Jul 17, 2023

Image SpotHopper, a provider of restaurant marketing and operations technology, has announced a Series B funding round with $12 million raised. The funding came from existing investor TVC Capital, a software-focused growth equity firm based in San Diego. The investment will be used to accelerate the enhancement of the company's AI-based autonomous sales and marketing solutions for the restaurant industry. The new investment brings the company's total capital raised to $26 million to date. SpotHopper has grown in excess of 100% per year for the last five years. SpotHopper is a industry leader in automated marketing tools for restaurants and plans on using the investment to supercharge its platform with new generative artificial intelligence technologies, as well as a fleet of additional features that will help even further streamline restaurant operations. Founded in 2015, SpotHopper is based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with offices across the United States and development and operations offices in Serbia. Image Payment request platform  Prommt  announced a partnership with  HRS Hospitality and Retail Systems , a major IT supplier to the hospitality and retail sectors. Prommt is a payment request platform that enables businesses to easily request, collect, and track remote and over-the-phone payments. This collaboration further strengthens HRS Hospitality and Retail Systems’ focus on customer success, allowing their client’s hotel reservation staff to easily send secure, branded payment requests directly from the hotel’s property management system (PMS). HRS Hospitality and Retail Systems is active in 90 countries with over 11,000 customers and is Oracle’s largest hospitality partner worldwide. They offer a wide range of solutions, including property management, point of sale (POS), spa and guest activities, business analytics, payment gateway, mobile applications, channel manager, and more. By integrating Prommt’s capabilities, hoteliers can send their customers a branded, personalised payment request that can be accessed through SMS, WhatsApp, or email, allowing them to complete a fast, simple, and secure payment transaction with confidence. This partnership will help boost Prommt’s visibility across their client portfolio. Prommt recently became available on  Oracle Cloud Marketplace  meaning it can be integrated with OPERA 5 and OPERA Cloud via  ORACLE Hospitality Integrations Platform (OHIP) . This integration offers many benefits including the ability to automate sending of payment requests based on agent and rate code and posting the payment status within the PMS, notifying staff of payment success or failure. In addition, Prommt has become integrated with many of the world’s leading payment gateways and has been utilised by hundreds of hotels across Europe, including many 5-star properties and resorts. Prommt is also PCI Level 1 compliant and adheres to GDPR, as well as the UK Data Protection Act 2018. Taking payments over the phone is still very common within the hotel industry. However, this practice carries the risk of fraud as well as costly chargebacks or a potential data breach when sensitive card details are transmitted and stored insecurely. A recent study from  Expert Market  revealed that up to 86 percent of chargebacks could be cases of intentional or unintentional​ fraud. A  Statista  study revealed that in 2022, 37 percent of all e-commerce transactions in Canada were completed using a mobile device. By 2026, this figure is forecast to rise to 42 percent, demonstrating that more and more people are looking to complete transactions from their phones. By incorporating Prommt’s technology, HRS Hospitality and Retail Systems will be able to offer their customers a payment solution that is highly secure and can be easily completed using a mobile device. Commenting on the new partnership, Donal McGuinness, CEO of Prommt said: “We are very excited to be a partner of HRS Hospitality and Retail Systems. It presents us with new opportunities and allows us to expand our market footprint, whilst enabling the hotel sector to collect payments in a more efficient, secure manner. I believe that this is a great leap forward for our brand as we seek to step onto the world stage as a payment company.” Speaking about the announcement, Siggi Schrot, Area Director UK & Ireland, HRS Hospitality and Retail Systems said: “We welcome Prommt as our new partner. Their product and deep integration complement our existing portfolio, allowing us to continue our customer-centric focus and provide a world-class innovative payment solution perfect for the hospitality industry.” Image Knowland , a provider of data-as-a-service insights on meetings and events for hospitality, reports June meeting and event volume is up 30.3 percent over June 2022. This data is sourced from Knowland’s sales intelligence platform designed to help hoteliers build and protect a hotel’s revenue base. The top 25 markets in the U.S. are 90 percent recovered for year-to-date June 2023 performance compared to 2019. Austin, TX, and Nashville, TN, were the stars, with growth topping 74 percent and 42 percent, respectively. This reflects the return of seasonal events to these markets known for big music, art, and entertainment. Both venues offer amenities that groups need for work and play - including several new hotels on the horizon, growing nonstop flight options, and some of the most unique meeting spaces in the country. When the work is done, meeting attendees enjoy a balance of the environment, local flair restaurants, live music, and entertainment, which make these cities popular destinations with meeting planners. Year-over-yearcomparison – June 2023 event volume increased 30.3 percent over June 2022. Top five markets (by event volume) – Chicago led the top 25 markets, hosting National Association meetings followed by Pharmaceutical/Biotechnology. The following four markets, Los Angeles/Long Beach, Washington D.C., San Diego, and Anaheim-Santa Ana rounded out the top five. Below is additional insight into the top drivers for these markets. Chicago, IL: National Association, Pharma/Biotech, Wedding, HealthCare, and Technology. Los Angeles/Long Beach, CA: Education, National Association, Training/Education, Entertainment/Media, and Charity/Non-Profit/Social. Washington, DC-MD-VA:  National Association, Travel, Charity/Non-Profit/Social, Education, Federal Government Agency. San Diego, CA: National Association, Wedding, Education, Training/Education, and Charity/Non-Profit/Social. Anaheim-Santa Ana, CA: Wedding, Financial/Banking, Technology, Training/Education, and National Association. Top markets (by percentage growth) – The top overall U.S. markets by year-over-year growth in meetings and events were Michigan South; Delaware; Kansas; and Mobile, AL. About the Data: This data is provided to help hoteliers still building momentum gain insight into the top locations selected by today’s meeting planners. This information about the leading industry drivers provides a clear picture of those groups that are returning to the meeting and event space. Insights presented are a result of the analysis of meetings and events data acquired through Knowland data collection and aggregation methods, including field reporting and automated methods of customer and non-customer data collection in primary, secondary, and tertiary markets, as well as its large historical database. Image IDeaS, a SAS company, a provider of hospitality revenue management software and services, has announced that Starhotels will deploy IDeaS’ G3 Revenue Management System (RMS) to improve revenue generation and forecasting at 28 of its properties across Italy and the UK. The rollout will allow Starhotels’ properties to compete equally with international brands backed by advanced technology and strong revenue management practices. Starhotels has been historically a leader and always adopted an explorer role to ensure being ahead of the competition. Starhotels turned to senior executives from IDeaS to identify areas for improvement regarding revenue management, sales, and operations where IDeaS technology could help. This engagement and analysis built a strong relationship between both organizations and led to further commitments from Starhotels’ executive team to use the technology and identify areas for improvement using revenue management technology as a basis. Using G3 RMS, Starhotels’ properties can make proactive pricing decisions based on actionable insights and real-time data. This agility and vision enable hotel operators and revenue managers to maximize a property’s revenue and profit potential by making strategic decisions with a complete understanding of their competitors’ capabilities, offerings, and positioning. Alexandro Della Croce, group director of revenue and distribution said:"IDeaS is the right partner to further support Starhotels’ continuous growth in revenues, market-share and EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization) across the entire portfolio.” Michael McCartan, area vice president - EMEA, IDeaS, said: “IDeaS is excited to work with the hoteland operation teams of Starhotels’ caliber to help them improve revenue management and operations across its hotels in Italy and the UK. The most exciting aspect of this latest partnership is the relationships we have built with Starhotels throughout the sales and education process. It was an incredible experience engaging with Starhotels’ senior leadership team along the way.” Image INTELITY ®, provider of hospitality’s leading guest experience and staff management platform, has announced today a new partnership with Fantasyland Hotel in Edmonton, Alberta. The fun-seeking hotel has deployed INTELITY’s mobile offerings providing guests with  mobile check-in , mobile check-out, and  mobile key , while streamlining the day-to-day operations for staff through  GEMS ® — INTELITY’s suite of staff-facing tools. Located in West Edmonton Mall, the most comprehensive retail and entertainment complex in North America, Fantasyland Hotel is an ideal location for travelers looking for a uniquely adventurous guest experience. With one-of-a-kind theme rooms ranging from Modern Igloo to Victoria Coach, and Luxury Western to Space Exploration, guests can enjoy in-room features like jacuzzis and bunk beds. The property also features accommodations for business travelers with luxury executive suite offerings, as well as an onsite restaurant and upscale bar. “At Fantasyland Hotel, our goal is to create a fun guest experience for more than just the weekend,” said Jay Vashi, Director of Operations at Fantasyland Hotel. “We strive to make our guests feel at home, and today that means bringing the convenience of technology to the guest’s stay. Our attention to detail doesn’t stop with our themed rooms, but continues through to our digital guest journey, allowing customers to access their rooms and communicate with staff on their terms.” Powered by the INTELITY platform, contactless service and digital amenities are available to Fantasyland Hotel guests throughout their stay. Guests can download the property’s app and enjoy the convenience of using their mobile devices to check-in and check-out, all while keeping their payment on file. By using the mobile app and INTELITY’s BLE Lock integration with ASSA ABLOY, guests can bypass the front desk and securely access their rooms from their mobile device while never worrying about losing their key again. Guests can also submit pre-arrival requests, access hotel information, view special promotions, discover local attractions, contact the valet, assess transportation options, see maps and directions, review property dining menus, and make service requests, through the branded mobile app. Additionally, INTELITY’s back-of-house workflow management system, Guest Experience Management System, or GEMS, provides staff with an in-depth overview of guests’ digital needs from a single location. GEMS automates guest requests and work orders, streamlines services, and delivers business insights to the management team. “We are excited to welcome Fantasyland Hotel to the INTELITY family of properties,” said Robert Stevenson, CEO of INTELITY. “Fantasyland Hotel prides itself on offering a guest experience that customers will remember long after they’ve left the property. The INTELITY platform will help take that experience one step further.” Image By the end of the year, U.S. customers will be able to order Domino's Pizza from the Uber Eats or Postmates apps. The pizza giant has entered into a new global agreement with Uber that allows U.S. customers to order Domino's products through the Uber Eats and Postmates apps with delivery by the trained delivery experts of Domino's and its franchisees. The initial U.S. rollout of the agreement will begin this fall in four pilot markets, with ordering on the Uber Eats and Postmates apps anticipated to be enabled across the country by the end of 2023. New Opportunities Domino's CEO Russell Weiner said. "We are the leader in the delivery and carryout pizza marketplaces in the U.S. In addition, Domino's sells more food on its digital platform than any pizza company in America. "Now that aggregators are at scale, the next logical marketplace for us to enter is order aggregation. Our research in the U.S. and learnings from 13 of our international markets has shown us that taking orders using the Uber Eats Marketplace provides access for Domino's and its franchisees to a new segment of customers and what we believe will be a meaningful amount of incremental delivery orders once it's widely available." Deal Could Bring Uber Eats Orders to Two-Thirds of Domino's Stores Around the World This unprecedented agreement will also create the opportunity to unify Domino's international markets under a single master agreement that leverages the global scale of both brands. Domino's and Uber Eats currently have 27 international markets in common. This agreement has the potential for incremental orders from Uber Eats to 70% of Domino's stores around the world, including the U.S. "As the No. 1 pizza company in the world, it is not surprising that Domino's is a brand people have been asking for on Uber Eats' global platform," Weiner said. "Given certain customers only order their delivery from the Uber Eats app, this deal could make Domino's available to millions of new customers around the world. Domino's will still be the face our customers see at the door, while Uber will be providing us with adequate data to understand delivery efficiency and incrementality. Meanwhile, Domino's own e-commerce platform will continue to be the place our customers can go to access our best deals and industry-leading loyalty program." Partnership Benefits: Uber Eats will be the exclusive third-party platform for Domino's in the U.S. until at least 2024. Customers will be able to track their order using Domino's Tracker  or through the Uber Eats app. Orders placed on the Uber Eats platform will be delivered by uniformed Domino's drivers. Uber One and Postmates Unlimited members will receive delivery with no charge on their Domino's orders within the Uber Eats and Postmates platforms. Domino's international markets that currently do not partner with Uber Eats will begin the assessment process for transitioning this year. Domino's Master Franchisees currently partnering with Uber outside of the new global contract will be able to transition to the new global agreement before the end of 2023.