#91. In this episode of The meez Podcast, we chat with Kristen Hawley, a renowned journalist in restaurant technology, founder of the acclaimed newsletter Expedite, and cohost of the podcast, The Simmer.

Kristen shares her journey into the restaurant tech space, reflecting on the early tech boom and her role in documenting its growth. We delve into the challenges and opportunities in restaurant tech, from the differences between consumer-facing tools and back-office systems to the surprises and emerging trends she’s observed over the past year. Kristen also discusses what she’s most excited about for the future, including new additions to the tech stack and the ongoing influence of tools like AI.

Throughout the conversation, Kristen provides thoughtful insights on measuring success, her hopes for deeper industry conversations, and what consolidation could mean for the future of restaurant technology.

Whether you're in hospitality, tech, or just curious about the intersection of the two, this episode offers a fascinating look into the world of restaurant innovation.

Where to find Kristen Hawley:

Where to find Expedite:

Website

Where to find The Simmer

Where to find host Josh Sharkey:

In this episode, we cover:

(01:45): How Kristen became passionate about restaurant tech
(06:08): Acute memories of the restaurant tech boom
(11:33): Kristen's role and impact in the industry as a journalist
(15:47): How Kristen measures success
(18:03): What Kristen wished more people would ask her
(24:10): Consumer-facing tech vs back office tech
(26:20): What surprised Kristen during the last year
(30:45): Speculation of future consolidation
(33:17): New parts of the tech stack emerging
(37:58): QR Codes
(39:30): What Kristen is most excited about regarding restaurant tech

Kristen Hawley on the Evolution of Restaurant Tech and What’s Next for the Industry