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OPENLANE, Inc. Reports Second Quarter 2024 Financial Results

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CARMEL, Ind., Aug. 7, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — OPENLANE, Inc. (NYSE: KAR), today reported its second quarter financial results for the period ended June 30, 2024.

“OPENLANE’s second quarter and year-to-date results clearly demonstrate the power of our differentiated platform and the strong scalability characteristics of our company,” said Peter Kelly, CEO of OPENLANE. “During the quarter, we grew marketplace and finance volumes, increased revenue and delivered strong adjusted EBITDA and operating cash flows. I am confident in OPENLANE’s strategy, we are investing in technology and people to further accelerate innovation and profitable growth.”

“OPENLANE’s continued focus on execution and profitable growth delivered solid financial results in the second quarter,” said Brad Lakhia, EVP and CFO of OPENLANE. “Consolidated revenue was $432 million, marketplace segment grew volumes by 7% and increased Gross Merchandise Value to nearly $7 billion. AFC was again a strong adjusted EBITDA contributor, and we improved our provision for loan losses versus the first quarter. Our year-to-date generation of $138 million of cash flow from operating activities clearly demonstrates the value — and potential — of our asset-light, digitally focused business.”

Second Quarter 2024 Financial Highlights

Marketplace volumes increased 7% YoYTotal revenue of $432 million in Q2 2024, representing 4% YoY growthMarketplace revenue of $336 million in Q2 2024, representing 5% YoY growthGross Merchandise Value (GMV) of approximately $7 billion, representing 6% YoY growthIncome from continuing operations of $11 millionAdjusted EBITDA of $71 million (with Marketplace contributing 46%), including the $2 million year-to-date impact for the newly enacted Canadian Digital Services Tax$138 million of cash flow from operating activities on a year-to-date basis

2024 Guidance
As a result of Canada’s abrupt implementation of a retroactive Digital Services Tax (DST), which was enacted on June 28, 2024 retroactive to January 1, 2022, the company has updated its 2024 annual guidance. During the second quarter of 2024, the company recorded $12 million of Canadian DST, of which $10 million related to 2022 and 2023. Assuming no changes to this legislation, including the scope of application, the company estimates this will result in approximately $5 million in incremental cost of services in 2024. The company anticipates taking steps to mitigate this incremental annual cost and therefore does not anticipate a material impact on future periods earnings and cash flows.

Annual

Guidance

Income from continuing operations (in millions)

$65 – $80

Adjusted EBITDA (in millions)

$285 – $305

Income from continuing operations per share – diluted *

$0.14 – $0.24

Operating adjusted net income from continuing operations per share – diluted

$0.77 – $0.87

* The company uses the two-class method of calculating income from continuing operations per diluted share. Under the two-class method, income from continuing operations is adjusted for dividends and undistributed earnings (losses) to the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock, and the weighted average diluted shares do not assume conversion of the preferred shares to common shares.

Earnings guidance does not contemplate future items such as business development activities, strategic developments (such as restructurings, spin-offs or dispositions of assets or investments), contingent purchase price adjustments, significant expenses related to litigation, tax adjustments and changes in applicable laws and regulations (including significant accounting and tax matters) and intangible impairments. The timing and amounts of these items are highly variable, difficult to predict, and of a potential size that could have a substantial impact on the company’s reported results for any given period. Prospective quantification of these items is generally not practicable. Operating adjusted net income from continuing operations per share excludes amortization expense associated with acquired intangible assets, as well as one-time charges, net of taxes. See reconciliations of the company’s guidance included below.

Earnings Conference Call Information
OPENLANE will be hosting an earnings conference call and webcast on Wednesday, August 7, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. ET. The call will be hosted by OPENLANE Chief Executive Officer Peter Kelly and Chief Financial Officer Brad Lakhia. The conference call may be accessed by calling 1-833-634-2155 and asking to join the OPENLANE call. A live webcast will be available at the investor relations section of corporate.openlane.com. Supplemental financial information for OPENLANE’s second quarter 2024 results is available at the investor relations section of corporate.openlane.com.

The archive of the webcast will be available following the call at the investor relations section of corporate.openlane.com for a limited time.

About OPENLANE
OPENLANE, Inc. (NYSE: KAR), provides sellers and buyers across the global wholesale used vehicle industry with innovative, technology-driven remarketing solutions. The company’s unique end-to-end platform supports whole car, financing, logistics and other ancillary and related services. Our integrated marketplaces reduce risk, improve transparency and streamline transactions for customers around the globe. Headquartered in Carmel, Indiana, the company has employees across the United States, Canada, Europe, Uruguay and the Philippines. For more information and the latest company news, visit corporate.openlane.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements contained in this release include, and the company may make related oral, “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and which are subject to certain risks, trends and uncertainties. In particular, statements made that are not historical facts may be forward-looking statements. Words such as “should,” “may,” “will,” “would,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “project,” “intend,” “contemplate,” “plan,” “believe,” “seek,” “estimate,” “assume,” “can,” “could,” “continue,” “of the opinion,” “confident,” “is set,” “is on track,” “outlook,” “target,” “positioned,” “predict,” “initiative,” “goal,” “opportunity” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. Such statements are based on management’s current assumptions, expectations and/or beliefs, are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to substantial risks, uncertainties and changes that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results projected, expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in the company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 and in the company’s other filings and reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this release. The company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements.

 

OPENLANE, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income 
(In millions) (Unaudited)

Three Months Ended
June 30,

Six Months Ended
June 30,

2024

2023

2024

2023

Operating revenues

Auction fees

$      108.7

$      103.3

$      218.6

$      203.2

Service revenue

147.1

155.7

297.3

321.3

Purchased vehicle sales

80.2

60.4

138.4

115.9

Finance-related revenue

95.8

97.5

193.8

197.1

Total operating revenues

431.8

416.9

848.1

837.5

Operating expenses

Cost of services (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)

245.9

222.6

459.8

446.8

Selling, general and administrative

106.0

111.2

214.7

219.2

Depreciation and amortization

24.1

26.8

48.4

49.8

Goodwill and other intangibles impairment

—

250.8

—

250.8

Total operating expenses

376.0

611.4

722.9

966.6

Operating profit (loss)

55.8

(194.5)

125.2

(129.1)

Interest expense

37.4

38.8

77.1

77.1

Other (income) expense, net

0.2

(21.3)

0.7

(14.2)

Loss on extinguishment of debt

—

1.1

—

1.1

Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes

18.2

(213.1)

47.4

(193.1)

Income taxes

7.5

(19.3)

18.2

(12.0)

Income (loss) from continuing operations

10.7

(193.8)

29.2

(181.1)

Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes

—

—

—

—

Net income (loss)

$        10.7

$    (193.8)

$        29.2

$    (181.1)

Net income (loss) per share – basic

Income (loss) from continuing operations

$           —

$      (1.87)

$        0.05

$      (1.86)

Income from discontinued operations

—

—

—

—

Net income (loss) per share – basic

$           —

$      (1.87)

$        0.05

$      (1.86)

Net income (loss) per share – diluted

Income (loss) from continuing operations

$           —

$      (1.87)

$        0.05

$      (1.86)

Income from discontinued operations

—

—

—

—

Net income (loss) per share – diluted

$           —

$      (1.87)

$        0.05

$      (1.86)

 

OPENLANE, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In millions) (Unaudited)

June 30, 
2024

December 31, 
2023

Cash and cash equivalents

$                 60.9

$                 93.5

Restricted cash

67.7

65.4

Trade receivables, net of allowances

292.1

291.8

Finance receivables, net of allowances

2,220.1

2,282.0

Other current assets

133.3

109.2

Total current assets

2,774.1

2,841.9

Goodwill

1,264.0

1,271.2

Customer relationships, net of accumulated amortization

126.8

136.1

Operating lease right-of-use assets

71.5

75.9

Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation

160.2

169.8

Intangible and other assets

221.2

231.4

Total assets

$             4,617.8

$             4,726.3

Current liabilities, excluding obligations collateralized by

     finance receivables and current maturities of debt

$                730.5

$                692.3

Obligations collateralized by finance receivables

1,573.6

1,631.9

Current maturities of debt

272.0

154.6

Total current liabilities

2,576.1

2,478.8

Long-term debt

—

202.4

Operating lease liabilities

65.5

70.4

Other non-current liabilities

35.5

35.2

Temporary equity

612.5

612.5

Stockholders’ equity

1,328.2

1,327.0

Total liabilities, temporary equity and stockholders’ equity

$             4,617.8

$             4,726.3

 

OPENLANE, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(In millions) (Unaudited)

Six Months Ended
June 30,

2024

2023

Operating activities

Net income (loss)

$         29.2

$     (181.1)

Net income from discontinued operations

—

—

     Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:

     Depreciation and amortization

48.4

49.8

     Provision for credit losses

29.1

28.4

     Deferred income taxes

0.4

(29.1)

     Amortization of debt issuance costs

4.7

4.4

     Stock-based compensation

10.1

8.9

     Contingent consideration adjustment

—

1.3

     Net change in unrealized (gain) loss on investment securities

—

(0.1)

     Investment and note receivable impairment

—

11.0

     Goodwill and other intangibles impairment

—

250.8

     Loss on extinguishment of debt

—

1.1

     Other non-cash, net

0.1

0.8

     Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:

     Trade receivables and other assets

(23.7)

(76.2)

     Accounts payable and accrued expenses

39.4

75.2

     Payments of contingent consideration in excess of acquisition-date fair value

—

(2.6)

Net cash provided by operating activities – continuing operations

137.7

142.6

Net cash used by operating activities – discontinued operations

(0.1)

(0.1)

Investing activities

     Net decrease (increase) in finance receivables held for investment

33.1

(24.4)

     Purchases of property, equipment and computer software

(25.9)

(26.9)

     Investments in securities

(1.6)

(0.6)

 Proceeds from the sale of property and equipment

0.3

0.3

Net cash provided by (used by) investing activities – continuing operations

5.9

(51.6)

Net cash provided by investing activities – discontinued operations

—

7.0

Financing activities

     Net decrease in book overdrafts

(1.6)

(2.2)

     Net (repayments of) borrowings from lines of credit

(81.2)

39.2

     Net (decrease) increase in obligations collateralized by finance receivables

(56.1)

33.1

     Payments for debt issuance costs/amendments

(2.2)

(5.3)

     Payment for early extinguishment of debt

—

(140.1)

     Payments on finance leases

(0.6)

(1.1)

     Payments of contingent consideration and deferred acquisition costs

—

(12.4)

     Issuance of common stock under stock plans

0.8

1.6

     Tax withholding payments for vested RSUs

(3.4)

(2.5)

     Dividends paid on Series A Preferred Stock

(22.2)

(22.2)

Net cash used by financing activities – continuing operations

(166.5)

(111.9)

Net cash provided by financing activities – discontinued operations

—

—

Net change in cash balances of discontinued operations

—

—

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

(7.3)

8.8

Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

(30.3)

(5.2)

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period

158.9

277.7

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period

$       128.6

$       272.5

Cash paid for interest

$         74.6

$         72.8

Cash paid for taxes, net of refunds – continuing operations

$         29.4

$         21.4

Cash paid for taxes, net of refunds – discontinued operations

$             —

$             —

OPENLANE, Inc.
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, operating adjusted net income (loss) and operating adjusted net income (loss) per share as presented herein are supplemental measures of our performance that are not required by, or presented in accordance with, generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”). They are not measurements of our financial performance under GAAP and should not be considered as substitutes for net income (loss) or any other performance measures derived in accordance with GAAP. Management believes that these measures provide investors additional meaningful methods to evaluate certain aspects of the company’s results period over period and for the other reasons set forth below.

EBITDA is defined as net income (loss), plus interest expense net of interest income, income tax provision (benefit), depreciation and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA is EBITDA adjusted for the items of income and expense and expected incremental revenue and cost savings as described in our senior secured credit agreement covenant calculations. Management believes that the inclusion of supplementary adjustments to EBITDA applied in presenting Adjusted EBITDA is appropriate to provide additional information to investors about one of the principal measures of performance used by our creditors. In addition, management uses EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to evaluate our performance.

Depreciation expense for property and equipment and amortization expense of capitalized internally developed software costs relate to ongoing capital expenditures; however, amortization expense associated with acquired intangible assets, such as customer relationships, software, tradenames and noncompete agreements are not representative of ongoing capital expenditures, but have a continuing effect on our reported results. Non-GAAP financial measures of operating adjusted net income (loss) and operating adjusted net income (loss) per share, in the opinion of the company, provide comparability of the company’s performance to other companies that may not have incurred these types of non-cash expenses or that report a similar measure. In addition, operating adjusted net income (loss) and operating adjusted net income (loss) per share may include adjustments for certain other charges.

EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, operating adjusted net income (loss) and operating adjusted net income (loss) per share have limitations as analytical tools, and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of the results as reported under GAAP. These measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.

The following tables reconcile EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to income (loss) from continuing operations for the periods presented:

Three Months Ended
June 30,

Six Months Ended
June 30,

(In millions), (Unaudited)

2024

2023

2024

2023

Income (loss) from continuing operations

$      10.7

$   (193.8)

$      29.2

$   (181.1)

Add back:

Income taxes

7.5

(19.3)

18.2

(12.0)

Interest expense, net of interest income

37.1

37.5

76.4

74.9

Depreciation and amortization

24.1

26.8

48.4

49.8

EBITDA

79.4

(148.8)

172.2

(68.4)

Non-cash stock-based compensation

3.7

5.5

10.7

9.3

Loss on extinguishment of debt

—

1.1

—

1.1

Acquisition related costs

0.2

0.3

0.5

0.6

Securitization interest

(29.2)

(29.6)

(59.1)

(57.4)

Severance

6.0

1.0

7.7

1.5

Foreign currency (gains)/losses

0.5

0.3

2.5

0.4

Goodwill and other intangibles impairment

—

250.8

—

250.8

Contingent consideration adjustment

—

1.3

—

1.3

Net change in unrealized (gains) losses on investment securities

—

(0.2)

—

(0.1)

Professional fees related to business improvement efforts

0.7

2.1

1.5

2.8

Impact for newly enacted Canadian DST related to prior years

10.0

—

10.0

—

Other

0.1

—

0.2

0.8

  Total addbacks/(deductions)

(8.0)

232.6

(26.0)

211.1

Adjusted EBITDA

$      71.4

$      83.8

$     146.2

$     142.7

 

Three Months Ended June 30, 2024

(Dollars in millions), (Unaudited)

Marketplace

Finance

Consolidated

Income (loss) from continuing operations

$          (16.1)

$           26.8

$           10.7

Add back:

Income taxes

(1.2)

8.7

7.5

Interest expense, net of interest income

5.2

31.9

37.1

Depreciation and amortization

21.1

3.0

24.1

Intercompany interest

3.4

(3.4)

—

EBITDA

12.4

67.0

79.4

Non-cash stock-based compensation

3.6

0.1

3.7

Acquisition related costs

0.2

—

0.2

Securitization interest

—

(29.2)

(29.2)

Severance

5.4

0.6

6.0

Foreign currency (gains)/losses

0.5

—

0.5

Professional fees related to business improvement efforts

0.6

0.1

0.7

Impact for newly enacted Canadian DST related to prior years

10.0

—

10.0

Other

—

0.1

0.1

  Total addbacks/(deductions)

20.3

(28.3)

(8.0)

Adjusted EBITDA

$           32.7

$           38.7

$           71.4

Three Months Ended June 30, 2023

(Dollars in millions), (Unaudited)

Marketplace

Finance

Consolidated

Income (loss) from continuing operations

$        (219.4)

$           25.6

$        (193.8)

Add back:

Income taxes

(36.0)

16.7

(19.3)

Interest expense, net of interest income

5.4

32.1

37.5

Depreciation and amortization

24.5

2.3

26.8

Intercompany interest

8.1

(8.1)

—

EBITDA

(217.4)

68.6

(148.8)

Non-cash stock-based compensation

4.3

1.2

5.5

Loss on extinguishment of debt

1.1

—

1.1

Acquisition related costs

0.3

—

0.3

Securitization interest

—

(29.6)

(29.6)

Severance

0.9

0.1

1.0

Foreign currency (gains)/losses

0.5

(0.2)

0.3

Goodwill and other intangibles impairment

250.8

—

250.8

Contingent consideration adjustment

1.3

—

1.3

Net change in unrealized (gains) losses on investment securities

—

(0.2)

(0.2)

Professional fees related to business improvement efforts

1.7

0.4

2.1

  Total addbacks/(deductions)

260.9

(28.3)

232.6

Adjusted EBITDA

$           43.5

$           40.3

$           83.8

The following table reconciles operating adjusted net income and operating adjusted net income per diluted share to net income (loss) from continuing operations for the periods presented:

Three Months Ended
June 30,

Six Months Ended
June 30,

(In millions, except per share amounts), (Unaudited)

2024

2023

2024

2023

Net income (loss) from continuing operations (1)

$      10.7

$   (193.8)

$      29.2

$   (181.1)

   Acquired amortization expense

9.1

9.8

18.4

17.2

   Impact for newly enacted Canadian DST related to prior years

10.0

—

10.0

—

   Loss on extinguishment of debt

—

1.1

—

1.1

   Contingent consideration adjustment

—

1.3

—

1.3

   Goodwill and other intangibles impairment

—

250.8

—

250.8

   Income taxes (2)

(2.1)

(32.4)

(2.5)

(34.2)

Operating adjusted net income from continuing operations

$      27.7

$      36.8

$      55.1

$      55.1

Operating adjusted net income from discontinued operations

$          —

$          —

$          —

$          —

Operating adjusted net income

$      27.7

$      36.8

$      55.1

$      55.1

Operating adjusted net income from continuing operations per
share – diluted

$      0.19

$      0.25

$      0.38

$      0.38

Operating adjusted net income from discontinued operations per
share – diluted

—

—

—

—

Operating adjusted net income per share – diluted

$      0.19

$      0.25

$      0.38

$      0.38

Weighted average diluted shares – including assumed conversion
of preferred shares

144.4

145.3

145.1

145.2

(1)

The Series A Preferred Stock dividends and undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities have not been included in the calculation of operating adjusted net income and operating adjusted net income per diluted share.

(2)

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, each tax deductible item was booked to the applicable statutory rate. The deferred tax benefits of $52.5 million and $6.5 million associated with the goodwill and tradename impairments in the second quarter of 2023, respectively, resulted in the U.S. being in a net deferred tax asset position. Due to the three-year cumulative loss related to U.S. operations, we currently have a $41.1 million valuation allowance against the U.S. net deferred tax asset.

The following table reconciles EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to income from continuing operations for the 2024 guidance presented:

2024 Guidance

(In millions), (Unaudited)

Low

High

Income from continuing operations

$                65

$                80

Add back:

Income taxes

38

47

Interest expense, net of interest income

147

145

Depreciation and amortization

100

98

EBITDA

350

370

  Total addbacks/(deductions), net

(65)

(65)

Adjusted EBITDA

$              285

$              305

The following table reconciles operating adjusted net income from continuing operations and operating adjusted net income from continuing operations per diluted share to income from continuing operations for the 2024 guidance presented:

2024 Guidance

(In millions, except per share amounts), (Unaudited)

Low

High

Income from continuing operations

$                65

$                80

   Total adjustments, net

46

46

Operating adjusted net income from continuing operations

$              111

$              126

Operating adjusted net income from continuing operations per share – diluted

$             0.77

$             0.87

Weighted average diluted shares – including assumed conversion of preferred
shares

145

145

 

Analyst Inquiries:

Media Inquiries:

Itunu Orelaru

Laurie Dippold  

(317) 249-4559

(317) 468-3900

investor_relations@openlane.com 

laurie.dippold@openlane.com  

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SOURCE OPENLANE, Inc.

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HiLo Finance Brings Benzinga News Into Its AI-Powered Investing Community

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Benzinga News plugs real-time market headlines directly into HiLo’s mentor rooms, chats, and AI-driven trade insights

DETROIT, Nov. 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Benzinga, a leading provider of real-time financial news and market intelligence, today announced that HiLo Finance has added Benzinga News to its investing app, putting real-time headlines inside the same feed where HiLo’s traders already chat, follow mentors, and get AI-driven insights on the market.

HiLo is built around the idea that markets move on conversation. The app pairs live price data with community chat rooms, trading mentors with verifiable performance records, and AI-generated insight that narrates what is happening on the tape in plain English. Benzinga News slots into that experience as the missing piece: the headline behind the move that traders are already debating in real time.

For a platform built around live discussion, timing matters. A trader watching a ticker spike in a HiLo room can now see the Benzinga headline driving it without switching apps or hunting down the source. That immediacy is central to how HiLo wants its community to operate, reacting to news as it breaks rather than piecing it together after the fact.

Benzinga News tracks the events that move markets throughout the trading day, including earnings, analyst upgrades and downgrades, M&A activity, macroeconomic data, regulatory developments, and corporate announcements. HiLo joins a growing list of trading and investing platforms that rely on the feed to keep users current.

The addition also reinforces what HiLo’s AI insight engine is built to do. Instead of only flagging that volume or price has shifted, the app can now tie that shift back to the Benzinga headline that explains it, giving traders and the mentors they follow a clearer starting point for the conversation.

“HiLo’s whole app is built around traders talking to each other while the market is moving, so the news needs to be right there with them, not in a separate tab,” said Emily Goldvekht, Account Manager at Benzinga. “That’s what this integration gives their community.”

“At HiLo, we’re building a new home for retail traders and mentors, a place to connect, share ideas, and stay on top of the markets. Partnering with Benzinga allows us to bring high-quality financial news and market data directly into the HiLo experience, helping our users stay informed and better understand what’s happening in the markets,” said Chanikya Mandapati, Founder & CEO of HiLo.

It is also a signal of where social trading apps are headed more broadly. As platforms compete to keep traders inside a single app rather than toggling between news sites, charting tools, and chat threads, reliable news data is becoming as core to the product as the community itself.

For HiLo, the integration is another step toward the app’s core premise: that the fastest way to understand a market move is to see the headline, hear what other traders think about it, and discuss it, all without leaving the conversation.

About Benzinga

Benzinga is a leading financial media and data technology company that empowers investors with high-quality, real-time market intelligence. Through its news platform, APIs, and data products, Benzinga provides traders, financial institutions, and fintech platforms with the insights they need to make smarter investment decisions. From breaking news and analyst ratings to corporate events and alternative datasets, Benzinga’s tools help market participants stay ahead of the information that drives price movement.

To learn more, visit www.benzinga.com/apis/.

About HiLo Finance

HiLo is a market-focused platform built for retail traders and trading mentors. Traders can join groups, follow mentors, and access real-time market context and AI-powered insights, while mentors can share market insights and trade ideas, build an audience, and monetize their expertise—all within one platform.

To learn more, visit https://www.hilo.finance/.

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Secur-Serv Expands Managed Services Portfolio to Address Growing Demand for AI Management

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New Managed Intelligence Services portfolio extends Secur-Serv’s technology and cybersecurity expertise into AI governance, operations, and performance management.

OMAHA, Neb., Nov. 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Secur-Serv, a nationwide managed IT and cybersecurity services provider, has launched Managed Intelligence Services, expanding its role in helping businesses manage one of their fastest-growing technology investments: artificial intelligence. The new service line brings together AI strategy, implementation, and ongoing management, giving customers the expertise to scale adoption, protect sensitive data and tie spending to business results.

The expansion responds to growing demand from Secur-Serv customers, particularly financial institutions, and mid-market businesses, for more comprehensive AI support. Building on its established managed services and cybersecurity operations, Secur-Serv will work alongside customers beyond initial deployment, taking an active role in managing AI usage, costs, security, and performance as their needs evolve.

“AI is changing the economics of technology and how businesses compete,” said Cathy Pickoski, CEO of Secur-Serv. “The next competitive advantage won’t come from adoption alone, but from the ability to manage AI securely, economically, and at scale in ways that create value. Managed Intelligence Services reflects where the market is heading and the discipline organizations need to confidently manage AI as a business capability.”

Extending the Managed Services into AI Operations

Secur-Serv’s Managed Intelligence portfolio combines business strategy, technology infrastructure, cybersecurity, and ongoing management through four services:

AI Assessment: Identifies how AI is being used across the business, where it could deliver value, and what risks need attention.AI Strategy & Roadmap: Establishes a plan for AI investments, including business priorities, use cases, governance, and deployment.AI Foundations: Addresses gaps in identity management, data access, and security that could put AI initiatives at risk.Managed AI: Takes an active role in managing AI adoption, security, spending, and performance as business and technology evolve.

Each service addresses distinct operational needs, allowing organizations to engage at any stage of AI adoption.

Managed AI Establishes Ongoing Operational Accountability

At the core of the service expansion is Secur-Serv’s Managed AI service.

Operating within the customer’s organization alongside business leaders, internal IT teams, and existing service providers to oversee AI operations. The service integrates recurring governance and security reviews, licensing optimization, adoption support, and performance measurement to keep AI investments aligned with business objectives.

 “Businesses are moving quickly to adopt AI, but few have the resources to manage what comes after deployment,” said Billy Turner, Senior Vice President, Managed Services at Secur-Serv. “Managed Intelligence Services remove the burden of businesses managing AI themselves and gives customers a dedicated team working alongside them, with oversight of AI usage, and clear governance as new tools enter the business.”

Building on Established Market Expertise

Secur-Serv already manages critical technology and security operations for financial institutions and mid-market businesses nationwide. Its banking and credit union customers operate under strict regulatory requirements, while growing businesses want more from their technology investments without adding staff or overhead.

Managed Intelligence Services builds on that experience, bringing AI into the work Secur-Serv already does to support customers’ technology operations.

“AI will change how businesses compete, but adoption alone won’t determine who succeeds,” said Pickoski. “The advantage will belong to organizations that can turn AI into sustained business performance without compromising security or control. That’s the responsibility Secur-Serv is stepping forward to help our customers manage.”

Learn more about Secur-Serv’s Managed Intelligence Services at secur-serv.com.

About Secur-Serv

 Secur-Serv manages and secures the technology that runs the business, from IT infrastructure and devices to cybersecurity and AI. Headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, Secur-Serv delivers Managed IT, Cybersecurity, Managed Intelligence Services, Managed Device, and Managed Print services nationwide, supported by more than 2,000 field service technicians and a 24/7 Network Operations Center. Learn more at secur-serv.com.

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CHOWNOW EXPANDS ITS PLATFORM TO HELP INDEPENDENT RESTAURANTS KEEP MORE OF WHAT THEY EARN

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New Ordering, Marketing, and Operations Tools to Help Restaurants Thrive in an Industry Built on Razor-Thin Margins

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Independent restaurants are working harder than ever to attract diners and grow revenue, but too often, the customer relationship and a meaningful share of the revenue end up with third-party platforms instead. ChowNow, the restaurant growth platform, recently announced updates across its three product suites, Ordering, Marketing, and Operations, designed to put restaurants back in control of their orders, their data, and their diners.

Over 400,000 independent restaurants in the U.S. are already running on razor-thin margins as food, labor, and operational costs rise. According to the National Restaurant Association, wholesale food prices are up 35% since February 2020, and a third of operators said their business was not profitable in the first half of 2026. Third-party delivery platforms compound the problem, charging as much as 25 to 30% per order.

“Every guest a restaurant serves and every order it fulfills is value that the restaurant has earned,” said Kanika Soni, CEO of ChowNow. “Our goal is to make sure restaurants can capture more of that value directly and build a real relationship with their customers along the way. ChowNow gives restaurants the technology, data, and tools to do exactly that: attract diners, turn them into repeat guest, and grow revenue on their own terms.”

ChowNow’s update strengthens all three suites, bringing online ordering, catering, QR code ordering, and marketing together into a single operating system that helps restaurants scale their direct revenue and deepen guest relationships, while running their business with less complexity along the way.

What’s new:

Marketing Suite – now includes SMS alongside email, loyalty, and customer data tools, all backed by automation, so campaigns run themselves once they’re set up. Restaurants can also launch their own custom email and SMS campaigns on demand and reach a larger audience by uploading their existing contact lists, giving them full control over when and how they reach diners.Catering – gives restaurants a direct, branded online ordering experience for high-ticket orders, with dedicated menus, flexible scheduling, and streamlined order management, all while capturing the customer data that comes with it for future marketing. A restaurant running 10 catering orders a month at a $360 average order value could save more than $4,300 a year with ChowNow’s catering rate versus a 15% marketplace commission.QR Code Ordering – for dine-in guests speeds up ordering and payment while capturing valuable diner data restaurants can use to drive targeted marketing and repeat visits. ChowNow data shows restaurants using QR code ordering see a 9% average increase in check size. 

Restaurants powered by ChowNow are already seeing results. Since sending its first campaign in May 2026, DJ’s Pizza has generated 542 orders and more than $32,700 in direct sales from its ChowNow email and SMS campaigns. And since adding ChowNow Catering in late 2025, Real Mediterranean Kitchen has generated over $80,000 across more than 130 catering orders, demonstrating how restaurants can use direct digital tools to expand beyond individual takeout orders and capture larger ticket demand.

The update also lays the groundwork for ChowNow’s next generation of AI-powered restaurant tools, launching in Q4 2026.

For more information on ChowNow, please visit www.chownow.com.

About ChowNow
Trusted by more than 15,000 restaurants nationwide, ChowNow is the restaurant growth platform, offered in three packages, Launch, Grow, and Elevate, that helps independent restaurants attract diners, grow revenue, and own their customer relationships. ChowNow gives restaurants the technology and tools to capture more value from every order and every guest. Since 2011, ChowNow has helped independent restaurants save $1.36 billion in commission fees, an average of $16,000 per restaurant per year compared to third-party marketplaces.

Media Contact: 
Tracy Rubin        
JCUTLER media group     
tracy@jcmg.com      

 

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