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

ABOUT TOPPERS PIZZAFounded in 1991 as an alternative to big-box pizza, Toppers is built on a bold attitude with the product to back it up. Headquartered in Whitewater, Wisconsin, 70+ Toppers locations are on a mission to redefine what customers should expect from QSR pizza. The menu features unique flavors, bold recipes, crave-worthy Topperstix, signature wings, specialty desserts and a growing selection of offerings for diverse lifestyles. By consistently giving customers what they want, Toppers has forged an untapped space in the pizza industry and is thriving in a digital-first post-pandemic world. World-class technology ranking among the top QSR pizza concepts, consistent menu innovation, a powerfully focused digital media strategy, and Gen Z-centric social media channels drive 75%+ of sales online for the brand. With franchisees achieving a $1,100,000+ average unit volume across the entire system and 17 consecutive quarters of same-store sales increases, Toppers Pizza is primed for major growth and is looking for like-minded franchisees to join its system. For more information, visit https://www.toppers.com/franchise and follow the brand on Facebook and Instagram.

Alex Beltrani is the founder and CEO of Tattle, the only Customer Experience Improvement (CXI) Platform that leverages API integrations and proprietary algorithms to achieve high-volume, improvement-focused guest feedback collection and analytics. Alex has scaled Tattle to be present in over 10,000+ restaurant units worldwide, collecting over 8.6B feedback data points per year. Select restaurant partners of Tattle includes hallmark brands such as MOD Pizza, Hooters, Dave’s Hot Chicken, Farmer Boys, The Halal Guys and more.To Learn More about Tattle, check them out here https://go.gettattle.com/tattle-website

FSC Franchise Co. is the industry-leading franchisor behind Beef ‘O’ Brady’s and The Brass Tap, with over 180 locations across the United States. Beef ‘O’ Brady’s, with 143 locations in 21 states, is a family sports pub concept that provides the perfect atmosphere for friends and families to watch the game and grab a bite. The Brass Tap, a craft beer bar and entertainment venue with 40 current locations in 16 states, is known for extensive localized brewery offerings, specialty cocktails and premium wines paired perfectly with a select menu of upscale shareables. 

ABOUT SHUCKIN' SHACK: Shuckin' Shack Oyster Bar grew out of a vision for a local establishment that would appeal to families of all ages. A place where friends and family can enjoy fresh, delicious meals and creative cocktails in an environment that exudes relaxation. Shuckin' Shack offers its guests a "lifestyle experience" in addition to exceptional seafood. The brand started as a 900-square-foot shack in Carolina Beach, North Carolina, in 2007 and began franchising in 2014. Today, Shuckin' Shack has grown to 19 locations across seven states. To learn more about Shuckin’ Shack, visit http://www.theshuckinshack.com.The cost to open a Shuckin’ Shack franchise ranges from $453,000 to $1,128,252. Average NET Sales per location are $1,342,640. For more information visit: www.theshuckinshack.comThrough its Fresh and Raw Tour, Shuckin’ Shack raised over $52,000 for charity, traveling to 17 cities and covering 3,000 miles in just 30 days. While this tour served as a phenomenal way to drive business and unite the network around a cause, it also reinvigorated franchisees and proved just how important a caring, connected franchise network can be to the customer experience.As the concept continues to grow, it maintains an emphasis on a strong franchise network full of business owners who are committed to providing the absolute best service. The company has seen a 7% increase in same-store sales this year and is rounding out its seventh consecutive year, aside from 2020, a notoriously tough year for restaurants, with same-store comps exceeding 5%. Compared to 2019, the network will round out the year with average store comps exceeding 14%. Looking to 2023, Shuckin’ Shack’s goals are simple. The concept will continue to grow within its current footprint, emphasizing the southeast, Illinois, and Texas. Orlando, the last available market in central Florida, is also a target for growth.

Teriyaki Madness also introduced several exciting initiatives both on the consumer and the franchisee front. The brand collaborated with franchisees to foray into non-trad., with a food truck in Lapeer, Michigan, a casino location in Las Vegas, as well as a robust catering program which grew catering sales by a whopping 208% year-over-year, and the exciting nationwide adoption by several professional sports teams including the NFL 49ers, NHL Arizona Coyotes, MLB Pittsburgh Pirates and NHL Los Angeles Ducks who fed the demand of health-conscious professional athletes.

Jensen Cummings, aka CHIEF WHY OFFICER @ BEST SERVED CREATIVE  Jensen Cummings is a fifth-generation Chef and Restauranteur based in Denver, CO. He began his career at 17 years old as a dishwasher. He spent the last twenty-plus years working across the industry from cook to server to bartender, Cicerone, Fermentationist, General Manager, Owner, Consultant, Podcast Host. Now, Cummings is innovating F&B models with his three hospitality focused businesses, media and marketing agency, Best Served Creative, new restaurant opening firm, Angry Olive Consulting, event production company, Fortune Cookie Concepts.Websites: Best Served PodcastBest Served CreativeSocial:Facebook - @Jensen Cummings@Best Served Podcast@Restaurant Idea FactoryInstagram - @ChefJensenCummings@BestServedPodcast@RestaurantIdeaFactoryTik Tok - @JensenCummings @ChefJensenCummings@BestServedPodcast@RestaurantIdeaFactoryLinkedIn - @Jensen Cummings@Best Served Creative@Restaurant Idea FactoryYouTube - Best Served Podcast@Restaurant Idea Factory

Join Jeremy and Bob Ray where they talk about how they grew through the pandemic in some of the unlikely ways. Margaritas is inspired by the welcoming villages of central Mexico and built on centuries-old traditions of hospitality, culture, and amazing food. We want Margaritas to be your getaway. Drop your bags at the door, come spend a few care-free hours with us and celebrate every day! Check them out Margaritas Mexican Restaurant & Waterhole - United States (margs.com)

Join second time guests Meredith Sandland and Carl Orsbourn where we talk about the practical application of delivery, digital ordering, and the tools all restaurants need to be thinking about when going to a digital channel. Delivering - The Digital Restaurant explores the world of off-premise food and the massive disruption facing American restaurants through first-hand accounts of restaurateurs, food industry veterans, and start-up entrepreneurs.Restaurateurs are experiencing a similar level of disruption to what retailers faced 20 years ago with the birth of mainstream e-commerce. Changing demographics, social interactions, new digital capabilities & expectations, omnichannel fulfillment networks, and a thirst for convenience & variety have shifted how, what and where people are eating their food.

Join Jeremy and Carl Jacobs, the CEO of Apicbase, where they talk back-of-house and why this is critical for a restaurant’s bottom line.Carl helps restaurant chains and dark kitchens to automate time-consuming back-of-house operations such as inventory & procurement in order to make them more profitable.

Join Jeremy and TaKorean founder Mike where they talk about fusion food and growing an concept. TaKorean, a fast-casual Korean-inspired concept with Latin-American influence, was founded by Mike Lenard in 2010 to bring a fresh twist on Korean flavors to the Washington DC food scene. Its “build your own” bowl and taco concept allows guests to create memorable meals, catered to their specific preferences by combining the restaurant’s colorful, fresh, and delicious ingredients. Originally founded as a mobile vending concept, Lenard and his team have grown the brand into a local chain of brick-and-mortar locations and, as of 2022, are eager to offer the opportunity to franchise the concept. The investment required to open a TaKorean restaurant ranges from $215,500–$781,500, including a $40,000 franchise fee. Visit www.takoreanfranchise.com for more information