New Hartford, N.Y. — Taco Bueno, a popular quick-service Tex-Mex chain, has selected PAR Technology Corporation as its unified technology partner. The brand will implement PAR POS™ and PAR Hardware™ solutions across its 140 locations to modernize operations, enhance the guest experience and support long term growth. As Taco Bueno scales and streamlines operations across its expanding footprint, the leadership team prioritized finding a technology partner that could offer both enterprise-grade capabilities and intuitive usability for in-store staff. Taco Bueno selected PAR Technology for its comprehensive ecosystem of industry-leading integrations …
vendors
— Interview with Nathan Willard — R&R: Where are you based and how long has the company been in business? Nathan Willard: HOODZ is based out of Ann Arbor, Michigan. We have been in business since 1972 and have provided franchising opportunities since 2009. R&R: What is your name and title, and how long have you been with the company? Willard: My name is Nathan Willard, and I have acted as president of HOODZ International since 2015. R&R: What trades/services do you offer retailers and restaurants? Willard: As the leading …
Orlando, Fla. — Bluebox Smart Ice and Water introduces the industry’s first on-premise ice and water vending solution functioning as an “Ice-as-a-Service” enterprise. Using an exclusive licensing agreement for the convenience store sector, Bluebox Ice as a Service employs Everest’s VersaVendTM proprietary ice vending equipment. Bluebox lifts responsibility off operators and handles all delivery, setup, preventative maintenance and repairs. With proven 99% uptime and a daily ice production capacity of 2 tons, this equipment produces fresh ice on demand, right at the point of use, and is available 24 hours …
San Carlos, Calif. — Presto, the company that pioneered drive-thru Voice AI, has tapped Michael Chorey, the founder of Wendy’s FreshAi, to join the company in order to build Presto IQ, the first AI-native dynamic data offering for the quick-service restaurant (QSR) industry. In this role, Chorey will work with Presto to grow its drive-thru Voice AI platform and lead the development of the new Presto IQ business unit. Chorey is widely recognized for pioneering AI experiences that are both operationally sound and emotionally intelligent. Presto IQ will integrate dynamic …
Vernon Hills, Ill. — Diversified Foodservice Supply (DFS), a leading provider of equipment, supplies and parts to the foodservice industry, has appoinnted Lev Peker as chief executive officer. Peker brings a strong track record of leadership and growth from the automotive aftermarket industry, where he excelled as CEO of PartsID and CarParts.com. There, he successfully scaled operations, enhanced customer experience and delivered strong financial results. His deep expertise in e-commerce, operational efficiency and system modernization aligns closely with DFS’s strategic priorities. While foodservice is a new space for him, his …
— By Steve Benes — Designing a smarter barrier strategy for your walk-in cooler with air curtains. Walk-in coolers are critical for restaurants and cafeterias to store perishable goods, but they also contribute significantly to energy consumption. To maintain consistent low temperatures, walk-in coolers run continuously with little to no relief. Research from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) suggests that refrigeration accounts for about 20% of the total energy use in restaurants, making it a major driver of utility costs. Every time the cooler door is opened, warm air …
Vancouver, B.C. — Push Operations, the all-in-one cloud-based workforce management platform built uniquely for the hospitality industry, has forged a strategic partnership with Crumbl Cookies, one of North America’s fastest-growing dessert chains. This collaboration makes Push’s integrated HR, payroll, scheduling and time-tracking solutions available to Crumbl’s 1,000+ locations, enabling franchise owners who adopt the platform to optimize operations through data-driven decisions. The partnership addresses challenges faced by multi-location franchisees with automated solutions that reduce administrative tasks while enhancing labor cost management. Participating franchise owners can leverage real-time analytics to balance staffing …
— By Sal Arena — Summer is an ideal time to renew your paved surfaces after the harsh freeze-thaw cycle of winter and even early spring. As temperatures rise and the days get longer, summer brings the perfect opportunity to take stock of your property’s exterior. One area that’s often overlooked until it’s too late? The pavement. After enduring winter’s freeze-thaw cycles, snow removal and salt exposure, asphalt surfaces can take a beating. This is why asphalt sealcoating should be at the top of your maintenance list right now. Sealcoating …
St. Paul, Minn. — Ecolab Inc., a global sustainability leader offering water, hygiene and infection prevention solutions and services, has launched Ecolab® RushReady™, a new AI-powered program within its Ecolab® KitchenIQ™ platform. Designed to help restaurant leaders improve shift performance and profitability, RushReady combines real-time data, intelligent recommendations and human coaching to tackle the complexities of daily operations and elevate the overall experience for guests. The engagement begins with a connection into each restaurant’s unique data sources, enabling the platform to work on transforming back-of-house operations through: • RushReady AI-driven …
— By John Fairclough — Be the facility director great vendors want to work with. Great vendors don’t just want work. They want to do work that matters. They want to be appreciated, challenged and trusted. They want to be part of a team that delivers with pride. And the best ones? They have options. That’s why the facility director sets the tone, not just for internal teams but for every vendor interaction. Here’s a story about one world-class facility director — we’ll call her “Amy” — who brought out …