In this episode, the discussion centers around InKind's innovative, tech-driven approach to scaling and supporting restaurants. InKind's CEO shares insights on leveraging Silicon Valley strategies, deploying large-scale data analytics and AI, and the significance of personalized support for independent restaurants. The episode covers the dual role of InKind as a financial service provider and a consumer marketplace, detailing creative financing solutions and marketing experiments that enhance profitability and customer experience. Listeners also learn about the platform's benefits for business travelers, including earning credits for personal dining through data-driven recommendations. The episode emphasizes practical advice for restaurant owners, market insights from owning restaurants, InKind’s funding model, and future enhancements, aiming to create a sustainable and profitable ecosystem for restaurant growth.

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast
00:55 Meet Johann Munisinghe: From Tech to Restaurants
01:55 The Birth of InKind: Solving Restaurant Finance
03:12 The Restaurant Incubator Experiment
06:41 Scaling InKind: Financing and Marketplace
11:31 Challenges and Solutions for Restaurant Operators
17:01 InKind's Unique Value Proposition
19:56 Challenges in Restaurant Tech
20:39 Uses of Capital in Restaurants
21:07 Sponsor Messages
22:07 Growth and Financing Strategies
23:21 Consumer Experience with InKind
25:15 Leveraging Data for Recommendations
28:25 Engaging with InKind for Expansion
35:40 Future Vision and Expansion Plans
36:41 Conclusion and Farewell

In this insightful episode of the Restaurant Technology Guys podcast, host Jeremy Julian chats with Chris Demery, CTO of Blaze Pizza, about the technological advancements at Blaze Pizza, particularly post-COVID-19. Chris highlights the pivotal role of user-friendly technology in enhancing both on-premise and off-premise dining experiences. The discussion covers the seamless implementation of the Qu POS system across more than 270 locations, the importance of open APIs, and the challenges and solutions related to managing digital and in-store orders. Further, the episode explores how predictive analytics, data optimization, and customer data platforms are key to improving operational efficiency and guest satisfaction. Listeners will gain practical insights into adapting technology to meet evolving guest needs, maintaining balance between digital and on-site service, and the significance of industry-specific networking for staying ahead in technological innovations.

00:00 Introduction to Today's Episode
00:51 Meet Chris Demery: A Legend in Restaurant Technology
01:27 Chris Demery's Career Journey
02:43 Philosophy on Technology and Operations
04:23 The Importance of Predictable Technology
05:46 Challenges and Innovations at Blaze Pizza
12:45 Adapting to Post-COVID Changes
16:27 Sponsor Messages
17:28 Understanding Blaze Pizza's Unique Model
18:43 Innovative Changes in Restaurant Operations
19:33 Speed of Service and Wait Time Metrics
20:56 Challenges with Custom Orders
24:16 Managing Digital and In-Person Orders
27:32 Leveraging Data for Better Staffing
29:11 Future Innovations and Guest Experience
35:17 Staying Connected and Final Thoughts

In this episode of the Restaurant Technology Guys podcast, co-host Jeremy interviews serial entrepreneur Keith Sampson, who shares his journey through the payments and fintech industry influenced by personal challenges such as his father's battle with Lou Gehrig's disease. Keith discusses his 'grow through it' mindset and passion for helping others achieve their potential, highlighting five key characteristics for growth: continuous learning, gratitude, resilience, humility, and confidence. The conversation delves into overcoming imposter syndrome, the importance of finding one’s ‘why,’ and the power of positive influences and consistency. With a special focus on embracing vulnerability and finding meaning beyond financial success, Keith reflects on impactful moments, including hosting a virtual sales conference during the COVID-19 pandemic. The episode concludes with insights on maintaining low expectations and Arthur Brooks' pillars of happiness: family, friends, faith, and meaningful work. Keith encourages listeners to contribute positively, find their medium of expression, and connect with him on LinkedIn, Instagram, and his website.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Background
00:39 Keith's Professional Journey
02:19 Personal Growth and Resilience
13:17 The Power of Influence and Legacy
17:42 Weekly Video Journey and Future Goals
18:14 The Origin of Consistent Content Creation
19:05 Overcoming the Fear of Sharing
22:02 The Journey to Public Speaking
27:45 Virtual Events and Their Impact
29:19 Encouragement to Share Your Unique Gifts
34:13 Connecting with Keith Sampson

In this episode of the Restaurant Technology Guys podcast, host Jeremy Julian sits down with Laura Wilbur from Dinova to discuss strategies for attracting higher-spending corporate guests to restaurants. They delve into the benefits for both corporate diners and restaurant operators, including increased guest frequency, higher average check sizes, and loyal business relationships. Laura shares her professional insights on how Dinova helps bridge the gap between Fortune 1000 companies and high-quality dining establishments through tailored corporate dining programs. Key topics include restaurant vetting, managing guest experiences, and the specifics of business dining trends in today's economic climate.

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast
00:12 Meet Laura Wilbur from Dinova
00:19 The Importance of Corporate Guests
01:16 Laura's Background and Expertise
02:23 Understanding Expense Account Diners
03:44 How Dinova Connects Restaurants and Corporations
05:50 Navigating the Dinova App
07:31 Benefits for Diners and Corporations
11:13 Advantages for Restaurants
15:12 Ensuring Quality Experiences
19:58 Balancing Family and Business
20:26 Dining Out with Family vs. Business
21:24 The Importance of Customer Relationships
23:11 Challenges in the Restaurant Industry
26:54 Corporate Dining Best Practices
33:01 Engaging with Dinova
35:42 Conclusion and Contact Information

In this episode of the Restaurant Technology Guys podcast, Jeremy Julian talks with Rev Ciancio, a hospitality marketing consultant and CMO at Salad House and Handcraft Burgers Brew. They discuss effective restaurant marketing strategies, focusing on the importance of local search optimization, email marketing, and guest feedback. Rev shares insights on why social media isn't a primary driver for customer acquisition and emphasizes the value of CRM growth through regular, targeted email newsletters. They also delve into the significance of guest sentiment and how to incentivize repeat visits for improved customer lifetime value. The episode offers practical tips and real-life examples for restaurant operators looking to enhance their marketing efforts.

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast
00:48 Meet Rev Ciancio: The Marketing Wizard
02:45 Rev's Journey from Music to Hospitality
08:24 The Importance of Local Search for Restaurants
08:57 Common Mistakes in Restaurant Marketing
17:52 The Golden Metric: CRM Growth
18:15 The Power of Weekly Newsletters
19:45 Email vs. Social Media: The Debate
22:09 Overcoming Content Creation Challenges
25:45 Essential Tech for Restaurant Marketing
29:08 Guest Feedback: The Key to Success
34:15 Engaging with Rev Ciancio

In this episode of the Restaurant Technology Podcast, host welcomes Santi Cuellar, Senior Manager of Product Marketing for Fusion Connect and co-host of the Tech Unmuted podcast. Santi shares insights into the evolving role of technology in the restaurant and retail sectors, particularly focusing on network infrastructure and its criticality. The discussion covers the shift in network needs driven by the pandemic, the importance of robust and secure Wi-Fi networks, and the significance of omni-channel customer experiences. Santi emphasizes the necessity for restaurants to innovate not just for customer satisfaction but also for staff efficiency. He also provides a deep dive into network elements like routers, switches, and Quality of Service (QoS), explaining their impacts on operations. The episode underscores the importance of partnering with experienced technology firms to ensure seamless, secure, and efficient operations in today's digital age.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction
00:47 Fusion Connect and Restaurant Tech Synergies
01:26 Importance of Network in Restaurant Operations
03:50 Understanding Network Components
09:25 Omni-Channel Customer Experience
15:57 Staff Expectations and Technology
23:05 The Importance of Separate WiFi Networks
24:43 Guest WiFi Splash Page Benefits
27:29 Security Concerns with WiFi Networks
31:40 Best Practices for Network Security
37:03 Engaging with Network Security Providers
42:07 Connecting with Fusion Connect

Navigating the Evolving Landscape of Restaurant Technology with Joanna Fantozzi

In this episode of the Restaurant Technology Guys podcast, we are joined by Joanna Fantozzi, a senior editor at Nation's Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality. Joanna shares her journey in the restaurant tech space, discussing her role in covering tech, legislation, and specific companies within the industry. The conversation delves into the current state of restaurant technology, emphasizing the importance of mastering basic tech functionalities, such as digital ordering and payment solutions, before embracing advanced technologies like AI and robotics. Joanna also highlights the critical role of loyalty programs, data analytics, and personalized guest experiences in today's market. The episode concludes with insights into upcoming industry events and ways to stay informed about the latest trends in restaurant technology.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction
00:33 Joanna's Background and Career Journey
01:22 Passion for Restaurants and Hospitality
02:57 State of Restaurant Technology
04:13 Challenges and Basics of Restaurant Tech
05:53 Importance of Seamless Customer Experience
17:59 Loyalty Programs and Customer Data
27:24 Future of Restaurant Technology
32:40 Events and Staying Connected
35:50 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Revolutionizing Restaurant Finances with Starfish AI: Insights from Jordan Silverman

In this episode of the Restaurant Technology Guys podcast, host Jeremy sits down with Jordan Silverman, co-founder and CEO of Starfish, a company dedicated to helping small businesses understand and manage their finances using AI. Jordan shares his journey, from early entrepreneurial endeavors to his passion for assisting small businesses in democratizing access to data and tools. The conversation delves into how Starfish leverages AI to analyze P&L data, identify cost-saving opportunities, and provide actionable insights to improve profitability. They discuss the challenges of the restaurant industry, the importance of understanding financial metrics, and the future potential of AI in streamlining back-of-house operations. Tune in to get inspired by Jordan's mission to enhance the financial health of small businesses in the hospitality sector.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
00:23 Jordan Silverman: Background and Passion
01:32 Challenges of Entrepreneurship
01:54 Helping Small Businesses with AI
03:15 The Importance of Financial Understanding
04:22 Sponsor Message
04:59 Starfish: The Solution for Cost Management
07:05 The Value of Actionable Data
11:56 Real-World Impact of Starfish
17:03 The True Cost of Small Business Ownership
18:10 Leveraging AI for Business Efficiency
19:07 AI in Action: Practical Applications
21:47 Challenges and Solutions in the Restaurant Industry
24:03 Normalizing Data Across Different Restaurant Models
33:05 The Future of AI in Restaurant Management
35:27 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

The Journey of Pops Italian Beef: From Family Tradition to Franchise Expansion

In this episode of the Restaurant Technology Guys podcast, the host welcomes Kacie, a lifelong restaurant industry veteran and the daughter of the founder of Pops Italian Beef. Kacie shares her personal background, the history of Pops Italian Beef, and its transition from a family-owned business to a franchised brand with 16 locations. She discusses the unique challenges and successes of maintaining consistent quality and community connection while expanding. The episode also delves into the operational dynamics of Pops Italian Beef, the importance of family involvement, and the future growth plans for the restaurant. Kacie emphasizes the importance of community support, employee-family relationships, and preserving the integrity of their culinary traditions.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome
00:13 Meet Kacie: A Life in Restaurants
01:05 The Story of Pops Italian Beef
03:41 The Fast Casual Concept
10:13 Challenges and Growth
12:57 Community and Family Values
16:47 Franchising and Expansion
24:15 Personal Touch: Family Orders
26:28 How to Get Involved with Pops
28:38 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode of the Restaurant Technology Guys podcast, the hosts welcome back Meredith Sandland, CEO of Empower Delivery. Meredith offers insights into the evolution of restaurant technology and the importance of efficient delivery systems. She discusses how her company, Empower Delivery, spun out from ClusterTruck, aims to streamline the delivery process for restaurants by offering an end-to-end order fulfillment system. The conversation delves into the challenges of third-party delivery services, the importance of first-party delivery to control guest experiences, and the concept of using gig workers as in-house delivery drivers. Meredith also shares her perspectives on the current state of delivery services and how restaurants can adapt to changing consumer behaviors and rising costs.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction
00:26 Meeting Through the Book
01:30 Empower Delivery and ClusterTruck
04:52 First Party vs Third Party Delivery
06:47 Challenges and Solutions in Delivery
11:48 Current State of Delivery
18:34 Reflecting on Purposeful Actions
18:55 Three Types of Restaurants and Delivery Strategies
22:11 Challenges and Solutions in Delivery
25:05 The Role of Technology in Delivery Management
29:32 Consulting and Onboarding for Restaurants
33:57 Getting in Touch and Final Thoughts

Harnessing AI for Restaurant Reputation Management with Akira's Co-Founder

In this episode of the Restaurant Technology Guys podcast, the hosts sit down with Shereen, co-founder of Akira, to discuss the importance of online reputation management for restaurants. They delve into how Akira uses AI to streamline reputation efforts, manage online reviews, and deliver actionable insights to improve customer experience and branding. Shereen shares the origins of Akira and highlights the significance of consistency in customer feedback and online listings. The discussion also covers the challenges of managing reviews from third-party delivery platforms and the impact of reputation scores on revenue.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction
00:28 Meeting Through the Podcast
01:17 What is Akira?
01:30 Importance of Online Reputation
04:28 Origin Story of Akira
06:17 Challenges in Reputation Management
12:47 Consumer Behavior and Review Sites
20:13 The Importance of Accurate Information
20:27 Consistency in Business Listings
21:55 Managing Third-Party Marketplaces
22:32 Handling Reviews and Feedback
25:40 Guest Recovery Strategies
30:37 Consistency and Reputation Management
34:36 The Impact of Ratings on Revenue
38:00 Getting Started with Akira