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

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 Background00:39 Keith's Professional Journey02:19 Personal Growth and Resilience13:17 The Power of Influence and Legacy17:42 Weekly Video Journey and Future Goals18:14 The Origin of Consistent Content Creation19:05 Overcoming the Fear of Sharing22:02 The Journey to Public Speaking27:45 Virtual Events and Their Impact29:19 Encouragement to Share Your Unique Gifts34:13 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 Podcast00:12 Meet Laura Wilbur from Dinova00:19 The Importance of Corporate Guests01:16 Laura's Background and Expertise02:23 Understanding Expense Account Diners03:44 How Dinova Connects Restaurants and Corporations05:50 Navigating the Dinova App07:31 Benefits for Diners and Corporations11:13 Advantages for Restaurants15:12 Ensuring Quality Experiences19:58 Balancing Family and Business20:26 Dining Out with Family vs. Business21:24 The Importance of Customer Relationships23:11 Challenges in the Restaurant Industry26:54 Corporate Dining Best Practices33:01 Engaging with Dinova35:42 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 Podcast00:48 Meet Rev Ciancio: The Marketing Wizard02:45 Rev's Journey from Music to Hospitality08:24 The Importance of Local Search for Restaurants08:57 Common Mistakes in Restaurant Marketing17:52 The Golden Metric: CRM Growth18:15 The Power of Weekly Newsletters19:45 Email vs. Social Media: The Debate22:09 Overcoming Content Creation Challenges25:45 Essential Tech for Restaurant Marketing29:08 Guest Feedback: The Key to Success34:15 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 Introduction00:47 Fusion Connect and Restaurant Tech Synergies01:26 Importance of Network in Restaurant Operations03:50 Understanding Network Components09:25 Omni-Channel Customer Experience15:57 Staff Expectations and Technology23:05 The Importance of Separate WiFi Networks24:43 Guest WiFi Splash Page Benefits27:29 Security Concerns with WiFi Networks31:40 Best Practices for Network Security37:03 Engaging with Network Security Providers42:07 Connecting with Fusion Connect

Navigating the Evolving Landscape of Restaurant Technology with Joanna FantozziIn 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 Introduction00:33 Joanna's Background and Career Journey01:22 Passion for Restaurants and Hospitality02:57 State of Restaurant Technology04:13 Challenges and Basics of Restaurant Tech05:53 Importance of Seamless Customer Experience17:59 Loyalty Programs and Customer Data27:24 Future of Restaurant Technology32:40 Events and Staying Connected35:50 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Revolutionizing Restaurant Finances with Starfish AI: Insights from Jordan SilvermanIn 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 Welcome00:23 Jordan Silverman: Background and Passion01:32 Challenges of Entrepreneurship01:54 Helping Small Businesses with AI03:15 The Importance of Financial Understanding04:22 Sponsor Message04:59 Starfish: The Solution for Cost Management07:05 The Value of Actionable Data11:56 Real-World Impact of Starfish17:03 The True Cost of Small Business Ownership18:10 Leveraging AI for Business Efficiency19:07 AI in Action: Practical Applications21:47 Challenges and Solutions in the Restaurant Industry24:03 Normalizing Data Across Different Restaurant Models33:05 The Future of AI in Restaurant Management35:27 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

The Journey of Pops Italian Beef: From Family Tradition to Franchise ExpansionIn 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 Welcome00:13 Meet Kacie: A Life in Restaurants01:05 The Story of Pops Italian Beef03:41 The Fast Casual Concept10:13 Challenges and Growth12:57 Community and Family Values16:47 Franchising and Expansion24:15 Personal Touch: Family Orders26:28 How to Get Involved with Pops28:38 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 Introduction00:26 Meeting Through the Book01:30 Empower Delivery and ClusterTruck04:52 First Party vs Third Party Delivery06:47 Challenges and Solutions in Delivery11:48 Current State of Delivery18:34 Reflecting on Purposeful Actions18:55 Three Types of Restaurants and Delivery Strategies22:11 Challenges and Solutions in Delivery25:05 The Role of Technology in Delivery Management29:32 Consulting and Onboarding for Restaurants33:57 Getting in Touch and Final Thoughts

Harnessing AI for Restaurant Reputation Management with Akira's Co-FounderIn 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 Introduction00:28 Meeting Through the Podcast01:17 What is Akira?01:30 Importance of Online Reputation04:28 Origin Story of Akira06:17 Challenges in Reputation Management12:47 Consumer Behavior and Review Sites20:13 The Importance of Accurate Information20:27 Consistency in Business Listings21:55 Managing Third-Party Marketplaces22:32 Handling Reviews and Feedback25:40 Guest Recovery Strategies30:37 Consistency and Reputation Management34:36 The Impact of Ratings on Revenue38:00 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 Welcome00:27 Meet Chad and Lauren Coulter02:30 The Origin of Biscuit Belly17:02 Navigating the Pandemic22:15 Biscuit Belly's Menu and Experience24:42 Expansion and Franchising30:25 Conclusion and Contact Information