Restaurant Technology News Wrap-Up: Week of September 8, 2024

This week in restaurant technology saw a wave of innovation, with companies launching new AI-powered solutions, streamlining operations, and addressing critical industry challenges. Here’s a recap of the top stories:

• Fourth Debuts AI Platform for Restaurants: Fourth announced the release of Fourth iQ, an AI platform designed to optimize workforce and inventory operations for restaurant chains. Early adopters like Pizza Hut, Noodles & Company, and Chili’s are already seeing significant benefits, including increased sales forecasting accuracy and reduced labor costs.

• ConverseNow and Adora POS Partner to Automate Phone Orders: ConverseNow, a leading provider of voice AI for restaurants, partnered with Adora POS to offer automated phone ordering capabilities. This integration allows restaurants to streamline order taking, improve efficiency, and enhance the customer experience.

• TouchBistro Expands Back-of-House Solutions: TouchBistro launched Inventory Management and Labor Management solutions following its acquisition of Peachworks. These new offerings aim to help restaurants improve profitability, streamline operations, and enhance the guest experience through data-driven insights and automation.

• WorkJam Streamlines Task Management with Task Connect: WorkJam introduced Task Connect, a solution designed to consolidate task management across multiple systems. This innovation aims to reduce digital fatigue for frontline employees and enhance productivity by providing a single, streamlined interface for managing tasks.

• Obvlo Sets New Standard for Personalized Hotel Destination Guides: Obvlo announced its AI-powered platform can now create dynamic, personalized hotel destination guides in just 60 minutes. This breakthrough offers hotels a cost-effective way to provide guests with up-to-date, relevant, and engaging local recommendations.

• DailyPay Partners with Montage International to Enhance Employee Financial Wellness: DailyPay partnered with Montage International to provide its employees with earned wage access. This benefit allows team members to access their pay as they earn it, improving financial wellness and reducing financial stress.

• OysterLink Offers Free Job Postings to Combat Hospitality Labor Shortage: OysterLink, a new restaurant and hospitality job platform, is offering free job postings to employers. The platform aims to address the industry’s labor shortage by providing a modern and accessible solution for connecting businesses with potential employees.

• Checkers and Rally’s Drive Lapsed User Engagement with Mobile Gaming Rewards: Checkers and Rally’s renewed its partnership with Mobivity‘s Connected Rewards platform, which links brand promotions to mobile game downloads and gameplay. This strategy has proven successful in re-engaging lapsed customers and driving offer redemption rates.

• Bikky Partners with Marugame Udon to Enhance Data-Driven Decision-Making: Bikky, a customer data platform for multi-unit restaurants, partnered with Marugame Udon USA to provide data-driven insights for marketing, menu, and operational decisions.

• Checkmate Unveils Unified Loyalty and Marketing Solution for Restaurants: Checkmate launched its new Loyalty & Marketing platform, designed to help enterprise restaurant brands build stronger customer relationships, increase repeat business, and drive revenue growth. This comprehensive solution integrates loyalty programs, targeted marketing campaigns, advanced customer segmentation, and AI-driven content creation into one seamless system.

This week’s news highlights the ongoing innovation and evolution within the restaurant technology landscape. As the industry continues to face challenges and adapt to changing consumer demands, technology is playing an increasingly vital role in driving efficiency, enhancing guest experiences, and shaping the future of dining.