The Restaurant Technology Guys Podcast brought to you by Custom Business Solutions

In this episode of the Restaurant Technology Guys podcast, host Jeremy Julian interviews Jason Ingermanson, the founder of Mokas Coffee and Eatery. Jason shares his entrepreneurial journey from starting a $30,000 coffee shop in a Kansas mall to growing multiple successful brands, including Freddy's Frozen Custard and Steakburgers. Celebrating Mokas 20-year anniversary, Jason discusses the development and franchising of Mokas, his focus on quality and community involvement, and the core values driving the brand's success. He also shares insights on local store marketing, guest loyalty, and support systems provided to prospective franchisees. Tune in for an inspiring story of passion, discipline, and dedication in the restaurant industry.00:00 Mokas Coffee & Eatery00:14 Introduction and Guest Introduction02:05 Jason's Journey: From Coffee Lover to Entrepreneur03:02 The Birth and Growth of Mokas Coffee and Eatery04:01 Navigating Challenges and Expanding During the Pandemic05:21 Mokas' Unique Brand and Customer Experience06:59 Commitment to Quality and Community10:39 Franchising and Future Plans18:13 The Story Behind the Name 'Mokas'22:29 Franchisee Success Stories23:14 The Importance of Transparency23:41 Challenges in the Restaurant Industry24:26 Expanding to New Markets29:13 Local Store Marketing Strategies32:06 Franchise Application Process34:06 Discovery Day Experience37:17 Master Franchise Opportunities40:57 Connecting with Jason Ingram Manson

In this episode of the Restaurant Technology Guys podcast, host Jeremy Julian converses with Paul Tran, a seasoned entrepreneur and franchise expert. With a 20-year journey in the restaurant industry, Paul shares his story of turning a student loan into a successful Cajun crawfish restaurant and subsequent experiences scaling major brands like Halal Guys and Pepper Lunch. Paul discusses the importance of selecting the right franchisee, maintaining operational consistency, and building strong relationships between franchisees and franchisors. He also offers insights on effective marketing strategies and operations that contribute to franchise success. The episode is packed with valuable lessons for anyone looking to scale in the restaurant industry or seeking entrepreneurial inspiration.00:00 Paul Tran of Pepper Lunch01:39 Introduction and Welcome01:50 Meet Paul Tran: A Journey in the Restaurant Industry02:35 Paul's Early Ventures and Lessons Learned05:44 The Halal Guys and Franchise Experience07:05 Pepper Lunch: A New Venture09:27 Insights on Franchising and Finding the Right Franchisees14:59 Challenges and Success in Scaling a Franchise24:16 California Brands in Texas24:54 Franchisee and Franchisor Relationships26:02 Choosing the Right Franchisee26:47 Healthy and Unhealthy Tensions31:21 Marketing and Community Outreach37:10 Pepper Lunch Concept Explained42:36 Final Thoughts and Contact Information

In this episode of the Restaurant Technology Guys podcast, host Jeremy Julian welcomes Geoffrey Toffetti, CEO of Frontline Performance Group (FPG), to discuss how restaurateurs can unlock hidden revenue, improve staff performance, and elevate guest experience without additional advertising costs. Geoffrey shares insights from his extensive career in hospitality and corporate consulting, detailing FPG's innovative solutions that utilize real-time analytics and AI-powered training. The conversation highlights the importance of systemized training for frontline employees, focusing on maximizing revenue through service-based sales techniques. Listeners will gain valuable knowledge on making meaningful investments in staff to drive up to 10% revenue growth, improve tips, and enhance overall restaurant performance. The episode also covers the practical steps for implementing and measuring success in these initiatives.00:00 Frontline Performance Group01:26 Introduction and Welcome01:59 Guest Introduction: Geoffrey Toffetti02:08 Geoffrey Toffetti's Career Journey03:18 Current Role at Frontline Performance Group03:47 Focus on Hospitality and Restaurant Industry05:21 Identifying and Solving Industry Problems10:44 Service-Based Sales Philosophy14:29 Training and Technology Integration20:27 Measuring Success and Analytics24:56 Engaging Different Demographics27:46 Results and Success Stories29:34 How to Engage with Frontline Performance Group32:39 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode of the Restaurant Technology Guys podcast, host Jeremy Julian welcomes Jason Morgan, the CEO of Original ChopShop, to discuss the brand's unique fast casual offerings and growth strategy. Jason shares his journey from accounting to hospitality, his experience with Zoe's Kitchen, and how he's leveraging those lessons at Original ChopShop. They delve into the restaurant's diverse and healthful menu, the importance of technology in maintaining quality and consistency, and the challenges of scaling a company-owned business. Jason also discusses the brand's focus on customer feedback and its efforts to expand in strategic markets while highlighting their catering program. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in restaurant innovation and growth.00:00 Original ChopShop01:21 Introduction and Guest Background01:59 Jason's Journey in the Restaurant Industry03:37 Original ChopShop Story05:54 Unique Menu and Concept08:16 Menu Development and Technology Integration15:26 Breakfast and Expansion Strategy17:55 Revealing Industry Insights18:21 Company-Owned vs Franchise Models20:23 Strategic Market Expansion23:40 Challenges and Achievements28:09 Signature Dishes and Personal Favorites31:27 Catering and Off-Premise Strategies33:11 Final Thoughts and Future Plans

In this episode of the Restaurant Technology Guides podcast, Jeremy Julian discusses the transformative journey of digital signage with Eli Chmouni, CEO of Neon. Eli shares his unique path to founding Neon, a company that simplifies digital signage for restaurants and retail with a plug-and-play approach. From his stint working at a Burger King drive-through for research to creating a solution that increases sales by up to 17%, Eli's dedication to solving customer problems is evident. The episode dives into the integration of Neon's software with POS systems, the benefits of digital signage in both customer-facing and employee-facing environments, and how Neon's ease of use and customer support set it apart in the market. Tune in to learn how digital signage can enhance operations and boost sales across various industries.00:00 Introduction to the Podcast00:22 Meet Eli, CEO of Neon00:36 The Birth of Neon01:06 Neon's Impact on Digital Signage01:28 Jeremy's Introduction and Disclaimer02:07 Eli's Background and Early Ventures02:59 Spotlight and the Digital Signage Problem04:14 Creating Pixie and the Birth of Neon05:05 Neon's Growth and Market Impact10:43 The Importance of Convenience and Support12:51 Eli's Burger King Experience14:04 Neon's Drive-Through System15:19 Challenges and Solutions in Digital Menu Boards19:48 Flexibility and Efficiency of Digital Signage21:02 Focusing on the Restaurant Space21:26 Dynamic Menu Integration with POS Systems22:24 Addressing Out-of-Stock Items23:02 Maximizing Digital Signage Impact23:54 Reliability of Digital Signage Systems25:01 Handling Internet Outages28:37 Drive-Through Innovations33:19 Expanding Beyond Quick Service Restaurants33:52 Innovations in Music and Loyalty Programs37:28 Final Thoughts and Contact Information39:02 Comprehensive Digital Solutions for Various Industries

In this episode of the Restaurant Technology Guys podcast, host Jeremy Julian sits down with Scott Taylor, CEO of R&R Brands. Scott shares his fascinating journey from being a law school dropout to becoming a successful restaurateur. He provides insights into his experiences growing brands like Walk-Ons and Party Foul, discusses the structure and purpose of R&R Brands, and outlines his vision for helping other restaurant groups succeed. Scott also delves into common pitfalls for new restaurateurs, how to create value in casual dining, and the role of technology in enhancing customer experience. Listeners interested in franchising, restaurant growth, and brand building will find this episode particularly enlightening.00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview01:33 Meet Scott Taylor: From Law School to Restaurant CEO03:19 Scott's Journey: From Marriott to Beef O'Brady's05:50 Building Walk-Ons and Party Foul07:38 The Birth of R&R Brands13:14 Strategic Partnerships and Future Plans18:35 Common Pitfalls for Restaurant Founders21:26 Exploring R&R's Restaurant Concepts24:16 Exploring Nashville Hot Chicken and Boozy Slushies24:56 Expanding to College Campuses and Airports25:33 Walk-Ons: The Ultimate Sports Bar Experience27:09 The Future of Casual Dining29:10 Enhancing Restaurant Experiences with Technology31:32 Creating Value and Unique Dining Experiences35:41 The Story Behind Rhythm and Rooster36:59 R&R's Unique Approach to Restaurant Partnerships39:40 Cultural Alignment and Future Growth43:37 Staying Connected and Future Plans

In this episode of the Restaurant Technology Guys podcast, Jeremy Julian hosts Jay Fiske, President of Powerhouse Dynamics. They discuss the impact of smart energy management on restaurant operations, with insights on how IoT and AI technology are revolutionizing areas from HVAC systems to fryers. Jay explains how these technologies reduce costs, waste, and maintenance issues. He dives into the specifics of HVAC and refrigeration management, emphasizing the importance of proactive maintenance and data-driven decision-making. The discussion also covers cooking equipment, particularly fryers, and how data can optimize oil use and quality. Jay shares the importance of automating repetitive tasks to allow restaurant staff to focus on more value-added activities. Additionally, the potential for AI in predictive maintenance and energy demand management is highlighted. The episode concludes with a call to restaurant operators to consider IoT solutions for efficiency and cost savings.00:00 Power House Dynamics00:14 Introduction and Welcome01:24 Meet Jay Fiske: Background and Career Journey03:10 Powerhouse Dynamics: From Energy Sensors to Food Service Solutions05:49 Revolutionizing Restaurant Operations with IoT07:12 Deep Dive: HVAC and Refrigeration Management11:01 Automation and Efficiency in Food Service13:33 Real-Time Data and Predictive Maintenance17:07 Retrofitting Existing Equipment with IoT19:26 Balancing Oil Usage with Data19:56 Importance of Filtration in Fryers20:36 Sophisticated Metrics in Frying Operations22:28 Monitoring Water Usage24:48 Energy Management in Food Service37:00 The Role of AI in Energy Management38:53 Conclusion and Contact Information

In this episode of the Restaurant Technology Guys podcast, Jeremy Julian sits down with Brock Weeks, CEO of Savvy, to discuss groundbreaking AI video analytics transforming multi-site restaurant operations. Brock explains how Savvy helps brands unlock valuable insights from video data, covering speed of service, guest experiences, staff performance, and delivery efficiency. They delve into the evolution of video systems from liability tools to essential business intelligence assets, emphasizing the importance of integrating video data with other business systems for full operational visibility. By addressing common challenges such as fragmented data and leveraging AI for actionable insights, the episode provides a comprehensive guide for restaurant operators looking to enhance their operations with technology.00:00 Savi00:14 Introduction and Guest Introduction02:18 Brock's Background and Savvy's Mission03:18 The Evolution of Video Technology03:40 Challenges in Offline Retail05:50 The Power of AI and Video Data09:55 Current State of Video Systems in Restaurants17:30 Business Use Cases for Video Data21:24 Understanding Data Centralization21:50 Identifying and Solving Operational Issues22:55 Enhancing Guest Experience with AI24:30 Revolutionizing Store Operations with AI26:26 The Future of AI in Retail30:08 Implementing AI Solutions in Your Business36:11 Connecting with Savvy for AI Solutions

In this episode of the Restaurant Technology Guides podcast, host Jeremy Julian dives into the intricacies of restaurant profitability with special guest Chip Klose, a bestselling author and host of the Restaurant Strategy Podcast. Chip shares his journey from theater to fine dining and emphasizes that profitability is the key measure of success in the restaurant business. He discusses the biggest challenges in achieving profitability, including managing revenue, cost of goods sold, and labor—all moving targets. Chip provides practical insights into operational strategies, marketing techniques, and customer retention methods to help restaurant owners enhance their profit margins. Listeners will learn how to implement effective systems, evaluate menu items, and ensure repeat business to drive overall growth and stability in their restaurants.00:00 Restaurant Strategy01:05 Introduction and Guest Background01:53 The P3 Mastermind Program04:13 Ideal Audience for P3 Mastermind07:15 Challenges in Restaurant Profitability13:53 Understanding Revenue Growth18:22 Marketing Strategies for Restaurants22:22 Engaging Customers from the Start23:23 Creating Repeat Customers24:16 Data Acquisition Importance26:21 Personal Touch in Hospitality30:43 Managing Prime Costs34:29 Optimizing Menu and Labor37:56 Final Thoughts and Free Gift

In this episode of Restaurant Technology Guides podcast, host Jeremy Julian sits down with Dylan and Erica, co-founders of Foodini, a groundbreaking tech solution aimed at addressing food allergies, dietary needs, and ingredient transparency in the restaurant industry. They delve into how Foodini's platform helps restaurants seamlessly document ingredients and recipes, ensuring safety for consumers with dietary restrictions while streamlining operations. Discussion includes real-world applications, the importance of meticulous documentation, and the increasing legislative push towards allergen transparency. Also covered are benefits such as increased consumer loyalty and operational advantages gained through integrated software solutions. This episode emphasizes the value of technology in making dining experiences safer and more inclusive.00:00 Foodini01:09 Introduction and Guest Backgrounds01:46 Erica's Journey in Restaurant Tech03:56 Dylan's Unique Perspective05:31 Introducing Foodini: Solving Menu Transparency06:35 Challenges in Menu Transparency07:24 Consumer and Restaurant Perspectives13:26 Leveraging AI for Ingredient Transparency17:49 Future of Menu Transparency and Legislation19:41 Leveraging Consumer Data for Marketing19:59 European Allergen Labeling Practices20:51 California's SB 68 Bill and Its Implications22:18 The Value of Allergen Transparency for Restaurants25:29 Consumer Experience with Allergen Information26:56 Technological Solutions for Allergen Management34:35 Benefits of Documenting Recipes for Restaurants36:06 How to Get Started with Our Service