KFC Selects Wireless Ronin's Digital Signage to Move Forward with Market Test
MINNEAPOLIS – January 24, 2008 – Wireless Ronin Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: RNIN), a Minneapolis-based digital signage provider, announced today that KFC Corporation (KFC), a subsidiary of Yum! Brands, Inc., has selected Wireless Ronin for the market test phase of its dynamic digital signage menu board program. KFC will be using Wireless Ronin’s proprietary RoninCast® software to monitor and operate a fully integrated digital menu board system. The market test is scheduled to launch this month and is the second phase of testing for the digital menu boards with Wireless Ronin. The first phase commenced in July 2007.
“We are very excited about this opportunity with KFC and with the success our testing has had to date,” said Jeffrey Mack, president and CEO of Wireless Ronin. “The quick-serve restaurant industry is an ideal venue for our technology, offering the ability for timely changes of information addressing critical communication needs not currently available with static alternatives.”
The decision to move forward to market test was driven by the successful completion of a pilot test program that began in July with five locations installed in Louisville, Ky., Houston and Dallas, Texas. The pilot test reviewed indoor and outdoor applications of digital signage, testing and refining the technical requirements for the hardware, software and menu board functionality. The market test phase will consist of adding 24 locations in two select cities. During market test, in addition to the continued testing of the hardware and software solution, the effectiveness of the menu board content, customer feedback and revenue impact will also be evaluated.
“The RoninCast software solution has the potential to be an effective solution for our menu board applications by providing the flexibility, functionality and reliability KFC is looking for,” said James O’Reilly, chief marketing officer for KFC. “Not only will digital menu boards create a new standard for in-store communication and experience for our customers, we hope that it will provide a cost effective way to communicate targeted menus by daypart and allow us to quickly make product and pricing changes.”
Wireless Ronin has provided a variety of services related to the KFC market test including consulting, hardware procurement, installation, and ongoing support through its Network Operations Center (NOC). Content for the market test was developed by KFC’s agency, Creative Alliance, also based in Louisville, Ky.
About KFC
KFC Corporation, based in Louisville, Ky., is the world's most popular chicken restaurant chain specializing in Original Recipe®, Extra Crispy™ and Colonel's Crispy Strips® with home-style sides, Honey BBQ Wings, and freshly made chicken sandwiches. There are more than 14,000 KFC outlets in more than 80 countries and territories around the world, serving some 12 million customers each day. KFC Corporation is a subsidiary of Yum! Brands, Inc., Louisville, Ky. (NYSE: YUM)
About Wireless Ronin Technologies
Wireless Ronin Technologies, Inc. (www.wirelessronin.com) is the developer of RoninCast®, a complete digital signage software solution designed to address the evolving digital signage marketplace. RoninCast digital signage software provides clients with the ability to manage a digital signage network from one central location. The software suite allows for customized distribution with network management, playlist creation and scheduling, and database integration. An array of services is offered by Wireless Ronin to support RoninCast digital signage software, including consulting, creative development, project management, installation, hosting and training. The company’s common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol “RNIN.”
This release contains certain "forward-looking statements" of expected future developments, as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The forward-looking statements in this release refer to our expectations regarding the benefits of our RoninCast system to the quick-serve restaurant industry and other matters. These forward-looking statements reflect management’s expectations and are based on currently available data; however, actual results are subject to future risks and uncertainties, which could materially affect actual performance. Risks and uncertainties that could affect such performance include, but are not limited to, the following: our estimates of future expenses, revenue and profitability; the pace at which we complete installations and recognize revenue; trends affecting our financial condition and results of operations; our ability to convert proposals into customer orders; the ability of our customers to pay for our products and services; the revenue recognition impact of changing customer requirements; customer cancellations; the availability and terms of additional capital; our ability to develop new products and update existing products; our dependence upon key suppliers, manufacturers and strategic partners; industry trends and the competitive environment; the impact of losing one or more senior executives or failing to attract and retain additional key personnel; and our ability to successfully integrate the operations of acquired businesses. These and other risk factors are discussed in detail in the Company’s Current Report on Form8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 27, 2007. The Company disclaims any obligation to update such forward-looking statements after the date of this release.
Wireless Ronin® and RoninCast® are registered trademarks of Wireless Ronin Technologies, Inc. All other trademarks referred to above are the property of their respective owners.
