Archive for the ‘News’ Category

FLOWER MOUND, Texas (Business Wire) – orderTalk, Inc., the leading provider of on-demand software and service solutions to the restaurant industry for online ordering, has announced the launch of a new program allowing servers and guests to place food orders while in line or right from the table through an iPad, iPhone or iPod Touch.

Now available for quick service and full service restaurants, the proprietary ordering platform is downloaded as an application for servers or for patrons. Already in use, the program replaces hand-held terminals and allows servers to take table and in-store orders on an iPad. The orders are then sent directly to the point of sale or a ticket printer in the kitchen, which eliminates errors and allows for quicker, more efficient service.

“This application is perfect for restaurants that want a ‘line buster’ approach so customers can order in line and then have their order ready when they get to the counter,” said Patrick Eldon, CEO of orderTalk, Inc. “It also works in casual dining, allowing guests to order and pay directly at their table from their personal or restaurant supplied devices.”

The customer platform includes the ability for patrons to download applications built specifically for their favorite food destinations on their iPad, iPhone or iTouch. These restaurant specific applications allow patrons to place pick-up or delivery orders, browse and select menu items for an in-location experience and even pay the bill directly from their hand-held devices.

Since 1999, orderTalk, Inc. has provided the restaurant industry with online ordering solutions including remote ordering, mobile applications and social media applications. As the leading provider of on-demand software and solutions, orderTalk provides exceptional service designed to decrease overhead, maintain customer loyalty and increase order frequency and check average.

Media Contact:
Pierson Grant Public Relations
Maria Pierson
(954) 776-1999 ×222
mpierson@piersongrant.com

OMAHA, Neb. – Legendary investor Warren Buffett, CEO of Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK.A and BRK.B), has teamed with the Dairy Queen® system to auction off a 33-inch, five pound, red metal DQ® spoon with his autograph to benefit Children’s Miracle Network, a non-profit organization dedicated to saving and improving the lives of children by raising funds for 170 children’s hospitals.

The recognizable DQ red spoon accompanies the treat industry leader’s popular Blizzard® Treats and signature Royal Treats® served at Dairy Queen and DQ Grill & Chill® locations around the world.
Bidding is now open on eBay® and will run through Friday, July 30. The opening bid is 99 cents. The online auction will be managed by Auction Cause, a premier auction management agency. The link is http://bit.ly/ebayDQ.

The larger-than-life spoon embellished with Buffett’s “John Hancock” was custom designed to adorn the DQ Blizzard®mobile which took to the road in April to celebrate the 25th birthday of the Dairy Queen system’s iconic Blizzard Treat. The Blizzardmobile has been traveling across the U.S. and Canada over the past four months distributing more than 75,000 free new Mini Blizzard Treats, all while raising awareness and funds for Children’s Miracle Network. The giant DQ spoon was signed by Buffett when the Blizzardmobile made a stop at the Dairy Queen booth during the Berkshire Hathaway shareholders meeting this past May.

The auction kicks off the Dairy Queen Fifth Annual Miracle Treat Day on Thursday, August 5 when $1 or more from every Blizzard Treat sold at participating locations that day will be donated to Children’s Miracle Network.

”Miracle Treat Day is an important event for us and represents the enthusiasm and generosity that everyone in the DQ family and our customers have for helping children,” said John Gainor, president and CEO of International Dairy Queen, Inc. “We appreciate Warren’s help to raise awareness and funds for Children’s Miracle Network.”

Dairy Queen is one of the top 10 contributors to Children’s Miracle Network, having raised more than $81 million since 1984.

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About Children’s Miracle Network:
Children’s Miracle Network is an international non-profit organization that raises funds for more than 170 children’s hospitals. To learn more go to ChildrensMiracleNetwork.org.

About IDQ:
International Dairy Queen (IDQ), which is headquartered in Minneapolis, Minn., develops licenses and services a system of more than 5,600 Dairy Queen® stores in the United States, Canada and other foreign countries. IDQ is part of the Berkshire Hathaway family, a company owned by Warren Buffett, the legendary investor and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway. For more information, visit DairyQueen.com.

In the June 18, 2010 edition of the South Florida Business Journal – by Jeff Zbar

Imagine you are the CEO of the equivalent of a Fortune 50 multinational corporation suffering a major disaster of its own making. How would you handle public relations and crisis communications?

For executives with BP PLC, the answer is “not very well,” according to local publicists asked to critique the company’s response.

Since the Deepwater Horizon disaster on April 20, BP has been reactionary and delayed in its response to events along the Gulf of Mexico, executives said. CEO Tony Hayward appeared “detached, dishonest and disrespectful” in addressing the catastrophe, said Jane Grant, president of Pierson Grant Public Relations in Fort Lauderdale.

The problem may stem from the conflicted roles of counsel. PR counsel advises management to be forthcoming and honest, while attorneys caution against statements accepting blame that may be used by in criminal and civil actions, Grant said. Her grade: F.

On the digital front, the company has been responsive – if slow, said Mike Fruchter, director of digital strategy with High Impact Digital, a division of Pierson Grant. The disaster response website BP set up is adequate, he said, with up-to-date information, press releases, claims, response and agency contact information. A month after the spill, the company launched its social media campaign, he said, and reportedly has been spending $10,000 a day in Google AdWords.

“This is the type of transparency that BP should have demonstrated since day one – not after the fact. That’s a quick, effective and expensive way for them to get the sponsored positions on Google,” he said. “That’s a step in the right direction. For the most part, it seems orderly, transparent and efficient at getting information out to the public.”

BP’s Twitter presence has been “a mockery,” Fruchter said. BP’s official Twitter account has some 14,000 followers. A BP parody account has topped 150,000 followers. His overall grade: C-.

Source: Bizjournals.com

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (April 16, 2010) – As the school year ends and many high school seniors are busy planning for college and grappling with financial costs, four deserving students received a little help from The Broward League of Cities which awarded $1,000 scholarships to four students interested in studying political or government-related majors on April 15.

“It is exciting to see these bright students awarded for their hard work in high school and given financial assistance to pursue their dreams in college,” said Cooper City Mayor Debby Eisinger, chair of the Broward League of Cities Education Committee.

Broward County high school seniors from public schools, including charter schools, who plan to pursue a major in public administration, political science or other government-related fields submitted applications for the four individual scholarships. Four outstanding candidates received $1,000 for the Florida college or university of their choice:

•    Rafael Batista of Davie – Pembroke Pines Charter School
•    Aporajita Ali of Davie – Western High School
•    Justin Permenter of Pompano Beach – Pompano Beach High School
•    Joshua Solomon of Coral Springs – Coral Glades High School
•    Shane Bryan of Tamarac (alternate) – Coral Springs Charter High School

“I’m very pleased, particularly in these difficult economic times, that we were able to revive our scholarship program through the generous charitable donations from many city officials as well as the League’s Associate business members and supporters,” stated Wilton Manors Mayor Gary Resnick, president of the Broward League of Cities.

The Broward League of Cities, a non-partisan, non-profit organization comprised of elected officials from Broward’s 31 municipal governments, sponsors the scholarship program as an incentive for students dreaming of pursuing political careers. The scholarships were made possible thanks to the generous personal contributions of elected officials and several League of Cities Associate Members.

“[I] want to spend my life learning how the social world works and why, using this knowledge to help humanity live better and create interest in the pursuit so that others may be inspired to do the same,” wrote scholarship recipient Joshua Solomon for his application. In the fall, he will attend the Honors Program at Stetson University to study political science.

The Broward League of Cities is dedicated to supporting education through several committees and its Board of Directors that advocate for and monitor municipal, school board, and state issues and concerns. During the reception, City officials and business Members of the League contributed to the ‘Showcase of Excellence’ where cities displayed information about educational partnerships and programs in their communities.

“In addition to our Scholarship Program, League members devote their time and effort to opening the lines of communications and working with residents, Broward County, the Broward County School Board as well as State and Federal legislators to resolve issues facing our students and teachers,” said Resnick. “It is imperative we work collaboratively to support education in South Florida.”

The Broward League of Cities is a non-partisan, non-profit organization comprised of elected officials from Broward County’s 31 municipal governments including a Broward County representative. Chartered in 1957, the organization is a voluntary association which now serves over 1.7 million residents and more than 80 associate government, non-profit and business organizations throughout the County. The Broward League of Cities is dedicated to increasing awareness and providing resolutions to issues that affect day-to-day operations at the county, state, and federal levels. Read more at www.browardleague.org.