Hey everyone! I'm excited to announce the latest episode of the Tech On Toast podcast, where we dive deep into the world of logistics and delivery with Patrick Eve, the Head of UK at Nash. If you’re in the hospitality or retail sectors, this episode is a must-listen! Here are three key takeaways that stood out to me:

Hey everyone! I'm excited to announce the latest episode of the Tech On Toast podcast, where I had the pleasure of chatting with Jules Smith, co-founder of Blend. If you’re in the hospitality industry or just interested in innovative training solutions, this episode is a must-listen! Here are three key takeaways that really stood out to me:

Welcome to Season 10 of the Tech On Toast podcast, brought to you by OpenTable! In this episode, we dive deep into the world of hospitality tech with the Orderpay team. Join us as we explore how OrderPay is revolutionising the dining experience by streamlining order and payment processes for restaurants.

In this festive episode of the Tech on Toast Podcast, we sit down with Ed Christmas, Managing Director at Bums on Seats, to unwrap the secrets behind successful sales strategies in hospitality.

From maximising Christmas bookings to addressing year-round operational inefficiencies, Ed shares his invaluable insights and top tips to help operators thrive in the competitive hospitality landscape.

💡 What to Expect:

• The evolution of office culture and its impact on sales dynamics.

• Success stories from large pub groups and strategies to plug those “leaking bucket” inefficiencies.

• Seasonal sales strategies: Starting Christmas marketing early, elongating the festive season, and leveraging occasion-led bookings.

• A closer look at the Holy Trinity of Operations—integrating sales, marketing, and systems for seamless customer experiences.

• How pre-booking metrics and tech adoption are transforming the industry.

• Ed’s innovative approach to revolutionising sales processes and boosting profitability.

🎄 Whether you’re navigating the hustle of Christmas or planning your growth strategy for the new year, this episode is packed with actionable insights.

Tune in now for Ed’s expert advice on creating memorable customer experiences, driving revenue, and optimising your hospitality operations—no matter the season.

👉 Listen to the episode today!

In this episode of the Tech on Toast podcast, we’re thrilled to spotlight two inspiring female founders, Alana Brailsford and Eve Williamson, from Served. These trailblazers are not just building technology; they’re addressing a critical challenge in the restaurant industry: supporting individuals with food allergies and dietary restrictions. Their mission? To make dining out safe, inclusive, and enjoyable for everyone.

Join us as we explore their journey, their passion for community-driven change, and the barriers they’re breaking as female founders in the tech space. This episode is packed with insights for restaurateurs, tech enthusiasts, and anyone interested in creating more inclusive dining experiences.

Key Takeaways

1️⃣ The Importance of Inclusivity in Dining:

Alana and Eve share their personal experiences with food allergies and how Served is helping restaurants create a safe and welcoming environment for diners with dietary restrictions. Their goal? To eliminate fear and anxiety from dining out, making inclusivity a priority in the food industry.

2️⃣ The Power of Community and Relationships:

Building trust and fostering transparency about allergens is at the heart of Served’s mission. By forming meaningful partnerships with restaurants, Alana and Eve aim to empower the hospitality sector while creating loyal customer bases that value safety and inclusivity.

3️⃣ Female Founders Breaking Barriers:

Alana and Eve discuss their experiences navigating the challenges of being female founders in a male-dominated industry, from funding disparities to breaking stereotypes. Their determination is an inspiring call to action for supporting women in tech and entrepreneurship.

Why You Should Listen

• For Restaurateurs: Gain insights into how supporting allergy-inclusive practices can boost customer loyalty and enhance the dining experience.

• For Tech Enthusiasts: Explore the innovation behind Served and its impact on food safety and restaurant operations.

• For Advocates of Change: Be inspired by Alana and Eve’s passion, resilience, and commitment to making dining safer for everyone.

Let us know your thoughts, and join the conversation to support a future where dining is safe, inclusive, and enjoyable for all!

#TechOnToast #FoodTech #FemaleFounders #InclusivityInDining #Startups #HospitalityTech #AllergyAwareness #Podcast

I'm thrilled to announce the latest episode of the Tech On Toast podcast, where I had the pleasure of chatting with my old friend, John Horsfield, Chief Revenue Officer at Centegra. We delved into the fascinating world of restaurant technology, customer service, and the evolving landscape of the hospitality industry. Here are three key takeaways from our conversation that I believe will resonate with many of you:

This months bonus episode was recored LIVE at the Hostech event hosted by MCA.

How can tech empower customers and operators, across all hospitality touchpoints? In this wide-ranging panel discussion, sector CTO's and operator specialists discuss their vision of future progress, from the evolution of loyalty and rewards, to ordering and payments, to robotics and AI.

Panellists:

During the chat we discussed the following....

Delivery Management

Streamlined Operations: David Rose from Papa John's emphasized the importance of simplifying kitchen operations by integrating various online channels and managing driver logistics. By partnering with technology providers like Deliverect, they have reduced the complexity of handling multiple delivery platforms. This integration allows kitchen staff to concentrate on food preparation rather than juggling different order systems.

Flexible Delivery Models: The ability to switch between in-house drivers and third-party delivery services based on demand is another significant advantage. This flexibility not only optimizes operational efficiency but also ensures that customer orders are fulfilled promptly, enhancing the overall customer experience. As David mentioned, this adaptability allows stores to manage costs effectively while maintaining high service standards.

Accurate Order Fulfillment: Rory Scanlan from Five Guys highlighted the importance of integrating delivery partners to ensure that preparation and wait times are as accurate as possible. This accuracy not only improves online profiles and algorithm rankings but also enhances the in-store experience by reducing the time couriers spend waiting for orders. Consequently, staff can dedicate more time to serving in-store customers, thereby improving service quality.

Simplified Payment Experience: Nick Fryer from Dojo discussed the goal of making payments "invisible" to customers. By providing a seamless payment experience—whether through QR codes or other methods—the focus shifts back to the dining experience rather than the transaction itself. This simplification reduces the administrative burden on staff, allowing them to engage more with customers.

Reduced Administrative Tasks: The elimination of cumbersome processes, such as the traditional Zed report and the need to keep physical receipts, further streamlines operations. By minimizing back-office administration, staff can spend more time on the floor, enhancing customer interactions and service quality.

Data-Driven Insights: The integration of payment processing technology also allows for better data collection and analysis. This data can inform operational decisions, helping managers optimize staffing and inventory based on real-time insights. As Rob O'Byrne from Nori pointed out, using technology to guide decision-making can free up time for general managers to focus on delivering exceptional customer experiences rather than getting lost in spreadsheets and data modeling.

Welcome to Season 10 of the Tech On Toast podcast, brought to you by OpenTable! In this episode, we dive into the world of restaurant technology and employee experience with our special guests, Tommy, Head of Restaurant Systems at Honest Burgers, and Matt Grimshaw, Founder of youda.

Join us as we explore the challenges faced by the hospitality industry, particularly around employee communication and operational efficiency. Tommy shares insights from his experience running restaurants, while Matt discusses how AI can transform employee experiences by automating administrative tasks and providing personalized support.

We also touch on the importance of integrating technology in the restaurant sector, the differences between AI and automation, and the future of AI applications in hospitality. Whether you're a restaurant owner, a tech enthusiast, or simply curious about the intersection of technology and hospitality, this episode is packed with valuable insights!

Topics Covered:

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Enjoy the show!

In this episode, I had the pleasure of chatting with Oli, the Head of People and Engagement at Pizza Pilgrims. We delved into the world of innovative HR practices and the impact of technology on employee engagement. Here are three key takeaways from our conversation:

I'm excited to share the latest Tech On Toast episode, where I had the absolute pleasure of chatting with Tom James, Managing Director of Bills. We dove into his incredible journey in the hospitality industry, from pulling pints as a bartender to leading a beloved restaurant brand. Here are three key takeaways from our conversation that are gold for anyone in hospitality: