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Instacart’s Smart Trolleys Now Available at Morrisons Preston in the UK

by Katie Lee

  San Francisco and Bradford, England — Instacart, a leading grocery technology company in North America, and Morrisons, one of the UK’s largest supermarket chains, have launched Caper smart trolleys at Morrisons’ Preston supermarket, marking Instacart’s first retail partnership in the UK for its AI-powered smart trolley. Caper smart trolleys bring the convenience and intelligence of online shopping directly into the store, and the launch comes as consumers increasingly seek technology that helps them shop more efficiently, stay on budget and rediscover the joy of browsing the aisles. Caper smart …

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Industry Voicesrestaurantsretailerssoftware/technologyvendors

Strategy First

by Katie Lee

— By Tara Buchler — Why strategy — not software — determines whether technology investments actually deliver value. Technology buying failures rarely happen because a team chose the “wrong” software. They happen earlier when facilities or restaurant operations enter the RFP process without the strategy, clarity or alignment required to make a good decision. Most technology buyers in retail and restaurant facilities only see a handful of locations, kitchens or service workflows over the course of their careers — often within the same company, sometimes within the same operational model. …

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Ulta Beauty Names New Chief Technology Officer

by Katie Lee

Bolingbrook, Ill. — Ulta Beauty, Inc. has appointed Kelly Garcia as its chief technology officer, effective Aug. 31, 2026. Garcia has been a member of the Ulta Beauty board of directors since 2022. Most recently, he served as the executive vice president and CTO of Domino’s Pizza since July 2012. “Kelly has been an impactful member of our board of directors, providing valuable business insights and technology expertise, including perspectives on emerging technologies such as AI, and we are excited to enhance our executive team with his leadership as our …

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SpotOn Opens Hawaiʻi Technology Showroom for Restaurant Operators

by Katie Lee

Honolulu — SpotOn, a leading restaurant technology and financial services company, has opened its new Hawaiʻi showroom. Located at KEAWE Retail in Our Kakaʻako, SpotOn’s dedicated showroom is designed for restaurant and hospitality operators to experience restaurant technology firsthand in a live and interactive environment, marking a major commitment to the state’s restaurant and hospitality community. Inspired by modern hospitality and technology experiences, the showroom was designed as a hands-on space where restaurant and bar owners, operators and managers can explore SpotOn’s technology in real world scenarios alongside SpotOn’s local …

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Newspeoplerestaurantssoftware/technology

International Dairy Queen Hires Chief Technology Officer

by Katie Lee

Minneapolis — International Dairy Queen, Inc. (IDQ) has hired Phil Crawford to join the company as executive vice president and chief technology officer, reporting to the president and CEO. He leads IT and retail technology for the company and its more than 7,800 DQ® restaurants worldwide. “Technology plays an increasingly critical role in empowering our business for our employees, franchisees and fans,” says Troy Bader, president and CEO at International Dairy Queen. “Phil’s proven success as a restaurant business and technology leader positions us for continued growth as we live …

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Menu Order AI Appoints Chief Operating Officer

by Katie Lee

Needham, Mass. — Menu Order AI has appointed Krishna Kumar as fractional chief operating officer (COO), strengthening the company’s leadership team as it expands its AI-powered platform for restaurants and consumers. He brings decades of experience leading artificial intelligence, software development, enterprise technology and global product initiatives. “Krishna’s operational expertise and deep understanding of artificial intelligence make him an invaluable addition to our leadership team,” says Melissa Butler, founder and CEO of Menu Order AI. “As we continue expanding our restaurant partnerships and consumer platform, his leadership will help accelerate …

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construction and designCover Storyfacilities managementfranchise developmentFrom The Magazinekitchen equipmentrestaurantssoftware/technology

The Best Kind of Delicious

by Katie Lee

— By Katie Lee — Smoothie King unveils its next chapter with a new brand campaign and in-store transformation, celebrating over 50 years of balancing nutrients and flavor. In 1973, Smoothie King introduced a bold new F&B category to the world, literally coining the term “smoothie.” Since then, the king of smoothies has grown to more than 1,200 U.S. locations — and more than 200 new store commitments — with over 1,500 available trade areas in its development pipeline. Now underway on a new brand evolution, Smoothie King is setting …

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Badger Technologies Names Retail Industry Veteran as Next CEO

by Katie Lee

Nicholasville, Ky. — Badger Technologies, a product division of Jabil Inc., has appointed retail industry veteran John Gehre as chief executive officer. He brings more than 25 years of executive leadership experience spanning merchandising, inventory management, supply chain and store operations for top retailers, including Bass Pro Shops, Michaels, The Container Store and H-E-B. As CEO, Gehre will lead Badger Technologies’ next phase of growth, focused on accelerating innovation across the robotics and AI capabilities that power the company’s retail intelligence solutions, strengthening customer relationships and expanding adoption of its …

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Casey’s to Add 400 New Stores and Accelerate F&B Offerings

by Katie Lee

Ankeny, Iowa — Casey’s General Stores, Inc., a leading convenience store chain in the United States, has unveiled its new 3-year strategic plan. Since introducing its last strategic plan in 2023, the company has exceeded its strategic and financial targets, adding more than 500 stores and joining the S&P 500. Now it plans to add 400 additional stores, accelerate its F&B offerings and enhance operational efficiency. “Our success over the last 3 years reinforces what makes Casey’s unique: a differentiated model that brings together restaurant-quality food, best-in-class convenience and fuel …

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energy managementfacilities managementgreen newsHVAC/RIndustry Voicesrestaurantssoftware/technologyvendors

The Energy Intelligence Model

by Katie Lee

— By Matt Browning — How QSR chains are moving beyond reactive maintenance. For a quick-service restaurant operator managing hundreds of locations, equipment failure is never just a maintenance problem — it’s a guest experience problem, a food safety problem and a bottom-line problem…all at once. A malfunctioning HVAC unit on a hot summer afternoon sends customers out the door. A refrigeration anomaly discovered too late means spoiled inventory and potential health code violations. An emergency repair call on a holiday weekend carries a price tag that can erase a …

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