviate confusion, reduce time, and ensure staff and guests have access to the latest cloud communications today and into the future.”

Joseph De Ciantis, co-founder of Think Simplicity, said: “Forward-thinking hoteliers like RainMaker understand the benefits of utilizing the latest communications technology at their properties. At Think Simplicity, we strive to provide the highest quality equipment, service, and support. We look forward to working with RainMaker to ensure its properties take advantage of our best-in-class cloud phone system, and we proudly welcome the Towne Place Suites to our growing family.”

Epson introduces the new m-Series OmniLink  TM-m50II thermal receipt printer is now available through Epson Authorized Partners. Offering a compact, modern design with a small size ideal for tight spaces, the OmniLink TM-m50II is engineered to deliver exceptional performance, reliability and fast speeds to produce fast checkouts and help minimize downtime, ideal for today's high-volume retail and hospitality businesses.

 The new mSeries model offers print speeds up to 500 mm/sec  for fast checkouts in high-volume retail and hospitality environments. The sleek enclosure is IPX2 rated for water resistance and its specially treated antimicrobial enclosure material suppresses the growth of bacteria. Additionally, the printer has a flexible configuration, working in either a top-exit or front-exit orientation.

The OmniLink TM-m50II has the versatility to support both traditional PC-POS and mPOS systems with built-in serial, Ethernet and USB interfaces, along with optional Wi-Fi^® connectivity.  The new printer allows merchants to print from Web-based applications using Epson’s ePOS^™ Print technology or utilize Epson Server Direct Print technology for online ordering or remote printing.² With innovative paper-saving technology, the printer enables businesses to reduce paper usage by up to 49 percent.³

Now available through Epson Authorized Partners, the OmniLink TM-m50II is backed by Epson’s  service and support and include a four-year limited warranty coverage. 

Brizo Data is excited to announce series A funding of over $12 million Canadian in combined venture capital and debt.

The company was launched in 2020 by seasoned entrepreneurs Ian Delisle, Trevor Shimizu, Gaetan Corneau and Jean-Sébastien Vachon. Brizo's vision is to become the source of truth on the foodservice and hospitality industries through their depth of industry data and insights.

Brizo Data's flagship product, Brizo FoodMetrics, is a comprehensive source of near real-time, foodservice market analytics. Restaurant intelligence is now a key driver in industry research, marketing and sales, enabling businesses in the food and beverage industry to thrive through data-informed decisions. Brizo provides insights to foodservice suppliers and vendors of all kinds – from who is selling Wagyu beef or linen services, to companies offering staffing technologies, delivery or online reservation solutions. 

Brizo FoodMetrics includes dashboard customizations for a wide variety of customer uses including technology vendors, franchisors, food and beverage distributors and industry investors. 

The capital will allow the company to accelerate growth and expand into new markets. The round was led by FRAMEWORK Venture Partners and BDC Capital's Industrial Innovation Venture Fund.

HungerRush introduces comprehensive all-in-one POS system bundled offerings specifically designed to meet the needs of restaurant independent operators (IOs).

Today’s IOs are faced with the pain of having to manage and integrate multiple tech solutions for omni-channel digital ordering, in-store ordering, delivery and carryout, inventory, loyalty, labor scheduling, reporting, and marketing. IOs are stuck spending countless frustrating hours managing these systems and their integration across multiple vendors.

71% say the ability to integrate with other systems is driving their POS purchase decisions, according to HT’s2 2023 POS Software Trends Report.

The HungerRush 360 POS System delivers all of this functionality from a single vendor at an attractive price point. HungerRush 360 makes it easy for IOs to eliminate vendor finger-pointing frustration, save time and money, while significantly growing their businesses.

“Running a small business can easily become overly complicated way too fast,” said Cleo Bustamante, President of Martita's Cocina in Carrizo Springs, TX. “It's great to have one solution that handles it all. The system saves us time, and gives me visibility into the business which is a great benefit.”

To learn more about HungerRush’s Bundling Plans for Independent Operators, click here. To learn more about HungerRush 360 POS, click here.

Denny's Corporation has forged a strategic partnership with Sparkfly and Olo  to launch a next-generation intelligent customer engagement ecosystem. Leveraging Sparkfly's comprehensive Offer & Reward Management Platform and adding Olo's Marketing and Guest Data Platform (GDP) modules, Denny's will create and implement bespoke customer engagement initiatives to incentivize and retain loyal customers.

Real-Time Insights

Leveraging intelligent, data-driven marketing technology, Denny’s will be able to utilize real-time insights to cultivate unique and engaging customer experiences. The new ecosystem will provide a frictionless and digital-first user experience, making it easier than ever for Denny’s customers to earn rewards and receive personalized offers.

"Personalized experiences are key to building and nurturing lasting relationships with our Denny’s guests," said Luis Martinez, Denny’s Senior Director of Brand Intelligence and Customer Relationship Management. "For 70 years, we have forged meaningful connections with our customers that go beyond their restaurant visits. By teaming up with Sparkfly and Olo, we will continue to provide our guests with a rewarding experience that will keep them coming back for years to come."

Sparkfly and Olo’s full-featured customer engagement suite, including Loyalty, Offer Management, POS Middleware, Digital Wallet, CRM + Automations and Guest Data Platform, will enable Denny’s to offer personalized reward programs based on first-party insights and buying behaviors. These insights are critical to maximizing engagement and driving ROI.

"In times of economic uncertainty, it is paramount that businesses prioritize customer loyalty and recognize it as a key growth driver,” said Catherine Tabor, Founder and CEO of Sparkfly and HT's 2020 Top Women in Restaurant Technology Innovator. “By leveraging advanced technology to deliver personalized rewards and engagement programs, companies like Denny's can deepen customer relationships and create more meaningful and lasting connections. A customer-first approach is essential for success in any market condition."

The new ecosystem is now live across all 1,600+ Denny’s locations.

Helbiz Kitchen launched its first ghost kitchen in Austin, Texas. This marks the third Helbiz Kitchen in the United States, following its expansion in Los Angeles and Santa Monica.

The menu offerings in Austin will be consistent with those available in other Helbiz Kitchen locations, including Milan, Los Angeles and Santa Monica.

In Austin, Helbiz Kitchen will leverage its existing customer base from Wheels shared mobility and long-term vehicle rentals, making the city the third market in North America where the company operates shared mobility, vehicle rental, and now food delivery.

The first three brands available in the Austin location will be Burger & Sons, Pokaii, and What the Farm. Customers can order from these brands through the Kitchen United MIX App, on-site kiosks, and third-party apps like UberEats, DoorDash, and GrubHub.

Helbiz Kitchen plans to expand to New York City, Chicago and other key markets in the near future.