Media OutReach
Cata Debuts Game-Changing All-in-One App Platform for F&B and Retail Operators
Launch your own branded mobile app with omni-channel loyalty, online ordering, and CRM in days—no coding required
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 2 September 2025 – Cata today launches its groundbreaking commercial Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) app platform for F&B operators and retailers in Singapore and beyond. One of the world’s first, the SaaS white-label app platform enables businesses of any size—from single outlets to global chains across multiple markets—to seamlessly launch their own branded native mobile app for ordering, marketing, omni-channel loyalty programs, CRM and more in days and without upfront investment.
Cata’s SaaS app platform has already been deployed in Singapore with Guzman y Gomez (GYG)—one of Australia’s fastest-growing quick-service restaurant businesses that operates over 230 locations globally—with 21 locations island wide in Singapore and counting.
By focusing specifically on chains and Quick Service Restaurants (QSRs), Cata has achieved what few startups accomplish on day one—securing established, renowned brands as founding partners rather than starting with smaller independent operators.
The restaurant and retail industries, especially chains and QSRs, are at an inflection point. While mobile convenience has become an expectation among consumers—shaped by e-commerce giants and super apps—most F&B and retail businesses still rely on outdated tools: paper-based loyalty cards, manual ordering at the POS, and siloed, unintegrated systems. Rising labor costs and shrinking margins make it increasingly important to look for innovative ways to grow revenues and increase profits.
Meanwhile, advanced digital solutions that connect mobile ordering, loyalty, and CRM remain exclusive to global giants like McDonald’s and Starbucks who spend millions on custom development each year and maintain large internal tech teams to secure their competitive edge. For everyone else, building such capabilities is too expensive, too fragmented, and too slow, leaving 99% of the industry digitally underserved and unable to compete.
Cata directly addresses these challenges by enabling businesses to rapidly deploy their own fully branded mobile apps without technical knowledge within days, equipped with integrated online ordering, payments, customizable omni-channel loyalty programs, and data-driven CRM, without the need for expensive custom apps that are rarely able to meet evolving customer requirements over time – especially without continuous investment. This democratizes sophisticated digital capabilities previously exclusive to enterprise giants and leading e-commerce platforms.
Leveraging robust infrastructure, a holistic and ever-evolving product suite, and deep operational knowledge, Cata is built for global scale from day one and aims to become the invisible infrastructure behind thousands of outlets over the coming years. With Cata, partners can truly know and own their customers for the first time, revolutionizing historically offline industries by transforming anonymous transactions into direct customer relationships, and turbocharge growth via targeted customer acquisition, increased purchasing frequency, and higher basket sizes.
“After exploring numerous options, Cata was the only solution that works as a true one-stop platform, eliminating the complex tech stacks we’d otherwise need for a sophisticated app,” says Josh Bell, Principal at Guzman y Gomez Singapore. “What sets Cata apart is their operator-built approach – they understand exactly what F&B businesses need because they’ve been in our shoes. Unlike other providers, Cata works as a genuine partner with aligned incentives through transaction-based pricing, allowing us to launch a premium app without the financial risk of custom development. While we’ve seen competitors spend millions on custom apps that customers ultimately didn’t love, Cata’s platform keeps evolving with customer expectations and delivers the digital convenience our customers actually want, all while driving additional efficiency across our operations.”
Cata is aiming to generate up to 5-10x ROI for their partners if fully rolled out. This significant ROI is achieved through the ability to leverage digital marketing channels to drive customer acquisition and retention, significantly increased purchasing frequency and average order values (AOVs), and competitive differentiation via Cata’s omni-channel loyalty platform, data-driven business optimization, and the opportunity for critical POS staffing cost reductions.
“Offline retail is at a tipping point. The next generation of physical businesses won’t rely on POS, self-checkout terminals, or cashiers—they’ll run on mobile apps, deep consumer data to power individualized experiences, and automated growth engines. Cata is building the infrastructure to make that future possible. From digital brand exploration and omni-channel online ordering and loyalty to AI-driven campaigns, we’ll put enterprise-grade capabilities into the hands of every merchant—turning daily operations into digital advantage.” said David Brunier, Founder and CEO of Cata.
With an initial focus on F&B chains, Cata plans for aggressive geographic expansion from Singapore into developed markets across Asia Pacific (APAC), Europe, and the Middle East, with long-term global ambitions to cover verticals including wellness and beauty, convenience stores, groceries, specialty retail, and fashion.
Cata’s founding team combines deep domain expertise and proven capability to scale across markets, which include CEO David Brunier (ex-Flash Coffee CEO, ex-Foodpanda CMO), CRO Marija Brunier (ex-Delivery Hero Global Director of International Sales), and CFO Sebastian Hannecker (ex-Flash Coffee COO/CFO, ex-Bain). Cata also secured top regional tech talent by appointing Ashwin Irappa as CPO (ex-Grab Head of Product, ex-Foodpanda Senior Director of Product) and Ali Irawan as CTO (ex-Flash Coffee CTO, ex-Rocket Internet Venture CTO) to complete their management team. Other prominent collaborators and advisors include Anand Thakur (CTPO at Reliance Retail) and Felix Haas (UI/UX Design for Cata, Lovable and Gorillas).
Hashtag: #Cata
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About Cata
Cata is a comprehensive white-label SaaS platform that enables restaurants and retail businesses to launch branded mobile apps with enterprise-level features in days, not months. The company democratizes access to digital capabilities previously available only to global giants like McDonald’s and Starbucks, allowing businesses to drive significant revenue growth, own their customer relationships, and streamline operations. Founded in 2024 and headquartered in Singapore, Cata’s mission is to become the global infrastructure powering the digital storefronts of offline businesses.
Cata is backed by prominent global investors such as White Star Capital, FoodLabs, 468 Capital, FJ Labs, and Rally Cap.
For more information about Cata, visit 
www.cata.sg.
CUHK’s Academic Excellence and Global Research Impact
CUHK’s academic rigour is further recognised in the 2026–27 Best Global Universities Rankings by U.S. News & World Report, where it ranks 28th globally and 5th in Asia, remaining Hong Kong’s top university for the fourth consecutive year. The University features 15 subjects in the global top 50, including five in the top 10, such as Education and Educational Research (#1), Gastroenterology and Hepatology (#2), Computer Science (#7), and Arts and Humanities and Artificial Intelligence (both ranked #9).
CUHK: Where Bold Ideas Become Impactful Research
CUHK provides an exceptional environment for impactful research, supported by approximately 300 research institutes and centres, alongside four state key laboratories approved by the Ministry of Science and Technology of China. Reflecting on the academic environment, Zhamilya Zhirenova, a PhD student in Biomedical Science from Kazakhstan, has deepened her expertise through her involvement with the Centre for Neuromusculoskeletal Restorative Medicine (CNRM), an InnoHK research centre CUHK established with Sweden’s Karolinska Institutet.
Unlike traditional research pathways, where students are often confined to a single university laboratory, Zhamilya gained extensive experience at Hong Kong Science Park, a dynamic setting that closely resembles industry. “It feels more like an industrial company,” she reflected, “and that experience has been invaluable.” For researchers with ambitions beyond academia, such early exposure to the pace and expectations of the biotech industry provides a distinct advantage.
Nurturing the Next Generation of Scientific Innovators
Many of CUHK’s scholars are globally renowned experts who have made significant breakthroughs in their respective fields. These experts provide valuable mentorship, cultivating an intellectually stimulating environment for innovative research.
At the Centre for Novostics, an InnoHK research centre dedicated to advancing molecular diagnostics, Yasine Malki, a Chemical Pathology PhD student from Hong Kong, highlighted mentorship as a defining aspect of his experience at CUHK. Benefiting from the mentorship of Professor Dennis Lo, CUHK’s Vice-Chancellor and President, and a pioneer in molecular diagnostics, Yasine collaborates with specialists in molecular technologies, bioinformatics, and clinician-scientists, exemplifying CUHK’s dynamic, multidisciplinary approach to medical science.
Through the latest global rankings, CUHK continues to demonstrate the impact of its research and scholarship. The University offers robust financial support to attract top-tier global talent, such as the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (HKPFS) for the 2027–28 intake, which provides over HK$1.81 million (approximately US$232,420) in funding. Applications open on 1 September 2026.
Hashtag: #CUHK
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About CUHK
Founded in 1963, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) is a leading comprehensive research university with a global reputation and world-leading rankings. Located in the heart of Asia, CUHK has a vision and a mission to combine tradition with modernity, and to bring together China and the West. The University has eight faculties: Arts, Business Administration, Education, Engineering, Law, Medicine, Science, and Social Science. Together with the Graduate School, the University offers over 300 undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. All faculties are actively engaged in research in a wide range of disciplines, with an array of research institutes and research centres specialising in interdisciplinary research of the highest quality.
Media OutReach
HKDL’s Immersive Interactive Experiences Win Guests’ Hearts Lucky Nugget Spin at Grizzly Gulch Surpasses 30,000 Participations
Immersive experiences fuel collectible merchandise craze and extend magical memories
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 11 July 2026 – In tune with the growing popularity of experiential travel and guests’ desire for participation and immersive experiences throughout their journeys, Hong Kong Disneyland Resort (HKDL) has been integrating retail with storytelling at the park through an endless flow of innovative interactive experiences and distinctive merchandise offerings. Emotional connections with guests are strengthened as merchandise is transformed into meaningful souvenirs interwoven with their Disney memories.
Launched in April this year at Grizzly Gulch, the Chip ‘n’ Dale Lucky Nugget Spin has recorded more than 30,000 participations as of the end of June, becoming one of the park’s most popular activities. Combining storytelling, live interactions, and surprises, the experience has been warmly received by guests and has further enhanced the atmosphere throughout the land.
David Koo, director of merchandise at Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, shared: ‘Today’s guests are looking for more than products; they want keepsakes that capture the stories and memories of their visit. Through interactive experiences, we hope to make merchandise a natural extension of the Disney park journey. Whether it is a plush toy, a pin or an accessory, the true value lies not only in the item itself, but in the magical moments and personal memories it represents.’
David Koo, director of merchandise at Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, is pictured in the center
This story- and interaction-driven strategy has been incorporated into various guest experiences across the resort. For example, in an engaging experience at the Popcorn Pop-Up Shop on Main Street, U.S.A., guests can reach into a giant popcorn bucket-themed installation to catch a “popcorn” and reveal the hidden Pixar pals plushie together with Disney cast members on the spot. Meanwhile, the Snow White Grotto, located beside the Castle of Magical Dreams, has introduced a new “Lock of Dreams” experience, offering guests a sense of ceremony and a souvenir to cherish.
Disney’s Classic Pin Trading Tradition Extends the Magic Beyond the Visit
Disney’s iconic Pin Trading tradition has long been an important part of how guests explore the park and connect with others. Reopened in June, Main Street Collectibles now features dedicated pin display areas designed to celebrate and elevate this beloved tradition. Guests can discover unexpected treasures while searching for favorite designs as they trade pins with Disney cast members and fellow collectors. More than just an addition to a collection, each pin carries unique memories and extends the guest journey.
More Than 3.5 Million 20th Anniversary Merchandise Items Snapped up
New Pixar and Marvel Experiences on the Way
Merchandise sales grew continuously during Hong Kong Disneyland’s 20th anniversary celebrations, which attracted a large number of local, mainland, and international visitors and concluded with fanfare in June. Since late June last year, the resort has sold more than 3.5 million 20th Anniversary-themed merchandise. Among them, about 600,000 units of the SouvenEARS collection have been snapped up. Meanwhile, the blind-box series inspired by attractions and themed lands achieved sales of more than 500,000 units during fiscal year 2025, demonstrating the continued popularity of merchandise with strong storytelling elements and collectible appeal.
Looking ahead, HKDL will continue to enrich the guest experience across the resort. New Pixar-themed and Marvel-themed experiences will be introduced, further expanding both entertainment and retail offerings. Through ongoing innovation, HKDL remains committed to meeting guests’ demand for more immersive experiences, enhancing its appeal to local, mainland, and international visitors, and strengthening its position as a leading travel destination in the region.
Hashtag: #HongKongDisneylandResort
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The HR Asia Awards are among Asia’s most prestigious annual human resources awards, recognizing organizations that demonstrate excellence in workplace culture and sustainable people development. Winners are evaluated using the TEAM (Total Engagement Assessment Model), which measures employee engagement, organizational trust, and workplace experience, drawing on benchmarking data from more than 2.5 million employees across 20,000 organizations throughout the region.
According to the independent assessment conducted for the HR Asia Awards 2026, Green SM significantly outperformed market benchmarks in the “Best Companies to Work for in Asia” category, achieving outstanding scores across several key dimensions, including technology enablement in the workplace (4.8/5), workplace sustainability (4.71/5), and diversity, equity, and inclusion (4.72/5).
A defining element of Green SM’s workplace culture is its unwavering commitment to the principle that “Every Voice Counts.” This commitment is embedded through comprehensive employee engagement initiatives, including regular internal surveys, 360-degree performance evaluations, and multiple feedback channels that transform employee insights into tangible improvements in policies, workplace practices, and operational excellence.
At Green SM, talent development is viewed not merely as an HR function but as a strategic driver of service excellence. The Company continues to invest comprehensively in recruitment, professional training, operational standardization, workplace culture, and structured career development pathways for its Green Drivers. In parallel, Green SM delivers continuous capability-building programs for managers and employees, combining practical learning with digital learning platforms to strengthen leadership and management capabilities and organizational agility in an evolving business environment.
Alongside its investment in people, Green SM has been progressively building a unified organizational culture across its international markets. Rooted in values established in Vietnam while embracing the diversity of local cultures and communities, the Company fosters an environment that encourages collaboration, continuous learning, and empowerment. This enables teams across different countries to uphold consistent service standards while remaining responsive to the unique needs of local customers and communities.
Green SM also received the Technology Empowerment Awards in recognition of its continued digital transformation in human resource management. Through the digitalization of HR processes, the development of competency frameworks, the expansion of digital learning ecosystems, and the integration of data-driven people management, the Company has streamlined repetitive administrative tasks, enhanced decision-making efficiency, and enabled employees to devote greater focus to innovation, customer experience, and superior service delivery.
Mr. Nguyen Quoc Tuan, Global Chief Executive Officer of Green SM, said: “Our people have always been the cornerstone of Green SM’s sustainable growth. We believe that when individuals are empowered by technology and united by shared values, our teams across every market can deliver exceptional experiences for our customers. These two awards affirm the direction we have taken and further strengthen our commitment to building a truly multinational organization with its roots in Vietnam.”
In 2026, Green SM aims to expand its global workforce and partner network to approximately 400,000 people worldwide. As the Company continues to accelerate its international expansion, it will further invest in talent development and technology-driven people management to build a highly capable global workforce, maintain consistent service excellence across markets, and advance its vision of becoming the world’s leading green mobility platform.
Hashtag: #GreenSM
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