Ensuring the joys of hospitality are accessible
This article explores the transformative potential of fully integrating ESG principles with a focus on accessibility, thereby promoting inclusivity in the hospitality industry.
The Current State of Accessibility in Hospitality
Despite significant advancements in corporate responsibility, the hospitality industry often falls short in accommodating people with disabilities. Many facilities still lack adequate access, clear signage, sensitive alarm systems, and specialised services that consider all spectrums of disability. The oversight extends to non-visible disabilities, such as auditory or mental health impairments, which are frequently not accounted for in standard accessibility measures.
The ESG Framework and Accessibility
The ESG framework provides a comprehensive approach to sustainability and responsibility, emphasising environmental impact, social inclusion, and governance. Under the social component, there is a growing imperative to include accessibility as a core aspect of business practices. This not only aligns with ethical business practices but also expands market reach and improves the overall customer experience.
Original story and image on Hospitality and Catering News
Original story and image on GrreenBiz
KFC’s recipe for cutting restaurant emissions by 46%
New and existing KFC franchisees are being asked to follow the company’s stricter guidance for slashing their carbon footprint, through its Building Green initiative, a plan developed by KFC’s development and sustainability teams. That blueprint focuses on 11 "simple but meaningful" and mandatory measures it is encouraging, and planning to require, around the world as franchisees build or refurbish locations.
KFC is one of the fastest-growing food retail chains in the world, with almost 30,000 franchise restaurants and counting: There’s at least one new location opening every 3.5 hours. Those stores account for at least one-third of KFC’s Scope 3 emissions, about the same as the footprint associated with raising the chickens that dominate KFC’s menu.
Advancing the restaurant industry with AI innovations in 2024
The restaurant industry is witnessing a pivotal transformation as we navigate into the future, driven by the advancements in artificial intelligence (AI). This evolution is not just reshaping the way restaurants interact with customers but also how they streamline their operations for heightened efficiency and effectiveness, all made possible through the integration with advanced omni-channel point-of-sale (POS) systems. Here are some of the primary ways restaurant operators are leveraging AI tools in 2024.
High-touch, tech-driven customer experiences
The post-pandemic era has seen a shift toward personalization, moving away from the impersonal service models necessitated by health concerns. Gone are the days of QR menus and curbside pick-up. Now, AI technologies, particularly conversational AI, are at the forefront of this shift, powering service kiosks and drive-thrus with interfaces that emulate human interaction, making customer engagements more natural and less transactional.
Advancing the restaurant industry with AI innovations in 2024
Original story and image on QSR Web
Original story and image on Restaurant Dive
The top restaurant trends in 2024
From automation to sustainability, these are the most compelling global trends shaping the food and beverage industry in 2024.
Restaurant owners entered 2024 feeling optimistic, according to data from the Square 2024 Future of Restaurants report. The industry has embraced technology solutions to tackle staffing, process, and efficiency challenges. Now, restaurant operators across regions have fresh priorities to stay competitive and grow their businesses.
To understand restaurant operators’ current goals and challenges, as well as what customers want from dining experiences this year, Square teamed up with Wakefield Research to survey 2,000 restaurant owners and managers and 4,000 customers across the U.S., UK, Canada, and Australia.