Digitally-focused Companies Shell Out for Vistify, the Menu Board Technology Pioneer
In a significant move towards enhancing digital menu management and operational efficiency, Craveworthy Brands, a multi-brand restaurant operator with nearly 20 brands and about 280 locations, has made a strategic investment in Vistify Inc., creators of the vMenu system.
Based in Los Angeles, Vistify Inc. is a tech firm that specialises in the development of technology platforms for real-time updates of digital menus, automation of promotions based on daypart or seasonality, and ensuring consistency across all screens within a brand’s locations.
The vMenu system, which Craveworthy Brands has adopted, offers dynamic control over menu content and promotional offers, allowing brands to adapt quickly and efficiently to changing customer demand and marketing strategies.
The benefits to franchises include real-time menu management, automated promotions, brand consistency, and operational efficiency. By centralising menu updates and automating promotions, franchisees can avoid delays and inconsistencies across locations, increase relevance and sales potential, strengthen brand identity, and save time and costs.
Gregg Majewski, the founder and CEO of Craveworthy Brands, has been a long-time advocate of digital menu boards and plans to build a tech stack to benefit all Craveworthy brands. The investment in Vistify Inc. was not the only tech investment Craveworthy Brands plans to make.
Branded Hospitality Ventures, an "investment and solutions platform," partnered with Craveworthy Brands in the investment in Vistify Inc. Last year, Branded launched a $50 million fund to target emerging technology companies in the foodservice space.
The vMenu system will be first rolled out to the Dirty Dough brand within the next six months. After the initial rollout, the system will be implemented brand by brand across Craveworthy Brands' portfolio, which includes chains like BD's Mongolian Grill, Big Chicken, Taim Mediterranean Kitchen, and more.
Lisa Jennings, a veteran restaurant industry reporter and editor who covers the fast-casual sector, independent restaurants, and emerging chain concepts, commented on the investment, stating, "This move by Craveworthy Brands underscores the growing importance of technology in the restaurant industry, particularly in the area of digital menu boards."
As Craveworthy Brands continues to seek tech investments to build on the vMenu system, the company is poised to lead the way in leveraging technology to enhance the customer experience and operational control across their franchise network.
- The investment in Vistify Inc. by Craveworthy Brands, a multi-brand restaurant operator, signals a significant shift towards franchising technology that enhances the digital menu management and operational efficiency, as well as brand consistency and customer experience, in the food-and-drink industry.
- With the adoption of the vMenu system, a tech platform for real-time updates of digital menus and automation of promotions, Craveworthy Brands' franchises can expect to improve lifestyle benefits such as reduced delays, increased efficiency, and cost savings, while strengthening their brand identity and sales potential.
