Running a restaurant, bar, or hotel isn’t just about service anymore—it’s about making the right call, minute by minute, with slim margins and high stakes. Fourth, a global provider of workforce and inventory management solutions for hospitality, has rolled out iQ 2.0, the latest version of its AI-powered decision-making suite.
The centerpiece: the iQ App, a mobile tool that delivers real-time alerts and recommended “next best actions” straight to managers’ phones and tablets. The goal is to cut through noise and surface what matters most—whether that’s preventing a stockout, fixing a labor imbalance, or keeping compliance in check.
The Case for AI on the Floor
Christian Berthelsen, Fourth’s co-founder and CTO, described the motivation plainly: “Managers face immense demands on their time…each individual misstep contributes to a significant commercial impact on the overall business. The iQ App changes this—now managers have a helping hand that analyses data 24/7 and continually prioritises the ‘next best action’.”
That means fewer costly errors from over-scheduling or under-ordering and more focus on profit-driving decisions that improve both employee and guest experiences.
Early Reactions
Public House Group is among the first adopters. Operations Manager Linga Nadarajah praised the app’s daily sales and labor notifications: “They’re simple, clear, and give a real snapshot of performance. Seeing managers prompted to chase deliveries or review performance is exactly the kind of support that makes operations sharper.”
What’s New in iQ 2.0
-
Proactive alerts: AI-driven notifications prioritize high-impact actions.
-
Manager upskilling: Each alert explains not just what to do, but why.
-
Streamlined interface: A slick mobile design integrates directly with Fourth’s HR, scheduling, and inventory tools.
-
Embedded analytics: Managers track KPIs and commercial metrics on the go.
-
Seamless execution: Tasks can be actioned directly from the app.
Clinton Anderson, Fourth’s CEO, framed it simply: “The iQ App empowers managers to be better managers—recommending the next best action so they can maximise guest experience and profit at each location.”
What’s Coming Next: iQ 3.0 and iQ360
The company isn’t stopping at mobile guidance. Fourth has already begun beta testing iQ360, slated for early 2026 as part of the iQ 3.0 release. Dubbed a “commercial command center”, iQ360 aims to give head offices real-time control and orchestration across entire hospitality estates.
Think AI spotting a sudden regional weather shift, then auto-adjusting labor schedules, redistributing inventory, and recalibrating compliance rules—all in real time. It’s the kind of end-to-end orchestration that could redefine how operators scale profitably in volatile conditions.
Industry Impact
Hospitality tech has been racing toward AI-driven automation, but Fourth’s latest update is notable for how it puts guidance directly in managers’ hands rather than burying insights in dashboards. For a sector squeezed by rising costs, tight labor markets, and customer expectations, the promise of “always-on AI coaching” could be a major differentiator.
The iQ App is available now to all Fourth customers, spanning restaurants, pubs, cafés, hotels, retail, and leisure. The iQ360 rollout is expected in spring 2026.
Join thousands of HR leaders who rely on HRTechEdge for the latest in workforce technology, AI-driven HR solutions, and strategic insights
Business Wire, a Berkshire Hathaway company, is the global leader in press release distribution and regulatory disclosure. Public relations, investor relations, public policy and marketing professionals rely on Business Wire for secure and accurate distribution of market-moving news and multimedia. Founded in 1961, Business Wire is a trusted source for news organizations, journalists, investment professionals and regulatory authorities, delivering news directly into editorial systems and leading online news sources via its multi-patented NX network. Business Wire’s global newsrooms are available to meet the needs of communications professionals and news media worldwide.
