Qu

Bethesda,  MD 
United States
http://www.qubeyond.com

• Booth: 1850

Qu is on a mission to transform POS beyond its current fragmented state into an exciting future of unified food experiences for guests and enterprise operators. We work at the critical intersections of ordering, production, and brand to help solve the technology and operational crisis operators are in today.

Providing the industry’s first connected platform powered by one common core, Qu is making data-driven guest experiences a reality. Qu is backed by leading Silicon Valley investors that have also backed Google, SalesForce, Uber, and Dropbox. Learn more at www.qubeyond.com.

 Press Releases

• Qu Expands its Unified Commerce Platform for Enterprise Restaurants (Nov 17, 2022)

  Qu, the restaurant tech company that built the industry’s first Unified Commerce and Ordering Platform, has announced several major enhancements that deliver even more unification and streamlining for multi-unit restaurant operators. 

   

  The new additions to the platform include Qu’s native Kitchen Solution (“Compass”), a native Kiosk Solution (“Flex”) and the first of its kind In-Store Cloud. 

   

  A Kitchen Compass

  At the top of the platform additions list is Qu’s native Kitchen Solution. Unlike traditional KDS systems that are disconnected from the multi-channel ordering process, Qu’s “Kitchen Compass” provides in-kitchen and above-store visibility to all orders irrespective of their source. The solution allows restaurant teams to more efficiently manage and optimize production capacity and volume between their omni-channel orders.

   

  A Flexible Kiosk

  To help alleviate labor challenges, Qu released its native Kiosk (“Flex”) that can serve two distinct order-entry roles: staff-facing or guest-facing. Use it as a traditional stand-alone kiosk, or as a POS-to-Kiosk hybrid device by ‘flipping’ it on the fly. This unique dual purpose empowers in-store teams to pivot roles based on guest traffic and labor availability. More importantly, it saves restaurant owners the added cost of purchasing a stand-alone kiosk.

   

  Local, In-Store Cloud

  Making huge advancements for restaurant workers in system availability is Qu’s ground-breaking In-Store Cloud. The local cloud completes Qu’s unique Commerce Cloud architecture by bringing the public cloud into the store using ultra-modern Edge Computing. 

   

  Unlike first-generation cloud solutions, Qu’s In-Store Cloud delivers never-seen-before levels of stability and uptime, faster transaction processing, and enhanced data redundancy. All in-store order taking devices—from POS to handheld tablets or guest-facing kiosks—smartly and transparently switch between Qu’s in-store and public cloud.

   

  More importantly, applying edge computing to Qu’s local cloud helps operators set the stage for future technology additions, leveraging AI/ML to empower dynamic pricing, promotions, voice ordering, and the next big thing. 

   

  “All three of these new products and platform enhancements were developed to provide restaurant operators with the flexibility to run their businesses their way, while dealing with labor and supply chain challenges,” said Amir Hudda, Qu’s CEO. “Operators now have more options and can focus on increasing revenues and improving store operations.” 

   

  To learn more about Qu’s platform and new products, contact us at sales@qubeyond.com 

  
  

  About Qu

  Qu is a restaurant transformation company delivering a unified commerce platform that drives healthier connections between guests and operators across all ordering channels. The company’s mission is to infuse speed, agility, and innovation into enterprise restaurant chains, enabling operators to seize new opportunities faster and drive stronger revenues.

   

  Based in Bethesda, MD, Qu is backed by leading restaurant entrepreneurs and investors that have also backed Google, Salesforce, Uber, and Dropbox. Visit www.qubeyond.com.

   

  Press Contact

   

  Qu: Jenifer Kern jkern@qubeyond.com

  
  
   

• Church’s Chicken Selects Qu POS as Part of Global Technology Stack Refresh (Nov 17, 2022)

  Church’s Chicken, the iconic Down Home™ chicken chain founded in 1952, has selected Qu as its enterprise POS partner, powering omni-channel ordering for approximately 1,000 US-based Church’s Chicken locations. The decision is part of Church’s larger digital transformation initiative and ongoing quest to be the franchisor of choice in the Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) segment. 

   

  At the heart of Church’s selection of Qu was a strong desire to modernize its corporate technology stack while improving data access and sophistication, efficiencies and bottom-line costs for franchisees. With Qu’s digital-forward platform, Church’s users gain access to a unified POS for on- and off-prem orders—orchestrated via a single menu management system—enabling more informed data-driven marketing and better guest engagement opportunities. 

   

  [Quote from Church’s CEO, Joe Christina]

  “Deploying the Qu POS system will help us remove technology barriers blocking our ease of operations and guest engagement. We’re doubling down on new systems to give franchisees the best tools they need to be successful. Moving to Qu allows us to empower the other best-in-class partners in our ecosystem. As an organization, we want to be more agile, collaborative, and help our operator’s drive top and bottom line growth.” 

   

  The RFP selection and vetting process was nearly two years and included competitive evaluations of many enterprise POS systems, extensive in-lab reviews, and a 6-month pilot phase with nine Church’s corporate and franchise locations. The refresh includes partnering with Synergy Suite for Back Office, Bridg  for Loyalty, and Honor Built for hardware installation and support. 

   

  [Quote from Alan Magee]

  “Moving our technology systems off legacy software to modern, API-first solutions will help us collect and use valuable data, improving our marketing and sales intelligence, and ultimately providing more personalized experiences to our guests. We’ll be able to meet our guests where they prefer to be met, especially during these fast-changing times.” said Alan Magee, VP of Digital Marketing and Technology for Church’s.

   

  Enterprise restaurant operators are quickly seeking to transform their operations to take advantage of expanded off-prem and digital ordering channels to drive revenue in the face of the pandemic. Qu has redefined traditional POS constructs away from countertop systems and dated software into a more dynamic, flexible software approach. With Qu, operators benefit from increased levels of flexibility desperately needed to manage locations, data, menus, pricing, reports, employees, and more—across native and 3rd party channels, for thousands of restaurants—all from one place.  

   

  [Quote from Amir, Qu’s CEO]

  “We couldn't be more excited to continue our journey with Church’s Chicken and deploy hundreds of stores on our platform in just the next few months. I’m confident that Qu’s modern, API-first architecture will help Church’s to unify its systems and data, delivering more scalable growth opportunities for its devoted franchisees and operators. Our enterprise solution is continually being optimized for large QSR brands, with an eye towards ensuring that operators retain the power of choice and ability to work with the best systems and partners for their brand’s benefit. For two years now, we have been on a mission to end the fragmentation and disconnected experiences that too many operators deal with day in and out. We are bringing it to fruition with Church’s and many other soon-to-be-announced customers.” 

   

  About Church’s Chicken® 

   

  Corporate branded boilerplate (pulled from the latest website PR) 

   

  Founded in San Antonio, TX, in 1952 by George W. Church, Church’s Chicken, along with its sister brands Texas Chicken® and Church’s Texas Chicken® outside of the U.S., is one of the largest quick-service chicken restaurant chains in the world. The brands specialize in Original and Spicy Chicken freshly prepared throughout the day in small batches that are hand-battered and double-breaded, Tender Strips®, sandwiches, Honey-Butter Biscuits™ made from scratch and freshly baked, and classic, home-style sides all for a great value. Church’s Chicken, Texas Chicken and Church’s Texas Chicken have more than 1,500 locations in 25 countries and global markets and system-wide sales of more than $1 billion. For more information about Church’s Chicken®, Texas Chicken® or Church’s Texas Chicken ® franchising opportunities, visit http://www.churchs.com/franchiseget-started.php

   

  About Qu

  Qu is a tech company disrupting the legacy point-of-sale (POS) mindset by providing the restaurant industry's first truly connected and modern omni-channel ordering platform.

  We’re determined to help solve the technology crisis operators are in today by transforming POS beyond fragmented, inefficient processes into a more manageable, unified experience for operators and guests. Sell more fresh and delicious food, faster and delight guests throughout the entire process - from order placing to brand evangelism. That’s the end goal. 

  Laser-focused on the quick service (QSR) and fast casual restaurant segments, our single menu management and unified data foundation helps operators drive healthier operating revenues through increased efficiencies and by removing redundant processes and systems. 

  Based in Bethesda, MD, Qu is backed by leading restaurant entrepreneurs as well as Silicon Valley investors that have also backed Google, Uber, and Dropbox. 

  
   

  
   

• Taco John’s® Partners with Qu POS to Revamp Technology Stack (Nov 17, 2022)

  Taco John’s® Partners with Qu POS to Revamp Technology Stack  

  Popular quick-service restaurant selects fully-integrated product suite to deliver unified ordering experience

   

  BETHESDA, Md. (October 27, 2022) – Taco John’s — the quick service chain that trademarked “Taco Tuesdays” — has teamed up with the point-of-sale software solution Qu to deploy a new, unified commerce platform. 

   

  Striving to deliver consistent, data-driven experiences across multiple channels, Taco John’s is leveraging Qu’s fully-integrated product suite – from POS and kitchen display (KDS), to kiosk, drive-thru, and curbside systems.

   

  Taco John’s saw significant pivots to off-premises and drive-thru during the pandemic, emphasizing the need for a modern, agile, cloud-based system focused on quick-service restaurant (QSR) enterprises. Qu’s decoupled front and back end allow franchisees and corporate teams to easily make changes to menus and pricing – bolstered by strong stability, in-store cloud redundancy, and Qu’s ‘last-man-standing’ model.

   

  “Qu’s triple redundant enterprise cloud model has alleviated the fear of our system going down,” said Taco John’s CEO Jim Creel.

   

  “Our franchisees love the new system because of its speed of training and improved stability, whether using the drive-thru, kiosk or counter. With Qu’s ‘Flex’ POS and their standalone kiosks, our local teams can pivot to self-service ordering when they see fit, maximizing efficiencies based on demand and staffing levels,” noted Creel. 

   

  Tapping into Qu’s unique single-menu management and enterprise portal, Taco John’s corporate teams enjoy the ability to dynamically administer LTOs and make multi-channel changes in one place, saving enormous time and resources. Qu’s omni-channel KDS provides a 360 degree view of all order channels, on-prem and off-prem, in real time, empowering the staff to communicate with guests about their order at the push of a button – further aligning the order-taking and production process. 

   

  Director of Restaurant Technology, Steve Smyth, added “Our operators and franchisees get real-time data from Qu’s mobile “Notify” app, delivering insights needed to optimize in-store operations and better handle peaks and valleys over the course of the day.” 

   

  In addition to using Qu’s data-driven commerce engine for the guest ordering experience and kitchen production, Taco John’s selected DecisionLogic for back-office and inventory management. The fully integrated front and back of house systems help better manage operations and performance so the brand can continue growing and serving guests effectively – while getting insights on sales and labor to further boost margins. 

   

  About Taco John’s®

  Founded in 1969 in Cheyenne, Wyoming, Taco John’s® has been serving bigger. bolder. better. flavors for more than 50 years. Now, Taco John’s operates and franchises nearly 400 restaurants in 22 states – making it one of the largest Mexican quick-service restaurant brands in America. With bold originals like Potato Olés®, Taco John’s knows how to Olé The Day. Taco John’s prides itself on serving generous portions of its signature menu items that are made-to-order using fresh, high-quality ingredients, seasonings and sauces. The brand was listed No. 7 in the “Mexican Food” category on Entrepreneur’s “Top Food Franchises of 2022” and was recently recognized by QSR Magazine as a “Top 15 Chain Ready to Contend as Fast Food’s Top Players.” Taco John’s is led by CEO Jim Creel, who was named one of “The Most Influential Restaurant CEOs in the Country” by Nation’s Restaurant News in 2022. For more information, visit tacojohns.com and follow Taco John’s on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok.

   

  About Qu

  Qu is the restaurant technology company evolving POS, responsibly, for a more sustainable future. With the industry’s first unified commerce platform, Qu’s fully integrated products go beyond fragmented ordering and tech experiences to create healthier connections for restaurant operating teams and their many stakeholders. 

   

  Focused on enterprise quick service (QSR) and fast-casual chains, our mission is to infuse speed, agility, and innovation into restaurant chains, enabling operators to seize new opportunities and improve profit margins - one order at a time. Above all else, Qu prides itself on responsible partnerships rooted in financial and moral stewardship for the restaurant industry. 

   

  Based in Bethesda, MD, Qu is backed by leading restaurant entrepreneurs and investors that have also backed Google, Salesforce, Uber, and Dropbox. Visit www.qubeyond.com.

• How Edge Computing is Revolutionizing Restaurant Tech (Nov 17, 2022)

  Your restaurant’s physical foundation is stable...but what about your technology foundation?

   

  When it comes to your restaurant tech stack, Edge Computing may not be your first concern. But understanding the power this new computing model can have on system stability, scalability and future innovation is critical. 

   

  While cloud computing brings tremendous advantages in network speed, reliability, and redundancy—all these benefits go out the window if you can’t guarantee connectivity. That’s where Edge Computing comes into play. 

   

  What is Edge Computing? 

   

  The concept of edge computing is fairly simple: it means computing is done close to the actual source of data—bridging the time gap between data and decision making. 

   

  Edge computing reduces dependency on remote databases (in the cloud) to transmit data faster. When it comes to large, distributed restaurants—there's a massive amount of data flowing between the public cloud and the store. If not efficiently handled, that data can slow down, and even crash, systems. 

   

  The Difference Between Cloud Computing & Edge Computing

   

  Edge computing is used to process time-sensitive data, while cloud computing is used to process data that is not (or less) time-sensitive. If there were unlimited bandwidth and guaranteed speed, cloud would be good enough, but with today’s realities of unpredictable latency, outages, and poor speed/bandwidth, Edge computing offers many advantages over strict cloud computing setups. 

   

  Our implementation of Edge computing brings the cloud and the data closer to where it’s actually needed: in the store. Qu leverages a hybrid cloud setup whereby the in-store devices can seamlessly move between the local cloud (Edge device) and the public cloud—increasing resiliency, speed, and redundancy—especially important in a restaurant’s difficult atmosphere, and further valuable in remote locations, where there is limited or no connectivity to a centralized location.

   

  Benefits of Edge Computing

   

  Beyond increased agility, edge computing provides a spectrum of benefits to organizations that want to:

   

  • Reduce headaches and overhead related to maintaining legacy in-store computing systems

  • Enhance speed and reduce latency for orders, transactions, and all network interactions

  • Maintain business continuity, with highly-reliable, stable order and payments processing

  • Unlock new levels of value through integrations with Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence-based systems to drive revenue

   

  Edge computing is a concept that Qu has incorporated into our API-forward modern architecture, in a manner that empowers restaurants with game-changing levels of stability. Our in-store cloud technology is powered by edge computing, and not only brings data closer to where it’s needed within a restaurant, but provides high reliability and uptime.

   

  Most importantly, it is completely optional—your in-store systems communicate and switch seamlessly between the instore cloud and the public cloud.

  
  

  What is a “Commerce Cloud”?

   

  Commerce Cloud, a concept coined by Qu’s technologists, is the replication of the public cloud at the store level. Those two components (public cloud + local, instore cloud) provide the foundation for the next generation of cloud computing—and deliver stronger business continuity for restaurants. 

   

  There are three layers of redundancy available in the commerce cloud model, to ensure restaurants stay online, even if network connectivity is lost. 

   

  • Each terminal and client is connected to each other, providing an initial layer of redundancy

  • The in-store cloud communicates with the public cloud

  • Every client automatically switches to the above-store public cloud if needed

  
  

  How Do We Achieve Stronger Redundancy with Next-Gen Cloud?

   

  We essentially bring a piece of the cloud down to the store, using a small but powerful in-store device that supports our in-store cloud functionality. This piece of hardware is our instance of edge computing, and brings the computing power to the data needed to keep things running in the restaurant. This Edge Node client provides a synchronization hub that houses all the data that each client needs to run successfully.

   

  Additionally, all APIs housed in the cloud that are necessary to run a restaurant’s technology stack are replicated within the in-store cloud, driving faster order placement, as well as quick transactions and payments processing. These APIs (which support the authentication, configuration, and operational functions) were purpose-built to keep a restaurant up and running, even when network connectivity is interrupted.

   

  Finally, as an event-driven architecture, the in-store cloud captures the timestamps and metadata that are necessary to reconstruct a previous state, as well as the sequence of prior events. We capture this metadata in a blockchain-like ledger that helps a restaurant recover quickly and accurately, if network connectivity is lost or interrupted. 

   

  

  
  
  
   

  Benefits of Commerce Cloud, enabled by Edge Computing

   

  With this approach to commerce cloud-deployed architecture and network capabilities using Edge Computing, enterprise restaurants can realize tangible benefits like:

  • Unrivaled daily business continuity, with three layers of failover

  • Fewer financial losses resulting from inability to take payments

  • Stronger guest and employee satisfaction, due to enhanced system uptime, speed, and platform stability

  • A future-proofed, forward-looking technology stack and architecture

   

  Although organizations can only do so much when network connections fail, what brands can do is implement a technology approach that is prepared for interruptions and helps restaurants recover quickly.

   

  An innovative Commerce Cloud approach—powered by edge computing and a truly modern architecture—ensures that brands are able to keep making great food,  delighting guests, and perhaps most importantly continue to drive revenues, even when network and internet connections are less than perfect. 

   

  The Future of Restaurant Technology Will Reside With Edge Computing 

   

  The future will require restaurant chains to adopt edge computing if they want to incorporate more advanced capabilities within their guest experience and tech stacks. These may include:

  • Voice

  • Vision

  • Dynamic Pricing

  • Dynamic Promotion

  • Production Optimization

  • Robotics & IoT

   

  Edge computing has the power to bring data closer to where decision making needs to be made. As the guest—and their diverse ordering patterns and channels—has now displaced the point of sale as the center of every restaurant’s operation, cloud resiliency, network connectivity and the ability to innovate along with the guest are crucial elements of any enterprise brand’s success. 

   

• Qu Announces New Commerce Cloud Technology, Designed to Increase Stability and Bolster Business Continuity for Restaurants (Nov 17, 2022)

  Qu is excited to announce the launch of our ground-breaking new Commerce Cloud. With Qu’s in-store cloud technology, restaurants enjoy sky-high levels of reliability, meaning that normal ordering and production operations are not disrupted—even when network connectivity is lost.

  Qu's Commerce Cloud was specifically designed to support the needs of large organizations that require access to data consistently and at the speed of light—like busy, geographically-disparate restaurant chains. Platforms like Qu's, which are characterized by containerization and serverless deployments, provide organizations with a platform and tools that bolster technical resilience and scalability. Additionally, incorporating an edge computing approach into Qu's API-forward modern architecture empowers restaurants with speed and agility.

  How does it work?

  When networks go down, legacy cloud systems (which are generally built from the POS to the cloud) typically revert to a single terminal, creating challenges for staff and frustration for guests. Order-taking, production, and payments processing are inevitably slowed down, or in the worst-case scenario, unavailable.

  In contrast, the Commerce Cloud drives business continuity and stabiliy, with all terminals, clients, and functions available during outages. This functionality is powered by three robust layers of redundancy:t

  • Peer to Peer: every terminal and in-store clients are connected to each other

  • Peer to Public Cloud: every client connects to the above-store cloud

  • Peer to In-store Cloud: every client is connected to the in-store cloud

  Helps with speed, latency, terminal-to-terminal syncing. 

  During normal conditions, Qu’s Commerce Cloud enhances restaurant operations, through another innovative element of our forward-looking architecture. To drive faster order placement, food production, and payments processing, Qu has essentially brought a bit of the cloud into the store: all core operational APIs that live in the public cloud are replicated within the Commerce Cloud. This architecture provides a spectrum of benefits to restaurants that want to:

  • Reduce headaches and overhead related to maintaining legacy computing models

  • Enhance speed and minimize latency for orders, transactions, and all network interactions

  • Maintain unmatched business continuity, with highly-reliable, stable order and payments processing

  Additionally, Qu’s in-store cloud captures transaction metadata and timestamps necessary to reconstruct a previous state and sequence of prior events. This data is captured in a blockchain-like ledger that helps restaurants return to normal operations quickly and accurately, once connectivity is restored. This ledger also provides one point of truth and synchronization for all customer and operational data.

  With the point of sale no longer the center of a restaurant’s operations, the cloud and network connectivity are arguably more crucial elements of any enterprise brand’s technological stability and success. Although organizations can only do so much to manage extenuating circumstances, brands can deploy technology that is enhances the everyday, and prepares them for the worst. Qu’s Commerce Cloud does just this, and brands that deploy the Qu’s innovative technology realize a broad spectrum of tangible benefits:

  • Unrivalled daily business continuity, with three layers of failover

  • Reduction in losses resulting from inability to take payments

  • Higher levels of guest and employee satisfaction, with enhanced system uptime and platform stability

  • A future-proofed, forward-looking technology stack and architecture

  Powered by edge computing and our truly innovative architecture, Qu’s groundbreaking Commerce Cloud gives brands the ability to keep making great food and delighting guests, in every type of operating circumstance. With digital capabilities at the forefront of success for large restaurant chains, the continuity that our platform provides is a game-changer for brands that want to pull ahead of the competition and prepare for the future.

  Additional Notes:

  • Next-Gen Cloud means ….. Cloud-Enabled, Not Cloud-Dependent. While the platform is built to be used in the cloud, it also supports zero downtime and offline order-taking and payment processing. Qu’s architecture offers three layers of redundancy, through: i) peer-to-peer/terminal-to-terminal mirroring, ii) terminal to in-store cloud, and iii) in-store to above-store cloud communication.

  API // Cloud Architecture

  Open APIs form the foundation of the Qu platform and all its capabilities -- the core APIs are used to deliver additional applications (like online ordering or Enterprise Intelligence) and support the deployment of clients (such as POS and kiosks). Our bi-directional APIs can also be used to build your own clients from scratch, and develop a unique brand experience for your guests.

  The platform was architected using a micro-services, containerized approach (in contrast to the monolithic manner by which most POS systems can be characterized). Though these domain-based APIs are independent, they communicate with each other and are responsible for their own functionality. This provides brands with tangible benefits, from a development and deployment perspective.

  A crucial element of Qu’s platform and API model is a departure from traditional POS platforms - that is, our platform architecture didn’t start with the POS client in mind. With POS now simply one of many touch points that comprise a restaurant’s technology ecosystem, the deliberate choice to architect our platform from an “omni-channel commerce perspective” sets restaurants up for a scalable and maintainable future.

  Next-Gen Commerce Cloud

  While APIs have led to advancements in software development, the availability of high-speed connectivity and distributed computing have in turn led to different deployment models, many of which take advantage of different types of cloud computing. Although a (public) cloud-first approach has long been espoused as a preferred method to reduce demands on POS terminals, the benefits derived from this model can often be diminished during times of high stress or lack of network connectivity.

  A cloud-enabled--and not cloud-dependent model--like Qu’s was architected specifically to provide high levels of uptime, faster transaction processing, and better reliability, through an industry-leading three layers of redundancy:

  

  1. Peer-to-mirroring, with each terminal in the restaurant syncing with every other terminal

  2. Each terminal communicates with the in-store cloud

  3. Communicates with the above-store (public) cloud

  4. If necessary, every terminal can also automatically switch to the above-store cloud

  Qu’s in-store cloud architecture contains all of the APIs necessary for a restaurant to operate without access to the cloud above-store - that is, core functions like authentication, configurations, and operations specific to each restaurant are available locally. Additionally, every proxy for each client in the store also allows for failover, so if connectivity is lost (or something else goes wrong outside the restaurant), no change in regular operations will occur, as the clients will simply switch over to the locally-replicated platform.

  This unique combination of an API-led approach with a highly-reliable cloud model doesn’t simply provide technical or operational benefits. Qu’s platform--in contrast to many legacy architectures--allows restaurants to realize many business benefits, from day-to-day operational continuity, flexibility, and future-proofing, to name only a few. This is reflected in the ways that our PaaS infrastructure can be extended, so that enterprise brands can create and deploy truly customized brand experiences.

  About Qu

  Qu is a restaurant transformation company delivering a unified commerce platform that drives healthier connections between guests and operators across all ordering channels. Our mission is to infuse speed, agility, and innovation into enterprise restaurant chains, enabling them to seize new opportunities faster and drive stronger revenues.

   

  Based in Bethesda, MD, Qu is backed by leading restaurant entrepreneurs and investors that have also backed Google, Salesforce, Uber, and Dropbox. Visit www.qubeyond.com.

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