Chicago — 86 Repairs, an innovative platform that streamlines and optimizes equipment repair and maintenance for restaurants, has closed a $2 million round of seed funding from multiple investors. The investment will be used to accelerate the company’s aggressive growth and product development, which offers collective intelligence and robust data insights previously untapped in the foodservice equipment and supply industry. “86 Repairs harnesses the power of technology to create a real and innovative solution for the restaurant industry. We’re impressed with 86’s ability to tackle R&M and other back-of-house pain …
software/technology
Clearwater, Fla. — Omnivore, a technology company serving the restaurant industry, has named Dan Singer as chief executive officer and hired Shane Whitlatch as chief revenue officer. Both executives have significant experience in leading fast-growth companies. The executive appointments come after Omnivore’s successful Series A funding round, raising $13 million from notable investors including The Coca-Cola Company, Performance Food Group and Tampa Bay Lightning owner Jeff Vinik, in 2018. The investments have fueled the company’s growth, with more than 24,000 locations using Omnivore. Singer was appointed CEO after leading Omnivore …
— By Kenneth Gruskin, AIA — Coronavirus as a catalyst for innovation in stores and restaurants. The coronavirus has resulted in a cosmic shift in retail and hospitality. Customers have moved from seeking high-touch retail experiences, extensive product/service selection, and vibrant, extensive menu and dining options/experiences…to staying well. In response, retailers and restauranteurs are now focused on providing efficiency, safety and convenience. This has accelerated the transition from “bricks to clicks” and, with this, many retailers are adapting their physical locations to better accommodate the surrounding population, using these …
San Francisco — Zippin, an industry leader in checkout-free technologies for brick-and-mortar retail, has hired veteran business development executive, Gary Jacobus, as senior vice president, business development. Most recently, Jacobus was with SSP America, the leading operator of food & beverage concessions in travel locations, where he grew the business by over $470 million in annual revenue during his 3-year tenure. His proven track record within the sports, entertainment and transportation venue verticals will help to further expand Zippin’s footprint in these core markets. Previously he held a similar role …
Union, N.J. — Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. has appointed Scott Lindblom as its new chief technology officer. Effective September 28, 2020, Lindblom will report directly to COO John Hartmann and will lead the company’s enterprise technology transformation. He joins the company from Michael’s. “Scott’s track record implementing leading IT solutions and digital fulfillment capabilities for a number of leading retailers will help us accelerate the modernization of our technology infrastructure and capabilities, to rebuild our authority in our core markets and deepen connections and loyalty with our customers,” Hartmann says. Prior to …
Durham, N.C. — Luxury fashion specialty retailer HUGO BOSS is creating new in-store experiences for its shoppers with Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions. Using Toshiba’s TCx™ 800 to revitalize its front end and TCx™ 300 to optimize its mobile capabilities, HUGO BOSS is creating personalized shopping experiences and offers an innovative, shopper-focused technology. Inspired by an art gallery, HUGO BOSS’ new 5,000-square-foot store in the SoHo district of New York boasts an inviting and modern atmosphere. With its sleek, versatile design, the TCx 800 complements the store’s contemporary, minimalist aesthetic. Toshiba’s …
— By Crystal Jacobs — Restaurant cybersecurity and cyber insurance are more relevant than ever as online orders boom amid COVID-19. As the Covid-19 viral pandemic continues to cause major disruptions throughout the global economy, countless restaurants across the United States have shifted to a delivery- or pickup-only business model in order to survive, often with a heavy reliance on online orders and digital payment. Criminal actors are taking advantage of this spike in online commerce: March 2020 saw a 600% increase in email phishing scams, whereby criminals send …
Toronto — TouchBistro, an all-in-one POS platform for restaurants, has hired John Doolittle to join its executive leadership team as chief financial officer. As CFO, Doolittle will guide the transformation of TouchBistro’s financial structure to prepare for its future growth, including operational strategy, regulatory and disclosure planning, tax restructuring and management of capital markets. Most recently, Doolittle was CFO at OpenText, a global software company with a $10 billion market capitalization. He also held many senior finance roles during 22 years at NORTEL, a multinational telecommunications and data networking equipment …
— By Mike Welsh — Retail curbside pickup and mobile apps are here to stay — what that reliance on a digital platform means for the industry moving forward in a post-COVID world. In an effort to understand how retail curbside pickup, mobile apps and other digital-first retail strategies will change shopping habits even post-COVID, Retail & Restaurant Facility Business interviewed Mike Welsh of the Waltham, Massachusetts-based digital consulting firm Mobiquity. R&R: In this new era of the COVID-19 pandemic, retailers must offer a digital-first option in order …
Redwood City, Calif. — Presto, known for its in-house ordering tablets, has pivoted its business to help out the restaurant industry and is now offering a free Contactless Dining kit. The new kit enables restaurants to provide an end-to-end contactless in-house dining experience to guests. Guests can view the complete menu, place orders and pay at the table — without the need for any human contact. Free to order, the kit is easy to implement and use. Guests can use their personal mobile devices to scan NFC tags and QR …