software/technology

Newspeopleretailerssoftware/technology

The Home Depot Names EVP and Chief Technology Officer

by Katie Lee

Atlanta — The Home Depot® has named Dr. Franziska “Fran” Bell as executive vice president (EVP) and chief technology officer (CTO), effective April 6. As CTO, she will lead the strategy, development and alignment of technology, product management, data and artificial intelligence (AI) for The Home Depot. Most recently, Bell led AI transformation as chief data, AI and analytics officer for Ford Motor Company. Prior to Ford, she served as senior vice president of digital technology at BP and held executive roles at Uber and Toyota. As a globally recognized …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
exterior services/landscapingIndustry Voicesparking lotsproperty managementsoftware/technologyvendors

A ‘Lot’ of Variables

by Katie Lee

— By Evan Tilley — Restaurant and retail solutions are not one-size-fits-all. Parking is the first and last interaction a customer has with a restaurant or retail establishment. A stress-free parking experience sets a positive tone before a customer even walks through the door, while a lack of parking spaces or unhelpful parking staff can create frustration, no matter how good the business may be. What works in terms of parking for restaurants and retail establishments can differ from location to location, and businesses often need to consider tailored parking …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
NewsProduct Spotlightrestaurantssoftware/technologyvendors

Papa Johns Selects Deliverect to Modernize Delivery Operations Across U.S. Restaurants

by Katie Lee

New York City — Papa Johns has entered into a strategic partnership with Deliverect to deploy its Smart Dispatch & Delivery Management platform across all Papa Johns restaurants in the U.S. by the end of 2027. The partnership is part of Papa Johns’ multi-year initiative to modernize its fulfillment technology stack. The platform enables the brand to execute all orders, whether fulfilled by in-house delivery drivers or third-party service partners, through a single, intelligent system that connects every ordering channel, point-of-sale and delivery workflow into a unified operational delivery orchestration …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
NewspeopleProduct Spotlightrestaurantssoftware/technologyvendors

Fourth Appoints Veteran Product Leader as CEO

by Katie Lee

Austin, Texas — Fourth, a leading provider of workforce and inventory management solutions for the hospitality industry, has named Scott Collison as chief executive officer. A proven builder of enterprise software platforms with more than two decades of experience scaling technology companies, Collison will lead Fourth into its next phase of AI-led product innovation for restaurant operators. Most recently, he served as CEO of Personify, where he led the company through a period of strong recurring revenue growth and operational improvement, culminating in its successful sale to Momentive in late …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
construction and designNewsremodelsretailerssoftware/technology

Target Plans to Open 30 New Stores in 2026 and Refresh Existing Stores

by Katie Lee

Minneapolis — Target Corporation has unveiled its multi-year strategy under CEO Michael Fiddelke to accelerate its return to growth. The strategy includes plans to open more than 30 new stores, refresh the store experience across the chain, and invest in store payroll and training to elevate the guest experience. “This new chapter of growth at Target is defined by clear choices and rooted in a deeper understanding of our unique lane in retail, the guests we serve and the areas where we’re distinctly positioned to win,” says Fiddelke. “This work …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
facilities managementNewsrestaurantssoftware/technologyvendors

Loman AI and SpotOn Team Up to Bring Voice AI to SpotOn POS Restaurants

by Katie Lee

Austin, Texas — Loman AI, an industry-leading Voice AI phone answering platform for restaurants, has formed a new partnership with SpotOn, a leading restaurant technology company, that enables restaurants using SpotOn POS to deploy AI-powered phone automation across their operations. This integration transforms the phone from a chronic operational bottleneck into a scalable, always-on revenue channel for SpotOn users. Through this partnership, restaurants using SpotOn can now leverage Loman’s AI voice agent to automate inbound phone calls 24/7/365. Loman answers calls instantly, takes orders, books reservations, handles payment securely, answers …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
franchise developmentNewspeoplerestaurantssoftware/technology

Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers Names its First Chief Information Officer

by Katie Lee

Wichita, Kan. — Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers has appointed Todd Paladini as chief information officer (CIO), a newly created role and the first CIO position in the restaurant brand’s history. In this role, Paladini will lead the brand’s enterprise technology strategy and partner across the business to help accelerate scalable growth and enhance the guest and franchisee experience. Paladini brings more than two decades of international IT leadership experience, with a track record of building and modernizing technology capabilities for multi-unit, guest-focused brands. Over the course of his career, …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Starbucks Coffee
construction and designfranchise developmentNewsrestaurantssoftware/technology

Starbucks to Open 400 Net-New U.S. Stores as Part of Overall Transformation Plan

by Katie Lee

Seattle — At its recent 2026 Investor Day, Starbucks Coffee Company highlighted progress in its “Back to Starbucks” transformation plan, showcasing new coffeehouse and menu innovation, and detailing a financial framework for delivering long term, sustainable growth. By fiscal 2028, the company expects to open 2,000 net new stores across its portfolio, including approximately 400 net new U.S. company-operated stores. “Starbucks is back,” says Brian Niccol, chairman and chief executive officer. “We’re putting the customer at the center of everything we do and setting our partners up for success. We …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
NewsProduct Spotlightrestaurantssoftware/technologyvendors

Five Guys Extends Partnership with SoundHound AI

by Katie Lee

Santa Clara, Calif. — SoundHound AI, Inc., a global leader in voice and conversational AI, has expanded its relationship with Five Guys, one of the nation’s most iconic burger brands. The renewal highlights the strength of the collaboration, as SoundHound’s AI-powered ordering agents have already supported Five Guys in processing well over 1 million customer AI interactions to date. The fast-casual favorite and industry innovator already offers an AI-powered ordering experience across hundreds of locations and will be giving franchisees the option of offering them more through this agreement. Five …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
construction and designfacilities managementfranchise developmentkitchen equipmentNewsremodelsrestaurantssoftware/technology

Gong Cha 2.0: Bubble-Tea Leader Rolls Out New, Innovative, Efficient Store Model

by Katie Lee

Boston — Gong cha, a leading worldwide bubble tea brand, has unveiled its global Gong cha 2.0 initiative: a comprehensive digital, operational and design refresh to optimize profitability, efficiency and scalability for franchisees — as well as improve the guest experience. This global rollout combines two key technologies — Super Wu beverage automation and self-order kiosks — with a modernized store design to streamline operations, reduce labor demands and improve throughput without compromising quality or hospitality. “Gong cha 2.0 is engineered for today’s operators,” says Geoff Henry, president of Gong …

Continue Reading
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Newer Posts
Older Posts