Restaurant Masterminds Podcast

Technology predictions from the 20th century are starting to take shape now in 2023. In the cartoon “The Jetson’s” (which aired in 1962) there were many artificial intelligence, automation, self-driving technologies, etc. which do exist in some form today while others are still under development. So how are people able to make such bold, yet accurate predictions with technology?

This week Accelerate Host and IFBTA CEO Rob Grimes, explores predictive programming impacts technology innovation, starting out as an idea in someone’s “mind’s eye” and is influenced by other technologies, industries, ending up in Cartoons, TV and in the Movies.

In comparing how robots will do the work of their masters, Rob references a popular scene from the movie ‘The Surrogate.’ “Bruce Willis sits in a chair and his surrogate goes out and does work for him, whether those are robotics or holograms”. Space exploration, robots, automated food, none of these are new ideas - but they are quickly becoming our reality in 2023.

If you want to learn more about the different ways that entertainment media has influenced and predicted current and future technology innovation and trends, check out this episode of Accelerate.

The symbiotic relationship between the foodservice and hospitality industries is one that stretches back centuries. In fact, before the onset of Inn’s in the 1800’s (the first lodging facility for tourists), locals used to let travelers rest on kitchen floors and extra spaces during their journey. Food, beverage and rest (Eat, Drink and Sleep), have always gone hand in hand.

In this episode of Accelerate, host and IFBTA CEO Rob Grimes, has a conversation with Mike Blake, Chief Technology Officer of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA).

Mike discusses AHLA’s role within hospitality, defining best practices and serving as a focal point for over 80% of franchised hotels which are represented. “I always used to tell people that I could troubleshoot a room whether the room is in Dubai, Kuala Lumpur or Wichita, Kansas, they all are pretty much set up very similarly when it comes to the technology,” Mike mentions, referring to the consistent global standards of the hospitality industry.

Rob and Mike also announced the new partnership between the IFBTA and AHLA - discussing how each organization are experts in their respective industries, and how the partnership will enhance the AHLA’s offerings in F&B technology content, education and networking for their Hotelier and Supplier members, at the same time making available to IFBTA members the resources of America’s largest hotel association.

If you want to hear more about the dynamic environment within Lodging and F&B technologies, and hear more about the new AHLA and IFBTA’s partnership, you don’t want to miss this episode of Accelerate.

Whether in a good or bad economy, the tech within the foodservice and hospitality industries always tends to do well. Many good tech ideas have come and gone - but why is that? Join Accelerate host Rob Grimes this week as he focuses on the things that could have been, and shares his 'tech peeves' on tech that should have taken advantage of other existing technologies to be more successful.
"Some new industry technologies come about due to spur of the moment needs and are silos and one-off's. Due to their lack of integration into the other systems we use, they go by the wayside."

If you want to join the conversation and hear more about the challenges Rob has seen in the industry over the years, and the considerations to think of going forward, then this episode of Accelerate is for you.

Most people think about a gas station or corner store when they think of the convenience store industry (“C-Stores”). Convenience is found everywhere, and a majority of the industry is actually owned and operated by family businesses. Joining host Rob Grimes on this episode of accelerate is Ray Huff, President of HJB Convenience Corp who has more than 40 years in convenience retail and is the Chairman of the Board of Advisors of Conexxus the technology partner of the National Association of Convenience Stores (“NACS”).

“COVID forced the consumer to go look at convenience,” says Ray, noting that customers didn’t want to stand in lines or crowds, and he believes the trend is here to stay. As C-Store operations grow, technology comes into play after the independents grow to the their 3rd or 4th location.

The conversation explores a history of success between foodservice, QSR restaurants and C-Stores. WAWA was one of the first to introduce quick service into a convenience environment successfully, making their stores a destination to go to just for the food - it made others pay attention.

If you want to hear more about the growing partnerships, as well as the challenges of incorporating foodservice into C-Stores, as well as understanding the requirements of the tech that drives these new opportunities, then you won’t want to miss this episode of Accelerate.

Host Rob Grimes shares some of the Table Talk conversations that he has been a part of a recent receptions, dinners and of course early morning coffees. While many subjects are offered on the big stage at industry conferences, much of the “meat” of the top of mind subjects facing out industry, takes place in these small group and 1-on-1 conversations. Talks about the future of the hospitality industry are notoriously known to occur at private functions - mainly dinners and receptions.

To name a few, AI and ChatGPT is brought up in almost every conversation and presentation. The discussion is not just on the technology, but questions about ethics and the human factor in providing hospitality. Another key topic is disaster recovery and planning after public ransomware attacks, as well as the role of robotics in providing services and the interaction with employees and guests.

Whether it’s over a coffee, drink, meal or in the hallway, the important conversations are the follow-on ones that occur off the main stage, that tell the future of tech trends within the industry. To hear more about these tech table talks, listen to this episode of Accelerate.

The world of innovating high speed and accelerated cooking products is on fire. So what demands this innovation? What trends are we seeing? James Pool, CTO and Operations Officer of The Middleby Corporation, joins host Rob Grimes as they explore the tech-infused world of next-gen cooking equipment.

Reflecting on the innovation coming out of over 120 equipment brands within their portfolio, James Pool notes that innovation is being driven by the desire for automation. “Supply chain and labor are the 2 biggest focus areas right now. That’s where we see the ideas for our innovations coming from. The biggest questions are how do I automate my kitchen, how do I adjust how the staff does their job, and make the equipment easier to operate?”

They discuss ventless technologies, electrification of kitchens, and the shift towards robotics, while adding in a topping of digital IoT to tie it all together within the totally connected kitchen.

To hear more about the fast-paced environment of kitchen equipment and the surrounding technologies that empower your kitchen, this episode of Accelerate cooks it up for you.

COVID’s impact on advancing mobile office solutions and the technologies behind it are significant. From small businesses to schools to governments, everything needed to be done from the home office, coffee shop and other alternative locations. As the nature of the work location and workforce access was changed forever, new technology, tools and gadgets became available while old standards evolved to be useful in the new digital work world.

The new approach gave workers the tools to do everything found in a traditional office environment on their phones and mobile devices. Host Rob Grimes points out how people are now starting to question “what is a mobile office vs a personal computer?
To explore the changes and impact on the remote worked, and to discuss the various ways that new gadgets have been applied that can impact foodservice and hospitality technology offerings, this episode of Accelerate is at the center of your plate!

Joining host Rob Grimes this week is Eddie Shapiro, a home technology integrator and expert – who is on the board of the Association – CEDIA - Custom Electronics Design and Installation Association. Eddie shares with us the trends in the luxury home marketplace that also can play a role in what is available and coming for the commercial foodservice and hospitality markets.

The luxury home market has seen a shift in consumers who desire high quality technology in their home, such as intelligent lighting fixtures, audio-visual, connected bathrooms and kitchens, security and surveillance, and energy management. All these technologies come together in a Human-Centric approach, incorporating AI and requiring a deep understanding of networks, data security and integration to pull it all together. Whether bought from Home Depot, Amazon, or specialized professional grade equipment, the fusion of home and tech cannot be denied.

In establishing the connection between technology and the home, Eddie says that collaboration between vendors is essential. “The integrator of the AV technology company on a project, needs to collaborate with the builder, plumber and electrician as it is available everywhere. It’s a better project for everybody when that happens.” Moving forward, powering the numerous technologies that run at home is a focal point for those who work in the space, especially ensuring the integration of clean energy to do so. Sound familiar?

Listen to this episode of Accelerate to consider the learnings at home that can be applied to your operations and can be applied to your home as well!

Accelerate host Rob Grimes takes a look at the 6 events industry he attended just 30-days in March, and the global conversations, observations and those “ah-ha” moments he encountered during the journey.

Starting and ending in Las Vegas, with pit stops in Tel Aviv and London, it’s clear that cybercrime, artificial intelligence & location-based technologies are a focal point for the community at large, and that new innovation is coming to the forefront faster than ever before.

Rob reflects on how “location-based technologies are being embedded for Ai which also helps with custom culture language.” With data and digital technology, we are able to communicate more efficiently on a global scale.

To hear about global trends in hospitality and foodservice technology, how they are showcased, and put into action, this Accelerate episode is for you.

Today’s podcast is in memory of Dr. Pat Moreo, a leading hospitality educator - dedicated to a lifetime of service to our industry.

Joining Host Rob Grimes is Dr. Cihan Cobanoglu, Dean of the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management at the University of South Florida, and Dr. Donna Quadri-Felitti, Director of Penn State University’s School of Hospitality Management. Both schools are leading educational institutions and are ones where “Dr. Pat” served as a Dean, Faculty Member, and Mentor.

Hospitality higher education is a niche field that has evolved tremendously as the hospitality industry has become more advanced over time. Their ability to provide teach and provide research both in-person and virtually, is an integral part of the development and innovation of technology that supports students, operators and the suppliers to the industry.

Technology exists in every facet and segment of the industry from back-of-the-house to the front-of-the-house, and from reservations to guest satisfaction tracking, and reputation management. Students, as our “next generation” of industry leaders, must learn and use technology in everything they do.

To learn more about the intersection between hospitality, education, and technology and how educators play a role in adapting and infusing new technology into their programs and for the industry, listen this episode of Accelerate.