The restaurant industry was already adopting digital tools before COVID. Mobile ordering, third-party delivery services, and digital loyalty programs were becoming brand differentiators, according to Alicia Kelso, Senior Contributor for Forbes.com where she covers the restaurant industry. But the pandemic accelerated the digitization of the restaurant industry, forcing proprietors to choose between battling for space on delivery aggregation apps or diving head-first into the world of direct to consumer and mobile marketing. Kelso, along with Sam Oches, Editorial Director at Nation’s Restaurant News discuss the prospects of a big industry recovery during the second half of the year, and how AI technology promises to revolutionize kitchens, drive-throughs and even contribute to deciding what people want to eat.

Guests: Alicia Kelso, Sam Oches

Host: Mike Shields

Producer: Kenya Hayes