Restaurant And Hospitality News – August 18, 2014
By Christine Kern, contributing writer
In news this week, YUM! Brands is moving forward with new stores in Brazil, using remote monitoring of sales and POS activities in real time. TGIFridays is testing a new free mobile app at its Manchester location to expedite customer experiences, and Auntie Anne’s is debuting a new mobile loyalty program called My Pretzel Perks. The first European Hotel has also adopted Google Glass to enhance its guest experiences, and A.L.O. the Robot has joined the Aloft hotels team to supply guest services.
YUM! Brands Uses NCR Restaurant Technology to Open First KFC in Brazil
YUM! Brands is expanding throughout South America and expects to open three KFC owned stores in Brazil by the end of 2014. YUM! plans to remotely monitor sales and all point-of-sale (POS) activities in real time To proactively engage consumers in the front of house, YUM Brands will use a mix of digital displays, including digital signage and POS stations featuring a guest-facing screen. In the back of the house, YUM! Will identify trends and optimize store performance with above-store reporting software to forecast revenues, increase controls and lower operational costs in real time.
TGI Friday’s fast tracks at-the-table mobile payments with QR codes
MobileCommerce Daily reported that TGI Friday’s is allowing mobile customers at a Manchester restaurant to pay bills by using a free mobile application by Zapper to scan QR codes without having to wait for a card terminal. The goal is to keep service under ten minutes long and to allow consumers to be able to choose mobile payments to complete their purchase. This will involve the use of several types of mobile technology, including QR codes, to make the process, fast, easy, and convenient.
Auntie Anne's sees big growth potential for mobile loyalty program
Adweek reported that Auntie Anne's recently announced the national rollout of its loyalty program and its accompanying app dubbed My Pretzel Perks. The app acts as a hub, including three tiers of loyalty that rewards consumers with points that can be redeemed for free food, discounts and merchandise. My Pretzel Perks plays a key role in how Auntie Anne’s distributes and segments coupons and offers by using purchase behavior to segment offers toward different groups of consumers. Initially, consumers receive a free pretzel for signing up and can then start earning points that accumulate toward prizes and rewards for each pretzel they purchase.
900 years old LeDomaine Hotel introduces Google Glass for guests
Abadía Retuerta LeDomaine, the exclusive abbey hotel and winery dating from 1146 in Spain’s Duero wine region is the first hotel in Europe to offer its guests the hottest new technology of 2014, Google Glass, according to Travel and Tour World. Abadía Retuerta LeDomaine has eight of the wearable computers available for guest use. LeDomaine’s guests can enjoy the many apps and functions of Google Glass, such as: taking pictures to post and share on social media in real time; make short videos; watch videos; stargaze with a gps-based app; browse information on the internet; and make phone calls.
Aloft Hotels Recruits Robot to Join Team in Cupertino
Aloft Hotels, the tech-forward, innovation hub for millennial-minded travelers, has announced the appointment of A.L.O. as the hotel brand’s first Botlr (robotic butler). Aloft is the first major hotel brand to hire a robot for both front and back of house duties. A.L.O. the Botlr will be on call as a robotic operative where it will be assisting the Aloft talent in delivering amenities to guest rooms. Professionally “dressed” in a custom shrink-wrapped, vinyl collared uniform and nametag, A.L.O. will modestly accept tweets as tips as its wheels whizz from task to task. A.L.O. will not only free up existing employee’s time but also will enhance the hotel’s current tech-forward offerings.