Sunday, December 7, 2025
Read the Magazine Subscribe

software/technology

Industry VoicesProduct Spotlightretailerssoftware/technologysupply chainvendors

Growth of Grocery AI

by Katie Lee

— By Tremaine Kirkman — Revolutionizing retail facilities — specifically grocers — with AI solutions. Independent grocery retail facilities, such as neighborhood markets, corner stores, family-run supermarkets and bodegas, fuel the heart of our communities. They bring fresh, often local, goods to consumers; offer diverse product selections; and foster a sense of connection while contributing significantly to local economies. However, as large retail chains with extensive resources dominate the grocery market, smaller and independent grocery retailers face mounting challenges, compounded by minimal adoption of advanced technology due to price and …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
energy managementfacilities managementgreen newsNewsProduct Spotlightsoftware/technologyvendors

Budderfly Expands Virtual Power Plant Platform to Manage Energy at Commercial Facilities

by Katie Lee

Shelton, Conn. — Budderfly, a preferred sustainability partner for commercial businesses, has significantly expanded its Virtual Power Plant (VPP) platform, activating real-time demand response across four of the country’s largest energy markets: California Independent System Operator (CAISO), Independent System Operator (ISO) New England, Pennsylvania-New Jersey-Maryland (PJM) Interconnection, and Southwest Power Pool (SPP) service territories. The milestone signifies a decisive move into active grid participation for Budderfly, which now orchestrates behind-the-meter commercial sites through real-time energy market programs. Initial deployments leverage thermostatic control of HVAC systems and will expand to include …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
franchise developmentNewspeoplerestaurantssoftware/technology

Ascent Hospitality Management Appoints Chief Technology Officer

by Katie Lee

Atlanta — Ascent Hospitality Management, franchisor to family dining brands Huddle House and Perkins American Food Co., has named Brian Wallunas as chief technology officer. In this role, Wallunas will lead the company’s digital strategy, with a focus on implementing customer-centric technology solutions that drive operational efficiency, elevate the guest experience and fuel brand growth. Most recently, Wallunas served as chief technology officer at Smokey Bones. Under his leadership, online sales tripled, and the brand’s guest engagement capabilities were significantly enhanced. “Brian is a forward-thinking technology leader with a deep …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
NewsProduct Spotlightretailerssoftware/technologyvendors

Simbe and NY Grocer DeCicco & Sons Team Up at New Flagship Location

by Katie Lee

Sleepy Hollow, N.Y. — Simbe, a market leader in retail shelf digitization, has formed a strategic partnership with DeCicco & Sons, a family-owned New York grocery chain. The partnership brings Simbe’s Store Intelligence™ platform to DeCicco’s flagship Sleepy Hollow, N.Y., location, which opened in March 2025, as well as additional stores in Eastchester and Larchmont. Simbe’s platform delivers real-time, storewide visibility into pricing accuracy, product availability and inventory placement — supporting greater operational precision and in-store execution. “At DeCicco & Sons, we’ve always prided ourselves on providing the finest selection …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
NewspeopleProduct Spotlightsoftware/technologyvendors

Paytronix Announces New GM, Changes to Executive Structure

by Katie Lee

Newton, Mass. — Paytronix, an Access Group company, and the leader in guest engagement for restaurants and convenience stores, has appointed technology industry veteran Nonita Verma as its new general manager. A seasoned executive with over two decades of leadership experience, Verma brings a proven track record of scaling global platforms and driving hyper-growth. Verma’s appointment, along with changes to Paytronix’s executive team, will help accelerate its growth and provide its customers with a flexible, industry-leading guest engagement platform that meets their challenges. Verma previously served as a chief strategy …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
construction and designfranchise developmentNewsrestaurantssoftware/technologyvendors

Donatos Pizza to Open Fully Autonomous Restaurant in Partnership with Appetronix

by Katie Lee

Columbus, Ohio — Donatos Pizza plans to open its first fully autonomous pizza restaurant in June. Donatos and its sister company Agápe Automation partnered with Appetronix to bring the robot operated restaurant to life. The new fully automated restaurant will debut before security in front of Concourse B at the John Glenn Columbus International Airport and will be operated by restaurateur HMS Host. The new autonomous kitchen will deliver a fast and delicious made-to-order pizza for travelers. “We’re not just adding tech to a restaurant; we’re jumping in with a …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
franchise developmentNewspeoplerestaurantssoftware/technology

Taco John’s Bolsters Leadership Team

by Katie Lee

Cheyenne, Wyo. — Taco John’s®, a leading Mexican quick-service restaurant, enhances its leadership team with an internal promotion and new hires. Taco John’s welcomes Tom Perella as vice president of technology and Damian Hanft as vice president of human resources and promotes Kristin Nuss to general counsel and corporate secretary.   Nuss was promoted to general counsel and corporate secretary in January 2025. She joined Taco John’s in May 2021 as associate general counsel and director of franchise compliance and contracts. With over 25 years of experience in the legal field, …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
energy managementfacilities managementgreen newsHVAC/RIndustry VoicesProduct Spotlightsoftware/technologyvendors

Emerging Energy Technologies

by Katie Lee

— By James Walton — Emerging trends & technologies in energy management that retail and restaurant businesses need to know about. Energy management is critical to any multi-site business. Rising energy costs and inefficiency directly affect the bottom line and sustainability goals. Businesses should constantly be looking for ways to improve their energy management practices. In recent years, significant technological advancements have revolutionized how energy is managed and consumed. These emerging energy management technologies deliver more efficiency and offer greater control and visibility into a business’s energy usage. Let us …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
kitchen equipmentNewsProduct Spotlightrestaurantssoftware/technologyvendors

Playa Bowls and Bikky Team Up to Improve Data Access

by Katie Lee

New York City — Bikky, a customer data platform built exclusively for multi-unit restaurants, has partnered with with Playa Bowls, the nation’s leading acai shop, serving superfruit bowls, smoothies, juices and more with sustainability and community in mind. Playa Bowls started as a makeshift pop-up in Belmar, N.J., in front of a pizzeria. The brand expanded from a single blender and a small cart to more than 300 U.S. locations in just 11 years. With ambitious plans to add another 90 shops in 2025 and a need to improve its …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
energy managementfacilities managementgreen building/LEEDHVAC/RIndustry Voicessoftware/technologyvendors

Visible Results

by Katie Lee

— By Norm Pensky — How gyms can reduce costs and embrace sustainability. Today’s fitness market is increasingly competitive, with boutique workout classes and home exercise options pulling customers in new directions. Instead of chasing costly trends, gym owners can reduce costs and improve profitability by optimizing what’s within their control: energy efficiency. While high-end equipment and lavish amenities may attract attention, smarter energy management offers a more sustainable way to succeed in this crowded industry. Running a gym is energy-intensive. Climate control, lighting and equipment drive up electricity and …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Newer Posts
Older Posts