News Briefs

At this year’s National Restaurant Association Show, Sauce will reveal its fully integrated first-party ordering and delivery platform, rounding out its offering with an AI-driven retention engine and full customer support. With this launch—and entry into the Chicago market—the company aims to give independent restaurants and multi-unit operators alike a single, streamlined solution to drive direct orders, reduce third-party costs, and foster long-term guest loyalty.

Key Highlights:

• End-to-end delivery platform now live
  Sauce’s platform covers the complete customer journey: from discovery to delivery, and now, retention—removing the need for piecemeal tech solutions.
• AI retention engine boosts repeat orders
  The new AI-powered feature uses behavioral data and personalized messaging to automate re-engagement. Early tests show it can lift return orders by 20% or more.
• Chicago market expansion
  Sauce brings its flat-fee delivery and high-touch support to one of the country’s most influential food scenes, signaling confidence in scaling its model.
• What it means for CTOs
  A single, unified system means fewer vendor integrations, improved data transparency, and more control over the guest experience—critical for IT leaders prioritizing profitability and brand consistency.
• Key platform features:
  • Branded online ordering
  • Managed delivery via local couriers
  • Live customer service
  • AI-driven email marketing and loyalty

DoorDash has partnered with Wing to offer drone delivery in Charlotte, N.C.

DoorDash customers within about four miles of The Arboretum Shopping Center in southern Charlotte can order from a selection of local and national restaurants and choose to have their items delivered by drone. The lineup includes local brands like Matcha Cafe Maiko and Panera Bread— the city's first national partner available for drone delivery. 

The Charlotte expansion is the next step in a successful partnership between Wing and DoorDash. DoorDash and Wing first launched drone delivery together in Australia in 2022. Since then, the partnership expanded to the U.S., with drone delivery service available to DoorDash customers in parts of Southwest Virginia, the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, and now Charlotte. DoorDash and Wing plan to expand to additional neighborhoods later this year.

“Autonomous delivery will help shape the future of local logistics, and we’re proud to introduce drone delivery to Charlotte for the first time with Wing,” said Harrison Shih, Head of Product for DoorDash Labs. “What makes this launch special isn’t just the technology, it’s the experience. Whether it’s your favorite Panera sandwich, a savory snack from DashMart, or a local matcha latte on DoorDash, there’s something special about watching your order arrive by air in minutes. DoorDash and Wing aren’t just delivering faster, we’re delivering what’s next.”

This partnership was born out of DoorDash Labs, DoorDash’s robotics and automation arm. DoorDash Labs focuses on identifying and integrating autonomous solutions that can enhance the customer experience, drive increased demand for local merchants, and create more earning opportunities for Dashers. In addition to Wing, DoorDash also partners with Coco Robotics for sidewalk robot delivery, reinforcing its commitment to building a multi-modal delivery platform designed to support the fastest and most efficient deliveries possible.

“We are committed to continuously redefining convenience and unlocking innovative ways to enhance the Panera experience, and we’re thrilled to partner with DoorDash and Wing on this pilot,” said Meenakshi Nagarajan, Chief Digital Officer, Panera Bread. “This partnership offers a cutting-edge way to deliver the quality and craveability that our guests know and love, right to their doorstep.” 

How it Works

To get started with drone delivery on DoorDash, eligible residents browsing the DoorDash app will notice the “Drone” icon on the homepage of their app. Tapping that will let them browse restaurants eligible for drone delivery.

If the items they choose meet the size and weight criteria, shoppers will have the option to select drone delivery during checkout. After confirming their delivery location, they’ll receive live tracking updates as the drone approaches.

Charlotte residents can check their address for eligibility at wing.com/charlotte. Anyone who isn’t eligible today can join the waitlist to be notified when drone delivery expands to their neighborhood.

As hospitality businesses struggle to retain young talent, a new report from Axonify reveals a critical disconnect between what Gen Z frontline workers need from training and what they’re getting. The research uncovers significant dissatisfaction around onboarding, access to ongoing support, and the relevance of training content—issues that contribute to anxiety, disengagement, and high turnover. For CTOs and HR leaders, these findings signal an urgent need to modernize training strategies and strengthen cross-functional collaboration to meet the expectations of the digitally native workforce.

Key Takeaways from Axonify’s Report: "Polling the Frontline: Gen Z’s Training and Skills Gaps"

The training gap is real—and costly.

• 77% of Gen Z frontline workers have faced situations where a lack of job-specific skills or training affected their ability to complete tasks.
• 62% felt overwhelmed and anxious, 55% embarrassed, and 14% considered quitting due to insufficient training.

Training is often a one-and-done event.

• One in three Gen Z workers say they only received training at onboarding.
• 37% don’t have enough time to learn while on the job.

Irrelevant content drives disengagement.

• 34% report training content lacked practical value or interest.
• 24% didn’t feel more confident after completing training.

Gen Z wants training that’s flexible, personalized, and mobile.

• 50% want role- and career-specific learning.
• 35% prefer short video modules; 35% want mobile access.

Better training can boost retention and performance.

• 81% say they’d stay longer with better ongoing training.
• When training reflects real-life tasks, 90% feel more confident, 82% more productive, and 81% more satisfied.

What This Means for the Hospitality Industry:

The stakes are high for retention. In high-turnover industries like hospitality, frontline disengagement due to poor training can lead to significant operational disruption and costs.

Digital learning tools are no longer optional. Mobile-first, microlearning platforms aren’t just a nice-to-have—they’re essential to meet the expectations of Gen Z workers and keep them engaged. Don't just take our word for it! Felicia White, President of the Council of Hotel and Restaurant Trainers and VP of Learning & Development at Ascent Hospitality Management talked all about it at our recent MURTEC 2025 event.

Personalization is key. Replacing one-size-fits-all training with AI-powered or adaptive learning paths can help tailor content to roles, boost relevance, and build confidence.

CTOs and HR leaders must collaborate. Implementing modern training platforms requires alignment between technology and talent strategies. Together, tech and HR leaders can bridge the gap by prioritizing scalable, user-friendly training solutions that integrate with operational workflows.

This is a culture issue, not just a tech issue. Training must be part of a broader commitment to support and grow frontline talent—not a checkbox during onboarding.

A new study from SoundHound AI spotlights the potential of in-car voice ordering. Nearly 80% of U.S. drivers say they would rather skip the drive-thru and place food orders using their vehicle’s voice assistant—signaling a game-changing opportunity for restaurants to meet customers where they are: on the move.

Key Takeaways for Restaurant CTOs and Tech Leaders:

• $63 Billion Opportunity: In-car voice commerce could open a new revenue channel for restaurants, particularly QSRs, by tapping into the growing cohort of consumers who want to order food via their vehicle’s voice assistant.
• Demand Is Real—and Growing: 77% of drivers who already use voice assistants say they’d prefer in-car ordering to waiting in a drive-thru. Interest spikes among Gen Z (86%) and Millennials (84%), and among families—86% of respondents with kids said they’re interested.
• Faster, Safer, and More Frictionless: With 63% of consumers calling it safer than traditional on-the-go ordering, voice commerce addresses both convenience and safety—a win-win for customers and operators.
• Drive-Thru and App Fatigue: Frustrations with slow or clunky drive-thru and app-based experiences open the door for restaurants to differentiate themselves with smoother, voice-first ordering journeys.
• Impulsive Purchases = Opportunity: 82% of on-the-go purchases are hunger-driven and spontaneous—presenting a prime moment for smart, proactive voice suggestions to convert cravings into revenue.

For restaurant CTOs exploring ways to enhance the guest experience while improving throughput and safety, in-car voice commerce represents an emerging tech frontier that’s well worth watching.

In the high-stakes world of restaurant delivery, even minor order mistakes can chip away at margins—and with fraudulent refund claims on the rise, multi-location operators need smarter ways to protect their bottom line. Deliverect’s new AI-driven solution, Resolve, tackles this exact issue by combining vision AI with cloud-based analytics to detect, document, and dispute missing or incorrect (M&I) order claims. Designed for chains with 50+ locations, the platform uses in-store cameras and Google’s Gemini models to both capture evidence and recommend operational improvements, turning refund management into a data-driven process.

Key Takeaways for Restaurant CTOs:

• What it is:
  Resolve is a vision AI solution that analyzes in-store video footage of the order packing process to verify order accuracy, detect errors, and generate evidence to dispute false refund claims.
• Why it matters:
  M&I errors and fraudulent refunds can drain restaurant revenue—up to 70%, according to Deliverect. Resolve addresses this with automated oversight, real-time analysis, and actionable insights to prevent loss and enhance accountability.
• How it works:
  Built using Google’s Gemini models and Vertex AI, Resolve:
  • Records and reviews order packing via overhead cameras.
  • Flags discrepancies using AI-based analysis.
  • Compiles video-backed evidence for disputing refunds.
  • Produces trend reports to guide staff training and process improvements.
• Real-world results:
  Early adopters have reported:
  • A 95% refund capture rate.
  • 42% of refunds flagged as disputable.
  • Up to 70% revenue loss protection within three months.

Global Payments Inc., a worldwide provider of payment technology and software solutions, announced the release of Genius, a powerful new POS command center for business operations.

The launch of Genius is an important milestone in the company’s journey to streamline its ecosystem of innovative solutions, unifying all the Global Payments POS products that customers love into an all-in-one, intuitive and highly configurable new POS platform.

“Going to market with a single, enhanced POS platform enables customers to enjoy the full range of features and commerce enablement solutions that we offer,” said Cameron Bready, Global Payments’ CEO. “With these changes, we are delivering a seamless experience for our customers while simplifying our business and establishing a stronger and more recognizable brand in the market.”

The new Genius platform enables global expansion and vertical specialization at scale, allowing Global Payments to rapidly launch in multiple countries, adapting to the unique requirements of each market. It also unlocks new opportunities in specialized retail segments like age regulated businesses, higher education and consumer service businesses.

“Genius reinforces Global Payments’ position as a leading technology partner for businesses seeking versatile software and payment solutions in today's rapidly-evolving marketplace,” said Bob Cortopassi, Global Payments’ president and chief operating officer. “This new POS platform accelerates the value we provide our customers by establishing a single, scalable and feature-rich continuum of POS technology that we will continue to enhance in the months and years ahead.”

Genius for Restaurants and Retail Launch First

Genius for Restaurants is designed to meet the operational needs of every restaurant type and scale, from full service table management to checkouts in counter service environments. The platform, which is paired with hardware engineered for higher performance, delivers everything restaurants need: waitlist and reservations, real-time reporting, tableside payments, marketing tools, loyalty programs and more.

Genius for Retail is designed to work easily right out of the box. From managing orders and tracking inventory to delivering reliable checkouts and built-in tools for loyalty, marketing, invoicing and reporting, Genius for Retail has everything small and medium-sized retailers need to deliver seamless customer experiences.

• Genius for Restaurants will launch at the National Restaurant Association show on Saturday, May 17, and will initially be available for U.S. and Canadian businesses.
• Genius for Retail will be introduced in June in the U.S., with Canada, Germany, Austria and Czech Republic following soon after.
• Coming later in the year, Global Payments will launch Genius for Enterprise across multiple countries. This solution serves the needs of the most demanding environments with large footprint and complex kitchen workflows, such as large QSR chains, stadiums and venues.

Genius will be marketed under the Global Payments brand. For more information about Genius, visit globalpayments.com/genius and view this video. Find Global Payments at booth #3801 at the National Restaurant Association show, May 17-20 in Chicago.