Posts by author

Tony Loeb

2314 posts

Tony Loeb, un expert reconnu de l'industrie hôtelière et du marketing digital, a gravi les échelons de sa carrière, passant de webmaster à Directeur Technique puis co-fondateur de WIHP où il participe à la création Meta I/O. Il a ensuite lancé "Experience", le premier CRM hôtelier mondial, révolutionnant l'expérience client et aidant plus de 4500 hôtels. Actuellement, il innove avec 10minhotel.com, une plateforme et une base de connaissance pour hôteliers, combinant ses passions pour l'hôtellerie et le marketing. Le site propose également un podcast informatif, "10 min pour un hôtelier", démontrant l'engagement continu de Tony pour l'innovation dans l'industrie hôtelière.

4 min

Independent Hotel Rates Aggressively Targeted by Secondary OTAs

📲 Square launched Square Handheld, a portable POS device, today. Weighing 11 ounces, under an inch thick, with IP54 rating, 6.2" Gorilla Glass touchscreen, barcode scanning, 16 MP camera, full payment functionality, and integration with Square's software ecosystem. Square Handheld operates with the unified Square Point of Sale app, featuring seven customizable modes like Quick Service, Bar, and Retail. The device is essential for various businesses, especially restaurants and retailers, which composed 50% of Square's GPV in 2024. Available for $399, with Belkin SheerForce cases starting at $39. This release is part of Square Releases, a biannual product launch event.

4 min

Leanpath Showcases AI-Powered Food Waste Reporting App

📱 Today, Square launched Square Handheld, a portable point-of-sale device available for $399 online at Square Shop. Weighing 11 ounces and less than an inch thick, it features a 6.2" Gorilla Glass touchscreen, barcode scanning, and a 16 MP camera. Designed for fast-paced businesses, it supports tap and dip transactions and integrates with Square’s software ecosystem. In 2024, restaurants and retailers accounted for 50% of Square’s gross payment volume. Belkin offers cases starting at $39.

2 min

From Accounting to Tech-Driven Innovation: Cynthia Loescher Receives Top Women in Restaurant Technology Award

🍴 2025, Loescher sees AI-driven inventory management optimizing restaurant operations through automation and personalization. She won the 2025 Top Women in Restaurant Technology Innovator Award, highlighting her role in tech-driven restaurant transformation. Mentored by industry leaders like Cary Broussard and her Six Sigma Black Belt mother, Loescher emphasizes women's empowerment. Awards presented at MURTEC on March 11, sponsored by Milagro. Nominations for the 2026 awards open December 1.

2 min

Miller’s Ale House Adds Tabletop Technology

🏨 Mews launched the Hospitality Industry Advisory Board in 2025 to enhance the hospitality sector with technology. Members include industry leaders like Charlie MacGregor and Bashar Wali, reflecting decades of experience. The board's mission is to address key challenges and innovate hospitality experiences for staff and guests. CEO Matt Welle emphasizes the board's role in driving meaningful change. Members include 14 notable figures from various hospitality and technology sectors, aiming to redefine the hospitality landscape.

1 min

Why Every Restaurant Needs an AI Game Plan — Before Tariffs and Costs Spike Again

💸 Tariffs are impacting the cost of plastic lids, foil wrap, stainless steel equipment, kitchen parts, and containers, with food prices also climbing due to unstable global supply chains and rising costs of imported ingredients, packaging, and transportation. Independents are facing a new wave of margin pressure, with experts cautioning against simply raising prices, cutting portions, or reducing headcount. AI is suggested as a tactical advantage to control operations amidst these financial challenges.

2 min

Fries, Forecasting & the Future: Dave’s Hot Chicken’s Path to Effective Automation

💾 Dave’s Hot Chicken, over the past 18 months, tested two robotic arms and piloted kiosks, digital menu boards, and other technologies. Robotic arms improved fry consistency and portioning but didn't reduce labor. Kiosks, now processing 25% of orders, increased average checks by 4-6%. Technology investments aim to enhance guest experience and streamline operations, such as integrating robotic fryers with POS systems and predicting wait times for more accurate delivery scheduling.

2 min

FDA approves three natural alternatives for banned food dyes

🦋 The FDA approved three natural food colorants, phasing out petroleum-based dyes between 2026-2028. The approved colorants are Galdieria blue, butterfly pea extract, and calcium phosphate. This follows the ban of nine artificial food dyes linked to health risks by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The FDA plans to authorize four more natural additives soon, as stated by FDA commissioner Dr. Martin A. Makary. Galdieria extract blue is now approved for a wide range of foods and beverages, butterfly pea flower extract can be used in additional snack items, and calcium phosphate is approved for certain confections and ready-to-eat chicken.

3 min

SpotOn Unveils Operator-First AI Vision to Drive Profitability and Simplicity in Restaurant Tech

🍳 Huddle House, led by CEO James O’Reilly and COO Blain Shortreed, celebrates 60 years with a significant brand evolution. The transformation includes a new logo, taglines, and restaurant designs, focusing on urban and non-traditional settings like airports and malls. After 18 months of development, menu innovations feature items like Smashed Huddle Burger and waffle tacos. In 2024, Huddle House led in guest sentiment in the family dining category, achieving record franchise signings, targeting continued growth through 2025.

3 min

Decoding DoorDash’s SevenRooms Deal

🚲 DoorDash, a $40 billion third-party delivery service, is acquiring SevenRooms, a customer relationship management business. This deal aims to create a comprehensive platform, akin to Amazon Prime's all-in-one service, and raises concerns over data control and restaurant brand commoditization. Experts like Toby W. Malbec from Church’s Texas Chicken and Robert Peterson from Oracle Restaurants discuss possible benefits and warn of potential threats, such as the misuse of aggregated customer data by DoorDash. Restaurants are advised to audit their tech stacks, read contracts carefully, maintain system flexibility, and demand open APIs to protect their customer relationships.

4 min

How Tech Is Rewriting the Soundtrack of Hospitality

🎵 Nearly 72% of hotel guests notice music playing, and sales can increase by over 37% when the music aligns with the brand. The right music sets the tone in hospitality, influencing guest experiences more than decor. Establishing a "sonic identity" helps venues create the desired atmosphere. Hospitality brands can choose global consistency, local flexibility, or full local autonomy for music management. Modern technology offers efficient, scalable solutions for maintaining an engaging and consistent sound environment.

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