LAS VEGAS, March 09, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — EnsembleIQ’s Hospitality Technology (HT) today announces the winners of the 2026 Top Women in Restaurant Technology Awards and the 2026 Rising Stars in Restaurant Technology Awards. Sponsored by Loop AI the honorees will be celebrated live on March 10 during the 31st annual MURTEC (Multi-Unit Restaurant Technology Conference) at Caesars Palace. This year’s celebration also includes a MURTEC Lifetime Achievement Award to honor a lifetime of contributions to the industry.
“The 2026 honorees represent more than just technical expertise; they embody the resilience and agility required to lead in an era of rapid transformation,” says Abigail Lorden, VP and Publisher of HT and Co-Founder of Restaurant Technology Network. “By bridging the gap between cutting-edge innovation and human-centric hospitality, these women are not only solving today’s operational challenges but are architecting the future of the global restaurant ecosystem.”
“Progress in hospitality has always been powered by bold thinkers willing to challenge the status quo,” says Anand Tumuluru, Founder and CEO of Loop AI. “That’s why supporting the Top Women in Restaurant Technology and Rising Star Awards is so meaningful to us. These leaders aren’t just adopting innovation, they’re transforming how restaurants drive profitability, elevate the guest experience, and scale with intention. We’re honored to recognize their influence and celebrate the momentum they’re creating across the restaurant landscape.”
Rising Stars in Restaurant Technology
- Samantha Gallagher, Director of Product Compliance, Harri
- Aunna Macias, Manager of Restaurant Tech, Teriyaki Madness
Top Women in Restaurant Technology Innovators
- Cameron Bersh, Director of Digital Experience, Dig Inn
- Rebecca Davis, Vice President of Operations, Miso Robotics
- Deena DePhilips, Vice President | Head of Technology, Red Robin International
- Perse Faily, CEO, Tillster
- Sophia Goldberg, CEO and Co-Founder, Ansa
- Kim Lewis, Chief Marketing and Technology Officer, Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop, Inc.
- Natalie Sharpe, CEO, Oliver’s Real Food
MURTEC 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award Honoree: Rom Krupp
MURTEC is proud to present the 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award to Rom Krupp for his transformative contributions to the restaurant technology industry. Since beginning his restaurant career in 1997, Krupp has served as a primary architect of the modern digital landscape, helping more than 500 restaurant brands leverage data and unified commerce systems to improve performance and guest engagement. With solutions currently deployed across 100,000+ global locations, his work remains central to the strategy and evolving economics of the industry.
Krupp’s impact is defined by founding two industry-leading ventures that pushed the boundaries of practical innovation:
- Red Onion (formerly Marketing Vitals): Founded in 2013, this platform commercialized the use of machine learning in the restaurant industry nearly a decade before AI saw widespread adoption. By unifying disparate data sources, Krupp enabled operators to move from reactive reporting to predictive, forward-looking decision-making.
- OneDine: A comprehensive unified commerce platform that integrates digital ordering, payments, loyalty, and guest engagement into a single ecosystem. Under Krupp’s leadership, OneDine has been recognized as one of Fast Company’s “Most Innovative Dining Companies” and was named Vendor Partner of the Year by Dave & Buster’s.
Krupp is celebrated for balancing high-tech disruption with a focus on supporting frontline teams. In late 2025, Krupp transitioned to Executive Chairman of OneDine to lead OneDine Labs, a dedicated innovation hub where new, patented technologies are being developed to address the industry’s most pressing challenges. Additionally, he serves as a Venture Partner with EMERGING, a growth equity firm focused on restaurant technology and entertainment concepts, where he advises high-growth platforms at the intersection of hospitality and innovation.
“The MURTEC Lifetime Achievement Award is reserved for those who don’t just build technology, but who fundamentally change the trajectory of our industry,” says HT’s Lorden. “Rom Krupp is a visionary architect whose innovations — from Marketing Vitals, to OneDine to Red Onion — have defined the modern restaurant tech stack. His commitment to balancing high-tech disruption with a focus on supporting frontline teams has touched more than 500 brands globally.
“Yet, his most enduring legacy isn’t found in a line of code or a successful exit; it’s found in his character. Whether he was pioneering data analytics or donating critical technology to struggling restaurants during the pandemic, Rom has consistently proven that true leadership is measured by the success you enable for others, and it’s our honor to recognize Rom for his extraordinary service and leadership within the restaurant technology community.”
Winners were chosen by Hospitality Technology and members of its Research Advisory Board and will be profiled in Hospitality Technology at http://www.hospitalitytech.com/topwomen26 and http://www.hospitalitytech.com/risingstars26.
About Loop AI
Loop AI is a pioneering SaaS provider that specializes in helping maximize profitability and operational excellence for restaurants in the 3rd party delivery space. By addressing critical pain points such as financial reconciliation, star rating, real-time store availability management, and marketing optimization, Loop AI offers a comprehensive suite designed to elevate the customer experience and financial outcomes for its partners like Dave’s Hot Chicken, Whataburger, and Jollibee.
About Hospitality Technology
Hospitality Technology (HT) is the only multichannel brand dedicated to covering the role of information technology in improving business performance for both hotel and restaurant operators. The Hospitality Technology editorial content portfolio includes an online publication that reaches more than 16,000 hospitality industry executives, networking and educational events (MURTEC, Hotel Technology Forum and MURTEC Executive Summit), a comprehensive website, e-newsletters, web seminars, and several exclusive annual reports and studies. Hospitality Technology is the parent brand of the Restaurant Technology Network (http://www.restauranttechnologynetwork.com), a membership community of restaurants and suppliers working together to solve industry challenges by shaping standards and sharing best practices. Visit Hospitality Technology online at http://www.hospitalitytech.com. Hospitality Technology is published by EnsembleIQ, headquartered in Chicago.
Stay connected with Hospitality Technology on LinkedIn.
About EnsembleIQ
EnsembleIQ is the premier resource of actionable insights and connections powering business growth throughout the path to purchase. We help retail, technology, consumer goods, healthcare and hospitality professionals make informed decisions and gain a competitive advantage. EnsembleIQ delivers the most trusted business intelligence from leading industry experts, creative marketing solutions and impactful event experiences that connect best-in-class suppliers and service providers with our vibrant business-building communities. To learn more about EnsembleIQ, visit ensembleiq.com.
Contact:
Anna Wolfe
Hospitality Technology
awolfe@ensembleiq.com
