Restaurant and Hospitality IT News – September 8, 2014
By Christine Kern, contributing writer
In news this week, McDonald’s is readying for NFC-Based mobile payments, while EVEN Hotels have introduced RFID wristbands. Pizza Hut has introduced a new online payment platform with a free pizza campaign, and Starbucks is expanding with tasting rooms and express stores.
McDonald’s Preparing for Launch of NFC-Based Mobile Payments System
According to Mobile Commerce Daily, an internal memo sent to McDonald’s franchises this week informed employees that they must be trained on the near-field communication (NFC) payment systems by Monday, Sept. 15, by which time the hardware must be installed and tested. McDonald’s has been testing mobile payment systems to meet customers’ demands for faster service, accelerated by the mobile mind-shift, and is perhaps anticipating the release of the new iPhone 6 on September 9.
EVEN(TM) Hotels Introduce PDC's Smart Band(R) RFID Wristband System for Keyless Room Entry and Cashless Purchasing
CNN reported that EVEN Hotels has introduced RFID Wristbands to improve the guest experience and help boost revenue through a seamless purchase experience. Upon check in, guests receive an RFID room keycard, and for $8, may purchase a waterproof Smart Band® with a securely sealed RFID chip inside that stores and verifies guest data when scanned by a reader. Guests may take Smart Band® with them upon leaving the property, and re-use when visiting any EVEN™ Hotel.
Pizza Hut Partners with Visa on Online Payment Platform
According to Business Wire, Pizza Hut launched The Visa Checkout One Million Pizza campaign Sunday, September 7, offering free pizzas to customers who use its new online payment platform, Visa Checkout. The first one million customers who order a large pizza on Pizza Hut's website and pay with Visa Checkout will receive a coupon for a free one-topping pizza, redeemable on their next order. The coupon is valid for 14 days.
Starbucks To Roll Out Tasting Room; Express Stores
Starbucks has announced that it plans to launch smaller, express stores of the popular coffee chain. These new Starbucks stores will feature a more limited food and drink menu and even include the company's new digital payment system. Starbucks also plans to implement mobile ordering to make purchasing coffee even more efficient. According to the Wall Street Journal, Starbucks drive-thru business accounts for about 40 percent of its American stores and even report higher sales than stores without drive-through service. Starbucks also intends to open up 100 new stores over the next five years, which will be dedicated to its Starbucks Reserve small-batch Arabica coffee line.
Restaurant And Hospitality Talking Points:
August was the best month for the restaurant industry in terms of sales growth since February 2012, and the industry is poised to achieve two consecutive quarters of positive growth for the first time since the second half of 2012, according to the latest Restaurant Industry Snapshot from TDn2K’s Black Box Intelligence and People Report.