Restaurant and Hospitality News – October 13, 2014
By Christine Kern, contributing writer
In news this week, the data breach is confirmed by Dairy Queen, while restaurants sales are the best they have been in over two years. Bloomin’ Brands creates a new integrated CIO position, Ruby Tuesday is making brand turnaround headway, and the role of Hotel Sales Manager must evolve with emerging technology.
Dairy Queen Confirms Data Breach
According to this article from the Nation’s Restaurant News, Dairy Queen’s earlier reported data breach has been confirmed by the company. The breach affected 395 Dairy Queen stores and one Orange Julius location, across 46 states, and was caused by the “Backoff” malware that has targeted other U.S. retailers. The breach may have accessed customer names, payment card numbers, and expiration dates, though the company assured that the malware has been contained. The company has provided a list of affected locations.
Report: Restaurants See Best Sales Trends In two Years
A recent report reveals that during Q3 2014, the restaurant industry has seen its best sales results in over two years, The Nation’s Restaurant News reported. These figures are according to the latest Restaurant Industry Snapshot from TDn2K’s Black Box Intelligence and People report, based on weekly sales from more than 20,000 restaurants with more than $45 billion in annual revenue. The increases included 1.6 percent growth for same-store sales, representing the second consecutive quarter of growth.
Outback Parent Names New CIO To Integrate Digital Marketing and IT For Bloomin’ Brands
Bloomin’ Brands Inc. has a new executive vice president digital and chief information officer in Donagh Herlighy, the company reported. This position will combine digital marketing and information technology roles for the first time in a move that will help the company leverage technology and promote its multi-brand expansion overseas.
Ruby Tuesday Set to Close Up To 16 More Units To Help Make Headway In Brand Turnaround
Ruby Tuesday Inc. is scheduled to close up to 16 more units as part of the brand turnaround it started last year, according to company executives. According to the first-quarter earnings call, the company stated that there are plans to open one, rebuild one, and close 10 to 13 Company-owned Ruby Tuesday restaurants, open two Lime Fresh restaurants and close three Ruby Tuesday domestic franchise restaurants. International franchisees expect to open five to eight Ruby Tuesday restaurants.
Technology Is Changing the Job Description for Hotel Sales Managers
This article from Hospitalitynet.org highlighted the keynote address of the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) Asia Pacific’s 10th Annual AsiaConnect Conference. The keynote speaker, Robert Gilbert, President and CEO of HSMAI address the evolving reality of the modern sales professional, arguing that as technology deepens its impact on the sales cycle, the role of the Sales Manager is evolving to one that emphasizes building B2B relationships in concert with strategic oversight at the regional and global level for the performance of accounts, and also has responsibility for winning and maintaining those accounts at geographic levels.