Full Stack Hospitality

Which restaurant technologies are actually delivering results, and which ones are just hype?

In this episode of Full Stack Hospitality, hosts Christian Wiens and Rev Ciancio sit down with Cherryh Cansler, VP of Events at Connect Media, publisher of FastCasual.com, and host of the FastCasual Nation podcast.

The episode kicks off with a discussion about Uber Eats partnering with Zipline for drone delivery before diving into McDonald’s new Red Bull energy drinks and what they reveal about restaurant innovation and consumer trends.

From there, the conversation explores how restaurant technology has evolved, what separates successful brands from the competition, and where AI can create the most value for operators.

Topics covered:

• The future of drone delivery and restaurant technology

• McDonald’s latest beverage strategy and product innovation

• Restaurant technologies that were overhyped

• What successful restaurant brands are doing differently

• Where AI can deliver measurable ROI for operators

• Emerging technologies restaurants may be overlooking

  
  

Sponsored by Loman AI: Visit https://www.loman.ai and use code FULLSTACKPOD to save $149 on your setup fee.

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Great restaurants are built on systems. Full Stack Hospitality is a weekly interview show about the tech stacks behind the most successful restaurant brands in America. Hosted by Christian and Rev, every episode delivers practical systems, tools, and tactics operators can implement immediately.

What does it take to turn a neighborhood pizza shop into a growing multi-location brand?

In this episode of Full Stack Hospitality, hosts Christian Wiens and Rev sit down with Cory O’Connor, COO of DeCheco’s Pizzeria, a family-owned Ohio pizza brand that has grown from a single shop in Akron into a six-location operation.

The episode kicks off with a discussion about Google Maps introducing AI-powered food ordering before diving into Domino’s new rectangular personal pizzas and what they signal about changing consumer preferences.

From there, the conversation explores DeCheco’s growth, the challenges of scaling a local favorite, and what it takes to maintain quality and consistency across multiple locations.

Topics covered:

• How DeCheco’s grew from one pizza shop into a multi-location brand

• The future of AI-powered food ordering

• Changing consumer preferences and the rise of smaller menu items

• The challenges of scaling a family-owned restaurant

• Maintaining quality and consistency while expanding

Sponsored by Loman AI: Visit ⁠https://www.loman.ai⁠ and use code FULLSTACKPOD to save $149 on your setup fee.

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Great restaurants are built on systems. Full Stack Hospitality is a weekly interview show about the tech stacks behind the most successful restaurant brands in America. Hosted by Christian and Rev, every episode delivers practical systems, tools, and tactics operators can implement immediately.

What does it take to build a restaurant brand that lasts 85 years?

In this episode of Full Stack Hospitality, hosts Christian Wiens and Rev sit down with Deric Rosenbaum, President and CFO of Groucho’s Deli, a family-owned restaurant brand with more than 30 locations across the Southeast.

The episode kicks off with a discussion about the Chipotle jalapeño salmonella outbreak before diving into McDonald’s recent operational struggles and declining U.S. traffic.

From there, the conversation explores operational excellence, managing complexity, and how Groucho’s Deli has balanced growth with preserving its 85-year legacy.

Topics covered:

• How Groucho’s Deli has grown into a 30+ location brand

• Why operational execution matters more than ever

• Where restaurant operators create unnecessary complexity

• Balancing growth, profitability, and brand consistency

• Building a restaurant business that stands the test of time

Sponsored by Loman AI: Visit https://www.loman.ai and use code FULLSTACKPOD to save $149 on your setup fee.

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Great restaurants are built on systems. Full Stack Hospitality is a weekly interview show about the tech stacks behind the most successful restaurant brands in America. Hosted by Christian and Rev, every episode delivers practical systems, tools, and tactics operators can implement immediately.

Why are some restaurant brands thriving while others are struggling to stay flat?

In the first episode of Full Stack Hospitality, hosts Christian Wiens and Rev sit down with Erin Levzow, fractional CMO, restaurant marketing advisor, and co-host of Bite Sized and Bossy, and Tammy Billings, VP of Business Development at Signal Flare and co-host of Bite Sized and Bossy.

The episode kicks off with a Taco Bell lettuce outbreak making headlines before diving into same-store sales trends across major restaurant chains.

From there, the conversation explores the “little treat economy,” changing consumer behavior, and what successful restaurant brands are doing differently.

Topics covered:

• Why some restaurant chains are growing while others struggle

• The rise of affordable luxury and the “little treat economy”

• How restaurants can drive traffic and build loyalty

• What restaurant marketers are overthinking

• Where AI is creating real value for operators

  
  

Sponsored by Loman AI: Visit https://www.loman.ai and use code FULLSTACKPOD to save $149 on your setup fee.

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Great restaurants are built on systems. Full Stack Hospitality is a weekly interview show about the tech stacks behind the most successful restaurant brands in America. Hosted by Christian and Rev, every episode delivers practical systems, tools, and tactics operators can implement immediately.