LG Electronics has been singled out as the only supplier of commercial displays recognized for environmental sustainability excellence in the foremost third-party assessment of suppliers to the U.S. hospitality industry and, for the first time, other vertical markets.

As the MindClick Sustainability Assessment Program (MSAP) was expanded significantly to encompass many more brands of leading hotels and resorts, LG Electronics received the highest possible rating for the eighth consecutive year. For the first time, evaluations of the production and life cycle impacts of products also extended beyond hospitality, with MindClick naming LG a “Leader” in display products for other vertical markets that include healthcare TVs and cruise ship TVs, as well as digital signage displays and small monitors used in various industries.

Announced just in time for Earth Day, a “Leader” rating demonstrates LG’s “exemplary use of environmentally and socially responsible practices throughout the lifecycle of all product lines, from material choice to end-of-life solutions,” according to MindClick, which validates participants’ operations through a rigorous audit process. The MSAP is an annual manufacturer assessment evaluating the sustainability of product lifecycles. Previously, only suppliers to Marriott International participated in the assessment, but the program has expanded to include more suppliers, and their results are shared to additional brands, ownership groups and purchasing agents, such as Four Seasons, Highgate Hotels, Hilton, Hyatt, SH Hotels, Xenia Hotels and more.

The assessment program evaluates products based on environmental and social metrics such as energy use, carbon emissions, water reduction, and human and labor rights. It also measures metrics such as carbon footprint from product use and distribution, recyclability, sustainable materials use and avoidance of chemicals of high concern. Ratings are based on products the vendor submits for consideration and those products are recognized in one of three rating levels: Starter, Achiever or Leader.

“MindClick’s recognition of LG Electronics as a Leader in sustainable business practices is even more significant this year, following the 2023 assessment’s expansion that includes many more suppliers in the hospitality industry and beyond,” said Thomas Yoon, president and CEO of LG Electronics North America. “LG is committed to reducing the environmental impact of our products while improving and innovating user experiences. We strive each day to be a responsible corporate citizen, and MindClick’s evaluation of our leadership provides validation of the sustainability practices and policies we live by.”

Commercial TVs and displays from LG Business Solutions serving key U.S. business-to-business markets earned Leader status in seven key categories:

• “Manufacturing Environmental” through efforts to measure and reduce energy and water usage, waste and carbon emissions in LG’s Mexicali and Reynosa, Mexico facilities.
• “Manufacturing Social” with required human and labor policies including zero tolerance for forced or compulsory labor, discrimination, child labor and human trafficking.
• “Packaging” that includes use of sustainable raw materials, is recyclable, and is optimized to minimize packaging material.
• “Distribution” through the use of transportation carriers that are EPA SmartWay certified.
• “Health” based on products’ materials and chemical compositions positively contributing to user health.
• “Facilities” by ensuring product designs help reduce power and water usage, as well as reducing waste.
• “End of Use” with products that are recyclable and have defined end-of-life solutions.

On May 1, Panera Bread will kick off its second MyPanera Week with the launch of its first-ever online merchandise storefront, The Panera Shop, where fans can purchase a variety of "Carb Couture" inspired by best-selling menu items.

Offering cozy "Mac Drip" sweatshirts and sweatpants, "Just Baked" baby onesies and more, The Panera Shop will go live on May 1 exclusively for MyPanera members through May 7. 100% of the net profit from sales during MyPanera Week will be donated to the Panera Bread Foundation.

Panera is among a growing number of brands offering branded apparel to its most loyal customers. Earlier this week, sweetgreen said it is also launching its new online merch store called “The Market,” debuting apparel, accessories and gear.

Taking place from May 1 to May 7, MyPanera Week will celebrate more than 52 million MyPanera loyalty members with exclusive perks and BOGO offers on "Panera Faves," throughout the week, including $0 delivery fee on orders $5 or more all week and more.

Knead to Know 

The weeklong celebration culminates on May 6 with the launch of MyPanera Knead to Know Trivia. Starting on 5/7 through 6/11, members can visit playmypanera.com to register for their chance to win $500 in Panera Bread gift cards, $250 to The Panera Shop, and one year free of an Unlimited Sip Club. 

For more information on MyPanera Week or to join MyPanera, visit PaneraBread.com

Personica, a provider of restaurant marketing solutions, is changing its name back to Fishbowl, effective immediately.

The decision was made to embrace the company’s legacy and strong brand recognition in the industry.

Fishbowl was a pioneer of digital marketing for the restaurant industry. Today the company has more than 50,000 restaurant customers; delivers almost nine billion email and SMS messages annually; and has created more than $10 billion in revenue for clients using its promotional offer platform. As the company looks to expand its reach, offering new products and improved customer service, it will do so "under a name that clients can remember and trust," the company says.

In addition to the rebrand, Fishbowl recently introduced Delightable, the new Guest Relationship Management (GRM) tool designed to help restaurant owners use their own data to build and maintain relationships with their patrons, further enhancing the company’s suite of solutions for the industry.

• 71% of respondents say using data to understand guest preferences and behavior is a top business driver impacting POS upgrade decisions, according to HT’s 2023 POS Software Trends Report.

The rebrand and product launch signal Fishbowl’s continued commitment to providing innovative marketing solutions that cater to the unique needs of the restaurant industry.

Toast has selected Bluefin to provide select Toast enterprise customers with an additional encryption option via PCI-validated point-to-point encryption (P2PE) for point-of-sale payments. Toast and Bluefin will work together to develop and commercialize the solution later this year.

Toast provides a single platform of software as a service (SaaS) products and financial technology solutions that give restaurants everything they need to run their business across point of sale, operations, digital ordering and delivery, marketing and loyalty, and team management. Toast will white-label Bluefin’s Decryptx solution, which is designed to deliver PCI-validated point-to-point encryption (P2PE) as a service. This technology immediately encrypts sensitive payment data at the point of sale and renders it useless in the event of breach.

•  Introducing Toast Tables: Integrated Reservation and Waitlist Management for Restaurants

According to IBM’s 2022 Cost of a Data Breach Report, the average cost of a breach has risen to $4.35 million, a 12.7% increase from 2020. At the same time, the report finds that extensive use of encryption is one of the most effective means of data security and is the fourth largest factor in decreasing the cost of a breach.

Through this relationship, Toast has established its own PCI sub-listing for point-to-point encryption. Learn more about Bluefin’s PCI-validated P2PE-as-a-service here.

R.F. Technologies announces a partnership with Solink, adding video-based business intelligence to its full line of restaurant solutions. Video analytics is available through R.F. Technologies' Big Dog brand. "Solink becomes a complement to our Big Dog Difference video solutions, along with Big Dog Voice, Design Services, Video System Monitoring, and the coming artificial intelligence," states CEO Bob Noorian.

Solink is a leader in video security and data analytics, offering purpose-built video security and business intelligence. These cloud-based solutions provide management visibility at a glance. Through customizable dashboards, restaurant management can remotely monitor operations. The video analytics system automatically creates video clips tied to transactions, where management can quickly see anomalies, watching only relevant parts of a recording instead of sifting through hours of coverage. This business intelligence is valuable not only for loss prevention, but for staff training and business improvement as well.

Big Dog cameras work seamlessly with video analytics, providing restaurant operators the data needed to succeed. Noorian adds, "With the current evolution of restaurant management increasingly occurring remotely at the Operator level, HD camera systems professionally designed, installed, and fully operational are a requirement for the QSR business. Further, Operators need scalable solutions not only for advanced solutions like analytics, but for the coming wave of artificial intelligence."

R.F. Technologies is the complete solutions provider to the restaurant industry, including drive-thru systems, digital menu boards, and surveillance systems. Video Analytics solutions are available through R.F. Technologies' Big Dog brand at www.rfdrivethru.com and (800) 598-2370. 

With this announcement, RFT begins providing the full line of Solink capabilities. RFT President Joe Gierut explains, "The benefits from using video analytics seem endless. Whether for loss prevention, security, operations, or business improvement, customers can expect to be highly satisfied with their investment."

Vispero™ and TPGi® are pleased to announce that the most popular screen reader worldwide, JAWS®, is now available in kiosks and other self-service devices. This software will allow all enterprises, including restaurants, to increase their revenue by capturing the overlooked, underserved market of customers with visual impairments. It empowers users who are blind or have low vision to enjoy increased independence when performing tasks such as ordering at a quick-service restaurant or café.

JAWS for Kiosk software is an enterprise-supported screen reader which provides a text-to-speech audio output on self-service kiosks. It can be used with both Microsoft Windows and Android® operating systems. JAWS for Kiosk provides customizable, context-specific instructional messaging to assist users with disabilities and is available in more than 40 languages with a variety of voice options.

This innovative accessibility breakthrough has already been selected by some of the largest companies in the world and is highly scalable. The software has won three industry awards, including a Living the Values Award from one of the largest Quick-Service Restaurant (QSR) companies in the world as a Global Technology Provider that puts customers first and creates an inclusive environment.

"We are committed to making the world a more accessible place, and this innovation is an important part of our strategy to do just that," said Bob Ciminera, CEO of Vispero.

TPGi will demonstrate JAWS for Kiosk at the National Restaurant Association, Booth 6966, on May 20-23, 2023, in Chicago, Illinois.