Lightspeed unveils new tools for ‘smarter, data-driven decisions’
Restaurant tech provider Lightspeed has released a suite of new tools designed to give hospitality businesses a ‘competitive advantage’. By harnessing personalised insights, these tools help operators optimise pricing, opening hours, and staffing to help improve profitability in a competitive market. Benchmarks & Trends billed as a powerful insights tool, giving restaurateurs the ‘game-changing ability’ to track and analyse performance against competitors. Hospitality businesses will be able to see their local market’s average sales, hourly orders, food and beverage mix, pricing, sales per hour, sales per cover, table turn time and more. “With Benchmarks & Trends, we’re not just providing data-driven insight and essential market information needed to increase performance at the click of a button, but building confidence in how the people behind the businesses can use these insights as a competitive advantage,” says Lightspeed CEO and founder Dax Dasilva.
ThePatron.ai set to ‘revolutionise customer interactions in the UK restaurant industry’
Currently being trialled with a number of leading hospitality operators, ThePatron.ai is billed as a groundbreaking AI-powered voice agent startup. Co-founded by serial female entrepreneur Rajdeep Gahir, the system is capable of ‘human-like’ conversations having been trained on thousands of restaurant interactions and also offers seamless booking platform and POS integration and a real-time analytics dashboard. “ThePatron.ai embodies my dual passion for the very human art of hospitality and cutting edge technology,” she says. “We’re helping restaurants turn missed calls into revenue –Patron is an extra employee to handle calls 24/7, for a fraction of the cost. I’m proud to be working with and backing a best-in-class tech team to build a meaningful AI solution for the very real industry problem of massively increasing operating costs.”
Clifton Food Range launches Black Edition portfolio
Following a sneak peek at trade show HRC last year Clifton Food Range has officially launched its Black Edition portfolio. Still featuring by the brand’s signature orange handle and finished in a matt black coating, the range includes a 14-litre water bath; standalone immersion circulator; and a 4-litre bottle warmer. “We are so excited to launch this range in the UK. This new range continues to deliver the same fantastic results – which many leading chefs across the country absolutely know and love,” says Paula Sherlock, UK sales agent for Clifton Food Range, and Managing Director of Signature FSE. “The only difference is that the Black Edition range has an iconic new look. We see it very much becoming a collector’s item – it’s a very eye-catching three-piece set. Everyone who sees it wants one.”
LoveBite AI launches ‘world’s first AI video waiter’
UK-based tech startup LoveBite AI says it is set to redefine the dining experience with the launch of the world’s first AI Video Waiter. The Video Waiter combines conversational AI with videos of dishes and cocktails, allowing diners to view what’s on offer while speaking naturally to get recommendations and place orders. The technology complements the regular menu, with diners simply scanning a QR code at the table to access tantalising videos of each dish and speak to a ‘knowledgeable’ AI assistant. “By eliminating language barriers and providing instant access to videos of what’s on offer, the AI Video Waiter delights customers while easing staff workloads—offering a much-needed solution to staffing challenges in the hospitality sector,” a spokesperson for LoveBite AI says. “Diners who view the dish videos typically spend 5-10% more, as they are seduced to order additional courses, desserts, and cocktails. The AI can promote high-margin items, helping restaurants drive profitability.”
Unilever Food Solutions dishes up Gen Z diners report
Unilever Food Solutions UK&I has launched its third annual FUTURE MENUS report, highlighting four key foodservice and hospitality trends that are ‘critical to business success’. The research reveals how chefs and operators can meet the demands of consumers, with a particular focus on Gen Z to keep their businesses relevant, drive footfall and unlock spend. The company says that Gen Z eat out more than any other generation and are ‘increasingly economically powerful trendsetters’ that crave ‘exciting dining experiences that are personalised, globally inspired and shareable’. According to the report, 77% of Gen Z are more attracted to restaurants with adventurous, global cuisine and 26% would be less likely to return to a restaurant that only serves British cuisine. The full report can be downloaded from the Unilever UK&I website.
Nisbets launches new Vogue Tri Shield Pans
Nisbets UK has unveiled a new collection of clad-coated cookware that is designed to deliver ‘exceptional’ results on any hob, including induction. Vogue Tri-Shield features a special triangular clad coating that provides a highly scratch-resistant surface, making it safe for use with metal utensils with its ‘innovative’ tri-wall construction ensuring rapid and even heat distribution with no hot spots for uniform cooking. The oven-safe pans are available in three sizes (20cm, 24cm and 28cm). “These pans are the next level of cooking innovation and have been created with the user in mind,” says Nisbets UK group head of customer communications Mark Conron. “From appearance to ease of use, the Vogue Tri-Shield Pans are tailored to the chef and deliver excellent results, even on induction hobs. We really believe that these pans are huge step forward for kitchen appliances and we are thrilled to be able to offer these to our customers.”
Ooni launches next generation of its Koda oven
Pizza oven specialist Ooni has launched two new additions to its best-selling gas-powered line of ovens: the Ooni Koda 2 Gas Powered Pizza Oven and the Ooni Koda 2 Pro Gas Powered Pizza Oven. Designed and engineered to be ‘bigger, better, and smarter’, the two ovens feature 14-inch and 18-inch cooking spaces respectively and both use Ooni’s new G2 Gas Technology. “We’ve taken six years of learning and feedback from over one million customers who have loved the Koda 12 and Koda 16 since 2019,” says Ooni founder and CEO Kristian Tapaninaho. “Our team has reimagined and re-engineered the new Koda 2 Range to level up every single touchpoint and technology – making it better and easier than ever to enjoy incredible pizza with your friends and family. I cannot wait to see customers’ reaction, as the Koda 2 sets a whole new standard for pizza ovens."