Empowering restaurants to thrive in the digital age, Checkmate offers a suite of innovative solutions. In this episode, Jaime Oikle chats with Vishal Agarwal, the founder and CEO of Checkmate, a tech game-changer for restaurants. Initially focused on simplifying payment processes, Vishal discovered restaurant operators' deeper challenges with managing orders from multiple platforms. That's when the lightbulb went off! Vishal and his team created a suite of tools that not only simplify payments but also streamline online ordering, kiosks, and even phone orders using AI. Tune in to explore the future of restaurant technology and the impact of Checkmate’s solutions.

Learn more about Checkmate at https://www.itsacheckmate.com/ and check out more great tips at runningrestaurants.com.

Sponsor Link: https://www.restaurantreport.com/jason

Sponsor Link: https://www.theleasecoach.com

I'm a book aficionado so I loved puting this together -- Twenty absolutely solid book recommendations from a stellar collection of restaurant industry execs and insiders. Be sure to add some of these to your library or wish list...

The Who...

• Jordan Boesch of 7shifts
• Tony Smith of Restaurant365
• Michel Falcon of Brasa Peruvian
• Rushi Patel of Homebase
• Alex Sambvani of Slang.ai
• Vishal Agarwal of Checkmate
• Andrew Pudalov of Rush Bowls
• Brett Campbell of Loma
• Angelo Esposito of Wisk.AI
• The Books...Radical Candor
• The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership
• Setting the Table
• The Hard Thing About Hard Things
• Zero to One
• Decisive
• The Paradox of Choice
• Thinking in Bets
• No Rules Rules
• Unreasonable Hospitality
• The Innovator's Solution: Creating and Sustaining Successful Growth
• The Innovator's Dilemma: When New Technologies Cause Great Firms to Fail
• The Challenger Sale: Taking Control of the Customer Conversation
• Creativity, Inc.: Overcoming the Unseen Forces That Stand in the Way of True Inspiration
• Undaunted Courage
• I Said This, You Heard That
• $100 Million Offers
• $100M Leads
• Storytelling With Data
• How to Win Friends & Influence People

Sponsor Link: https://www.RestaurantFormula.com

How can AI revolutionize your restaurant’s guest experience? In this episode, Jaime Oikle talks with Alex Sambvani from Slang.ai about how their voice-powered AI technology is helping restaurants improve efficiency and customer service. From handling reservations to answering common questions, Slang.ai’s solution allows restaurants to automate over 50% of their phone calls while enhancing the guest experience with human-like interaction. Discover how this innovative platform is helping operators reduce missed calls, capture more business opportunities, and streamline operations—all without replacing staff.

Sponsor Link: https://www.theleasecoach.com

Sponsor Link: https://servicewithstyle.com/runningrestaurants

Jaime Oikle sits down with Angelo Esposito of Wisk.ai to dive deep into the world of cost management for restaurants. From tracking cost of goods sold to automating invoices, they explore practical ways to boost profitability and streamline operations. Angelo shares key insights on inventory management, recipe cost tracking, and how AI can simplify the most tedious tasks. Tune in for valuable lessons on improving your restaurant’s bottom line with smart, tech-driven solutions.

Learn more about Wisk.ai at https://www.wisk.ai/ and check out more great tips at runningrestaurants.com.

Sponsor Link: https://servicewithstyle.com/runningrestaurants

Sponsor Link: https://www.RestaurantFormula.com

With its innovative menu and commitment to quality, Bun Mee has quickly become a beloved destination for foodies seeking a taste of Vietnam. In this episode, Jaime Oikle sits down with Denise Tran, founder and CEO of San Francisco-based Vietnamese sandwich eatery Bun Mee. Denise recounts her journey of bringing authentic bánh mì into the mainstream, transitioning from a legal career to pursuing her culinary dreams. With four thriving locations and a fifth on the way, she shares the excitement of launching a national franchise while navigating the complexities of the restaurant industry. Join them as they delve into Bun Mee's story, the challenges of growth, and Denise's passion for sharing her heritage through food.

Learn more about Bun Mee at https://bunmee.co/ and check out more great tips at runningrestaurants.com.

Sponsor Link: https://www.restaurantreport.com/jason

Sponsor Link: https://servicewithstyle.com/runningrestaurants

Restaurant design is more than just aesthetics. It’s about crafting a memorable and immersive experience. Join Jaime Oikle and //3877 co-founder David Shove-Brown as they explore restaurant design, highlighting how to create unique dining experiences that blend architecture, branding, and hospitality. David talks about the evolution of his firm, the significance of understanding client visions, and the role of thoughtful design in enhancing both guest and staff interactions. From conceptualizing the perfect atmosphere to ensuring functionality and aesthetics, David explores the key elements that make a restaurant truly memorable. Tune in for a deep dive into the art and science of restaurant design!

Sponsor Link: https://www.RestaurantFormula.com

Sponsor Link: https://www.restaurantreport.com/jason

Restaurant owners who are having trouble improving their menu, operations efficiency, and team management are going to want to tune in as we dig into the pain points impacting restaurants. Matthew Wilson, owner of the restaurant and hospitality consulting business Mise En Place. joins for a conversation with Jaime Oikle of Running Restaurants as he shares how he guides owners in developing a highly profitable menu, revamping employee management strategies, and more. Matthew also stresses the importance of an in-depth social audit to ensure your restaurant has a good following and reputation online.

Sponsor Link: https://www.theleasecoach.com

Sponsor Link: https://servicewithstyle.com/runningrestaurants

This episode features Rushi Patel, co-founder of Homebase, as he joins Jaime Oikle to share how the company transformed from a simple scheduling tool into a comprehensive platform for managing hourly workforces. From its humble beginnings, Homebase has expanded to offer communication tools, onboarding, and payroll services. Rushi recounts the journey of transforming Homebase to meet the needs of hourly business owners and their teams, and how the app has adapted to the changing landscape of business management. Tune in to learn how Homebase can revolutionize the way you manage your team and improve your business operations.

Sponsor Link: https://servicewithstyle.com/runningrestaurants

Sponsor Link: https://www.RestaurantFormula.com

In this episode, Jaime Oikle interviews Michel Falcon, a restaurant entrepreneur and author, to discuss the power of a people-first culture in business. Falcon shares his unique approach to building successful teams, cultivating engaged employees, and fostering a workplace that thrives on transparency. Discover how prioritizing people can drive top-line results, enhance customer experience, and create lasting success in the competitive restaurant industry. Tune in to learn actionable insights for your business, whether you're in hospitality or beyond.

Sponsor Link: https://www.restaurantreport.com/jason

Sponsor Link: https://servicewithstyle.com/runningrestaurants

AI-powered dynamic pricing is the key to maximizing your restaurant’s profits—are you ready to embrace it? In this episode, Jaime Oikle dives into the game-changing world of dynamic pricing with industry experts Gordon Paterson and Jose Albis from Dynpricing Technologies Inc. Learn how AI is revolutionizing third-party delivery platforms by adjusting prices during peak and off-peak hours, helping restaurants balance demand, improve profitability, and maintain top-quality service. Whether you're curious about cutting-edge restaurant tech or looking for ways to streamline operations, this conversation will give you fresh insights into the future of dining.

Sponsor Link: https://www.RestaurantFormula.com

Sponsor Link: https://www.theleasecoach.com

Gold, silver & platinum buried in the recognition treasure chest. Roger Beaudoin from Restaurant Rockstars tells you how to dole it out - Check out these tips for your restaurant...

Sponsor Link: https://servicewithstyle.com/runningrestaurants

Sponsor Link: https://www.restaurantreport.com/jason