Yolk Brands, the innovative UAE-based hospitality group behind Pickl, BonBird, and Southpour, has announced the full-scale integration of Edify, an AI-powered operations intelligence platform, into its operations. This strategic move marks a significant milestone in Yolk Brands’ commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technology to enhance operational efficiency, elevate customer experiences, and drive sustainable growth across its brands.
Empowering operations with real-time AI insights
Edify’s seamless integration extends beyond Yolk Brands’ headquarters to encompass every store and team member, both locally and globally. Designed specifically for the food and beverage industry, Edify consolidates data from various sources, including POS systems, staffing schedules, recipe data, and financial metrics, into a unified platform. This centralised approach provides real-time dashboards, proactive alerts, and actionable insights, enabling teams to make informed decisions swiftly and effectively.
Addressing operational challenges
Before adopting Edify, Yolk Brands faced challenges related to data silos and inconsistent reporting across its diverse brands. The integration of Edify has provided a “single source of truth”, eliminating these inefficiencies and fostering a culture of data-driven decision-making. This transformation has empowered store managers and franchise partners to proactively manage operations, optimise staffing, and respond to customer preferences with agility.
Achieving immediate impact
Since the integration of Edify, Yolk Brands has observed tangible improvements in operational performance. The ability to access live data has facilitated mid-day course corrections, such as adjusting staffing levels during peak hours and fine-tuning menu offerings based on real-time customer feedback. These enhancements have led to improved customer satisfaction and increased profitability across all locations.
Setting a new standard in the UAE F&B industry
As one of the first hospitality groups in the UAE to adopt Edify, Yolk Brands is setting a new standard for AI-driven operations in the regional food and beverage sector. This initiative underscores the UAE’s position as a hub for innovation and technological advancement in the hospitality industry. By embracing AI, Yolk Brands aims to inspire other homegrown brands to explore smarter, data-informed approaches to scaling and serving customers.
Steven Coull, Chief Operating Officer at Yolk Brands, said, “At Yolk Brands, we’re always looking for ways to innovate and push the boundaries of what’s possible in hospitality. Edify stood out because it was built by operators, for operators; they understand the realities of running restaurants. By introducing Edify across Pickl, BonBird, and Southpour, we’re not only giving our teams the tools to succeed day-to-day but also setting ourselves up for sustainable growth in the years ahead.”
Ed Barry, Founder of Edify, added, “We’re thrilled to partner with Yolk Brands, one of the most forward-thinking hospitality groups in the UAE. Our mission with Edify has always been to empower operators with real-time intelligence that drives meaningful results. Seeing how Yolk Brands has already embraced the platform to sharpen performance across 3 brands & multiple continents is exactly why we built Edify. We hope to support many more organisations across the UAE and beyond in unlocking this kind of operational intelligence.”
Yolk Brands remains committed to exploring new ways to integrate smart technology into its operations. Future initiatives include AI-assisted training tools and predictive inventory management systems, further solidifying the company’s position at the forefront of innovation in the UAE’s hospitality landscape.
