News Briefs

TrustYou, a renowned industry leader in guest feedback solutions, is taking review management to new heights with the exciting release of responseAI. This innovative feature, launched in parallel with the updated Review and Survey Inbox, leverages artificial intelligence technology to generate automated responses to guest reviews. By using AI to craft personalized and contextually relevant responses, hoteliers can now provide timely feedback to guests across a wide range of topics, significantly improving the guest experience. responseAI eliminates the arduous task of creating responses from scratch, offering a greater variety of responses while reducing the effort and time required to craft unique replies by up to 75%. 

The combined power of the New Inbox and responseAI unlocks numerous benefits for hoteliers. The efficient and streamlined workflow provided by the New Inbox ensures that hoteliers can quickly access relevant reviews and respond promptly, leading to increased guest satisfaction and loyalty. This technology recognizes positive and negative sentiments and will craft a response accordingly, even incorporating the guest's name as well as the name of the hotel to add a personal touch. TrustYou’s responseAI features translating capabilities to provide easy access in multiple languages.

"We are delighted to introduce the New Inbox and responseAI, marking a significant milestone in our commitment to innovation and empowering hoteliers," said Ben Jost, Co-founder & CEO at TrustYou. "These groundbreaking solutions have been designed to revolutionize the way hoteliers manage reviews, save time, and enhance guest satisfaction. Empowering hoteliers to respond swiftly while still maintaining a human touch will revolutionize the way hoteliers manage reviews, and save tremendous amounts of time and money while enhancing the guest experience at the same time.”

Shiji, a global hospitality technology innovator, has partnered with IPORT, an award-winning manufacturer known for enhancing the usability of iPads and iPhones, to introduce an all-in-one software solution for hotel restaurants. This collaboration will provide hoteliers with a seamless combination of a tablet and payment device to maximize their F&B operations.

The integrated iOS and payment device solution simplifies guest service for hotel restaurant servers, providing them with an effortless tool to cater to their guests' needs. As a certified Apple partner, Shiji and IPORT guarantee exceptional performance and reliability. Hoteliers can choose from multiple device options, including iPad Pro, iPad Mini, and iPhone, ensuring flexibility and compatibility with their operations.

“IPORT products are built around modularity and flexibility that empower our hospitality customers to do more with the iOS platform. We are thrilled to partner with a leading iPad and iPhone cloud PMS and POS platform provider like Shiji,” said Chris Lawson, Head of Partnerships, IPORT. “We look forward to innovating with Shiji in disrupting legacy, monolithic providers who have limited the industry from harnessing the power of iOS and mobility. The future is bright, and the possibilities are endless with IPORT, iOS, and Shiji.”

"The partnership with IPORT is a significant milestone for Shiji in our commitment to provide innovative technology solutions for the hospitality industry," said Ryan King, Senior Vice President of Shiji in the Americas. "By combining our expertise with IPORT’s hardware solutions, we empower hoteliers to streamline restaurant operations and deliver exceptional guest experiences. This collaboration represents another step forward in our dedication to driving success in the Americas, and globally."

The tablet and payment device solution seamlessly integrates with multiple payment gateways, allowing hoteliers to choose the system that best suits their needs. By simplifying the payment process, it reduces operational complexities, minimizes errors, and saves valuable time and resources for hoteliers.

Steak n Shake will offer PopID Check In and PopPay on its self-ordering kiosks in select locations in the Orlando market, with plans to expand to more than 300 corporate locations. PopID Check In is an opt-in service that enables consumers to scan their face to automatically sign into their loyalty reward account and see their past orders, making the ordering process as convenient as possible. When a guest checks in with PopID, they also have the option to use PopPay to automatically complete their payment.

• 57% of respondents say enabling new payment options is a  top business driver impacting POS upgrade decisions, according to HT’s2 2023 POS Software Trends Report.

“Our partnership with PopID is a key part of our effort to provide guests with a fast and seamless ordering experience," said Keith Correia, Chief Information Officer. "When using PopID Check In, a guest does not need to use their phone or take out their wallet as part of the ordering process. They will automatically be checked in for loyalty rewards, and they can choose to make an automated payment with PopPay. A guest can even see their past orders and quickly reorder their favorite menu items. Ordering at Steak n Shake has never been easier or more convenient.”

In addition to enhancing the guest experience and improving order throughput, PopPay helps to reduce fraud and offers lower payment processing fees.

Denny's has launched its revamped Denny's Rewards program, providing guests valuable monthly offers and introducing personalized challenges. Once members join at Dennys.com or with the Denny's App, their digital wallet will hold offers, fun challenges, and keep track of rewards so they can easily redeem them for their Denny's favorites.

"Denny's provides an incredible bang for your buck, and now our rewards challenges take value to a whole new level," said John Dillon, Denny's President. "At a time when guests place a premium on value, we are excited about this game-changing summer launch. The fact that it's also fun is the icing on the proverbial pancake."

Personalized challenges will be offered to Denny's Rewards members, and once they select a challenge, it is simple to follow one's progress to achieve the reward. The challenges allow for any type of dining experience: dine-in, take-out or delivery. For example, four visits to a Denny's before the end of July will land guests a free Grand Slam breakfast. Denny's is launching the program with two introductory challenges, and the program will feature new challenges and rewards each month.

"What better time to become a Denny's Rewards member than right now," said Sherri Landry, Denny's Chief Marketing Officer.  Landry shared her marketing expertise at MURTEC 2022.  "Not only is this a new and fun program with lots of exciting challenges and personalized rewards, but with the return of Baconalia, our Rewards members get two free pieces of HORMEL® BLACK LABEL® Premium Cherrywood Bacon.* What could be better than free bacon?"

Existing members will see an automatic update to their program, so no action is necessary. Denny's rewards members receive the latest news about delicious menu additions and exclusive offers, including that much-heralded free breakfast on their birthday. To sign up, download the Denny's App from the App Store, Google Play or by visiting Dennys.com/rewards.

Yum! Brands Inc. announced the promotion of Sean Tresvant, pictured, to Taco Bell Division Chief Executive Officer, reporting to Yum! Brands Chief Executive Officer David Gibbs, effective January 1, 2024. Tresvant, who currently serves as Global Chief Brand and Strategy Officer of Taco Bell, will succeed Mark King, who has announced his decision to retire at the end of 2023. As CEO, Tresvant will assume global responsibility for driving Taco Bell’s growth strategies, franchise operations and overall performance.

“Sean is a visionary business leader and best-in-class brand builder who is driving transformative R.E.D. (relevant, easy, distinctive) sales-powering efforts, from omni-channel initiatives to digital customer touchpoints, to accelerate growth and further elevate and differentiate the Taco Bell fan and team member experience,” said Gibbs. “Sean is laser-focused on keeping our powerhouse Taco Bell brand at the leading edge of culture and redefining innovation in the industry. That’s why he is the ideal executive to continue successfully executing Taco Bell’s long-term global growth strategies and take them to the next level in partnership with the brand’s strong and accomplished leadership team and incredible franchisees. Sean, Mark and I will continue to work closely together over the coming months to ensure a seamless transition.”

Tresvant joined Taco Bell in January 2022 as Global Chief Brand Officer. He was promoted to an expanded role as Global Chief Brand and Strategy Officer earlier this year, focused on developing perspective and ambition for long-term global growth. As Global Chief Brand and Strategy Officer of Taco Bell, Tresvant has overseen the brand’s Strategy, Food Innovation, Architecture and Design and Global Communications functions as well as the Taco Bell International business. During his time with Taco Bell, Tresvant has set a powerful strategic framework that has created iconic moments within culture and driven massive awareness and buzz for the brand, including several high-profile celebrity partnerships and the return of the fan favorite Mexican Pizza.

 

• Taco Bell's Drive-Thru of the Future Debuts 

King joined Taco Bell in 2019 after successfully leading global sporting goods businesses with adidas. Under King’s leadership, the Taco Bell business prioritized on-trend innovation, leaned into everyday value and grew from strength to strength, finishing 2022 with same-store sales growth of 8%. Taco Bell’s digital business keeps growing, reporting 40% growth year over year in 2022, and the brand is leading the industry in exciting asset innovation such as the first-of-its kind Defy restaurant, recognized with the HT's MURTEC Breakthrough Award,  featuring a two-story design with a proprietary vertical lift to transport iconic Taco Bell menu items straight from the kitchen to fans.

 

The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) and Questex this week debuted The Hospitality Show (The Show) at The Venetian Resort Las Vegas June 27-29, completing a highly successful inaugural year for the event, which drew more than 3,500 attendees and 300 vendors.

The Show is a brand-new operations and technology event, created in partnership by The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) and Questex, uniquely designed for the entire hospitality ecosystem to help hotels operate more efficiently and profitably.

“We set very high standards for what we wanted to achieve with the first year of The Show, and the industry responded in a resoundingly strong way,” said AHLA President & CEO Chip Rogers. “With an all-star lineup of speakers, who’s who list of attendees, and unparalleled networking opportunities, The Show proved itself as one of hospitality’s most important events. We are excited to continue growing and improving it year after year.”

The Show reached an important milestone prior to its opening, when it sold every available vendor space on the expo floor, a rare achievement for a first-year event of this size and scope.

“The sold-out status of The Show’s vendor space in its inaugural year is a remarkable accomplishment that motivates us to continuously innovate and reimagine what's possible,” said Questex Hospitality, Travel & Wellness Group President Alexi Khajavi. “Next year and into the future, The Hospitality Show will be an unforgettable event, delivering unmatched opportunities for growth, learning, and networking.”

The Show attendees enjoyed two days of main-stage sessions led by iconic leaders, solutions-driven programming and case studies of profitable operations, as well as 13+ hours of networking opportunities. Learn more about The Show’s networking opportunities here. A full list of speakers is here and the event schedule is here.

Attendees benefited from content across three sets of stages, including a Main Stage that opened the event each morning with views and insights from leading minds from the hotel industry and beyond. The Show speakers included Athletic Greens COO & President Kat Cole, Retired U.S. Navy Admiral William H. McRaven, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts President & CEO Geoff Ballotti, Marriott International President & CEO Anthony Capuano, BWH Hotels President & CEO Larry Cuculic, Hyatt Hotels Corporation President & CEO Mark Hoplamazian, and Sonesta International Hotels Corporation President & CEO John Murray.

Content was also delivered from two Solutions Stages, diving deep into the biggest industry issues across ownership, operations, emerging trends, and technology.

A Spotlight Stage featured technology-driven demos and case studies from key vendors, including ADP, Belden, Nomadix, Sage, Shiji and more.

Next year, The Hospitality Show 2024 will be held at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio from Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, through Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024. Those interested in the 2024 event can complete this form to receive more information.