In this episode of Room for Seconds, Gregg Majewski sits down with Michael "Schatzy" Schatzberg, Co-Founder of Branded Hospitality Ventures, to unpack his remarkable journey from bartender to restaurateur and tech investor. They dive into the evolving role of technology in the restaurant industry, debating the balance between innovation and operator needs. Schatzy shares insights on identifying must-have tech versus passing trends, investing in game-changing startups, and navigating the challenges of venture capitalism in hospitality. Don’t miss this deep dive into what it takes to thrive at the intersection of restaurants and tech innovation.

Key Takeaways:

1. Choose The Right POS For Your Restaurant - Selecting the right POS (Point of Sale) system depends on your business's scale and goals. For small operators with a few locations, a basic, cost-effective system may suffice, offering just enough functionality to meet day-to-day needs. However, as Michael “Schatzy” Schatzberg points out, larger operations with hundreds of locations may require a more robust platform capable of unifying loyalty programs, understanding customer behavior, and integrating various operational functions. 
2. Small Bets for Big Insights - In venture investing, small, strategic bets can yield significant learning opportunities. Schatzy shares how Branded Hospitality Ventures invests modestly in emerging technologies—like robotics, drive-through voice systems, and prep-area cameras—to stay informed about trends and test the waters. These smaller investments help uncover the potential of new innovations while reserving larger commitments for tech solutions that solve immediate, pressing problems for operators.
3. Hospitality Requires Insiders and Outsiders - The hospitality industry benefits from leadership that combines internal expertise and external perspectives. Schatzy highlights the unique challenges of hospitality, where businesses must manage both a retail front and a manufacturing-style back-of-house operation. While industry veterans understand these intricacies, outsiders can bring fresh ideas and innovative strategies. Successful organizations find balance by blending deep industry knowledge with outside expertise, ensuring they remain adaptable and forward-thinking.

Episode Links:

• Visit Branded Hospitality Online
• Listen to Branded Hospitality’s Podcast
• Follow Branded Hospitality on X
• Follow Branded Hospitality on Instagram
• Follow Branded Hospitality on Facebook
• Subscribe to Branded Hospitality on YouTube
• Connect with Branded Hospitality on LinkedIn
• Connect with Michael “Schatzy” Schatzberg on LinkedIn

ABOUT MICHAEL SCHATZBERG:

Michael “Schatzy” Schatzberg is an entrepreneur and expert strategist and marketer. With over 25+ years of restaurant ownership and operational experience, he is the Managing Director for Branded Restaurants. Michael is an active board member and advisory board member at various tech companies. He has been active in hospitality technology investment and advisory services for over 5 years and attended Boston University.

ABOUT GREGG MAJEWSKI:

Gregg Majewski has a vast amount of experience as a corporate executive in the restaurant industry. As the former CEO of Jimmy John’s, he played a major role in expanding the franchise from 33 to 300+ stores in just 5 years by surrounding the company’s marketing strategy around the innovative approach of delivering sandwiches and being “freaky fast”. Majewski has worked to develop restaurant concepts over the last two plus decades, before starting Craveworthy Brands in 2023, which currently includes a growing portfolio of restaurant brands. Craveworthy Media is Majewski’s gift back to the industry that has given him so much. The goal of Craveworthy is to inspire the up and coming industry leaders by providing important information, stories, and insights from titans past and present.

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