UK hospitality technology provider, Zonal, which supports many of the sector’s biggest bar, restaurant, and hotel companies, has been acquired by Volaris Group, an established ‘buy-and-hold’ software and technology group headquartered in Toronto, Canada.

This acquisition by Volaris heralds an exciting new era for Zonal – technology provider of choice for an array of companies across the UK hospitality and leisure sector. Its customers include Greene King, Mitchells & Butlers and Pizza Express. The backing by Volaris Group creates opportunities to accelerate Zonal’s next-generation software, while maintaining Zonal as an autonomous and independent subsidiary of the Group.

Volaris is a strategic and long-term technology investor, operating a “buy-and-keep” philosophy, which means they are committed owners to the business and dedicated to Zonal’s success in the long-term.

The acquisition will see Zonal CEO and shareholder Stuart McLean step down from the business.

Commenting, McLean said: “We saw in Volaris a genuine long-term home for Zonal. Just as importantly, we also recognised the significant opportunity for Zonal to accelerate forward in its development, and for both the company and the team to grow and develop with it, all the while continuing to put our customers first in everything we do.

“What impressed me most about the Volaris team was a genuine commitment to understanding Zonal and our culture – not just the financials and our products – but as a people-led, customer-first business.

“Building and leading this company has been the privilege of my life but this is a truly great opportunity for Zonal and our customers. I look forward to seeing the business go from strength to strength and will be cheering everyone on from the sidelines.”

Commenting on the transition, Jesper Ulsted, Portfolio Leader at Volaris Group, said: “We are excited to welcome Zonal to the Volaris family. Its strong brand, innovative technology, and customer-centric culture make it a great fit for our portfolio.

“The McLean family have built and nurtured the Zonal business and, under the stewardship of Stuart McLean, it has become a widely-admired technology company in the UK hospitality sector. We look forward to supporting Zonal as it continues to deliver exceptional solutions to its customers and to pursue further opportunities for growth.”

We are proud to announce that Zonal Hotel Solutions has received the Reseller Partner of the Year award at the 2025 SiteMinder Partner Awards, selected from a global network of more than 2,350 partners.

The awards celebrate partners who go above and beyond for their customers and communities. The integration with SiteMinder means that rooms, rates and availability are updated in real time across leading OTA channels and our Booking Engine, ensuring accuracy and preventing overbookings. Every booking flows directly into Zonal’s PMS, giving hoteliers confidence and control.

Reflecting on the achievement, Stuart Derricott, Sales Director at Zonal Hotel Solutions, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to be recognised as SiteMinder’s Reseller of the Year. Our partnership ensures hotels benefit from seamless connectivity and smarter distribution, and this recognition is a real testament to the hard work and dedication of our team.”

For more info on Zonal’s hotel management software, click here.

Diners ditched dinner and large group bookings this Easter weekend, new insights from leading hospitality technology provider, Zonal, show.

The data shows that nearly half (44%) of all bookings made during lunchtime hours over the long weekend happened on Easter Sunday, with lunch making up 60% of total reservations on that day.

Across the four-day weekend, lunch remained the most popular time to dine on Sunday and Monday, comprising 56% of all bookings compared to just 28% for dinner.

In contrast, dinner proved to be more popular on Good Friday and Easter Saturday, making up 44% of bookings made on those days, compared to only 34% for lunch.

The data also revealed that experiences with fewer diners were favoured over larger group gatherings, with bookings for two people making up 33% of all reservations across the Easter weekend.

Tim Chapman, Chief Commercial Officer at Zonal, commented: “This Easter weekend, lunch clearly led the way in dining preferences, particularly on Sunday and Monday, when it accounted for 56% of bookings compared to just 28% for dinner.

“Unlike other celebratory events that are often associated with evening socialising and late-night gatherings, Easter typically emphasises daytime activities, such as family lunches, egg hunts, and community events. As a result, many chose to dine out earlier in the day, reinforcing lunch as the dominant mealtime.”

The number of guests booking more than a week in advance to celebrate Mother’s Sunday rose 10%

New insight from Zonal reveals a rise in bookings for Mother’s Day, driven by a notable increase in organised consumers making reservations further in advance.

Bookings made more than a week ahead were up by 10%, reflecting a growing trend of consumers forward planning for special occasions or events. Zonal research from earlier this year, revealed advance bookings (those made more than a week ahead) for the opening match of the Guinness Six Nations rugby tournament were up nearly 40% on the comparable period for 2024.

Lunch continued to be the most popular dining session for Mother’s Day celebrations, accounting for over half (59%) of all bookings, followed by dinner reservations, which made up 29% of all bookings. Potentially reflecting a growing preference for earlier dining times, bookings before 7pm accounted for the vast majority of total bookings (91%).

Tim Chapman, Chief Commercial Officer, Zonal, commented: “The rise in early bookings for Mother’s Day highlights a clear shift in consumer behaviour, with guests increasingly planning their celebrations in advance and favouring lunch as the main event of the day.

“For operators, this offers a valuable opportunity to plan ahead for next year – by engaging guests early, promotions around quieter times, and ensuring they’re prepared to meet the demand. Capitalising on the growing trend for early lunch bookings will allow operators to optimise service, elevate the guest experience, and drive revenue growth during this key occasion.”

Bookings already up by nearly 40% compared to last year, new data shows

With the Guinness Men’s Six Nations rugby tournament set to kick off this week (Friday 31st January), the latest figures from leading hospitality technology provider Zonal, reveal bookings in pubs and bars are up a huge 38% for match times, compared to the comparable period last year.

Moreover, the insight from previous years’ trends shows that most bookings for Six Nations games are made just a week ahead of fixtures – in 2024, for example, 81% of bookings for the first day of the Six Nations were made within a week of the event. This suggests pubs can expect a further surge in fan bookings.

As the tournament progresses, in order to cope with demand, operators could think about offering incentives to persuade customers to book further in advance to help with planning for stock and staff requirements and ensure their booking systems are easy to use, optimised, and well promoted. Digital ordering, whether that be via the web or an app, can also help improve guests experience by enabling them to place orders directly from their seats, ensuring they don’t miss any of the game and help to reduce bar queues.

Tim Chapman, Chief Commercial Officer, Zonal, commented: “Technology is a crucial tool in making sure venues can handle the increased volume of bookings during major events like the Six Nations. Ensuring your booking platform is robust, and that staff are trained to manage busy match days efficiently, will be key to taking full advantage of this busy period.”

“By leveraging tools that provide real-time table availability and streamline the booking process, operators can ensure they’re well-prepared to capitalise on these high-demand dates and drive revenue throughout the year.”