Thursday, July 17, 2025
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software/technology

Industry Voicessecurity/loss preventionsoftware/technologyvendors

Embracing the Future

by Katie Lee

— By Patrick Chown — The future of retail and restaurant facilities should embrace IoT and connectivity for smarter operations. The retail and restaurant industries are undergoing a remarkable transformation, driven by technological advancements and changing consumer expectations. In this dynamic landscape, the Internet of Things (IoT) and advanced network connectivity are emerging as pivotal elements. These technologies are not just reshaping how businesses operate but are also redefining the customer experience. By integrating IoT solutions, retailers and restaurateurs are unlocking new potentials in operational efficiency, customer engagement and data-driven …

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Sam’s Club Deploys AI-Powered Exit Technology at 120+ Locations

by Katie Lee

Bentonville, Ark. — Sam’s Club® has made significant progress in its rollout of technology that resolves a key member concern: waiting in line for receipt verification to exit the club. The retailer’s first-of-its-kind application of artificial intelligence and computer vision technology has been deployed in more than 120 clubs since first unveiling it at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in January 2024. Sam’s Club plans to deploy the exit technology to all of its clubs by the end of 2024. Sam’s Club’s rapid deployment of its exit technology represents the …

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ALDI Launches Checkout-Free Grocery Shopping, Powered by Grabango

by Katie Lee

Berkeley, Calif. — In partnership with ALDI, Grabango has launched ALDIgo checkout-free shopping at a Chicago-area grocery store. ALDI is the first major U.S. grocery retailer to deploy checkout-free technology in an existing, full-size store. The technology, which ALDI deployed at one suburban location, allows shoppers to skip the line and save time. “The launch of ALDIgo is a pivotal moment for the grocery industry,” says Will Glaser, CEO of Grabango. “Although more challenging, it was important to us to launch this technology in a typical store and not one …

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construction and designfranchise developmentNewsremodelsrestaurantssoftware/technology

Pita Pit Unveils Company Rebrand

by Katie Lee

Coeur d’Alene, Idaho — Pita Pit, a Mediterranean fast-casual brand specializing in made-to-order pita sandwiches, has rolled out a nationwide brand refresh. The refresh introduces new features, such as a modernized restaurant design and drive-thru business model, reimagined menu, technological upgrades and a new logo. Pita Pit’s rebrand is a key component in the company’s growth strategy. The new drive-thru model allows franchise partners more real estate options, as the smaller footprint of about 800 to 1,000 square feet can flex to fit into a variety of layouts that fit …

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construction and designIndustry Voicesretailerssignagesoftware/technologyvendors

Beyond Transactions

by Katie Lee

— By Jaime Bettencourt — Creating destination stores for lasting connections. The meteoric rise of e-commerce has forced traditional brick-and-mortar retail to reckon with a new reality: physical stores must provide immersive in-store experiences. Retailers failing to integrate digital channels and offer the best of online shopping offline will struggle to stay competitive in this omnichannel environment. Major brands have learned the hard way that simply having a physical location won’t suffice, with some closing hundreds of underperforming stores because they weren’t offering customers experiences beyond mere product displays and …

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Industry Voiceskitchen equipmentrestaurantssoftware/technologyvendors

Gear Up

by Katie Lee

— By Sabina Campbell — The trend-driven revolution in modern kitchen equipment. The landscape of the culinary industry in 2024 remains fundamentally anchored in the time-honored tradition of crafting delicious dishes; however, the methods and tools at the disposal of chefs and restaurant owners are transforming at an unprecedented pace. Smart technology, artificial intelligence (AI) and a steadfast commitment to sustainability are at the forefront of this revolution, leading to significant advancements in operational efficiency and culinary prowess. In the modern restaurant’s kitchen, what was once the realm of hands-on …

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facilities managementIndustry Voicesrestaurantssoftware/technologyvendors

Managing Multiples

by Katie Lee

— By Katie Fairchild — 9 steps to managing multi-location restaurant businesses. The dynamic world of running multi-units, multi-brands and franchises offers many advantages. From full-service to fast food and everything in between, having the efficiencies that come with an existing brand, business model and established infrastructure can be an advantage for operators. However, with these advantages comes unique challenges. One of the major issues for operators of multiple entities is that the individual businesses or locations may have their own goals, processes, software, language and more. The final goal …

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PAR Closes Strategic Acquisitions Totaling Approximately $400 Million

by Katie Lee

New Hartford, N.Y. — PAR Technology Corporation, a global foodservice technology company and provider of unified commerce for enterprise restaurant brands, has closed two transactions that expand its cloud-based unified commerce software offerings into convenience stores and fuel retailers, as well as international markets. PAR has entered into an agreement to acquire TASK Group for cash and PAR common stock at an implied value of approximately $206 million assuming an all-cash transaction, and has completed its acquisition of Stuzo Holdings, LLC for approximately $190 million paid in cash and stock. …

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franchise developmentNewsProduct Spotlightrestaurantssoftware/technologyvendors

Caribou Coffee Selects Toast to Support Growing Coffeehouse Footprint

by Katie Lee

Boston — Toast, the digital technology platform built for restaurants, has formed an agreement with Caribou Coffee to implement Toast Enterprise Solutions across 500 initial coffeehouse locations in the United States. In addition to Toast point-of-sale (POS) terminals, Caribou Coffee will use Toast Payments, Kitchen Display Systems (KDS) and Multi-Location Management. To help support the brand’s growing coffeehouse footprint, Caribou Coffee sought a modern technology partner with a robust, scalable POS solution that would be easy to use for all stakeholders including company and franchisee operators and team members. Focused …

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Waldo’s Dollar Mart Streamlines Retail Operations with Oracle Cloud

by Katie Lee

Austin, Texas, and Lerma, Mexico — Mexican retailer Waldo’s Dollar Mart is using Oracle Cloud finance and merchandising applications to manage its complex, multi-format business model while continuing to scale to offer customers more choices in products and buying channels. By moving to Oracle Cloud, Waldo’s consolidated and rationalized more than 62 legacy applications and streamlined its distinct business processes across its grocery and clothing operations. Waldo’s operates more than 800 grocery and clothing stores throughout Mexico. By continuing to modernize its operations with Oracle Cloud, Waldo’s can now improve …

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