Restaurants

Carlson Restaurants Worldwide selects ConnectSmart Hospitality Automation Solution from QSR Automations (qsrautomations.com) for its company-owned T.G.I. Friday's restaurants.

In today's world of flat-plasma screens, powered by high-definition cable and satellite signals, the television has grown way beyond a 19-inch "boob-tube" hidden behind armoire doors.

Trends in the restaurant industry reveal a growing consumer demand for take-out/to-go options from casual dining and fast-food establishments; a market that accounted for 58 percent of total restaurant traffic in 2001, according to the National Restaurant Association.

According to data compiled in the Seventh Annual Restaurant Industry Technology Study, Driving Restaurant Profitability, productivity (47%) is the top priority for QSR restaurants IT projects, followed by cost savings (41%).

Luke Mellors, IT Director at the Dorchester Hotel was recently named CIO of the Year at the UK Technology Innovation & Growth Awards.

Extended Stay Hotels implements the Aptech Execuvue business intelligence system and hospitality software to automate data gathering and operational performance management for its 681 properties.

Tom Peck, MGM Mirage's chief information officer and senior vice president, will present the opening keynote address, "Shaping the Guest Experience," to attendees at the Hotel Technology Forum on April 23 in Las Vegas.

Sybra, Arby's second largest franchise, announces that it will use Spacenet (spacenet.com) Connexstar broadband satellite network to provide broadband service to its 237 Arby's restaurants.

In an effort to improve website design and analytics, La Quinta taps WebTrends 7 On Demand (webtrends.com) for its La Quinta, Baymont Inns and Woodfield Suites branded websites.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide has entered into a Master Energy Services Agreement (MESA) with Alliance Star Energy, a joint venture between FuelCell Energy and Alliance Power.

When you look into the tea leaves, what do you see?

Sometimes big things come in little packages.