Latest news with #Qu
Yahoo
17-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Qu unveils platform updates to boost restaurant operations
Qu, a provider of unified commerce solutions for fast-casual and quick-service restaurants, has launched a series of platform updates designed to help operators increase revenue per transaction, enhance customer experience and make quicker, data-driven decisions. The new features, built on Qu's cloud-native platform, address key operational and customer-facing challenges. One enhancement is the intelligent kiosk feature, which maximises revenue from each customer visit by offering advanced upselling and cross-selling options. Qu CEO Amir Hudda stated: 'Our job is to help operators make every guest visit count — whether that's boosting check averages with strategic upsells, reducing wait times with faster fulfilment or delivering a unified technology experience that ensures every guest leaves satisfied.' Qu states that customers have seen transaction values rise by as much as 22% through kiosk-based cross-selling. When kiosks are idle, they display branded video content, turning downtime into promotional opportunities. Operators can also track the performance of cross-sell prompts, allowing them to refine promotional strategies based on real-world data. Qu has improved its handling of third-party orders, reducing order failures to 0.2%, significantly below the industry average of 0.7%. This improvement could recover more than $3,000 in annual revenue for a location with $50,000 in monthly marketplace volume, and has earned Qu an 'Excellent' rating in DoorDash's Preferred Integrations Programme. To support the projected 12% growth in international expansion for US franchises in 2025, Qu's platform now facilitates transactions in Canadian dollars and Mexican pesos, with automated currency conversion and unified reporting. A new kitchen display system provides real-time guidance to preparation teams, helping prioritise tasks and reduce errors during busy periods. This system shares item status updates with customers, improving transparency and minimising miscommunication during order handoffs. Qu's Notify app has been upgraded to deliver real-time insights on sales, labour and marketing campaign performance through voice and chat interfaces, eliminating the need for manual reporting. A feedback feature allows users to rate responses, enhancing the accuracy of future insights. The platform now integrates Internet of Things (IoT) technology to monitor equipment performance and energy consumption in real time. "Qu unveils platform updates to boost restaurant operations" was originally created and published by Verdict Food Service, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. 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
Scoop
15-07-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Global Demand For Meat And Dairy Set To Rise, But Climate And Nutrition Gaps Remain
15 July 2025 However, persistent nutritional gaps and mounting environmental pressures reveal a complex path ahead, according to a new study by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) – an influential international policy forum. The Agricultural Outlook 2025-2034, released on Tuesday, projects a six per cent increase in global per capita consumption of animal-source foods by 2034 – beef, pork, poultry, fish, dairy and other animal products. The trend is most pronounced in lower middle-income countries, where intake is expected to rise by 24 per cent, far outpacing the global average. ' These projections point to better nutrition for many people in developing countries,' said Qu Dongyu, Director-General of the FAO. Increased incomes, better diets – but not for all The surge in consumption in middle-income economies is attributed largely to rising disposable incomes, changing dietary preferences and urbanisation. In these countries, daily per capita intake of animal-sourced foods is projected to reach 364 kilocalories, surpassing the 300 kcal benchmark. At the same time, consumption in low-income countries will remain low – reaching just 143 kcal per day, less than half the amount deemed necessary for a healthy diet – highlighting stark inequalities in access to nutrient-rich diets and the challenges ahead to ensure everyone is food secure. Mr. Qu urged greater efforts to ensure people in the lowest-income countries also benefit from improved nutrition and food security. Production expanding but emissions rising To meet rising demand, global agricultural and fish production is projected to increase by 14 per cent over the next decade, largely driven by productivity gains in middle-income nations. Output of meat, dairy and eggs is expected to grow by 17 per cent, while total livestock inventories are projected to expand by seven per cent. However, these gains come at an environmental cost: direct greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from agriculture are set to rise by six per cent by 2034, despite improvements in emissions intensity. As production becomes more efficient, the emissions generated per unit of output will decline, but the overall footprint will still grow unless additional measures are taken. Other key findings Cereal yields to grow 0.9 per cent annually, with harvested area expanding just 0.14 per cent per year – half the pace of the last decade By 2034, 40 per cent of cereals will go directly to human consumption, 33 per cent to animal feed, and the rest to biofuels and industry Biofuel demand set to rise 0.9 per cent annually, led by Brazil, India and Indonesia Sub-Saharan Africa's beef herd projected to grow 15 per cent, though productivity remains just one-tenth of North America's India and Southeast Asia will drive 39 per cent of global consumption growth by 2034; China's share falling to 13 per cent from 32 per cent High-income countries to see drop in per capita fats and sweeteners intake due to health trends and policy shifts A win-win: More nourishment, fewer emissions The report outlines a scenario in which nourishment improves for all, and agricultural emissions are reduced by as much as seven per cent below current levels by 2034. Achieving this dual outcome would require major investments to improve productivity, alongside widespread adoption of existing low-emission technologies such as precision farming, improved livestock feed and prioritising nutritional production. Future progress will depend on a blend of policy coordination, technological innovation and targeted investments – especially in countries where the gap between demand and nutritional value is stark. ' We have the tools to end hunger and boost global food security,' said Mathias Cormann, Secretary-General of the OECD. 'Well-coordinated policies are needed to keep global food markets open, while fostering long-term productivity improvements and sustainability in the agriculture sector.' Pivotal role for global trade The Outlook also reiterates the importance of trade, given that 22 per cent of all calories eaten will have crossed international borders by 2034. ' International trade will remain indispensable to the global agri-food sector,' the report stressed. ' Multilateral cooperation and a rules-based agricultural trade are essential to facilitating these trade flows, balancing food deficits and surpluses across countries, stabilising prices and enhancing food security, nutrition and environmental sustainability.'
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Would you replace your CEO with an AI avatar?
Hey there, it's tech reporter Alexandra Sternlicht filling in for Allie. Everyone is talking about 'vibe coding' (using LLMs to code apps, websites and so on), but no one is talking about 'vibe business.' This is perhaps because all startups, to varying extents, are vibe businesses—operating on unspoken built-if-sold and ask-for-forgiveness-not-permission principles. But one startup founder is trying to monetize this reality. 'You just need to give us some general ideas on what to do, what to sell, what's your goal and we'll handle the rest,' says Xiaoyin Qu, founder of which helps clients build websites and businesses with teams of AI avatar executives. 'We're essentially a technology digital team for any business…with particular agents that have particular functions.' Qu recently garnered attention for making an AI avatar to be her own company's CEO and having it assist in negotiations for HeyBoss'$3.5 million seed round led by OpenAI Startup Fund. HeyBoss aims to staff its customers' businesses with similar AI employees, each customized for different roles and based on specific criteria—say, a designer named Nova with UX/UI skills and an artistic personality, or a brand strategist who can synthesize competitor strategies. These digital employees are essentially chatbots that a business owner converses and collaborates with from the PC or smartphone, similar to the way you might use ChatGPT. According to Qu, HeyBoss's virtual employees are built with LLMs from OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google, as well as proprietary models. When I met Qu over Zoom, avatar CEO Astra, a red-skinned woman with striking blue eyes and donning a bodysuit, was positioned in a still frame on the wall behind her. 'She's faster, smarter, and more reliable than any human executive I've worked with,' says Qu in the company's funding announcement. HeyBoss is betting that people's preference for human colleagues extends to human-esque avatars so that startups would hire it over a non-personified LLM like OpenAI's ChatGPT. Qu is targeting less tech literate people than those who are vibe coding their way into big tech jobs; people who might want to use AI to start a yoga business or bakery, for example. With relatively low interest rates and ubiquitous AI tools that theoretically decrease the capital and time required to start companies, the vibe business phenomenon has the potential to grow, inspiring more people to start their own companies. HeyBoss is not Qu's first business. I initially met her in 2021 when she made the Forbes 30 Under 30 list (which I used to edit) for her virtual events company Run The World. During the Covid-19 pandemic, Run The World exploded—hosting 10,000 events in its first month post-launch and growing from five to 45 employees during that time with $15 million in funding from backers like Andreessen Horowitz. Things went south for Run the World when society reopened and people absconded from virtual events. As Run the World dissolved via asset fire sale, Qu and her cofounder Xuan Jiang engaged in a legal battle. First, Run the World, then-helmed by Qu, sued Jiang for computer fraud, breach of contract, and breach of fiduciary duty, per Axios. Then Jiang countersued Qu, RTW and a16z and others for discrimination. Ultimately, Qu, RTW and its investors effectively won the case. This lived experience is maybe part of Qu's decision to do things differently with HeyBoss. She's hiring a human 'vibe growth marketer' for HeyBoss. In a LinkedIn post about the job she says: 'Fuck traditional job requirements: Majors, years of experience, degree, GPA, fancy schools etc. Don't care. Your job: Make people talk about Heyboss all the time,' she writes. 'Your only rule: 👉 Blow it up. But don't get me arrested.' See you Thursday, Alexandra SternlichtX: @iamsternlichtEmail: a deal for the Term Sheet newsletter here. Sara Braun curated the deals section of today's newsletter. Subscribe here. This story was originally featured on 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
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Pokeworks selects Qu as next-generation POS provider
Fast-casual poke bowl brand Pokeworks has chosen Qu as its next-generation point-of-sale (POS) provider in a move to modernise its restaurant technology. The partnership aims to streamline operations and provide real-time insights to foster growth. With 73 locations across 20 US states, Taiwan and Canada, Pokeworks reported an 11% same-store sales increase in April 2025. The brand is expanding its footprint, having recently announced a 10-unit franchise deal in San Antonio, Texas, and the complete sell-out of franchise territories in Houston. To support this growth, Pokeworks turned to Qu's flexible, cloud-native platform, which is designed to scale with ease and support franchise expansion. The unified solution provided by Qu is set to alleviate operational challenges, enhance order accuracy and offer oversight across all locations. Pokeworks co-founder and head of IT Kasper Hsu stated: "With rapid advancements in restaurant technology, we needed a partner that could future-proof our operations while supporting the success of our franchisees." "Qu's ability to seamlessly integrate with emerging technologies and provide real-time operational control made it the clear choice. Their team not only understood our vision for growth and innovation but also our commitment to empowering franchisees with the tools they need to thrive." Franchise owners are now equipped with a system that enables unmatched performance, including 99.99% uptime, thanks to Qu's triple redundant platform. This ensures minimal downtime even during peak hours. The platform also allows scaleability for franchisees, centralised menu control and consistent operations. Qu's certified integration ecosystem streamlines multiple systems into a connected tech stack, with more than 100 partners in loyalty, labour, payments and gift cards. Qu's Notify, a real-time operational intelligence tool, is a key feature being utilised by Pokeworks. This voice and chat-enabled mobile app provides instant performance alerts and insights, enabling store managers and franchisees to access data conversationally. Notify offers customisable reporting, trend identification and performance analytics, allowing operators to gain insights and respond swiftly. The partnership positions Pokeworks to leverage AI-driven tools and emerging technologies, owing to Qu's microservices architecture. Qu's development sprints, which occur every three weeks, align with Pokeworks' focus on innovation, ensuring continuous improvement without disrupting customer experience or complicating operations. Qu CEO Amir Hudda stated: "Pokeworks is growing quickly, and we're focused on helping them scale with more efficient, connected operations." "We built Qu to give restaurant operators and franchisees flexible, easy-to-use tools that support their growth and drive profitability, positioning them for whatever comes next. Whether it's new tech or shifting guest habits, Pokeworks will be ready." In April 2025, Qu introduced a Smart Kitchen platform to integrate energy and equipment management for restaurant operations. In May 2025, Pokeworks launched a new range of signature drinks in collaboration with beverage company Botrista. "Pokeworks selects Qu as next-generation POS provider" was originally created and published by Verdict Food Service, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. 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
Scoop
31-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
FAO Presents Credentials To Tonga's PM, Reaffirms Commitment To Agricultural & Fisheries Development
Press Release – UN FAO This landmark event brings together Pacific Island nations to collectively address shared challenges and explore opportunities to advance agriculture and forestry across the region. 28 May 2025, Nuku'alofa – The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Subregional Coordinator for the Pacific Islands and FAO Representative to the Kingdom of Tonga, Mr. Guangzhou Qu, officially presented his credentials to the Prime Minister of Tonga, Hon. (Dr) 'Aisake Valu Eke, at the Prime Minister's Office today. Mr. Qu expressed his appreciation to the Government of Tonga for its longstanding partnership with FAO and acknowledged the country's active role in advancing global efforts to strengthen agrifood systems, combat climate change, and promote sustainable development. He reaffirmed FAO's commitment to working closely with the Government to support national efforts to enhance food security and resilience. Working together for agrifood system transformation In a separate meeting, Mr. Qu also presented his credentials to the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Forestry, Hon. Siosiua Moala Halavatau. Expressing gratitude for the ongoing collaboration, he emphasized FAO's strong alignment with Tonga's development priorities and highlighted the organization's commitment to transforming Tonga's agrifood systems through initiatives that promote biodiversity, the One Health approach, digital agriculture, climate adaptation, and healthy diets. The opening of the Pacific Week of Agriculture and Forestry (PWAF) on 26 May in Nuku'alofa, hosted by the Government of Tonga with support from FAO and the Pacific Community (SPC), underscores Tonga's leadership in fostering regional dialogue and cooperation. This landmark event brings together Pacific Island nations to collectively address shared challenges and explore opportunities to advance agriculture and forestry across the region.
