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

In this episode of the Restaurant Technology Guys Podcast, the hosts welcome Chad and Lauren Coulter, co-founders of Biscuit Belly. They share their journey from being pharmacists to becoming successful restaurateurs, developing their biscuit-centered restaurant brand. The Coulters discuss their strategic branding efforts, the challenges and adaptations brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, and their expansion plans. They also reflect on the importance of maintaining a unique dining experience, both on-premise and off-premise, while highlighting their focus on building a strong, community-centered brand. Listeners gain insights into the operational intricacies of franchising and the duo's vision for future growth.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome
00:27 Meet Chad and Lauren Coulter
02:30 The Origin of Biscuit Belly
17:02 Navigating the Pandemic
22:15 Biscuit Belly's Menu and Experience
24:42 Expansion and Franchising
30:25 Conclusion and Contact Information

In this episode, the host welcomes Casey Cooley, President of Pivotal Growth Partners and Director of Franchising and Development for Jeremiah’s Italian Ice. Casey discusses his role in helping emerging restaurant franchises grow by focusing on recruiting the right franchisees and selecting the optimal locations. He emphasizes the importance of a phased vetting process to determine if a brand is franchisable and the need for a comprehensive support system. Casey also highlights how different franchising models, technology, and location strategies impact the success of franchise brands. Additionally, he shares success stories from Vicious Biscuit and Jeremiah’s Italian Ice, providing valuable insights for both potential franchisors and franchisees.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome
00:14 Meet Casey Cooley: Background and Role
01:24 Franchising Process and Vetting
03:31 Challenges and Mistakes in Franchising
06:29 Franchisee Accountability and Success
11:20 Technology and Location Strategy
18:01 Expanding Beyond Core Markets
25:31 Success Stories and Emerging Brands
33:09 Conclusion and Contact Information