Latest news with #KevinKing
Forbes
4 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
Donatos Pizza Testing Out Robot-Made Pizza At One Location
Here's the expert pizzamaker for Donatos Pizza at the Columbus (Ohio) International Airport: the ... More robot. At every one of the 175 Donatos Pizza locations, of which 124 are franchised and 51 are company-owned except one, it's human beings who prepare the pizza. But at its Concourse B location at the John Glenn Columbus (Ohio) International airport, it's a robot that kneads the pizza and serves as one of its pizzamakers. Kevin King, the president and CEO of Donatos Pizza, based in Columbus, Ohio, is emphatic that the pizza prepared by the robot tastes exactly the same as those made by hand by its pizza makers. 'There is no difference!' he states categorically. He admits it didn't do any consumer research to confirm that the taste is the same, but he and his staff tasted it repeatedly to ensure the taste's consistency. Even Robots Have Their Limitations The robot prepares each pizza in about 6 minutes compared to humans who can take 6 to 10 minutes, depending on their technique. But King says the robots are designed for high volume continuous output which humans can't sustain. Robots Making Pizza Can Help It Enter New Markets But King adds that 'this robot can make pizza 24 hours a day' and that enables Donatos to enter markets such as airports, shopping malls, hotel kitchens and in rural America where 'labor is difficult and hard to recruit.' The robots prepare their food in an autonomous kitchen, a separate area. But another goal is to eliminate employees having to do repetitive tasks, which wear people down and dampen their enthusiasm. 'Putting 100 pieces of pepperoni on a pizza is tedious,' he admits. Even Robots Have Their Limitations But here's the thing, even robots have their limitations. Indeed, the robot-making pizzamakers can only make cheese or pepperoni pizza, its two most popular styles, but not any of Donatos 28 unique toppings which includes more than 15 signature pizzas. But Donatos Pizza is also testing out robot versions 2 and 3, so it's hoping that the robot can be trained to make more customized pizza in the future as well as serve drinks. 'The goal is to expand and grow our brand; this is part of the growth,' he explains. King says it's testing out the concept at the Columbus Airport because 'there's lot of traffic; people work there 24 hours a day and there's always room for more pizza.' Robots May Increase Their Tasks in the Future Asked if the robots can prepare any of Donatos other items such as subs, wings, salads or calzones, King says it's looking forward to adding the others to the robot's capabilities but currently it's focused on producing those two kinds of pizza. King also says its kitchen design at Donatos will stay the same and that it's not planning on converting any of them into autonomous kitchens. He said training its human staff to work with the robot isn't complicated. 'The amount of training is minimal for our operators. The model is designed so all preventive maintenance and repairs is conducted by our trained technicians,' King states. He also states that no staff members at the locations were let go to be replaced by the robot. Asked how much the robot costs, King replies, it's likely several hundred thousand dollars, but the newer robot versions will be cheaper. Ultimately, of course, Donatos is driven by bottom-line results, which King explains, these robots improve. 'Adding sales with limited labor costs will enhance the profitability of our franchise partners/operators,' he says. But he adds that even the robots require human beings to 'restock, clean and support the restaurants,' so while labor costs are lower, employees are still necessary, not eliminated. Donatos Pizza expects to open 8 new locations this year and 10 to 15 the following year so steady growth is on the agenda. 'We believe that the fully autonomous kitchen gives us a big opportunity for growth, both domestically and world-wide,' King states.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Donatos Pizza expands presence in Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston
US-based pizza restaurant chain Donatos Pizza has signed three new franchise groups as part of its plans to expand presence in Texas. The company's commitment to the Lone Star State is reinforced with the latest agreements, which include two in the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) area and one in Houston. The agreements brings the total number of Donatos Pizza franchise groups in Texas to nine. As part of its long-term growth strategy in Texas, Donatos aims to open more than 100 locations across key Texas markets, including DFW, Houston, Waco, Austin, and East Texas. Donatos Pizza development and franchising VP Jeff Baldwin said: "With every new agreement, we're strengthening our footprint on these communities throughout Texas while showcasing our commitment to delivering more of what our guests love: more toppings, more flavour, and more deliciousness. DFW and Houston are powerhouse markets, and we're excited to welcome motivated franchise partners who are ready to grow with us." Currently, Donatos Pizza operates two locations in Flower Mound and Frisco in Texas. Donatos Pizza CEO and president Kevin King added: "Texas is a huge priority for us. We are attracting very capable partners who are ready to build something meaningful with us in the Lone Star State." Donatos Pizza has also introduced a new tagline, "Gotta love more," which underscores the brand's dedication to delivering more value, innovation, and community connection. This commitment is evident in both the brand's menu offerings, such as the $5 Pizza Pals Menu, and its efforts to expand its presence through franchise partners. In April 2025, Donatos Pizza selected Revmo AI as its partner to implement a new voice ordering system. This system will automate phone orders across the brand's entire network, enhancing efficiency and customer service. "Donatos Pizza expands presence in Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston" was originally created and published by Verdict Food Service, a GlobalData owned brand.
USA Today
11-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Falcons free agency news: Atlanta re-signs DB Kevin King
Falcons free agency news: Atlanta re-signs DB Kevin King Recapping each move the Atlanta Falcons have made since the start of 2025 NFL free agency Even with the 2025 NFL draft kicking off in less than two weeks, the Atlanta Falcons are still making deals in free agency. On Friday, the team added more depth in the secondary by re-signing veteran defensive back Kevin King. The Falcons also brought back Dee Alford and veteran Mike Hughes, both of whom should return to their starting roles in 2025. With the draft fast approaching, let's recap each signing the Falcons have made since the start of the new league year, starting with the most recent moves. Falcons re-sign DB Kevin King on one-year deal King returns to Atlanta after appearing in five games for the Falcons last season. He recorded 10 tackles (six solo), one interception and a Pro Football Focus grade of 81.7. King can provide more depth behind starters A.J. Terrell and Mike Hughes. Falcons re-sign nickel DB Dee Alford Alford returns after testing free agency. The team's starting nickel corner in 2024 should return to his role in 2025. While the team planned to give Clark Phillips III a look in the slot, Alford likely changes those plans in the immediate future. Falcons sign TE Teagan Quitoriano (per report) According to a report from Aaron Wilson, the Falcons are signing tight end Teagan Quitoriano. The 25-year-old was selected by the Texans in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL draft out of Oregon State. He spent the last three seasons in Houston, recording nine catches for 146 receiving yards and two touchdowns in 23 career games (15 starts). Falcons sign kicker Lenny Krieg to 3-year deal According to a report from NFL Network's Mike Garafolo, the Atlanta Falcons have signed kicker Lenny Krieg to a three-year contract. The German-born kicker impressed at the NFL's International Player Pathway program pro day. Falcons sign KR Jamal Agnew to one-year deal According to NFL Network reporter Mike Garafolo, the Falcons have signed Pro Bowl kick returner Jamal Agnew to a one-year, $2.5 million contract. Agnew previously played for special teams coordinator Marquice Williams in Detroit back in 2020. Falcons sign TE/QB Feleipe Franks Former quarterback-turned-tight end Feleipe Franks has returned to Atlanta. Franks made the Falcons roster as an undrafted free agent in 2021, appearing in nine games as a rookie. Last year, he played in 16 games for the Carolina Panthers. Vikings sign ex-Falcons WR Rondale Moore After visiting with four teams in free agency, former Falcons wide receiver Rondale Moore agreed to terms with the Minnesota Vikings. Moore did not play in a game last season after suffering a season-ending knee injury in training camp. Falcons sign safety Jordan Fuller, per report According to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, the Falcons are signing veteran safety Jordan Fuller. The 27-year-old reunited with Falcons head coach Raheem Morris, who was Fuller's defensive coordinator in Los Angeles when the team won the Super Bowl in 2021. Rams sign ex-Falcons LB Nate Landman Linebacker Nate Landman has signed a one-year contract with the Los Angeles Rams. The former undrafted free agent was not expected to return to Atlanta once the team declined to sign his free agency tender. Landman, 26, has appeared in 36 games over the last three seasons. Falcons sign DL Kentavius Street On Monday, the Falcons officially announced a handful of moves that had been previously reported and one new signing. The team officially has brought back veteran defensive lineman Kentavius Street. The 28-year-old appeared in 13 games last season for Atlanta and is a good depth addition after losing Grady Jarrett. Falcons sign DL Morgan Fox Former Chargers defensive lineman Morgan Fox is signing with the Falcons on a two-year, $8.5 million contract, according to a report from the NFL Network. Fox, 30, appeared in all 17 games with three starts last season. For his career, he's recorded 27.5 sacks, 51 QB hits and 33 tackles for loss. Falcons sign CB Keith Taylor On Friday, the Falcons signed free agent cornerback Keith Taylor. The former Chiefs DB played in 11 games last season for Kansas City. The former fifth-round pick has appeared in 45 games since entering the league in 2021. RB/PR Avery Williams signs with Eagles According to a report from NFL insider Dianna Russini, former Falcons running back/return specialist has agreed to a one-year deal with the Philadelphia Eagles. Last season, Williams returned 20 punts for 185 total yards, while returning 15 kickoffs for another 408 yards (27.2 yards per return). Falcons sign OL Brandon Parker On Thursday, the team announced it had re-signed veteran offensive lineman Brandon Parker. While he didn't play in a game for Atlanta last season, he can be a versatile depth piece for the team if he makes the 53-man roster in 2025. Falcons re-sign OT Storm Norton According to Norton's agency, "JL Sports," the Falcons are giving the veteran lineman a two-year contract. The 30-year-old spent the last two seasons in Atlanta, starting four games. Falcons re-sign LB Josh Woods Atlanta brought back linebacker Josh Woods, who appeared in five games for the team last season. While Woods is primarily a special teams contributor, he's an experienced veteran who adds depth to a defense that looks fairly thin at the moment. The 28-year-old has played for four different teams over his seven-year NFL career. Falcons re-sign OL Elijah Wilkinson The Falcons re-signed veteran offensive lineman Elijah Wilkinson on Wednesday. The 30-year-old has played at both guard and tackle and started nine games for Atlanta in 2022. After leaving for the Arizona Cardinals in 2023, Wilkinson returned to Atlanta last season and appeared in two games. Falcons re-sign guard Kyle Hinton In the third of the Falcons' Wednesday evening signings, the team brought back veteran offensive lineman Kyle Hinton. The former seventh-round pick has spent the last two seasons in Atlanta, making just one start. He's a good depth addition to the interior offensive line. Falcons re-sign WR KhaDarel Hodge The Falcons have brought back Pro Bowl wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge on a two-year, $6 million contract. Hodge caught the game-winning touchdown to defeat the Buccaneers in Week 5. The veteran also made several plays on special teams, blocking multiple punts in a Week 15 win over the Raiders. Falcons re-sign DL Ta'Quon Graham Atlanta agreed to re-sign veteran defensive lineman Ta'Quon Graham shortly after the start of the new league year. Graham, a fifth-round pick from the 2021 NFL draft, has appeared in 49 games with 16 starts. The 27-year-old signed a one-year deal, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Falcons agree to terms with CB Mike Ford According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Falcons have agreed to terms with cornerback Mike Ford on a two-year, $4 million contract. Ford played for the team in 2022, appearing in all 17 games with two starts. Falcons agree to terms with EDGE Leonard Floyd On Tuesday, the Falcons finally addressed their biggest need, agreeing to terms with veteran edge rusher Leonard Floyd on a reported one-year, $10 million contract. The former first-round pick has recorded at least 8.5 sacks in each of the last five seasons. Falcons agree to terms with CB Mike Hughes Hughes, 28, returns to Atlanta on a reported three-year, $18 million contract. The veteran cornerback gives the team more stability in the secondary behind A.J. Terrell. The former first-round pick started 15 games for the Falcons last season and played some of the best football of his career. Falcons agree to terms with LB Divine Deablo The Falcons agreed to terms with their first free agent on Tuesday morning. According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the team is expected to sign linebacker Divine Deablo to a two-year, $14 million contract. The former third-round pick started 14 games last season for the Raiders. Deablo could be a replacement for Lorenzo Carter, who's also a free agent. Richie Grant agrees to terms with San Francisco 49ers According to a report from ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, former Falcons second-round pick Richie Grant has agreed to terms with the San Francisco 49ers on a one-year deal. Grant, 27, started 32 games for Atlanta from 2022-2023 but lost his job to Pro Bowl safety Justin Simmons in 2024. Simmons is also a free agent, although the Falcons may choose to go in a different direction or let DeMarcco Hellams take over at strong safety in 2025. Grady Jarrett agrees to terms with Chicago Bears The Falcons lost two starters to the Bears on Monday, with veteran Grady Jarrett following Dalman to Chicago on a reported three-year, $43.5 million contract. Jarrett has spent his entire 10-year career in Atlanta and should benefit from playing with a better supporting cast on the Bears. Drew Dalman agrees to terms with Chicago Bears As many predicted, the Falcons have lost starting center Drew Dalman to the Chicago Bears. The Bears signed Dalman to a three-year, $42 million contract on Monday afternoon. The deal includes $28 million in guaranteed money. Chicago continues to make big moves under first-year head coach Ben Johnson. The Falcons will now need to find a new starting center. Falcons release DT Grady Jarrett after 10 seasons Jarrett was released on Monday morning in one of the NFL's more shocking pre-free agency moves. While an extension was also possible, the Falcons opted to move on from the face of their defense for the last 10 NFL seasons. Jarrett should have plenty of interest around the league as a free agent. The Falcons freed up $16.2 million by cutting the veteran defensive lineman. Falcons extend LT Jake Matthews on 2-year deal Matthews signed a two-year, $45 million extension with the team on Sunday evening. According to Over The Cap's projections, the team saves around $11 million by extending the veteran left tackle. This was the first major move Atlanta made and makes the team cap compliant in time for the start of the new league year. Falcons sign long snapper Liam McCullough to extension While not as big as some of these other moves, the Falcons brought back Liam McCullough on a reported four-year extension last week. McCullough has been a steady part of the Atlanta's special teams unit for the last three seasons. The 27-year-old has quietly done his job and now gets rewarded with a little more job security. Check out our latest starting lineup projection for the Falcons ahead of the 2025 NFL draft.
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Shiji unveils comprehensive rebrand, unifying its hospitality technology solutions under a single platform
New identity reflects Shiji's commitment to seamless, 24/7 support for the global hospitality industry BERLIN, March 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Shiji, a leading global provider of hospitality technology solutions, announced a complete company rebrand, uniting its suite of products under a cohesive brand structure. With this transformation, Shiji introduces a new identity that simplifies its portfolio and highlights its commitment to being a 24/7 partner to the hospitality industry. Over the past 25 years, Shiji has evolved from an IT service company into a global technology powerhouse, offering solutions across property management, point-of-sale, reputation management, distribution, payments, and guest engagement. The company's expansion, which included several strategic acquisitions, brought best-in-class solutions under the Shiji umbrella. However, this rapid growth also created complexity across its brand and product landscape. "Now that our acquisitions have been fully integrated, it's time to take the next step—presenting a unified platform of solutions under one cohesive brand system," said Kevin King, CEO at Shiji International. "Our new brand structure makes it easier for hoteliers to navigate our offerings while reinforcing our core mission: to deliver world-class technology that operates as seamlessly as the hospitality industry itself—day and night." Shiji's rebrand is built around the concept of "Day and Night", a tribute to the hospitality industry's continuous operation. This branding reinforces Shiji's role as a technology partner that is always on, ensuring mission-critical hotel operations run without interruption. Introducing Shiji's newly branded solutions To enhance clarity and consistency across its platform, Shiji has introduced new branding for its core solutions: Daylight PMS: A fully cloud-based property management system designed for luxury and full-service hotels, featuring Single Guest Profiles and advanced security. Infrasys POS: A cloud-based, offline-capable point-of-sale system, trusted by hotels, resorts, and high-traffic venues worldwide. Reviewpro Reputation: A leading reputation management tool that aggregates guest feedback and enables data-driven service improvements. Horizon Distribution: A dynamic distribution platform that enhances access to key global markets, including China. Iceportal Content: A centralized content distribution system for images, text, and attributes across hospitality channels. Meridian Experiences: A solution for managing and monetizing ancillary services, such as spa, and event bookings. Astral Payments: A secure, tokenized payment platform that streamlines transactions across all guest touchpoints. Stellaris Digital: Encompassing Digital Stay, Digital Dine, Digital Payby, and omnichannel communication tools that enhance guest experiences. Twilight Data + AI: A data lake environment providing deep insights and AI-powered decision-making for hotels. /twilight-data-ai "Each of our solutions have been designed with integration and efficiency in mind," said Kevin King. "With this rebrand, we are making it clearer than ever how our solutions work together to support hoteliers in delivering exceptional guest experiences." A unified, future-ready hospitality platform In addition to renaming and streamlining its products, Shiji has introduced a new visual and conceptual model—the 'day-night product cycle'—which illustrates how its interconnected solutions support the entire guest journey, mirroring the industry's non-stop nature. Shiji's commitment to innovation and service remains steadfast. With operations in nearly every major hospitality market, the company offers localized expertise and support, ensuring seamless operations for hoteliers worldwide. "This rebrand is more than just a new look—it's a statement of our dedication to serving the hospitality industry at the highest level," added King. "Shiji is here for hoteliers, day and night, providing the technology and support they need to succeed." For more information on the Day-Night theme and how it is incorporated into our brand identity, visit For more information on Shiji's newly unified platform and to explore how its solutions can enhance hotel operations, visit About Shiji Shiji is a global technology company dedicated to providing innovative solutions for the hospitality industry, ensuring seamless operations for hoteliers day and night. Built on the Shiji Platform—the only truly global hotel technology platform—Shiji's cloud-based solutions include property management system, point-of-sale, guest engagement, distribution, payments, and data intelligence for over 91,000 hotels worldwide, including the largest hotel chains. With more than 5,000 employees across the world, Shiji is a trusted partner for the world's leading hoteliers, delivering technology that works as continuously as the industry itself. That's why the best hotels run on Shiji—day and night. While its primary focus is on hospitality, Shiji also serves select customers in food service, retail, and entertainment in certain regions. For more information, visit Media Contact: Gabriella Alverio Albors Marketing Manager, Americas Shiji Group +1 (404) 948 - 4001 View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Shiji Group
Yahoo
18-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Amazon is replacing its TikTok-like Inspire with Rufus the AI bot
Amazon has shut down its TikTok-esque social shopping feed, Inspire, and will be replacing it with Rufus. By 'Rufus,' we mean the AI shopping chatbot, not the naked mole rat from Kim Possible. According to a report from The Information, Amazon users received a message from the online retail company saying that the Inspire feed was no longer available. The lightbulb icon that was used to access Inspire from the bottom of the Amazon app's home screen also disappeared. Kevin King, the founder of the Billion Dollar Sellers newsletter, posted a screenshot of the message on LinkedIn, which reads, 'Thank you for using Amazon Inspire to discover and shop new products on Amazon. Please note that Inspire is no longer available in the Amazon shopping app.' The Inspire feed, which Amazon launched in 2023, provided an endless scroll of shoppable videos and images of products sold on the site posted by content creators and customers to demonstrate the use of said products and give testimonials on them. It was especially useful for content creators and influencers, as they would earn commissions from people buying the products immediately after viewing their content as part of the Amazon Influencer Program. 'We regularly evaluate various features to better align with what customers tell us matters most, and as part of that, Inspire is no longer available,' an Amazon spokesperson said. While they didn't further explain the reason why Inspire was shut down, it can be implied that it didn't work as well as TikTok's Discover page in converting sales and compelling influencers to post content on there more frequently, as they can earn income elsewhere. However, they did redirect customers to other means of receiving product recommendations, including Rufus. Rufus is an AI shopping assistant that answers questions to customers in an effort to help them find the products that best suit their needs quicker. For example, you can ask 'Best gifts for gamers,' and it'll recommend gaming headsets, mice, chairs, and consoles. Rufus will then ask, 'Can you share a bit about their favorite games or genres? For example, 'They enjoy RPGs like Skyrim.'' You respond, 'They play JRPGs like Kingdom Hearts and Fire Emblem,' and it'll recommend merchandise based on the games mentioned or similar, such as a Funko Pop figure of a character from Ni no Kuni. Amazon shutting down Inspire coincides with the legal drama surrounding TikTok, which recently returned to the App Store and Google Play in the U.S. following a letter Attorney General Pam Bondi sent to Apple and Google assuring them they won't face any penalties related to the TikTok ban. The app was removed from both storefronts on January 18 as a result of a law that banned TikTok unless ByteDance sold it to an American company. Two days later, President Trump signed an executive order granting a 75-day stay on the ban while his administration figured out the best way forward. How long the TikTok app will stay on the app stores is unknown. With Inspire gone from Amazon, it may be a little difficult for influencers to earn money from the content they post on the site. Although, it's worth pointing out that Amazon Live, the live-streaming and live-shopping feature, is still active, so maybe not that hard.
