Old Wild West and IKON introduce virtual reality to transform training experiences

Old Wild West, brand of the Cigierre – Compagnia Generale Ristorazione group, is the first restaurant chain in Italy to introduce virtual reality into its staff training programs.
Developed in collaboration with IKON, the initiative involved 3,291 employees and marks a turning point in how the hospitality sector approaches onboarding and professional development.

Through a WebXR platform developed by IKON—accessible from any browser and compatible with all VR headsets—the dining area and kitchen environments were digitally recreated.
Employees can explore interactive 3D spaces to learn operational procedures, safety standards, and brand values in an immersive, easy-to-manage, and measurable training context.

“Our collaboration with the Cigierre group represents the natural evolution of a long-standing relationship,” said Enrico Degrassi, CEO of IKON Digital Farm. “Investing in advanced training technologies is not just about gaining a competitive edge—it’s about truly enhancing human capital. Virtual reality breaks down the barriers of traditional learning, creating more engaging and measurable pathways that, thanks to our Immersiva platform, can be managed seamlessly across the entire network. We’re proud to support Cigierre in this project and to continue together on a path of innovation and ongoing technological evolution.”

🔗 Read the full article on Foodcommunity