News Briefs

ROH, a payments management platform for the hospitality industry, announced the successful completion of a $9.2 million financing round, led by Highgate Technology Ventures (“HTV”), a venture and growth equity firm focused on the hospitality and travel industries, and Acrew Capital. The investment will fuel ROH’s rapid platform expansion and enhance its ability to process the continuous flow of data from contracts, invoices, payments, folios, and beyond. As part of the transaction, Raja Goel and Kurien Jacob of HTV, and John Gardner of Acrew Capital are joining ROH’s Board of Directors.

ROH is purpose-built to help modernize the hotel industry’s payment processes, providing end-to-end visibility into the payment lifecycle while eliminating the manual labor typically required to manage transactions today. Of the $4 trillion in payments processed annually by hotels, over 80 percent requires manual intervention, including revenue associated with meetings and events, online travel agencies (OTAs), corporate and flight crew bookings, and more. With ROH, properties can now automate the flow of payments, eliminating room for error and inefficiencies while increasing employee productivity.

• ROH Increases Sales Conversion with a Best-in-Class Customer Experience: Streamlines payment processes, reducing friction and boosting conversion rates. Offers more flexible payment options, increasing customer satisfaction and repeat business.

• ROH Boosts Operational Efficiency for Sales and Finance Teams: Automates manual workflows for payment processing, receipt sending, and refund management, eliminating administrative burden to increase focus on bigger-picture goals. Lowers the risk of human errors that can lead to lost revenue.

• ROH Ensures Compliance and Mitigates Risk: Provides tools to stay in compliance with card network rules and safe harbor protections, avoiding costly violations and fines. Simplifies the management of chargebacks and disputes, ensuring a more streamlined process and reducing exposure to financial risk.

• ROH Improves Receivables Management: Enhances efficiency by consolidating payment processes, leading to shorter transaction cycles. Improves cash flow with faster, more reliable payment processing and receivables collection. Reduces past-due balances and aging accounts receivable by automating follow-ups and payment reminders. Increases the effectiveness of collections with automated tracking and reporting minimizing the need to use outside services to collect outstanding payments.

"To have HTV, the leading hospitality technology investor with an established track record, as well as a forward-thinking hotel owner-operator like Highgate, whose portfolio extends across over 400 properties, clearly see the overnight value ROH provides to decrease costs while increasing profits is incredibly motivating,” said Jess Conroy, CEO and Founder, ROH. “The number one priority for hotels today is managing costs while driving revenue. The most effective way to do this is to leverage technology that delivers on both. With ROH, hotels see increased revenue overnight; we can’t wait to expand our reach with HTV alongside us.”

“At HTV, we seek to invest in innovative companies with technologies that have the potential to change long-engrained hospitality industry behaviors, customer traction that signals clarity around a large and hyper-scalable revenue opportunity supported by unique, expertise-led moats, and founders with the determination to win. ROH delivers on all those attributes and Jess impressed us with her expansive vision for the platform and the customer demand to back it up,” said Raja Goel, Partner, Highgate Technology Ventures. “This investment enables ROH to expand its customer footprint, drive innovation, and ensure that ROH will become synonymous with profitability, efficiency, and ease amongst its hospitality partners.”

Select properties within Highgate’s hotel portfolio piloted ROH over the last two years, the results of which drove both this investment and commercial expansion. “We began testing ROH as soon as it hit the market in some of our properties with strong groups and events businesses - think room blocks, corporate accounts, meetings and events, social gatherings, and more. We rapidly realized that ROH unlocks margin across all our contract-based transaction volume,” said Ankur Randev, Principal & Chief Commercial Officer, Highgate. “The value was immediate and obvious from both the automation and profitability perspective. We’re benefiting from greater operational efficiencies, reducing fraud, and freeing up our team members’ time to perform more meaningful work.”

This funding round marks a significant milestone for ROH as the company continues to set new high-water marks across growth metrics. In 2024, the total amount of invoices managed via the platform reached nearly a quarter billion dollars. Additionally, ROH’s proprietary AI application, launched in 2024, which automatically ingests files from property management and other existing systems, saw an increase of 523 percent in automatically generated bookings based on executed contracts. 

For more information about ROH, please visit: https://roh.co/ 

Red Robin Gourmet Burgers Inc. is celebrating National Burger Month with the launch of the Bottomless Burger Pass.

A limited number of passes were available on April 17 and quickly sold out. 

 

Technology Glitches 

The limited time offer encountered some hiccups, including the burger chain's website crashing and some customers being overcharged at checkout. While some were able to purchase the coveted Bottomless Burger Pass with no issue on April 17, some customers were mistakenly charged $682, the full value of the promotion, reported USA Today. 

A Month of Burgers

The lucky guests who purchased Red Robin's Bottomless Burger Pass will receive an exclusive black-and-gold card in the mail, pictured, for redemption from May 1-31. The pass is redeemable for one gourmet burger of guests' choice served with a bottomless side each day of the month of May.  

In addition to the Bottomless Burger Pass, Red Robin is introducing new menu items for National Burger Month, including the Backyard BBQ Pork Burger and Backyard BBQ Pork Nachos.

"With more than 20 gourmet burgers on our menu, Red Robin is the authority on a great burger experience," said G.J. Hart, president and CEO of Red Robin. "That's why this National Burger Month, we're offering unbeatable value with a month's worth of burgers for just $20. The Bottomless Burger Pass, Backyard BBQ Pork Burger and Red Robin Royalty Sweepstakes allow guests even more ways to enjoy our enhanced menu featuring juicy, flattop-grilled gourmet burgers and premium ingredients, giving them every reason to keep feeding their burger obsession at Red Robin."
 

DoorDash  and  Coco Robotics have teamed up on sidewalk robot delivery for DoorDash customers in select areas of Chicago and Los Angeles.

Eligible customers can see the availability of Coco’s fleet of emissions-free sidewalk robots and may have one assigned to their order from nearly 600 participating merchants through the DoorDash app. This builds on an existing pilot program with Wolt—DoorDash’s international arm—where Coco robots have been making deliveries in Helsinki since earlier this year. 

During the initial pilot phase, Coco completed over 100,000 deliveries for DoorDash customers. This expanded partnership reinforces DoorDash’s ongoing commitment to advancing last-mile logistics by building the most efficient, sustainable, and scalable multi-modal delivery platform.

“Not every delivery needs a 2-ton car just to deliver two chicken sandwiches,” said Harrison Shih, Senior Director of DoorDash Labs. “We believe the future of delivery will be multi-modal, and we’re thrilled to partner with Coco to expand sidewalk robot deliveries that complement the Dasher network as we continue to enhance the DoorDash experience for customers and merchants.”

Robot delivery is part of DoorDash’s broader global multi-modal delivery platform strategy—integrating Dashers, drones, and autonomous robots to meet increasing demand while lowering costs and emissions.

“Partnering with Coco and DoorDash has allowed us to consistently deliver fresh food to our customers on time,” said Eric Dela Cruz, owner of Main Chick Hot Chicken in Los Angeles. “We worked with Coco to establish a ‘taxi line’ of robots so we can get food out to our customers faster, even during our busiest hours. The improved operational efficiency translates directly into happier guests and stronger repeat business. We’re excited about what this partnership means for our growth.”

Coco has been operating in Los Angeles since 2020 and recently launched in Chicago, Miami and Helsinki, Finland. Coco has a fleet of over 1,000 emissions-free delivery robots.

The partnership with Coco was developed through DoorDash Labs, DoorDash’s robotics and automation arm. DoorDash Labs expanded its investment in autonomous delivery through its partnership with Wing, which introduced drone deliveries to the U.S. after an initial pilot in Australia. By leveraging a multi-modal approach that integrates Dashers, robots, and drones into DoorDash’s logistics network, the goal is to ensure the most effective fulfillment method for every order while driving increased demand for local merchants and creating more earning opportunities for Dashers.

Chipotle Mexican Grill has signed a development agreement to open restaurants in Mexico for the first time. In partnership with Alsea, S.A.B. de C.V. (Alsea), a restaurant operator in Latin America and Europe, Chipotle will open a location in Mexico by early 2026 and begin exploring additional expansion markets in the region.

"We are confident that our responsibly sourced, classically-cooked real food will resonate with guests in Mexico," said Nate Lawton, Chief Business Development Officer at Chipotle. "The country's familiarity with our ingredients and affinity for fresh food make it an attractive growth market for our company."

"We are proud to work with an iconic brand like Chipotle and help grow its international business for years to come," said Armando Torrado, Alsea Chief Executive Officer. "Through this development agreement, we will continue to leverage our vast knowledge of the Mexican consumer and restaurant industry expertise to bring our customers the best food experiences and brands from around the world."

Chipotle's International Expansion Continutes

Chipotle signed its first international development agreement in July 2023 with Alshaya Group to open restaurants in the Middle East. Chipotle and Alshaya Group currently operate three restaurants in Kuwait and two in the United Arab Emirates. Chipotle's existing international portfolio of owned and operated restaurants includes 58 locations in Canada; 20 in the United Kingdom; six locations in France; and two in Germany. The company currently operates over 3,700 restaurants and plans to open between 315 and 345 new restaurants this year, with a long-term target of operating 7,000 locations in the U.S. and Canada.

Jack in the Box Inc. is leveling up the gaming world as Internet sensation and beloved mascot Jack Box brings his irreverent charm to Fortnite. Players will grind their way through corporate ranks in "Jack's CEO Minigames" that culminates with the ultimate prize: becoming CEO of Jack in the Box.  

Gamification is on trend for restaurants. Approximately 40% of respondents believe that online gamers are likely (33%) or very likely (6%) to respond positively to pop-up messages for food orders, according to HT's 2025 Restaurant Technology Study. 

This innovative collaboration reimagines classic Fortnite maps into an immersive Jack-themed universe where up to 12 players compete simultaneously – perfect for those late-night gaming sessions that demand serious munchies. Squad up to navigate through environments built with iconic Munchie Meal items, from cult classic curly fries and tiny tacos to fan favorite Coca-Cola drinks, in an adventure as unexpected and out-of-the-box as Jack himself.

Jack’s CEO Minigames

• CEO MINIGAMES: Players compete in 7 random minigames in a battle royale format. After each mini game round, players earn XP that helps them get promoted to the next rank with the ultimate goal of reaching CEO status.
• PLAYER PROGRESSION: Players earn XP based on their performance in the minigames. XP is required to level up to the next job title. (Intern → Manager → Director → VP → CEO MINIGAMES)
• VOTE: After each minigame, players return to the lobby and chat with Jack to vote on the next minigame they want to play! Players will then compete in the minigame that receives the most votes.

Exclusive Wearables and Free Jack in the Box

To celebrate the launch, fans can score a secret, exclusive wearable Jack head for their characters—just by purchasing a Munchie Meal with a Coca-Cola beverage through the Jack App!

And that’s not all—Jack in the Box is giving one lucky player the ultimate prize: free Jack in the Box for a year*! Here’s how to enter:

• Achieve the CEO title in the mini games.
• Take a screenshot of your win.
• Share your screenshot on the JITB X account with the hashtag #FreeJack.
• Download the Jack App and become a Jack Pack member.

Once all entry requirements are verified, one winner will be randomly selected on the last day of launch month!

There is no shortage of luxurious amenities to be found at the new Caesars Republic Scottsdale Hotel by Hilton, in Scottsdale, AZ (which opened in March of 2024). Guests exploring the 11 stories of the hotel will find 20,000 sq. ft. of event space, a grand first floor pool and rooftop pools, and bar, along with two signature restaurants, and an exceptional array of technologically advanced products and services. 

Even when guests turn away from the hotel’s interior space to gaze through a window at the desert landscape view, their eyes may be drawn to the latest advancements in luxury and convenience. That’s because Caesars Republic Scottsdale has outfitted its windows with over 700 PoE (Power over Ethernet) automated roller shades from PowerShades, an industry-leading provider of manual and automated window shades for residential, commercial, and hospitality locations. 

According to Robert Allen, chief operating officer for HCW Development, the hotel developer, PowerShades’ True PoE automated shades were a natural fit to meet his company’s goals for the hotel. 

“We believe the products we select should contribute to the sustainability and efficiency of our hotels,” he said. “At the same time, luxury is essential to Caesars Republic Scottsdale customers; they expect the very best products and services. PowerShades met all these needs, with sleek, sophisticated products that offer both contemporary style and sustainable luxury.”

Sustaining the Guest Room Climate

Caesars Republic features automated shades from PowerShades in all 265 guest rooms, as well as in common areas throughout the hotel including one of the two restaurants, a bar and terrace, a modern fitness center, and a 7,000-sq-ft, free-span ballroom. 

All the windows in the guest rooms feature both light-filtering and room-darkening fabric automated shades that guests can control separately.

Hotel guests can control the shades via an in-room wall panel conveniently located next to the bed. They easily lower the blackout shades at bedtime, creating the perfect environment for sleeping. And they can set the shades to raise and let the sun into the room when they want to wake in the morning, offering a soothing, natural alternative to a wake-up call or alarm. 

The shades in all the guest rooms are integrated into the Hotel’s Building Management System (BMS) to allow the hotel staff to conserve energy based on room occupancy and time of year. At check-in, hotel staff can prepare a room’s thermostat and PowerShades automated blinds according to predetermined set points depending on seasonal conditions and the location of the sun. 

“Sustainability and reducing our energy-usage footprint are important at Caesars,” Allen said. “With the automated shades, we’re able to conserve energy in unoccupied guest rooms by setting the blackout shades to lower in the spring and summer, naturally cooling the room. In the colder months, we can preset all the shades to raise and let the sun warm the rooms.”

Setting the Scene at Table Settings

Allen continued, “Our staff can do the same thing in public areas like our Seven rooftop restaurant, setting the shades to maximize the comfort of our guests.”

By setting the automated shades to manage glare and temperature, restaurant guests can experience the most comfortable dining experience, which can lead to longer visits and repeat business. Plus, the hotel can set the shades to create the ideal ambiance for a beautiful dining experience any time of day. For example, the shades can glide open at lunchtime to create a bright, inviting atmosphere. Or they can gradually close at dinnertime to give a dining space a warm, intimate feel.

PoE Was a Powerful Advantage

Allen explained how PowerShades stood out from competitive offerings.  “One of the main reasons why Caesars Republic Scottsdale opted to work with PowerShades was their advanced, proprietary, PoE technology,” he said. “We understood this meant that we would be getting a cost-effective energy-management solution that was easy to install and easy to implement.”

PowerShades True PoE shades provide all the benefits of the company’s groundbreaking RF automated product, along with additional advantages not found in any other type of motorized shade. With PoE automated shades, a single CAT5 cable provides both power and communications, so there is no proprietary hard wiring necessary. Plus, the PoE motor is low voltage (under 50V AC), eliminating the need for a licensed electrician. And with power coming from a single, central source, more information can be transferred on the network cable while improving reliability over traditional RF solutions. 

Many of the shades in Caesars Republic Scottsdale feature PowerShades’ latest True PoE motors. The benefits of this updated version (introduced in 2024) include up to 6Nm torque capability for controlling shades up to 19 ft., quieter motors, and 13x more processing power.

A Perfect Fit for Caesars, and for Every Size Window

PowerShades automated shades are custom configured to fit every window and every application, which Allen and his team found to be particularly important given the hotel’s diverse range of window shapes and sizes. 

“Our hotel has been designed and built with floor-to-ceiling glass throughout,” Allen noted. “It features some of the largest windows we’ve installed in any of our hotels. PowerShades was able to provide us with automated shades as large as 171” wide x 117” deep. They are a perfect fit, and they’re library-quiet too.”

The Reviews Are In

“PowerShades’ products were a perfect match for Caesars Republic Scottsdale-- a hotel that’s committed to luxury, style, and advanced technology,” Allen concluded. “Our staff loves their convenience, including our housekeepers who appreciate the time savings that the pre-scheduled, coordinated raising and lowering of the shades provides. And our guests talk about the shades using language like ‘total convenience’ and 'first class products.’”

When guests stay at Caesars Republic Scottsdale hotel, they are privy to a wealth of beautiful and luxurious amenities. But for some guests, there’s one group of technologically advanced products that, you could say, makes their stay at this hotel a shade more memorable.