Investing.com -- Shares of Toast Inc (NYSE:TOST) climbed 3% after announcing a significant agreement to implement its technology at Applebee’s locations nationwide. The partnership with Dine Brands Global, Inc. (NYSE:DIN), the parent company of Applebee’s, aims to enhance the restaurant’s operational efficiency and guest experience using Toast’s comprehensive digital platform.
The deal will see Applebee’s, one of the largest casual dining chains in the United States, adopt Toast’s point-of-sale (POS) terminals, Toast Go® handhelds, Kitchen Display Systems (KDS), and Restaurant Management Suite Enterprise. This technology integration is expected to improve labor efficiency, responsiveness, and overall service quality at Applebee’s restaurants.
Applebee’s Chief Information Officer, Justin Skelton, emphasized the importance of POS and KDS systems in efficient operations, stating that they "can have major impacts on both the guest and team member experience." The move is part of a broader effort to modernize the 45-year-old brand and enhance its technological capabilities.
Tom Finocchiaro, Vice President of Operations Services for Applebee’s, highlighted the potential for technology to free up staff and improve interactions with guests. "By leveraging technology touchpoints, like handhelds to improve efficiency, our team members will have more time to interact with guests," he said.
Toast’s Chief Marketing Officer, Kelly Esten, expressed excitement about assisting Applebee’s and Dine Brands in innovating their digital experience. She noted that both Toast and Applebee’s share a focus on enabling community-building moments over meals.
Toast is known for serving a variety of multi-unit brands, including Caribou Coffee, Choice Hotels (NYSE:CHH), Potbelly (NASDAQ:PBPB) Sandwich Shop, and others. The company’s enterprise solutions are detailed further on its Toast for Enterprise page.
The announcement of the Applebee’s deal has prompted positive market response, with Toast’s stock experiencing an upward movement, reflecting investor optimism in the company’s expanding reach and potential for growth within the hospitality industry.
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