Latest news with #Byte
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Can Wendy's Digital Push and Gamified App Lift Engagement and Sales?
The Wendy's Company (WEN) is leaning on digital investments to improve engagement and drive sales as consumer traffic remains under pressure. In the first quarter of 2025, the company continued to enhance its digital channels, with app engagement reaching an all-time high. The digital mix rose to more than 20% of total sales, supported by new features that encourage customer interaction beyond the point of purchase. A key development is the gamification of the Wendy's app. This feature was introduced to deepen user engagement and build repeat visits. The app now offers more personalized content and targeted digital messaging, which the company believes is helping improve conversion rates. Another major focus is the rollout of Fresh AI and digital menu boards. As of the first quarter, Wendy's deployed Fresh AI in 168 locations and remains on track to reach more than 500 by year-end. The technology suggests curated add-ons at the point of ordering, which is already leading to higher average checks. It also aims to improve order accuracy and crew productivity, two areas linked directly to customer satisfaction. Wendy's plans to scale its digital initiatives throughout 2025. The combination of gamified engagement, personalized app features and in-store technology is expected to support stronger customer loyalty and lift average spend. As adoption increases, the digital platform is set to play a larger role in driving long-term growth. Digital transformation continues to shape strategies across the restaurant space, with Yum! Brands, Inc. (YUM) and BJ's Restaurants, Inc. (BJRI) focusing on operational upgrades and guest engagement. Yum! Brands is benefiting from strong performance at its KFC and Taco Bell divisions, along with continued growth in digital sales. The company is expanding its Byte platform with AI-powered personalization and loyalty integration. A new partnership with NVIDIA is expected to accelerate Yum! Brands' AI adoption across drive-thrus, kitchens and restaurant management, supporting faster service and improved team productivity. BJ's Restaurants is advancing digital upgrades across systems to streamline service and control costs. Enhancements to POS and kitchen display tools have improved order speed and accuracy, while also lowering food and beverage comp costs. In select markets, BJ's Restaurants is using AI-driven labor scheduling and forecasting to boost efficiency and guest sentiment. Off-premise digital experience remains a focus, with broader improvements planned later in the year. Wendy's shares have lost 12.2% in the past three months against the industry's growth of 4.6%. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research WEN is currently priced at a discount relative to its industry. It has a forward 12-month price-to-earnings ratio of 11.31, which is well below the industry average. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2025 earnings per share has remained stable in the past 30 days. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research The company currently carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report BJ's Restaurants, Inc. (BJRI) : Free Stock Analysis Report Yum! Brands, Inc. (YUM) : Free Stock Analysis Report The Wendy's Company (WEN) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research ( Zacks Investment Research Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Miami Herald
03-07-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
CMG Financial's Courtney Thompson and Susan Walker Named 2025 HousingWire Women of Influence
SAN RAMON, CA / ACCESS Newswire / July 2, 2025 / CMG Financial, one of the nation's top mortgage lenders, is proud to announce that two of its Executive Vice Presidents, Courtney Thompson and Susan Walker, have been named to HousingWire's 2025 Women of Influence list. This prestigious award honors women in housing who are making notable contributions to both their organizations and the industry at large. With their innovative thinking, leadership, and vision for the future, Courtney and Susan exemplify what it means to lead with impact. "This year's honorees include mentors, innovators, and community leaders," wrote Lesley Collins, HousingWire Editor's Choice Awards Program Manager. "Many are paving the way for future generations through mentorship, volunteer initiatives, and by serving on boards that influence key industry practices. Collectively, their efforts are shaping not only their companies but also the communities they serve and the future of housing itself." Courtney Thompson, EVP of Servicing at CMG, has spent the past year tackling one of the biggest challenges in mortgage servicing: building a modern, borrower-first platform from the ground up. Tasked with developing a fully in-house servicing solution, she's led a bold effort to move beyond outdated legacy systems and create something built for today's consumer. Under her leadership, the platform has taken shape as a fully connected ecosystem-one that keeps loan officers involved post-close, gives borrowers access to personalized tools and insights, and reshapes how homeowners interact with their loans. It's not just a tech project-it's a reinvention of the servicing experience, and it's already drawing attention across the industry. Susan Walker, EVP of Corporate Efficiency at CMG, has spent the past year acting as the voice of the loan officer, translating feedback from top performers into meaningful enhancements to CMG's core platforms, CLEAR and Byte. By embedding herself directly with Product and Technology teams, she helped identify workflow inefficiencies and delivered rapid-fire improvements that drove adoption, boosted morale, and aided in bolstering these systems into competitive strengths. Her impact earned her a seat on the Executive Management Team, where she now oversees Post Closing, Vendor Management, and Product. In this new role, she continues to lead with the same hands-on, cross-functional approach, streamlining operations, reducing costs, and identifying upstream efficiency and alignment opportunities. Her results speak volumes: a West Division that topped $3B in volume, over 100 strategic hires, and a culture that now embraces technology more than ever before. Susan's work isn't just about optimizing systems, it's about building a smarter, more resilient CMG. "Courtney and Susan are both exceptional leaders and trusted partners who bring passion, clarity, and a deep sense of responsibility to everything they do," said Paul Akinmade, Chief Strategy Officer at CMG Financial. "They care deeply about their work, their teams, and the future of this company. What stands out is how they bring people together to drive meaningful change, from the first moments of origination all the way through to servicing." CMG congratulates both honorees and thanks HousingWire for recognizing the leadership, excellence, and trailblazing impact of women across housing finance. To read their full Women of Influence profiles, click here. About CMG CMG Mortgage, Inc. NMLS ID# 1820 ( ) is a well-capitalized mortgage lender founded in 1993. Founder and CEO, Christopher M. George, was Chairman of the Mortgage Bankers Association in 2019. CMG makes its products and services available to the market through three distinct origination channels including retail lending, wholesale lending, and correspondent lending. CMG currently operates in all states, including the District of Columbia, and holds approvals with FNMA, FHLMC, and GNMA. CMG is widely known throughout the mortgage banking and housing markets for responsible lending practices, industry and consumer advocacy, product innovation, and operational efficiency. About HousingWire HousingWire is the most influential source of news and information for the U.S. mortgage and housing markets, boasting a readership that spans lending, servicing, investments, and real estate market participants, as well as financial market professionals. With over 10 million annual unique visitors, HousingWire is the community for mortgage and housing professionals to engage and connect. Industry decision-makers rely on us to Move Markets Forward. Media Contact Annaugh MadsenPhone: (667) 260-6360Email: amadsen@ SOURCE: CMG Financial press release
Associated Press
02-07-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
CMG Financial's Courtney Thompson and Susan Walker Named 2025 HousingWire Women of Influence
SAN RAMON, CA / ACCESS Newswire / July 2, 2025 / CMG Financial, one of the nation's top mortgage lenders, is proud to announce that two of its Executive Vice Presidents, Courtney Thompson and Susan Walker, have been named to HousingWire's 2025 Women of Influence list. This prestigious award honors women in housing who are making notable contributions to both their organizations and the industry at large. With their innovative thinking, leadership, and vision for the future, Courtney and Susan exemplify what it means to lead with impact. 'This year's honorees include mentors, innovators, and community leaders,' wrote Lesley Collins, HousingWire Editor's Choice Awards Program Manager. 'Many are paving the way for future generations through mentorship, volunteer initiatives, and by serving on boards that influence key industry practices. Collectively, their efforts are shaping not only their companies but also the communities they serve and the future of housing itself.' Courtney Thompson, EVP of Servicing at CMG, has spent the past year tackling one of the biggest challenges in mortgage servicing: building a modern, borrower-first platform from the ground up. Tasked with developing a fully in-house servicing solution, she's led a bold effort to move beyond outdated legacy systems and create something built for today's consumer. Under her leadership, the platform has taken shape as a fully connected ecosystem-one that keeps loan officers involved post-close, gives borrowers access to personalized tools and insights, and reshapes how homeowners interact with their loans. It's not just a tech project-it's a reinvention of the servicing experience, and it's already drawing attention across the industry. Susan Walker, EVP of Corporate Efficiency at CMG, has spent the past year acting as the voice of the loan officer, translating feedback from top performers into meaningful enhancements to CMG's core platforms, CLEAR and Byte. By embedding herself directly with Product and Technology teams, she helped identify workflow inefficiencies and delivered rapid-fire improvements that drove adoption, boosted morale, and aided in bolstering these systems into competitive strengths. Her impact earned her a seat on the Executive Management Team, where she now oversees Post Closing, Vendor Management, and Product. In this new role, she continues to lead with the same hands-on, cross-functional approach, streamlining operations, reducing costs, and identifying upstream efficiency and alignment opportunities. Her results speak volumes: a West Division that topped $3B in volume, over 100 strategic hires, and a culture that now embraces technology more than ever before. Susan's work isn't just about optimizing systems, it's about building a smarter, more resilient CMG. 'Courtney and Susan are both exceptional leaders and trusted partners who bring passion, clarity, and a deep sense of responsibility to everything they do,' said Paul Akinmade, Chief Strategy Officer at CMG Financial. 'They care deeply about their work, their teams, and the future of this company. What stands out is how they bring people together to drive meaningful change, from the first moments of origination all the way through to servicing.' CMG congratulates both honorees and thanks HousingWire for recognizing the leadership, excellence, and trailblazing impact of women across housing finance. To read their full Women of Influence profiles, click here. About CMG CMG Mortgage, Inc. NMLS ID# 1820 ( )( ) is a well-capitalized mortgage lender founded in 1993. Founder and CEO, Christopher M. George, was Chairman of the Mortgage Bankers Association in 2019. CMG makes its products and services available to the market through three distinct origination channels including retail lending, wholesale lending, and correspondent lending. CMG currently operates in all states, including the District of Columbia, and holds approvals with FNMA, FHLMC, and GNMA. CMG is widely known throughout the mortgage banking and housing markets for responsible lending practices, industry and consumer advocacy, product innovation, and operational efficiency. About HousingWire HousingWire is the most influential source of news and information for the U.S. mortgage and housing markets, boasting a readership that spans lending, servicing, investments, and real estate market participants, as well as financial market professionals. With over 10 million annual unique visitors, HousingWire is the community for mortgage and housing professionals to engage and connect. Industry decision-makers rely on us to Move Markets Forward. Media Contact Annaugh Madsen Phone: (667) 260-6360 Email: [email protected] SOURCE: CMG Financial press release
The National
21-05-2025
- Business
- The National
Abu Dhabi cyberdog could support elderly in social care
Displayed at Gitex Europe in Berlin, 'Byte' is promoted as a low-maintenance alternative to man's best friend
The National
21-05-2025
- The National
Gitex Europe: Could cyberdog developed in Abu Dhabi help support elderly social care?
Robotic dogs have become a familiar sight at tech exhibitions around the world, but the latest cyberdog on show at Gitex Europe in Berlin has been designed specifically to address the growing demands of social care. The exhibition held each year in Dubai opened its European version on Wednesday, uniting venture capitalists with technology start-ups. As populations age, elderly care is one of the greatest challenges facing society. The Abu Dhabi-based developers of 'Byte' claim the robotic dog can offer companionship and emotional support while used as a home assistant. And without the need for daily walks, trips to the vet or the constant attention demands of most canine companions, Byte could offer a low-maintenance alternative to man's best friend. 'We want to position this as a cyber pet for elderly people or as a guide dog for the blind,' said Charles Goh, global alliance director at InspireTech, a company in Yas Island developing software to a make the Chinese-made robotic dog more interactive with humans. 'It will use ChatGPT to sing songs, tell jokes and engage with its owner. Importantly, it is a companion that can offer a low-maintenance solution to help resolve the issue of isolation. This robot is in the shape of a dog, but eventually it may be able to take different forms of a cat or a bird, for example.' The company is developing software that will allow the dog to understand commands in several languages. It is programmed to notify emergency services if it receives no response from its owner during regular check-ins in case of a fall at home, and can offer medication reminders. A camera fitted inside the dog's head can be viewed through the owner's mobile device, while its body is packed with sensors allowing safe integration with its surroundings. Health-monitoring software is under development to allow the cyberdog to monitor its owner's biometrics and call medical assistance in the event of a heart attack or stroke. Byte takes an hour to fully charge and is expected to cost about $5,000 once on sale, which developers expect by 2030. 'Real dogs are amazing but there is an emotional attachment humans have that can be difficult to break, as most owners will outlive their pets,' said Mr Goh, in Berlin to build new financial partnerships with European investors. 'There is no separation anxiety with a cyberdog and the fundamental difference is you will never have to say goodbye to him.' The cyberdog, one of a number of projects under development at InspireTech, comes with data protection and cybersecurity. Across three days, Gitex Europe is focusing on these core areas, as well as green technology, to decarbonise economies, smart cities and regulation of artificial intelligence. Investors said there was plenty of potential to build new partnerships between the UAE and Europe. 'We have a lot of start-ups and founders from Dubai who want to expand into Europe so we want to make sure we connect them with the right ecosystem enablers and the right partners,' said Julien Plouzeau, senior partner at Oraseya Capital, the venture capital fund of Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority. 'It is also important for us to be educated about new opportunities we can bring to our founders and help them set up in Europe. Most of the expansion plans we see from the Middle East at some point will include Europe.' The Dubai Economic Agenda D33 is a comprehensive plan to double the size of the emirate's economy within the next decade. As a road map to sustainable growth, the drive aims to hit that goal before 2033, with a focus on diversifying the economy and attracting new investment. Mr Plouzeau said technology around finance and property have been the most active industries in regards to investment capital over the past two years. 'There's no reason to think that's going to stop in the future,' he said. 'We are also looking at logistics, supply chain, and pretty much all the industries and verticals aligned to Agenda D33. 'We are actively deploying $136 billion at the moment and looking at $500,000 to $3 million per investment. Of course, there is a long process for us to conduct our due diligence, but we've seen start-ups very much here coming to Berlin, so it's quite exciting.' Dubai Silicon Oasis has been a key location in the UAE to test the latest technology, before expanding services elsewhere. From automated roadside delivery robots, to driverless taxis, AI-powered pedestrian crossings and drones transporting vital medical supplies, the area has played a crucial role in technology testing. 'It is a great moment to see something made in the UAE, such as Gitex here in Europe, and we really want to consolidate that,' said Dr Juma Al Matrooshi, director general of Dubai Silicon Oasis. 'We want to not only import technology but also export the transfer of technology as there is an ease of doing business in the UAE. 'We are really interested in technology but investment does not come easily. The UAE was the first country to appoint a minister of AI and rather than red tape for business, we roll out the red carpet.'
