Los Angeles — ChowNow, a leader in online ordering and delivery for local restaurants, has appointed Kanika Soni as its new chief executive officer. Soni brings over 20 years of experience in the consumer tech sector with a proven track record of driving growth and innovation. As the new CEO, Soni will be responsible for developing and executing strategic initiatives to accelerate growth for ChowNow in this rapidly-changing market for online restaurant delivery platforms while ensuring exceptional customer satisfaction for restaurants and diners alike. Most recently, Soni served as chief …
software/technology
— By Tony Atti, Ph.D. — How omnichannel can unlock and accelerate growth in the grocery sector — and can save retailers billions of dollars. In recent years, the promise of omnichannel for grocers loomed on the horizon — a concept that felt like a future problem, not necessarily a problem that demanded immediate attention. The pandemic changed all of that and forced the need for a functioning omnichannel front and center, placing that need squarely on the shoulders of logistics managers. Major grocers answered. In fact, online grocery orders …
Dallas — Smoothie King, the world’s largest smoothie brand and the first health and fitness fast-casual brand of its kind, has appointed Jyoti Lynch as its new chief information officer (CIO). Lynch started in late October, and in this role, she leads the brand’s technology strategy, ensuring that innovation continues to enhance Smoothie King’s digital transformation and guest experience. Lynch brings more than 25 years of experience as a proven technology expert with a successful track record in building and transforming well-known restaurant, retail and technology brands; growing company revenue, …
Mt. Prospect, Ill. — Crane Payment Innovations (CPI), a Crane NXT, Co. company and a global leader in payment technology, has opened its first depot service center where customers can send their CPI components and Cummins Allison products to be serviced. “This is a significant milestone to be able to offer our customers the flexibility and versatility they want in a service provider,” says Chase Andrews, CPI’s vice president and general manager of service. “I can’t emphasize enough how proud I am of this team and all their hard work …
Santa Clara, Calif. — Legion Technologies, an innovator in workforce management (WFM), has formed a new partnership with Bealls Inc., a family-owned, privately-held retailer with stores in 22 states. Bealls Inc. will leverage Legion’s AI-native workforce management platform in demand forecasting, automated scheduling, time and attendance tracking, and frontline communications to improve the employee experience for associates across the company’s 650 retail locations. Headquartered in Bradenton, Fla., Bealls Inc. operates under the names bealls, Bealls Florida and Home Centric. The 110-year-old retailer’s longevity is based on the motto “outfitting families …
Pasadena, Calif. — Dave’s Hot Chicken is enhancing operational capabilities with the integration of Qu’s unified commerce platform. Designed to streamline the brand’s expanding network, Qu’s real-time data management and offline resiliency with Edge computing provide a critical upgrade to the brand’s in-store processes, ensuring seamless operational and guest experiences across locations. “Qu has been a game-changer for us because it provides an easy-to-connect API that allows us to push and pull data in real time,” says Leon Davoyan, chief technology officer of Dave’s Hot Chicken. “Its flexibility and stability …
— By Chris Jernigan — Meeting the evolving needs of the multi-site facilities sector. The landscape of multi-site facilities management is undergoing significant change. Looking ahead, it is crucial to anticipate and meet the evolving needs and expectations of customers. Companies are constantly seeking ways to distinguish themselves and enhance the customer experience. For facility leaders, this means being prepared to support new projects and ideas as they emerge. However, in focusing on the latest trends, we might sometimes overlook customers who do not fit into these advancements. I recently …
Miami — ResQ, a leading modern facility management platform, is shining a spotlight on the unsung heroes behind the success of restaurants and hospitality businesses this November with ‘Tradesgiving.’ To celebrate its vendors and their tradespeople, ResQ is offering a limited-time promotion for new vendor selections on the ResQ directory. Customers can enjoy 15% off (up to $100) their next work order when they choose a new vendor from November 1 through November 30, 2024. “Rising labor, inventory and repair costs make it increasingly difficult for hospitality operators to find …
New York City — Checkmate, a leader in AI-powered ordering solutions for enterprise restaurants, has secured $10 million in Series B funding led by Tiger Global. The round will enable Checkmate to accelerate the adoption of its voice AI and kiosk technologies across the industry. Checkmate has already developed expertise in integrating digital orders into restaurant point-of-sale (POS) systems. This foundation serves as a critical advantage in entering these new business segments. Checkmate offers best-in-class phone ordering and drive-thru AI solutions to some of the country’s largest brands, all seamlessly …
Stay Out of the “Dead Zone”
— By Del Williams — Advanced Emergency Responder Communication Enhancement Systems (ERCES) eliminate potential dead zones in commercial buildings to help first responders stay connected. First responders such as fire, EMS and police depend on reliable two-way radio communication when lives and property are at risk. That’s not always an easy task in many buildings. In-building radio signals are often absorbed or blocked by structures that are larger, underground or constructed of concrete or metal. Additionally, building features designed to create more sustainable facilities such as low-E glass windows can …