News Briefs

Docyt, a provider of AI-driven accounting automation technology, is partnering with x·quic™ on a bundled services offering that empowers hotel owners and franchisees to seamlessly integrate Docyt’s real-time bookkeeping capabilities with x·quic OTA Savings. The combined solution uses AI-driven workflows to streamline financial management and maximize hotel profitability, from single locations to expansive franchise operations.

“It's becoming increasingly important for businesses to be able to reconcile. Everything from contracts to reports, systems, databases, and more, all comes from different sources that may not be compatible and this can create a huge headache," said Nimesh Shah, CEO of x·quic. “The importance of being able to audit data and provide clear insights cannot be understated. Through this partnership, we help ensure that hotel owners can cut through all the noise of disorganized data.”

Docyt AI empowers single and multi-entity hotel operators, management companies, and franchisees to automate bookkeeping and other back-office tasks to unlock real-time financial reports, KPIs and unit-economics insights to run their businesses more efficiently and profitably. The platform empowers hoteliers to execute bill payments, employee reimbursements, track & reconcile corporate credit card spending, access revenue reports, track cash & merchant processor deposits, and view real-time statements. Docyt AI integrates seamlessly with over 30 POS, property management, and payroll systems, enabling hoteliers to quickly shift manual data management to AI, digitizing and automating the financial workflows, and enabling real-time financial reporting.

OTA Savings by x·quic™ saves hotels time and money by identifying and claiming unredeemed virtual cards with active funds as well as OTA commission overbilling. Its advanced, AI-powered technology reconciles OTA reservations to the penny, ensuring hotels only pay commissions based on the exact room revenue they collected.

Together, Docyt AI and OTA Savings by x·quic™ help hoteliers easily shift data management to AI, digitizing and automating the financial workflow, and enabling real-time financial reporting.

“Docyt and x·quic™ share a common mission to harness the power of AI to transform bookkeeping processes in the hospitality industry,” said Sid Saxena, Docyt’s co-founder and CEO. “Our partnership delivers an integrated solution that helps hotel management save time and money in reconciling OTA and bookkeeping services, enabling them to run their businesses with greater efficiency and profitably than ever before.”

Domino's Pizza Inc. introduces its new and improved loyalty program. 

Domino's Rewards offers loyalty members even more opportunities to earn and redeem points across its corporate and franchise store locations. Domino's enhanced rewards program allows customers to:

• Earn points for less
  • Loyalty members will now earn 10 points on every order of $5 or more
• Redeem points for even more menu items – and earn free Domino's after just two orders
  • Members can redeem a variety of points for more menu items:
    • 20 points: A free dipping cup, a 16-piece order of Parmesan Bread Bites or a 20 oz. drink
    • 40 points: An order of Bread Twists or Stuffed Cheesy Bread
    • 60 points: A medium, two-topping pizza; pasta; Oven-Baked Sandwich; or a 3-piece order of Chocolate Lava Crunch Cakes
• Earn more rewards
  • Loyalty perks are now even better, as members will have exclusive access to member-only deals, special discounts and opportunities to earn bonus points!

"We are thrilled to give the brand's loyal customers additional ways to earn free Domino's items more often," said Mark Messing, Domino's vice president of digital experience and loyalty. "At a time when most brands are scaling back their loyalty programs and making it more difficult to earn and redeem points, Domino's is doing the opposite. We want to make it easier to reward our customers and give them more options so they can get rewarded faster."

Marketing a LTO 

From now until Oct. 22, 2023, rewards members can take advantage of a limited time offer to redeem 20 points for a free order of Domino's new Pepperoni Stuffed Cheesy Bread, which is normally a 40-point redemption, in celebration of the product's recent launch. 

Intouch Insight, a provider of customer experience management solutions in North America, has released the second edition of its Emerging Experience study today in partnership with QSR Magazine. The report, Next-Gen Restaurant Experiences: The Rise of Innovative Locations, is focused on how technology is impacting the customer experience for multi-location QSR brands.

"We have been closely monitoring the latest trends in the technology and new prototypes launched by Quick Service Restaurants since the pandemic," says Laura Livers, Chief Revenue Officer at Intouch Insight. "This year, through our Emerging Experiences study, we wanted to dig deeper into the current performance of these prototypes and technology as compared to traditional experiences."

Driving Speed Improvements

The rapidly evolving quick service sector has seen many brands invest heavily in technology-enabled prototypes to enhance both in-person and digital experiences. This year's study highlights innovative brands that have incorporated features like mobile kiosks, improved drive-thru, AI-powered technology, innovative kitchens, and more to elevate the customer experience.
 

Taco Bell, Checkers & Rallys, bartaco Share the Stories Behind Their Award-Winning Technology Transformations

The results show that innovation experience overall scores outperformed legacy experiences in 7 out of 10 brands’. Some of the key findings of the study include:

• 3 out of 4 Innovation Experiences received higher overall satisfaction scores compared to their legacy counterparts.
• Technology innovations drove speed improvements for digital orders placed for pickup.
• 3 out of 4 innovation experiences' overall order accuracy scores outperformed the legacy experiences. 

“The data suggests that customers have a preference for innovative experiences,” says Livers. “As growth in these digital channels continues to surge, creating consistency across the varied customer engagement points will be critical for success. The brands who measure, learn, and pivot quickly, will be the brands who ultimately come out on top.”

Download the full study here: https://hubs.ly/Q02tjNSr0

Subway completed its previously announced sale to affiliates of Roark.

The acquisition comes on the heels of Subway's three exceptional years of sales growth and positive global net restaurant growth for the first time since 2016. The brand has continued to innovate in 2024, with the introduction of Subway Sidekicks, a hot new menu category, and a fresh lineup of signature wraps, served on a new lavash-style flatbread.

"The entire Subway system is excited that our sale to Roark is complete," said John Chidsey, CEO of Subway. "As we look to our future, our growth journey is far from over. With a continued strategic focus on delivering better food and a better guest experience, our next chapter will be the most exciting yet."

Staying the Course

Looking ahead, the company will continue its work to Build a Better Subway for its franchisees, employees and guests with a focus on ongoing culinary and digital innovation, modernization of restaurants, and strategic international expansion. There are no anticipated changes to the company's leadership team, strategic focus or operating plans.

As one of the world's largest quick service restaurant brands, Subway serves freshly made-to-order sandwiches, wraps, salads and bowls to millions of guests, across more than 100 countries and territories in nearly 37,000 restaurants every day. Subway restaurants are owned and operated by Subway franchisees—a network that includes thousands of dedicated entrepreneurs and small business owners—who are committed to delivering the best guest experience possible in their local communities.

Donatos Pizza announced the upcoming retirement in October of its Chief Executive Officer, Tom Krouse. Kevin King, who has served as President of Donatos Pizza for the past two years, will assume the role of CEO and President upon Krouse's retirement. This well-planned succession ensures a smooth handover and continued success for the brand, built on the strong foundation of family values.

A Family Affair 

Krouse joined Donatos Pizza in 2000 after 18 years at Wendy's. Before becoming President and CEO in 2010, Krouse oversaw Donatos Pizza's franchise expansion and development of the brand's retail division, Jane's Dough Premium Foods. Throughout his career, his decisions transcended strategy; they were deeply rooted in the ideals established by the founder of Donatos Pizza, Jim Grote. Krouse ensured these core values – a commitment to community, fostering a family atmosphere within the company, and delivering exceptional customer service – were all key parts of the Donatos Pizza experience.

"I feel like the luckiest guy alive to have had the opportunity to lead a company with amazing people and an awesome mission," said Tom. "I'm truly honored. I am so happy for Kevin and Donatos because he is the perfect choice to take this company into the future."

Beyond Krouse's unwavering commitment to the brand's values, he will also be remembered for his remarkable leadership in expanding the Donatos Pizza footprint. Under his guidance, Donatos Pizza has achieved the following:

• Company has doubled in size.
• Franchise system has grown from 10 partners to 45 partners.
• Chain named one of five innovative restaurant brands recognized by Nation's Restaurant News with a 2023 CREATORS Award.
• Average unit sales 60% higher than pizza industry average.
• Franchise satisfaction rating 13 points higher than franchise benchmark.

"When Jane and I promoted Tom to President and CEO, we knew we were about to embark on a new chapter of growth and innovation," said Jim Grote, Founder of Donatos Pizza. "Tom's leadership and passion have had a profound impact on our family business. He has been a living example of our philosophy of Agape Capitalism by leading with love, living the Golden Rule, and always striving to do the right thing. He believes in the possible and clearly sets strategy and vision for the future. Tom's creative approach to growth is deep-rooted in his belief of 'saying yes until there is a reason to say no.' He has built a solid foundation for a prosperous future."

"I have had the distinct advantage and privilege of witnessing firsthand Tom's drive, innovative thinking, and unwavering passion for our people-first culture from the personal side as his wife and from the business side as his colleague," said Jane Grote Abell, Donatos Pizza Chief Purpose Officer and Chairwoman of the Board. "Family has been the heart and soul of our business since 1963, and Tom has embodied this throughout his tenure. He has not only been a remarkable leader, but also a loving husband, father, and grandfather. Tom's impact will continue to resonate, shaping the foundation of our company for generations to come."

A Familiar Face Takes the Helm
Succeeding Krouse is Kevin King, a longtime friend of the family who has a rich history with the Donatos Pizza brand, having served as VP of Development from 1990 to 2003. King's early career was spent at Domino's Pizza, serving in operations, then multi-unit supervision, and finally in international operations in Australia. Prior to rejoining Donatos Pizza as President in 2022, King solidified his expertise in the pizza industry at Papa Murphy's. While serving as Senior Vice President of Operations and as Chief Development Officer, he led the strategic and tactical aspects of the successful expansion of the world's largest take-n-bake pizza chain. King then served as Chief Development Officer at Smoothie King International for almost six years, expanding the fast-growing chain throughout the US and internationally.

"Tom's leadership and counsel since rejoining Donatos has been nothing short of exceptional," said Kevin King. "He's been a phenomenal mentor and a true friend. I'm incredibly grateful for the opportunity to learn from him and build upon his legacy. Together, with our talented and diverse leadership team, I'm excited to continue to elevate Donatos' reputation for delicious food, strong community ties, and an unwavering commitment to our values."

Caption:  Donatos Pizza's Tom Krouse (left) and Kevin King (right). 

The Human Bean coffee franchise has partnered with Creative Realities, Inc., a digital signage solutions provider, to enhance the customer drive-thru journey with compelling and lively outdoor ordering experiences.

Customers at The Human Bean will find engaging visuals of signature drinks, refreshed brand colors, and seasonal promotions on the bright, easy-to-read menu boards. By collaborating with Creative Realities, Inc., the coffee company is transforming its drive-thru experience while improving operational efficiencies.

"At our core, we believe in meaningful exchanges at the window," says Janie Page, Chief Marketing Officer at The Human Bean. "To stay true to that ideal, we've implemented a digital solution that allows us freedom and flexibility, and delivers a fresh, approachable look."

Through integration with The Human Bean's point-of-sale provider, pricing and inventory updates to the menu boards are automated. This ensures accurate and up-to-date information for staff and customers. 

• 85% say integrations with other systems is driving POS purchasing decisions, according to HT's 2024 POS Software Trends Survey 

The menu boards will also be uniquely tailored to promote seasonal celebrations throughout the year, such as limited-time offers and annual Community Giveback Days.

"By offering a blend of dynamic digital and static solutions, tailored to the varied experiences and cost considerations of The Human Bean, we created a drive-thru encounter that's both unique and aesthetic in design," says Rick Mills, CEO at Creative Realities.

The new digital menu boards are rolling out at The Human Bean locations across the country, with over 30% already installed.