AI’s Role At Starbucks; Another Tech Buyout And Contactless Technologies Top List Of HT’s Most- Read Stories For May

From tech investments, virtual brand rollouts, restaurant openings and reopenings, partnerships, and more, Hospitality Technology’s editors have reported on an increasing number of positive stories in recent months. We are optimistic about restaurants and what the future will bring!  Here we count down the 5 most-read restaurant stories in May.

5)  Starbucks Gives a Glimpse of Artificial Intelligence’s Increasing Role
ICYMI: During a Q2 2021 earnings call with analysts, Starbucks President and CEO Kevin Johnson riffed on the increasing role that artificial intelligence is playing in the growth and success of the coffee brand, an initiative called Deep Brew. Read the story here.

4)  Yum! Brands to Acquire Dragontail Systems
QSRs have been in the news for buying tech brands. This deal would give Yum! Brands the ability to scale Dragontail’s artificial intelligence kitchen order management and delivery technology globally. Plus, it would give it access to emerging technologies.  Earlier this year,  Dragontail Systems revealed it is working in partnership with Pizza Hut Israel to deploy autonomous drones for pizza delivery. Read the full story here.  

3)  How Pay-at-the-Table Technology is Helping Restaurants Overcome the Staffing Crisis
Restaurants coast to coast have hung out their “Now Hiring” signs. One of the biggest challenges restaurants face today is recruiting and retaining employees. Here is one way restaurants can leverage tech to mitigate staff shortages: pay-at-the-table. Read the full story here.

2)  Restaurant Technology Study 2021: Building the Next Normal
Now in its 23rd year, HT's Restaurant Technology Study is a respected source of strategic, data-driven insights for the restaurant industry. This year's report, Building the Next Normal, consolidates the lessons learned in 2020 and reveals the path forward as restaurants build their next normal. Bookmark this research now and watch the accompanying 30-minute webinar, How Restaurants are Building the Next Normal, for additional insights. 

1)  MGM Resorts Launches Poolside F&B Ordering, Delivery  
QR codes have made a comeback, used by numerous restaurants to facilitate online ordering and contactless payments in recent months. Now the matrix barcode is being used poolside. MGM Resorts has launched an in-seat poolside mobile ordering system at all Las Vegas properties. 
Read more about this innovative mobile ordering solution here.   

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