Restaurant And Hospitality News – November 24, 2014
By Christine Kern, contributing writer
In news this week, Starbucks hints that it could be ready to roll out a mobile payment system, while Texas Roadhouse streamlines its workforce management. Meanwhile, MasterCard and Visa aim to simplify online payment verification, United rolls out iPads in Newark’s Terminal C, and Delta Hotels launched a new mobile app.
Starbucks Could Challenge Apple With Mobile Payments
This article from Investors.com examines the likelihood of Starbucks launching its own mobile payment system. The buzz comes from the growing use of mobile technology to make transactions at the coffeehouse giant: 16 percent of the 7 million weekly transactions are completed from a mobile device. A “stand-alone epayment system may be on the horizon” for Starbucks, according to CEO Howard Schultz. And with its vast band of loyal customers behind it, the company could provide a real challenge to ApplePay.
Texas Roadhouse Streamlines Employee Hiring with New Workforce Management Platform
Texas Roadhouse has adopted a new All-in-One Workforce Management Platform to streamline employee hiring and onboarding in its over 400 locations nationwide. The new platform allows the chain to manage its 45,000 employees – or “Roadies” in an efficiently, user-friendly way to ensure compliance and immerse candidates in the chain’s employee-first culture. The PeopleMatter system can be used to find job openings on the employee side, while also creating an easy-to-use technology for cohesive recruiting, hiring, and onboard for the managers.
MasterCard and Visa Are Committed To Simplifying Online Payment Verification
According to this article from the Essential Retailer, both Visa and MasterCard are working towards removing the need for password authentication for online purchases. Card companies are increasingly examining the use of one-time passwords or biometrics for authentication for payments. The new technology is particularly attractive as mobile payments are increasing in terms of overall retail spend and more and more mobile users are showing confidence in the practice.
United Airlines adding iPads at Newark airport gates
United Airlines is adding iPads at Newark Liberty Airport’s Terminal C shops and restaurants to enable members of United Airlines’ Mileage Plus rewards program to use their points for purchases in the terminal, according to this article from Digital Trends. A total of nearly 6,000 iPads will be installed across the terminal to try to elevate the airport experience for travelers. Customers can scan their boarding passes or manually enter MileagePlus membership numbers into the iPads, which then display the individuals current flight information and provide suggestions of dining and beverage options in up to 20 languages.
Delta Hotels and Resorts Launches Brand-wide Mobile App
Delta Hotels and Intelity have partnered to launch a brand-wide enterprise app that allows guests to experience a more personalized, elevated, and local stay with the Delta Brand, according to a press release. The app provides guests with access to a full range of guest services at any of the brand’s 38 Canadian hotels and resorts. The app offers content in both English and French, and allows guests to navigate property-based content, localized information like weather, and enables express checkout services with added amenities.