TechBytes

In this episode of the TechBytes podcast, Jeff Caplan, CIO of Hooters of America, discusses his transition from the payments technology industry to his current role, emphasizing how his background has been crucial in navigating the restaurant's digital transformation. Caplan highlights Hooters' modernization efforts, including technology upgrades and AI integration, as well as its strategic expansion into non-traditional dining outlets and a focus on enhancing customer loyalty through data-driven decisions.

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In this episode of TechBytes, host Rob Grimes interviews Don Zimmerman, the recently retired Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer of Landry's, who shares his extensive experience in the foodservice, hospitality, and retail industries. Zimmerman discusses the key technologies that have shaped the industry, the challenges of modernizing franchise organizations, and his experiences during significant mergers like Arby's and Wendy's. He also reflects on his career achievements, including the digital transformation of Wendy's, and the difficulties faced in aligning franchisees with technology mandates.

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Dive into the future of foodservice and retail technology with the latest TechBytes episode! Host Rob Grimes welcomes Courtney Radke, VP of Innovation at SageNet, for a fascinating discussion on the evolving world of managed network services. 
 
In this Spotlight, Courtney shares insights from his extensive career in restaurant technology, cybersecurity, and infrastructure. Now at SageNet, he's focused on building solutions that address real customer needs with an outcome-based approach. 

Key topics discussed include:

• The growing bandwidth and security demands of AI-powered voice ordering and other emerging technologies
• Why rushing to implement new systems can compromise security and efficiency
• The importance of viewing network connectivity as a foundational element, not just legacy infrastructure
• How IoT and connected devices are transforming restaurant operations
• And more…

 
Courtney offers valuable insights on future-proofing technology investments while balancing innovation, cost, and risk. He emphasizes the need for a measured approach to adopting new technologies, learning from past industry experiences. 
 
Whether you're a restaurant operator, tech provider, or simply interested in the future of dining and retail, this TechBytes episode offers valuable insights into the technology foundations shaping tomorrow's customer experiences. Don't miss this engaging discussion between two industry veterans as they explore the cutting edge of industry technology.

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This podcast episode features Martine Reardon, CMO and EVP of Content and Retail Strategy for the National Retail Federation, discussing the evolving retail industry. Reardon shares insights from her experience, including her role as Macy's CMO, highlighting the importance of integrating traditional and digital marketing channels. She emphasizes the need for collaboration between CMOs, CTOs, and CDOs in driving e-commerce growth and adapting to a digital-first environment. Reardon predicts advancements in personalization through AI and robotics but stresses the irreplaceable value of human empathy in customer experiences. The episode also touches on NRF's efforts in tracking consumer trends and showcasing global innovations, offering valuable perspectives on future-proofing retail strategies in an omnichannel world.








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This TechBytes podcast episode features Christopher Thomas-Moore, Domino's Chief Digital Officer, discussing the intersection of retail and food service industries through data-driven innovation. Thomas-Moore explores global technology scaling, AI's potential in restaurants, and the importance of balancing automation with human relationships. He shares insights on industry trends, challenges like voice adoption, and the benefits of personalization across sectors. The conversation, which took place at NRF-Asia in Singapore, offers valuable perspectives on navigating digital transformation while considering regional preferences and maintaining human connections. This episode provides strategic insights for professionals in retail, food service, and other industries undergoing digital evolution.

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This TechBytes podcast episode features Asif Khan, CEO of the Location Based Marketing Association, discussing the impact of location data and proximity marketing across various industries. The conversation covers topics such as geospatial insights, personalized customer experiences, and recent technological developments like facial detection. While exploring innovative strategies in retail, tourism, and transportation, the discussion also addresses important concerns about data privacy and consumer trust. The episode highlights how different sectors are leveraging location data to create seamless, personalized experiences, including examples from airlines, airports, and retailers like Walmart experimenting with virtual storefronts and metaverse experiences.







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In this week’s TechBytes Spotlight, host Rob Grimes sits down with Drew Holst, Vice President of Sales & Marketing, about Powerhouse Dynamics and their Open Kitchen platform. Connected kitchens and digital integrations are becoming more important to business operations - from reducing utility costs to optimizing equipment usage, these connections allow owners to remotely monitor and manage their operations more effectively. Drew also discussed how AI and automation will further advance connected kitchens in the future. Automation in the kitchen is the wave of the future and you don’t want to miss out. Tune into this week’s episode and learn how to get yourself better connected to the data coming out of your kitchen.

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In this final episode recorded on the floor at the 2024 National Restaurant Association Show TechBytes host Rob Grimes is joined by Kelly Esten, Head of Marketing & Partnerships at Toast. The pair discuss their experience walking the show, Kelly’s perspective on various partnerships and the technology ecosystem at large.
 
Beginning with their show observations, the topics of robotics, AI and data are top of mind. When thinking of the future, data sharing is a key focus for Toast, who has over 200 application partners. “When you think of AI, data is the foundation… and POS can be that hub of data for the broader partner ecosystem” mentions Kelly. She cautions however, that data is not the full picture. Having a pulse on the industry also means having conversations to bring context to the data at hand.
 
The conversation shifts in the second half of the episode where Kelly and Rob talk about the future of the industry. Looking to the future of technology within the restaurant industry, it’s important to be able recognize shifts that are happening in real time - aka automation and AI. Toast credits much of its success during the last 10 years to taking advantage of mobile, and applying technology to make restaurant staff job’s easier.

 
Enjoy this episode of TechBytes and gain insights on how to create successful tech partnerships, using and sharing data, and enabling the exciting technology exhibited at the 2024 National Restaurant Association Show.

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Unveiling the true potential of restaurant technology requires a blend of data analysis, research, accounting, and, most importantly, an understanding of the subject matter. From the floor of the 2024 National Restaurant Show, Rob is joined by Chief Information Officer Kevin Steele & Senior Vice President, Research & Knowledge Group, Hudson Riehle of the National Restaurant Association - two experts and perspectives from the association representing our industry.

The trio start their conversation about the state of technology in the restaurant industry. According to an Restaurant Association survey, labor recruitment continues to be the biggest challenge for operators. And on the back of COVID, this continues to propel the use of technology at restaurants. Because technology is still so young in the industry, it’s imperative to for operators to understand what they are purchasing from technology providers - and be able to challenge those suppliers to making sure customer data, for example, Is safe.

At the National Restaurant Show, technology is omnipresent. Where 15 years ago a Technology Pavilion did not exist, now tech can be found throughout the entire show and sessions. As it relates to technology, Kevin mentions the Association is focused on education, bringing practitioners together to find a mutual understanding, and finding solutions for the industry with growing challenges and threats requiring a focus on cybersecurity.

Tune in to this captivating episode of TechBytes, recorded live at the National Restaurant Show 2024, to gain insights into the pivotal role of operators in comprehending technology and to discover the Restaurant Association’s initiatives aimed at facilitating this understanding.

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In this special edition of TechBytes, 4 industry experts invited by the National Restaurant Association Show, sit down tor a conversation with Rob Grimes at the IFBTA’s TechDesk.  Representing an association, an operator, and a technology supplier, each guest shares their thoughts on technology from varying points of view.

The episode kicks off with Kelly Esten, Head of Marketing & Partnerships at Toast, and Kim DeCarolis, SVP of Strategic Growth with Craveworthy Brands who offer the supplier and operator perspective. The conversation concludes with a sneak peek of next week’s episode with the National Restaurant Association’s Hudson Riehle, SVP Research & Knowledge and Kevin Steele, Chief Information Officer.

This year’s show was attended by more than 58,000 foodservice professionals from 124 countries, and boasted over 2,200 exhibitors, with 34% being first-time participants.  Tune in to hear our guests weigh in on their observations of technology featured at the show, their views on current challenges operators face, and how technology impacts the industry and helps to address these challenges.

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