IRIS, the global provider in mobile F&B and guest experience platforms, has renewed its exclusive 10-year agreement with Marriott International, the world’s largest travel company, marking a significant milestone in their partnership. The collaboration, which sees IRIS powering mobile dining and digital guest directories across Marriott’s extensive portfolio of 8,700 properties, has been a driving force behind the growing popularity of seamless, app-based guest services.
The renewed agreement enables Marriott to continue utilising IRIS’s state-of-the-art mobile dining solution, integrated into the Marriott Bonvoy app, to enhance guest experiences and boost F&B revenues. By leveraging digital ordering, Marriott has seen double-digit growth in mobile orders and revenues over the past decade-a trend that continues to rise in response to the growing demand for self-service options.
Expanding Digital Dining Beyond In-Room Service
Initially launched to streamline in-room dining operations, IRIS’s platform now extends its reach to multiple areas across Marriott properties. Guests can use the service to order food and drinks at pool decks, lobby spaces, meeting venues, restaurants, and even for local catering. With easy access via the Marriott app, QR codes, or web links, IRIS enables guests to enjoy greater convenience while reducing wait times by an average of 30 minutes.
Jami Meier, Director of Outlets at the Kansas City Marriott Downtown, expressed the transformative impact of IRIS on her property’s operations. “With over 970 bedrooms spread across two towers, mobile dining has been a game-changer for us. The ease of use and popularity of the app have driven an 87% year-on-year increase in order volumes and a 94% rise in F&B revenue. Our guests appreciate the seamless nature of digital ordering, and it has significantly streamlined our ability to manage high volumes of room service and corporate orders,” she said.
Investing in Innovation to Meet Evolving Guest Expectations
In response to the rising demand for digital experiences, IRIS has introduced a host of new features, including allergen search and filter options, split billing for group payments, and a call-wait-staff function to improve in-person service times. The platform now also includes a cutting-edge digital staff ordering feature, enabling waitstaff to process orders efficiently via handheld devices, catering to guests who prefer a personal touch.
Graham Rushin, Vice President of Sales & Marketing at IRIS, highlighted the significance of the partnership: “Digital ordering is no longer a luxury-it’s an expectation. Guests spend 20-30% more through mobile orders compared to traditional methods. We’re proud to continue our work with Marriott as their exclusive vendor for digital F&B ordering. Our solutions are designed to equip operators with the tools they need to maximise guest spend, streamline operations, and meet the growing mobile-first trend.”
Strengthening Operational Efficiencies with Seamless Integration
To ensure smooth implementation, IRIS integrates seamlessly with Marriott’s third-party POS and payment systems, including Oracle Simphony Cloud, Toast POS, and Stripe. The result is a consistent and efficient experience across Marriott’s 30 global brands, from luxury properties to select-service hotels.
As inflation and recruitment challenges persist in the hospitality sector, Marriott’s renewed commitment to IRIS underscores the value of technology in overcoming these hurdles. By investing in innovative solutions, Marriott and IRIS are redefining how modern travellers interact with F&B services, setting a new standard for digital guest experiences.
This partnership not only reaffirms Marriott’s leadership in digital innovation but also demonstrates IRIS’s capability to deliver transformative solutions that benefit both guests and operators alike.
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