FOH DIGITAL HOSPITALITY REFERENCE

Hotel & F&B Acronym Dictionary

Master Reference for Full-Service, Convention, Lifestyle, and Food & Beverage Operations

310 Terms Searchable A–Z Hotel + F&B + Technology
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Purpose

A practical hotel and F&B acronym reference covering operations, sales, revenue, events, finance, engineering, technology and marketing. Search a term or jump A–Z.

How to Use This Reference

  • Entries are alphabetized by acronym.
  • The area label identifies the most common operating context.
  • A slash indicates multiple established meanings.
  • Brand, PMS, accounting, and regional usage can differ. When a term affects a contract, guest charge, safety procedure, room inventory, or financial statement, confirm the property’s definition.
  • “++” is not an acronym. In event pricing it commonly means service charge and tax are added. Always state the actual percentages and tax treatment.

Hotel & F&B Core Formulas

Hotel Performance & Operating Formulas

  • ADR = Room revenue ÷ rooms sold
  • Occupancy = Rooms sold ÷ rooms available
  • RevPAR = Room revenue ÷ rooms available, or ADR × occupancy
  • MPI = Hotel occupancy ÷ comp-set occupancy × 100
  • ARI = Hotel ADR ÷ comp-set ADR × 100
  • RGI = Hotel RevPAR ÷ comp-set RevPAR × 100
  • GOPPAR = Gross operating profit ÷ available room nights
  • CPOR = Selected operating cost ÷ occupied room nights
  • RevPASH = Restaurant revenue ÷ available seat-hours

F&B Cost Control Formulas

  • Food cost % = Food cost ÷ food sales × 100
  • Beverage cost % = Beverage cost ÷ beverage sales × 100
  • Labor cost % = Labor cost ÷ revenue × 100
  • Prime cost = Cost of goods sold + defined direct labor
  • APC or PPA = F&B revenue ÷ covers
  • SPLH = Sales ÷ labor hours
  • CPLH = Covers ÷ labor hours
  • Inventory usage = Beginning inventory + purchases − ending inventory
  • Theoretical usage is what recipes and recorded sales indicate should have been used; actual usage is what inventory movement shows was used.

Hotel Acronyms Beginning With A

A/V — Audiovisual
Events/Technology: Audio, video, lighting, projection, staging, streaming, and technical event services.
AAA — American Automobile Association
Ratings: Travel organization whose diamond ratings are a North American quality benchmark.
ABC — Alcoholic Beverage Control
Beverage Compliance: State or local authority and regulatory framework governing alcohol licensing and service; agency names vary.
ABV — Alcohol by Volume
Beverage: Percentage of a beverage’s volume consisting of alcohol.
ACA — Affordable Care Act
HR: U.S. law affecting employer health coverage, reporting, and eligibility.
ADA — Americans with Disabilities Act
Compliance: U.S. civil-rights law governing accessibility for guests, employees, facilities, websites, and services.
ADR — Average Daily Rate
Revenue: Room revenue divided by rooms sold.
AGOP — Adjusted Gross Operating Profit
Finance: GOP adjusted for defined items to compare underlying operating performance.
AHLA — American Hotel & Lodging Association
Industry: Major U.S. lodging-industry trade association.
ALOS — Average Length of Stay
Rooms/Revenue: Occupied room nights divided by reservations or stays.
AP — Accounts Payable / Access Point
Finance/Technology: Vendor-payment function; in networking, a device providing wireless access.
APC — Average Per Cover
F&B Revenue: F&B revenue divided by covers served; also called average check or per-person average in some operations.
API — Application Programming Interface
Technology: Rules allowing systems to exchange data.
AR — Accounts Receivable / Augmented Reality
Finance/Technology: Money owed to the hotel; or digital content placed over a physical view.
ARI — Average Rate Index
Revenue: Hotel ADR divided by comp-set ADR × 100.
ARR — Average Room Rate / Annual Recurring Revenue
Revenue/SaaS: Hotel room-rate metric or normalized yearly subscription revenue; confirm context.
ATP — Adenosine Triphosphate
Food Safety: Rapid sanitation test detecting residual organic material on surfaces.

Hotel Acronyms Beginning With B

B2B — Business-to-Business
Sales: Commercial activity between businesses.
B2C — Business-to-Consumer
Marketing: Direct selling or marketing to an individual guest.
BAR — Best Available Rate
Revenue: Publicly available unrestricted or lightly restricted reference rate; not the beverage outlet in this context.
BAS — Building Automation System
Engineering: Central controls for HVAC, lighting, utilities, and building equipment.
BC — Banquet Captain
Banquets: Frontline leader responsible for executing an assigned function.
BEO — Banquet Event Order
Events: Operational document stating space, timing, setup, menu, beverage, AV, billing, and service requirements.
BMS — Building Management System
Engineering: Platform monitoring and controlling building systems; often synonymous with BAS.
BOGO — Buy One, Get One
Marketing: Promotion providing a second item free or discounted.
BOH — Back of House
Operations: Guest-invisible teams and work areas, including kitchens, storage, offices, and service corridors.
BOP — Beginning of Period
Finance/Inventory: Opening inventory or financial position for a period.
BQT — Banquet
Events: Common shorthand in staffing plans, function reports, and operating communications.
BT — Business Transient
Sales: Individually booked business travel, often tied to negotiated corporate accounts.
BTB — By the Bottle
Beverage: Wine, beer, or spirits sold as a full bottle rather than by the glass.
BTG — By the Glass
Beverage: Wine or other beverage sold in individual glass portions.

Hotel Acronyms Beginning With C

C&E — Conference and Events
Sales/Events: Department or segment responsible for meetings and events.
C&I — Corporate and Incentive
Sales: Group segment combining corporate meetings and incentive travel.
CAC — Customer Acquisition Cost
Marketing: Sales and marketing cost required to acquire a customer.
CAGR — Compound Annual Growth Rate
Finance: Smoothed annual growth rate across multiple years.
CAPEX — Capital Expenditure
Finance/Engineering: Investment in long-lived assets such as renovations, major equipment, or building systems.
CAPS — Capacity
Events: Number of people a room can hold under a stated setup.
CDC — Chef de Cuisine / Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Culinary/Safety: Outlet kitchen leader or U.S. public-health agency; context matters.
CDN — Content Delivery Network
Web Technology: Distributed servers that deliver images, video, and tours quickly.
CFPM — Certified Food Protection Manager
Food Safety: Person holding an approved food-protection manager certification where required.
CIP — Construction in Progress / Capital Improvement Plan
Development: Accounting or project shorthand; confirm local use.
CLV — Customer Lifetime Value
Marketing: Expected value generated by a customer over the relationship.
CM — Channel Manager
Distribution: System synchronizing rates and inventory across booking channels.
CMMS — Computerized Maintenance Management System
Engineering: Platform for work orders, preventive maintenance, assets, parts, and inspections.
CMP — Certified Meeting Professional / Complete Meeting Package
Events: Industry credential or bundled per-person meeting package.
CMS — Content Management System
Technology: Software used to manage website pages and digital content.
COB — Close of Business
Administration: End of the working day.
COBRA — Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act
HR: U.S. law allowing some employees to continue employer health coverage after qualifying events.
COGS — Cost of Goods Sold
Finance/F&B: Direct cost of food, beverage, retail, or other products sold.
COS — Cost of Sales
Finance/F&B: Direct cost associated with revenue; may be used similarly to COGS.
COTB — Covers on the Books
F&B Revenue: Restaurant reservations or expected diners currently booked.
CPA — Cost per Acquisition
Marketing: Advertising cost divided by completed acquisitions.
CPL — Cost per Lead
Marketing: Marketing spend divided by captured or qualified leads.
CPLH — Covers per Labor Hour
F&B Productivity: Covers served divided by labor hours worked.
CPOR — Cost per Occupied Room
Rooms/Finance: Selected operating cost divided by occupied rooms.
CRM — Customer Relationship Management
Sales: System for accounts, contacts, opportunities, activities, and relationship history.
CRO — Conversion Rate Optimization
Digital: Improving a booking or inquiry path so more users complete the target action.
CRS — Central Reservation System
Distribution: Central platform managing rates, availability, rules, and reservations.
CSAT — Customer Satisfaction Score
Guest Experience: Survey measure of satisfaction with a stay, meal, or interaction.
CSM — Convention Services Manager / Conference Services Manager
Events: Post-sale planner who converts a group contract into operational detail.
CTA — Closed to Arrival / Call to Action
Revenue/Marketing: Arrival restriction or prompt asking a user to act.
CTD — Closed to Departure
Revenue: Restriction preventing departure on a specified date.
CTR — Click-Through Rate
Marketing: Clicks divided by impressions.
CVB — Convention and Visitors Bureau
Destination Sales: Local organization marketing a destination and supporting group business.
CVR — Conversion Rate
Sales/Marketing: Percentage completing a target action.

Hotel Acronyms Beginning With D

DBA — Doing Business As
Legal: Public trade name used by an entity with a different legal name.
DBL — Double
Rooms: Double room, double bed, or double occupancy; verify the hotel’s coding.
DDR — Day Delegate Rate
Meetings: Per-person package commonly covering room, breaks, lunch, and basic equipment.
DMC — Destination Management Company
Events: Local provider of transportation, tours, décor, entertainment, and logistics.
DMO — Destination Marketing Organization
Destination Sales: Organization marketing a destination and supporting visitor and convention demand.
DNCO — Did Not Check Out
Rooms: Status exception where departure was expected but the guest or system status remains unresolved.
DND — Do Not Disturb
Rooms: Privacy status directing employees not to enter except under approved safety procedures.
DOF — Director of Finance
Leadership: Executive responsible for accounting, controls, budgeting, and reporting.
DOFB — Director of Food and Beverage
Leadership: Executive leading outlets, banquets, beverage, and F&B performance.
DOH — Department of Health
Compliance: Government authority responsible for public-health and food-service enforcement.
DOP — Denominazione di Origine Protetta
Beverage/Food: European protected designation of origin appearing on wine and food products.
DOS — Director of Sales
Leadership: Leader of a property sales team.
DOSM — Director of Sales and Marketing
Leadership: Executive leading hotel sales and marketing strategy.
DRM — Director of Revenue Management
Leadership: Executive responsible for pricing, inventory, forecasting, and distribution.
DSCR — Debt Service Coverage Ratio
Ownership: NOI divided by required debt payments.

Hotel Acronyms Beginning With E

EBITDA — Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization
Finance: Profitability measure before financing, tax, and selected noncash expenses.
EBITDAR — Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, Amortization, and Rent
Finance: EBITDA adjusted to exclude rent.
EDR — Employee Dining Room
HR/F&B: Staff cafeteria or meal-service area.
EMS — Energy Management System
Engineering: Controls and analytics used to reduce energy consumption.
EO — Event Order
Events: Operational event document similar to a BEO; naming varies.
EOD — End of Day
Operations: End-of-day deadline or processing point.
EOM — End of Month
Finance: Month-end close, deadline, or reporting position.
EOP — End of Period
Finance/Inventory: Closing inventory or financial position for a period.
ERP — Enterprise Resource Planning
Technology: Integrated platform for finance, procurement, HR, projects, and inventory.
ETA — Estimated Time of Arrival
Operations: Expected arrival of a guest, group, vehicle, delivery, or vendor.
ETD — Estimated Time of Departure
Operations: Expected departure of a guest, group, vehicle, or vendor.
EV — Electric Vehicle
Parking: Vehicle powered partly or fully by electricity.
EVSE — Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment
Engineering: Charging hardware and electrical equipment used to charge EVs.

Hotel Acronyms Beginning With F

F&B — Food and Beverage
Operations: Restaurants, bars, banquets, room service, culinary, stewarding, and related functions.
F&B MIN — Food and Beverage Minimum
Events: Minimum contracted F&B revenue, usually before service charge and tax.
FALCPA — Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act
Food Safety: U.S. federal allergen-labeling law for packaged foods.
FAM — Familiarization Trip
Sales: Hosted visit for planners, advisors, media, or buyers.
FD — Front Desk
Rooms: Reception function for arrivals, departures, guest accounts, and service.
FDA — Food and Drug Administration / Front Desk Agent
Safety/Rooms: Federal regulator or hotel position; context matters.
FEFO — First Expired, First Out
Inventory: Rotation method using the earliest-expiring product first.
FIFO — First In, First Out
Inventory: Rotation method using older inventory before newer inventory.
FIT — Free Independent Traveler
Sales: Individual leisure traveler not participating in an escorted group.
FLS — Fire and Life Safety
Safety: Detection, alarm, suppression, evacuation, and code-compliance systems and procedures.
FMLA — Family and Medical Leave Act
HR: U.S. law providing eligible employees job-protected leave for qualifying reasons.
FO — Front Office
Rooms: Department managing reception, room assignment, accounts, arrivals, and departures.
FOC — Free of Charge
Operations: Item or service provided without charge.
FOH — Front of House
Operations: Guest-facing spaces and teams; also FOH Digital’s hospitality-rooted brand name.
FOM — Front Office Manager
Rooms: Manager responsible for front-desk operations and service recovery.
FSR — Full-Service Restaurant
F&B: Restaurant offering table service and a broad service experience.
FTE — Full-Time Equivalent
HR/Finance: Worked hours converted to the equivalent number of full-time positions.
FTP — File Transfer Protocol
Technology: Legacy file-transfer method; secure alternatives are preferred.

Hotel Acronyms Beginning With G

GA4 — Google Analytics 4
Marketing: Google’s event-based web and app analytics platform.
GBP — Google Business Profile
Digital Presence: Listing controlling core business information, reviews, photos, and local Maps visibility.
GDPR — General Data Protection Regulation
Privacy: European privacy regulation relevant to covered personal data.
GDS — Global Distribution System
Distribution: Network used by travel agencies and corporate programs to book hotel inventory.
GM — General Manager
Leadership: Property executive accountable for results, experience, people, safety, standards, and the asset.
GOP — Gross Operating Profit
Finance: Revenue less departmental and undistributed operating expenses before fixed charges under common hotel accounting.
GOPPAR — Gross Operating Profit per Available Room
Finance: GOP divided by available room nights.
GRC — Group Rooms Coordinator
Reservations: Manages room blocks, rooming lists, cutoff, pickup, and routing.
GRM — Guest Relations Manager
Rooms: Leader focused on VIPs, special requests, and service recovery.
GSS — Guest Satisfaction Score / Survey
Guest Experience: Brand or property guest-satisfaction measure; calculation varies.

Hotel Acronyms Beginning With H

HACCP — Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points
Food Safety: Preventive system for identifying and controlling food-safety hazards.
HDMI — High-Definition Multimedia Interface
AV: Digital video-and-audio connection standard.
HEPA — High-Efficiency Particulate Air
Engineering: Air-filtration designation used in HVAC and cleaning equipment.
HFTP — Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals
Industry: Professional association serving hospitality finance and technology.
HOD — Head of Department
Leadership: Manager accountable for a department’s people, budget, standards, and results.
HORECA — Hotel, Restaurant, and Café/Catering
Industry: Collective term for the hospitality-foodservice sector.
HR — Human Resources
Support: Function responsible for recruiting, relations, benefits, training, compliance, and culture.
HSIA — High-Speed Internet Access
Technology: Guest or event internet service.
HVAC — Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning
Engineering: Systems controlling temperature, airflow, humidity, and ventilation.

Hotel Acronyms Beginning With I

IA — Income Audit
Finance: Daily verification of revenue, postings, tenders, adjustments, and interfaces.
IBU — International Bitterness Units
Beverage: Measure associated with beer bitterness compounds; perceived bitterness also depends on the beer’s balance.
IDF — Intermediate Distribution Frame
Technology: Telecom/network room connecting an area or floor to the MDF.
IDS — Internet Distribution System
Distribution: Online network or channel displaying and selling inventory.
IHG — InterContinental Hotels Group
Brands: Global hotel company and brand family.
IoT — Internet of Things
Technology: Network-connected locks, sensors, thermostats, equipment, and meters.
IP — Internet Protocol / Intellectual Property
Technology/Legal: Network standard or legally protected creative/business property.
IPTV — Internet Protocol Television
Guest Technology: Television and interactive services delivered over an IP network.
IRR — Internal Rate of Return
Ownership: Discount rate at which an investment’s NPV equals zero.
ISP — Internet Service Provider
Technology: Company supplying internet connectivity.
IT — Information Technology
Support: Systems, networks, security, devices, integrations, vendors, and technical support.

Hotel Acronyms Beginning With J

JIT — Just in Time
Inventory: Approach timing delivery near use to minimize stored inventory.
JD — Job Description
HR: Document defining a role’s purpose, duties, reporting, and qualifications.

Hotel Acronyms Beginning With K

KDS — Kitchen Display System
F&B Technology: Screens and software routing, timing, and tracking kitchen orders.
KPI — Key Performance Indicator
Management: Metric selected to monitor performance against an objective.
kW — Kilowatt
Engineering: Unit of electrical power equal to 1,000 watts.
kWh — Kilowatt-Hour
Engineering: Unit of energy consumption used for utility billing.

Hotel Acronyms Beginning With L

LAN — Local Area Network
Technology: Private network within the property.
LCB — Liquor Control Board
Beverage Compliance: State alcohol-control authority; in Pennsylvania, commonly refers to the PLCB.
LED — Light-Emitting Diode
Engineering/AV: Energy-efficient lighting and display technology.
LEED — Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
Sustainability: Green-building rating system.
LMS — Learning Management System
HR: Platform delivering and tracking employee training.
LNR — Local Negotiated Rate
Sales: Contracted rate for a locally managed corporate account.
LOI — Letter of Intent
Legal: Preliminary document summarizing proposed terms before a final agreement.
LOS — Length of Stay
Rooms: Number of nights between arrival and departure.
LQA — Leading Quality Assurance
Luxury: External luxury-hospitality assessment and service benchmark.
LRA — Last Room Availability
Sales/Revenue: Negotiated-rate condition applying while eligible standard rooms remain available.
LSR — Limited-Service Restaurant
F&B: Restaurant with reduced table service or service complexity.
LTV — Lifetime Value
Marketing: Expected customer value over the relationship.
LY — Last Year
Reporting: Corresponding period in the prior year.

Hotel Acronyms Beginning With M

M&E — Meetings and Events
Commercial: Sales and operations involving meetings, conferences, banquets, and events.
MDF — Main Distribution Frame
Technology: Primary telecom and network distribution room or cross-connect.
MEP — Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing
Engineering: Core building-service disciplines in construction and renovation.
MFA — Multi-Factor Authentication
Security: Login control requiring multiple independent verification factors.
MIC — Manager in Charge
Operations: Leader designated as accountable for a shift or situation.
MICE — Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions
Group Sales: Industry category for organized business events and group travel.
MLOS — Minimum Length of Stay
Revenue: Restriction requiring a minimum number of nights.
MOD — Manager on Duty
Operations: Senior property representative for a shift.
MOQ — Minimum Order Quantity
Purchasing: Smallest quantity a supplier permits in an order.
MP — Market Price
Menus: Price that varies with current product cost and should be communicated before ordering.
MPI — Market Penetration Index
Revenue: Hotel occupancy divided by comp-set occupancy × 100.
MSDS — Material Safety Data Sheet
Safety: Legacy term replaced by SDS; still heard in operations.
MTD — Month to Date
Reporting: Start of the month through the reporting date.
MUR — Make Up Room
Housekeeping: Guest request or status asking housekeeping to service the room.
MVP — Minimum Viable Product
Product: Smallest functional product capable of testing a real customer need.

Hotel Acronyms Beginning With N

N/C — No Charge
F&B/Events: Item or service provided without charge.
NDA — Non-Disclosure Agreement
Legal: Contract restricting disclosure or use of confidential information.
NFC — Near-Field Communication
Technology: Short-range wireless technology used for tap payments, mobile keys, and device interactions.
NLRA — Non-Last Room Availability
Sales/Revenue: Negotiated-rate condition allowing a hotel to close the account rate before standard rooms sell out.
NOI — Net Operating Income
Ownership: Property income after operating expenses but before financing and selected ownership items.
NPS — Net Promoter Score
Guest Experience: Percentage of promoters minus detractors based on likelihood-to-recommend responses.
NPV — Net Present Value
Finance: Present value of expected cash inflows minus outflows at a selected discount rate.
NRevPAR — Net Revenue per Available Room
Revenue: Room revenue net of defined distribution costs divided by available rooms.
NRF — Non-Refundable
Reservations: Rate or deposit condition under which payment is not returned, subject to law and stated terms.
NS — No Show
Rooms/Events: Confirmed guest or attendee who does not arrive and does not cancel within policy.
NSF — NSF International / Non-Sufficient Funds
Safety/Finance: Food-equipment sanitation certification organization or a failed payment.

Hotel Acronyms Beginning With O

OCC — Occupancy
Revenue: Rooms sold divided by rooms available.
OC — Occupied Clean
Housekeeping: Occupied room recorded as clean.
OD — Occupied Dirty
Housekeeping: Occupied room requiring service.
OOO — Out of Order
Rooms/Engineering: Room removed from sellable inventory because a significant issue prevents use.
OOS — Out of Service
Rooms/Engineering: Room temporarily unavailable for a lesser issue; inventory treatment varies by PMS.
OS&E — Operating Supplies and Equipment
Procurement: Linens, china, glassware, utensils, uniforms, and other operating items.
OTA — Online Travel Agency
Distribution: Third-party website or app selling hotel rooms.
OTB — On the Books
Revenue/Events: Business currently booked for a future date.
OT — Overtime
HR: Hours worked beyond an applicable threshold and paid under law or agreement.
OPEX — Operating Expenditure
Finance: Recurring cost of operating the business.
OSHA — Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Safety: U.S. workplace-safety regulator.

Hotel Acronyms Beginning With P

P&L — Profit and Loss Statement
Finance: Statement summarizing revenue, expenses, and profit.
PAR — Par Level / Per Available Room
Inventory/Reporting: Target stock quantity or an available-room metric denominator.
PAX — Persons / Passengers
Events: Number of guests, attendees, diners, or travelers.
PBX — Private Branch Exchange
Telecommunications: Hotel telephone switching system.
PC — Prime Cost
F&B Finance: Combined cost of goods sold and direct labor; definitions should specify included labor and benefits.
PCI DSS — Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard
Cybersecurity: Security standard for organizations handling payment-card data.
PHF — Potentially Hazardous Food
Food Safety: Legacy term largely replaced in U.S. food codes by TCS food.
PIC — Person in Charge
Food Safety: Designated person responsible for food-safety compliance during operation.
PII — Personally Identifiable Information
Privacy: Data identifying or reasonably linkable to an individual.
PIP — Property Improvement Plan
Ownership/Brand: Required capital plan for renovations, replacements, and brand compliance.
PIR — Property Incident Report
Security: Formal record of an accident, loss, injury, disturbance, or other incident; naming varies.
PLCB — Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board
Beverage Compliance: Pennsylvania agency administering the state’s alcohol-control system and licensing functions.
PLU — Price Look-Up
POS/Inventory: Numeric product code used for identification and pricing.
PM — Preventive Maintenance / Project Manager
Engineering/Projects: Scheduled equipment care or the person leading a project; confirm context.
PMS — Property Management System
Hotel Technology: Core system for reservations, inventory, check-in/out, profiles, folios, and room status.
PO — Purchase Order
Procurement: Authorized document specifying goods or services, quantities, prices, and terms.
POP — Point of Purchase
Marketing: Location or material influencing a decision at the place of sale.
POR — Per Occupied Room
Rooms/Finance: Metric denominator based on occupied room nights.
POS — Point of Sale
F&B Technology: System for orders, checks, payments, menus, taxes, tips, and reporting.
PPA — Per Person Average
F&B Revenue: Revenue divided by guests or covers; properties may use APC instead.
PPE — Personal Protective Equipment
Safety: Protective items such as gloves, eye protection, masks, and hearing protection.
PPM — Parts per Million
Safety/Engineering: Concentration unit used for sanitizer, water treatment, and environmental measurements.
PR — Public Relations
Marketing: Media relations, public communications, reputation, and announcements.
PROOF — Alcohol Proof
Beverage: U.S. measure equal to twice the alcohol-by-volume percentage; the word itself is not an acronym.
PTO — Paid Time Off
HR: Compensated employee leave.

Hotel Acronyms Beginning With Q

QA — Quality Assurance
Operations: Inspection and verification that product, service, cleanliness, and brand standards are met.
QBR — Quarterly Business Review
Management: Formal recurring review of performance and next actions.
QSR — Quick-Service Restaurant
F&B: Restaurant emphasizing rapid counter, drive-through, or kiosk service.
QTD — Quarter to Date
Reporting: Start of the current quarter through the reporting date.
QTY — Quantity
Inventory: Number of units requested, ordered, delivered, used, or on hand.

Hotel Acronyms Beginning With R

R&M — Repairs and Maintenance
Engineering/Finance: Routine repair and upkeep expense category.
RA — Room Attendant / Revenue Analyst
Housekeeping/Revenue: Guestroom housekeeper or analyst supporting pricing and forecasting.
RACK — Rack Rate
Revenue: Published standard room rate before discounts.
RDO — Regular Day Off
Scheduling: Employee’s scheduled nonworking day.
RevPAM — Revenue per Available Square Meter
Space Revenue: Revenue divided by available area.
RevPAR — Revenue per Available Room
Revenue: Room revenue divided by available room nights, or ADR × occupancy.
RevPASH — Revenue per Available Seat Hour
F&B Revenue: Restaurant revenue divided by available seat-hours.
RevPOR — Revenue per Occupied Room
Revenue: Selected revenue divided by occupied room nights.
RFI — Request for Information
Sales/Procurement: Early-stage request for capabilities or facts.
RFID — Radio-Frequency Identification
Technology: Wireless identification used in keys, access, inventory, linen tracking, or payments.
RFP — Request for Proposal
Sales/Procurement: Formal request for scope, availability, pricing, and terms.
RGI — Revenue Generation Index
Revenue: Hotel RevPAR divided by comp-set RevPAR × 100; also called RevPAR Index.
RMS — Revenue Management System
Revenue Technology: System forecasting demand and recommending or automating pricing and inventory decisions.
RN — Room Night
Sales/Revenue: One occupied or contracted guestroom for one night.
ROAS — Return on Advertising Spend
Marketing: Revenue attributed to advertising divided by advertising cost.
ROH — Run of House
Rooms/Sales: Hotel assigns any eligible available room type rather than guaranteeing a specific type.
ROI — Return on Investment
Finance: Gain or benefit relative to investment cost.
ROO — Room Only
Reservations: Rate plan providing accommodation without bundled meals.
ROP — Reorder Point
Inventory: Stock level that triggers replenishment.
ROP-FOOD — Reduced Oxygen Packaging
Food Safety: Packaging method reducing oxygen, such as vacuum sealing; may require a HACCP plan or regulatory approval.
ROS — Resume of Services / Return on Sales
Events/Finance: Group-resume document or profit divided by sales; confirm context.
RTE — Ready to Eat
Food Safety: Food intended for consumption without another pathogen-killing step.

Hotel Acronyms Beginning With S

SaaS — Software as a Service
Technology: Subscription software hosted and maintained by the provider.
SALT — Satisfaction and Loyalty Tracking
Guest Experience: Guest-feedback program name used by some hotel companies; not universal.
SDS — Safety Data Sheet
Safety: Standard document describing chemical hazards, handling, storage, and emergency measures.
SEM — Search Engine Marketing
Marketing: Paid and broader search-marketing activity.
SEO — Search Engine Optimization
Marketing: Improving content, technical structure, and authority to increase unpaid search visibility.
SFTP — Secure File Transfer Protocol
Technology: Encrypted file-transfer method.
SKU — Stock Keeping Unit
Inventory: Unique identifier for a specific product or inventory item.
SLA — Service-Level Agreement
Vendor Management: Contract defining service scope, uptime, response, resolution, and remedies.
SM — Sales Manager
Sales: Person responsible for accounts, prospecting, proposals, tours, negotiation, and closing.
SMERF — Social, Military, Educational, Religious, and Fraternal
Group Sales: Traditional umbrella label for several group segments.
SOP — Standard Operating Procedure
Operations: Documented method for performing a recurring task consistently and safely.
SOX — Sarbanes–Oxley Act
Finance: U.S. corporate-accountability law affecting covered companies’ controls and reporting.
SPLH — Sales per Labor Hour
F&B Productivity: Sales revenue divided by labor hours worked.
SRO — Single Room Occupancy / Standing Room Only
Rooms/Events: Housing term or event-capacity status; context matters.
SSO — Single Sign-On
Cybersecurity: One authenticated identity used across multiple approved systems.
STB — Set-Top Box
Guest Technology: Device delivering television or interactive services to a display.
STLY — Same Time Last Year
Reporting: Comparison with the equivalent booking or reporting snapshot last year.
STR — CoStar hotel benchmarking data; Smith Travel Research legacy name
Benchmarking: Performance reports comparing occupancy, ADR, and RevPAR with a competitive set.
SVC — Service Charge
Events/F&B: Mandatory contractual charge distributed or retained according to policy and law; it is not automatically a gratuity.

Hotel Acronyms Beginning With T

T&C — Terms and Conditions
Legal: Rules governing a booking, offer, event, purchase, or service.
TCO — Total Cost of Ownership
Procurement: Full lifecycle cost including purchase, setup, subscriptions, labor, maintenance, and replacement.
TCS — Time/Temperature Control for Safety
Food Safety: Food requiring controlled time and temperature to limit pathogen growth or toxin formation.
TIP — Gratuity
F&B: Voluntary amount left for service; TIP is a word, not a reliable acronym, and should not be equated with service charge.
TPHC — Time as a Public Health Control
Food Safety: Approved use of time instead of temperature control for specified TCS food under documented procedures.
TRevPAR — Total Revenue per Available Room
Revenue: Total hotel revenue divided by available room nights.
TRevPOR — Total Revenue per Occupied Room
Revenue: Total hotel revenue divided by occupied room nights.
TTB — Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau
Beverage Compliance: U.S. federal agency regulating alcohol production, labeling, advertising, and related tax matters.
TTM — Trailing Twelve Months
Finance: Rolling 12-month reporting period.
TY — This Year
Reporting: Current-year comparison period.

Hotel Acronyms Beginning With U

UCC — Uniform Commercial Code
Legal: U.S. framework governing many commercial transactions and sales of goods.
UOM — Unit of Measure
Purchasing: Basis in which an item is ordered, received, inventoried, or costed, such as each, case, pound, or liter.
UPC — Universal Product Code
Inventory: Standard retail barcode identifying a product.
UPS — Uninterruptible Power Supply
Technology: Battery-backed device providing short-term power and surge protection.
UPT — Units per Transaction
Retail/F&B: Average number of items sold per transaction.
URL — Uniform Resource Locator
Digital: Web address identifying a page or resource.
USALI — Uniform System of Accounts for the Lodging Industry
Hotel Finance: Industry framework standardizing hotel financial statement classifications.
USDA — United States Department of Agriculture
Food Regulation: Federal agency involved in agriculture and meat and poultry inspection.
USP — Unique Selling Proposition
Marketing: Distinct reason a buyer should choose the property, venue, restaurant, or offer.
UTM — Urchin Tracking Module
Marketing: URL parameters identifying campaign source, medium, content, and attribution.
UX — User Experience
Product: Ease, clarity, usefulness, and emotional quality of an interaction.

Hotel Acronyms Beginning With V

VAC — Volts Alternating Current
Engineering: Electrical voltage specification for AC equipment and circuits.
VAR — Value-Added Reseller / Variance
Technology/Finance: Technology reseller or difference between actual and budget/forecast.
VAR-POUR — Pour Variance
Beverage Control: Difference between theoretical and actual beverage usage or cost; usually shown as quantity or percentage.
VC — Vacant Clean
Housekeeping: Unoccupied room recorded as clean.
VD — Vacant Dirty
Housekeeping: Unoccupied room requiring cleaning.
VFD — Variable-Frequency Drive
Engineering: Motor controller varying speed for control and energy efficiency.
VIP — Very Important Person
Guest Experience: Guest requiring elevated recognition, amenities, security, or coordination.
VLAN — Virtual Local Area Network
Technology: Logical network segment separating devices or traffic.
VOC — Voice of Customer
Guest Experience: Structured collection and analysis of customer needs and feedback.
VoIP — Voice over Internet Protocol
Telecommunications: Telephone service transmitted over IP networks.
VVIP — Very Very Important Person
Guest Experience: Informal designation for the highest level of guest recognition.

Hotel Acronyms Beginning With W

WAN — Wide Area Network
Technology: Network connecting properties, offices, or cloud services across distance.
WAP — Wireless Access Point
Technology: Device providing Wi-Fi connectivity.
WIP — Work in Progress
Operations: Incomplete production, repair, task, or project.
WLAN — Wireless Local Area Network
Technology: Local network using Wi-Fi.
WSET — Wine & Spirit Education Trust
Beverage Training: Organization providing widely recognized wine, spirits, beer, and sake qualifications.
WTD — Week to Date
Reporting: Start of the reporting week through the current date.

Hotel Acronyms Beginning With X

XML — Extensible Markup Language
Technology: Structured data format used in system interfaces and feeds.

Hotel Acronyms Beginning With Y

YOY — Year over Year
Reporting: Comparison with the equivalent period one year earlier.
YTD — Year to Date
Reporting: Start of the fiscal or calendar year through the reporting date.

Hotel Acronyms Beginning With Z

ZBB — Zero-Based Budgeting
Finance: Budgeting method requiring expenses to be justified from a zero base.

APPENDIX 1 — HIGH-RISK AMBIGUITIES

AP may mean Accounts Payable or Access Point. AR may mean Accounts Receivable or Augmented Reality. BAR may mean Best Available Rate or a beverage outlet. CDC may mean Chef de Cuisine or the public-health agency. FDA may mean Front Desk Agent or the federal regulator. PM may mean Preventive Maintenance, Project Manager, or afternoon. RA may mean Room Attendant or Revenue Analyst. ARR may mean Average Room Rate or Annual Recurring Revenue. CMP may mean a credential or a meeting package. Confirm context before converting an acronym into a system field, workflow, report, or contract.

APPENDIX 2 — ROOM-STATUS CAUTION

VC, VD, OC, OD, OOO, OOS, DND, DNCO, MUR, and similar codes vary by PMS and hotel policy. They can affect sellable inventory, housekeeping assignments, engineering response, and revenue reporting. FOH Digital should preserve both a normalized meaning and the original property-specific code when integrating these values.

APPENDIX 3 — F&B AND EVENT PRICING SYMBOLS

++ means service charge and tax are added to the quoted amount. + may indicate either service charge or tax. N/C means no charge. MP means market price. AQ means as quoted. ++ and related shorthand must never replace the actual percentages, taxable basis, or contract language.