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

This episode of the Restaurant Technology Guys podcast features Jon, a longtime friend of the host and CEO/co-founder of Tabski, a digital commerce platform for restaurants. Jon shares his journey from starting in B2B sales and entering the restaurant tech space, to launching and pivoting Tabski amidst challenges like COVID-19. Tabski aims to improve guest experience and operational efficiency through features like multi-vendor ordering and omni-channel integration, addressing the evolving needs of food halls and busy restaurants. Jon emphasizes the importance of consumer-first design in creating a connected commerce platform, highlighting the shift towards a digital-first approach in the restaurant industry.00:00 Welcome & Guest Introduction00:24 Jon's Journey: From Payment Side to Restaurant Tech Innovator01:04 The Birth and Evolution of Tapski09:13 Exploring the ISO Model and Its Impact on Restaurants15:05 Introducing Tapski: A New Era of Restaurant Technology25:36 The Future of Ordering: Flexibility and Consumer Control29:05 Conclusion & How to Connect with Tapski

 Evolving Restaurant Operations through Advanced Technology SolutionsIn this episode of the Restaurant Technology Guys podcast, the host welcomes back Vishal, the CEO and founder of It's a Checkmate, to discuss advancements in restaurant technology. Vishal elaborates on how his company integrates digital ordering channels with POS systems to streamline operations for restaurants. He emphasizes the growing complexity and variety of digital ordering, from kiosks to social media, and how It's a Checkmate manages this integration seamlessly for both large brands and small establishments. He highlights successful collaborations with major brands like Wendy's and Five Guys, and discusses the importance of offering a consistent ordering experience across all digital platforms. The episode also explores menu management, capacity management, first-party ordering solutions, and the potential of voice ordering. Additionally, Vishal shares insights on the profitability and challenges of third-party platforms and the importance of being where the customers are, showcasing the dynamic and evolving landscape of restaurant technology solutions.00:00 Welcome to the Restaurant Technology Guys Podcast00:18 Introducing Repeat Guest Vishal from It's a Checkmate01:05 Exploring the Explosion of Digital Ordering Channels02:11 The Future of Digital Ordering and Its Impact on Operations04:31 Innovative Solutions for Complex Digital Ordering Challenges06:10 The Importance of Being Where Your Customers Are10:37 Integrating Digital Orders into Restaurant Operations12:36 Addressing Capacity Management and Customer Expectations16:57 The Evolution of Menu Management in a Digital World26:18 The Role of Voice Ordering in the Future of Restaurants33:30 How to Connect with It's a Checkmate for Solutions36:22 Closing Thoughts and Gratitude

One Big Island in Space: Revolutionizing the Coffee Industry with Farm Direct CoffeeThe podcast features Restaurant Technologies Group hosting Michelle and Robert Fish, co-founders of One Big Island in Space and Biggby Coffee. Michelle and Robert share their passion for supporting coffee farmers directly and promoting environmentally friendly farming methods. They speak about their missions to build long-term relationships with mid-sized farmers across the globe, ensuring fair treatment of workers, sustainable farming practices, and community investment. They discuss the intricacies of the coffee industry, the predatory practices it often harbors, and the efforts needed to navigate the enormously complex supply chain. They aim to shift their coffee supply to 100% farm-direct by 2028, aiming to support people in building a life they love, while also preserving the planet. They believe consumers could empower such change if educated about the impacts of their coffee choices.00:00 Introduction to the Restaurant Technology Guys Podcast00:31 Guest Introduction: Michelle and Robert Fish01:08 The Journey of Biggby Coffee01:25 The Threats to Coffee Production02:28 The Creation of One Big Island in Space02:49 The Direct Trade Model and its Impact04:20 The Importance of Ethical Farming Practices04:50 The Global Reach of Coffee Production05:24 The History and Atmosphere of Biggby Coffee Cafes08:28 The Inception of One Big Island in Space08:47 The Importance of Core Values in Business13:04 The Reality of Coffee Production25:10 The Future of One Big Island in Space29:42 Conclusion and How to Support the Mission

In this episode of the 'Restaurant Technology Guys' podcast, the host and guest David Greschler, Co-Founder and CEO of Nomad Go, discuss the transformative role of Nomad Go's technology in restaurant inventory management. Nomad Go uses computer vision, spatial intelligence, and augmented reality to audit and count inventory in real time with up to 99% accuracy, revolutionizing traditional inventory methods. The technology caters for complexities such as substitutions, batch recipes, and storage issues, ultimately aiming to improve accuracy, save time, reduce wastage and increase profit for restaurants.00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction00:31 Guest Background and Company Overview02:22 The Problem with Traditional Inventory Management09:16 Introducing Nomad Go's Solution09:40 How Nomad Go Works13:20 Addressing Substitutions and Partial Cases17:47 The Future of Inventory Management19:24 The Importance of Accurate Inventory in Restaurants19:36 How We Improve Prep Lists with Scientific Precision20:38 Dealing with Pre-Produced Items in Inventory21:38 The Challenges of Receiving Products23:56 The Role of Technology in Inventory Management24:35 Making Inventory Fun with Augmented Reality25:26 The Future of Inventory with Nomad Go27:31 Resolving Inventory Variances31:09 The Future of Supply Chain and Distribution32:41 The Vision for Nomad Go34:50 Getting Connected with Nomad Go

In this podcast episode of Restaurant Technology Guys, the guest Tal Clark, CEO of Instant Financial, discusses the important aspects of fintech and wage access in the restaurant industry. With Tal's two-decade experience in the financial technology space, he describes the role of Instant Financial in facilitating digital payments, increasing accessibility, and making transactions cost-effective. The conversation includes an in-depth discussion about the necessity and benefits of earned wage access and direct access to tips for restaurant staff. Acknowledging the increasingly cashless society, they also discuss the challenges with traditional banking and the rise of alternative financial institutions. Tal also highlights the Instant's efforts to lower the barriers for pay access, including those who are underbanked.00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction00:28 Guest's Background and Journey in FinTech01:31 Understanding FinTech and Its Impact02:37 Challenges in Restaurant Industry and Earned Wages03:10 Importance of Instant Access to Earned Wages09:06 The Shift to Digital Payments and Tips12:17 The Cost of Using Cash in Restaurants16:04 The Rise of Alternative Banking and Its Impact19:23 How Instant Works: Earned Wages and Tips27:17 Getting Started with Instant28:07 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Scot Turner discusses the importance of restaurant technology in hotels to boost revenues and guest experiences, urging hotels to focus on digital experiences and automation. He advocates for QR ordering and digital menu boards, highlighting the impact of social media, user generated content, and the evolution of F&B operations in hotels.

In this enlightening conversation, Matt Wampler, a former Jimmy John's franchisee and a crucial player at Clear Cogs, talks about the role of modern technology in the restaurant industry. He discusses the power of data-driven decisions and the challenges of integrating AI in restaurant operations. The conversation also reveals how Clear Cogs has been partnering with Point of Sale (POS) companies, including freshly announced partnership with Toast, enhancing the accessibility of AI for all restaurant operators. Emphasizes on the importance of having actionable data and how Clear Cogs utilizes AI in food cost management, labor management, and more. The discussion also sheds light on ClearCogs' commitment to help restaurants improve their operations and become more profitable.00:00 Introduction and Welcome00:09 Guest Introduction: Matt from Clear Cogs00:37 The Journey from Restaurant Operator to Tech Innovator01:10 Understanding ClearCogs: Solving Restaurant Problems with Tech01:46 The Power of Data in Restaurant Operations02:28 The Impact of Food Costs and Waste on Restaurant Operations08:40 The Role of AI in Restaurant Operations13:57 The Importance of Trust in Implementing Tech Solutions16:20 The Future of AI in Restaurant Operations20:02 The Role of ClearCogs in Labor Management22:53 The Importance of Data Management in Restaurant Operations28:36 ClearCogs' Partnership with Toast and Future Plans36:56 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Revolutionizing Restaurant Loyalty Programs: A Conversation with Hang CEO Matt SmolinIn this episode of the 'Restaurant Technology Guys' podcast, the hosts discuss the changing dynamics of loyalty programs with Matt Smolin, the co-founder and CEO of Hang, a next-generation loyalty software. Smolin delves into the story of his journey from working in finance to co-founding a successful startup. He also emphasizes the importance of personalization in loyalty programs and the need for brands to understand their customers' lifetime value. Mullen shares success stories from Hang's partnership with Boba Guys, reflecting on how a more engaging and understandable loyalty experience can drastically increase customer retention and spend. The conversation concludes with ways for listeners to get in touch with Hang and learn more about their solutions.

In this episode of the Restaurant Technology Guys podcast, Jeremy Julian engages in a conversation with Marc Mathies from Vericast. The discussion revolves around how Vericast, best known as a cooperative shared mail provider in the restaurant space, pivots to the digital landscape. Marc highlights Vericast's novel data enhancement project called 'Next Drive,' bridging customer data with proprietary data to create personalised advertising campaigns with refined accuracy. The podcast also discusses the value of retailers' online advertisements, the significance of data in marketing, and the dilemma of transforming marketers into data analysts. Introduction Guest Introduction Discussing Vericast Vericast's Evolution Restaurant interactions with Vericast Vericast's Transition towards Digital The Power of Data in Marketing Next Drive: Vericast's new marketing platform The role of AI & ML in analyzing data Benefit to the Consumer Digital Advertising in Retail How to reach Vericast

Shawn Walchef, owner of Cali Barbecue, shares his journey of running a restaurant and the impact of technology on advertising. He emphasizes the importance of storytelling, personal development, and work satisfaction. Shawn encourages restaurant owners to share their unique stories on digital platforms and highlights the power of authenticity and transparency. The conversation also covers the importance of continuous improvement, balancing personal and professional life, and the journey of sobriety.