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In this festive episode, Carl and Meredith explore five transformative trends in the restaurant industry as we wrap up 2024. They kick things off by discussing how personalization is finally becoming a reality for big brands like McDonald’s and Yum! Brands, leveraging data to craft tailored offers for customers. The conversation then moves to the latest Toast Trend Report, revealing intriguing shifts in dining habits, such as the growing popularity of early-week and same-day reservations, reshaping how restaurants plan and operate.

The discussion continues with DoorDash's proactive efforts to tackle fake Dasher accounts, a move with wide-ranging implications for delivery costs and gig economy efficiency. They also highlight Fresho, an Australian startup revolutionizing the wholesale food supply chain with a $17M funding boost. Finally, the hosts examine how smart technology is integrating with restaurant operations, from POS-connected kitchen equipment to predictive maintenance tools. This episode is packed with insights into how innovation is driving change across the industry.

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In this episode of The Digital Restaurant, Carl and Meredith dive into the hottest topics shaping the future of the restaurant industry. From Touch Bistro’s bold 2025 State of Restaurants Report to the resurgence of ghost kitchens, the conversation explores how technology and innovation are redefining dining trends. The duo breaks down why AI adoption is critical for restaurants of all sizes and examines the latest advancements in electric kitchen technology, including the intriguing concept of battery-powered stoves. Wrapping up the episode, they explore how Google Maps’ AI-driven enhancements are revolutionizing restaurant discovery and customer engagement.

Packed with insights and actionable takeaways, this discussion is a must-watch for restaurant operators, tech enthusiasts, and anyone curious about the future of dining. Don’t forget to share your thoughts in the comments—whether it’s about ghost kitchens, AI tools, or your views on the electrification of kitchens. Subscribe for more episodes packed with expert insights, and check out the links in the description to dive deeper into the topics discussed!

Timestamp:
0:00 Introduction
02:00 Touch Bistro Restaurants 2025
09:00 Will Ghost Kitchens Make a Comeback? Or Evolove into Software?
12:00 Are Restaurants Ready to Lead with AI?
19:00 Should your next stove have a battery?
22:00 Google Shatters Expectations for Restaurant Discovery
26:00 Closing remarks

Articles mentioned:
1. Touch Bistro Restaurants 2025 https://bit.ly/3LGeVWs

2. Will Ghost Kitchens Make a Comeback? Or Evolve into Software https://bit.ly/3FwLn42
UrbanPiper Aims 10x Growth in US Market: https://bit.ly/3YjvGV8

3. Are Restaurants Ready to Lead with AI?https://bit.ly/3Fa7kbW
How Yum Brands Serves Up Digital Innovation: https://bit.ly/3LY8bpK
Even Mom-and-Pops Are Investing in Artificial Intelligence: https://bit.ly/3YGoeOf

4. Should Your Next Stove Have a Battery? https://bit.ly/3M7s3O2

5. Google Maps Will Use AI to Answer Questions About New Restaurants: https://bit.ly/3M75Qpd

Support the show

🔔 Subscribe to The Digital Restaurant Podcast and follow us on YouTube for more episodes that combine the love of food with the latest in technology. Your next restaurant tech adventure starts here!

📖 Get your copy of the Delivering the Digital Restaurant books at www.theDigital.Restaurant

🎤 Have Carl or Meredith come and speak at your company conference! Learn more at www.theDigital.Restaurant

🎙️📰Please subscribe to our newsletter and connect with Carl & Meredith's Delivering the Digital Restaurant page on LinkedIn for their twice-a-month newsletter.

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In this episode of the Digital Restaurant Podcast, we dive into several key industry trends and developments. We discuss Wonder's surprising acquisition of Grubhub at a steep 91% discount, exploring how this deal could bolster Wonder's vision of a "super app" for mealtime. The conversation shifts to the growing impact of Ozempic on the restaurant industry, with discussions around how reduced appetites might affect dining behaviors and prompt restaurants to rethink menu offerings. We also tackle the challenges CFOs face in financing restaurant tech, as the industry grapples with the high costs and benefits of tech investments. We touch on the rising trend of self-ordering kiosks, exemplified by chains like Bojangles and Shake Shack, and the potential for loyalty integration. Finally, we explore Serve's acquisition of Vebu, marking a potential shift toward a consolidation of automation technologies in the restaurant space

Timestamp:
00:01:14 Wondering why Wonder grabbed Grubhub?
00:05:44 What does Ozempic mean for restaurants?
00:09:4 RFDC Highlights: Financing Technology
00:13:52 More evidence to show that kiosks were the tech to have in 2024
00:17:03 Serve Buys Autocado

Articles mentioned in the video:
Wonder Grabbing Grubhub
Wonder Acquiring Grubhub - Restaurant Business Online
https://bit.ly/3sbsD4f

Wonder Buys Grubhub for a Stunning Discount - IB Times
https://bit.ly/45n1q6h

Wonder Grabs Grubhub: WSJ
https://bit.ly/45n57X4
-
What Ozempic Means for Restaurants
Ozempic's Impact on Restaurants - Franchise Times
https://bit.ly/45n0SoI
-
Financing Technology in Restaurants
Restaurant CFOs Embrace Technology - Franchise Times
https://bit.ly/45lFy6I
-
Kiosks as a Key Tech Trend in 2024
Bojangles and Grubbrr Installing Kiosks - Restaurant Dive
https://bit.ly/45mf9l4
-
Serve Robotics Buys Vebu (Autocado)
Serve Robotics Buys Vebu - Restaurant Dive
https://bit.ly/45n5aM2

Support the show

🔔 Subscribe to The Digital Restaurant Podcast and follow us on YouTube for more episodes that combine the love of food with the latest in technology. Your next restaurant tech adventure starts here!

📖 Get your copy of the Delivering the Digital Restaurant books at www.theDigital.Restaurant

🎤 Have Carl or Meredith come and speak at your company conference! Learn more at www.theDigital.Restaurant

🎙️📰Please subscribe to our newsletter and connect with Carl & Meredith's Delivering the Digital Restaurant page on LinkedIn for their twice-a-month newsletter.

Send us a text

Support the show

🔔 Subscribe to The Digital Restaurant Podcast and follow us on YouTube for more episodes that combine the love of food with the latest in technology. Your next restaurant tech adventure starts here!

📖 Get your copy of the Delivering the Digital Restaurant books at www.theDigital.Restaurant

🎤 Have Carl or Meredith come and speak at your company conference! Learn more at www.theDigital.Restaurant

🎙️📰Please subscribe to our newsletter and connect with Carl & Meredith's Delivering the Digital Restaurant page on LinkedIn for their twice-a-month newsletter.

Send us a text

Articles mentioned in the video:

1. DoorDash and Toast are quietly becoming Shopify
2. Related Article: DoorDash Debuts Commerce Platform, Mobile App Support for Merchants
   
   
3. Instacart is likewise wrapping around its B&M clients
   Related Articles: Instacart focuses on diversifying tech, brand partners to fuel growth
   Instacart adds games, personalized coupons to its smart carts

4. Supply chain AI supporting Wendy's & Chipotle
Related Article: Supply chain AI supporting Wendy's
5. Lists - finally!

Support the show

🔔 Subscribe to The Digital Restaurant Podcast and follow us on YouTube for more episodes that combine the love of food with the latest in technology. Your next restaurant tech adventure starts here!

📖 Get your copy of the Delivering the Digital Restaurant books at www.theDigital.Restaurant

🎤 Have Carl or Meredith come and speak at your company conference! Learn more at www.theDigital.Restaurant

🎙️📰Please subscribe to our newsletter and connect with Carl & Meredith's Delivering the Digital Restaurant page on LinkedIn for their twice-a-month newsletter.

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Is drone delivery the future of dining convenience, or simply a fleeting trend? Let's unveil the groundbreaking partnership between Serve's robot delivery and Wing's drone technology, poised to revolutionize how food finds its way to your doorstep. By synergizing Serve's short-distance, heavy-load capabilities with Wing's high-speed, long-distance prowess, we explore a new era of delivery efficiency that could breathe new life into ghost kitchens. Yet, as with any innovation, we're faced with the complexities and logistical hurdles inherent in this dynamic ecosystem.

On another front, the ever-pertinent issue of data privacy in restaurant delivery takes center stage. Recent legal developments in New York City have stirred the pot for platforms like DoorDash and Grubhub, putting the spotlight on the disparities in data access between large restaurant groups and independent operators. We'll discuss innovative approaches to data sharing that aim to balance consumer privacy with business growth. Meanwhile, Thanks and Attentive's collaboration offers a masterclass in leveraging SMS marketing to foster customer loyalty, exemplified by Babacus's impressive results. As the digital dining landscape evolves, we invite you to reimagine your dining experiences through the lens of technology and data.

Support the show

🔔 Subscribe to The Digital Restaurant Podcast and follow us on YouTube for more episodes that combine the love of food with the latest in technology. Your next restaurant tech adventure starts here!

📖 Get your copy of the Delivering the Digital Restaurant books at www.theDigital.Restaurant

🎤 Have Carl or Meredith come and speak at your company conference! Learn more at www.theDigital.Restaurant

🎙️📰Please subscribe to our newsletter and connect with Carl & Meredith's Delivering the Digital Restaurant page on LinkedIn for their twice-a-month newsletter.

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What if your food delivery arrived late 98% of the time? Join us as we explore staggering statistics from InTouch Insights on the current state of the digital restaurant landscape. Meredith and Carl reveal why younger consumers under 45 are setting the trend in delivery orders and discuss the intricate challenges of ensuring on-time deliveries—only 2% hit the mark! We dissect the complications of batching orders, delve into the importance of accurate delivery estimates, and uncover Pepsi's creative strategies to drive pizza sales on DoorDash. Plus, find out how AI could be the game-changer for "lazy yet smart" workers looking to excel in this fast-paced industry.

Switching gears, we dive into the transformative power of AI within business and technology. Learn why hiring smart, efficient workers who can harness AI is critical, and discover the potential of AI agents to replace traditional apps, paving the way for personal digital assistants. We offer actionable insights on integrating AI into your decision-making processes, highlighting tasks ripe for automation and those best handled through human-machine collaboration. Finally, hear from Joe Park, CTO at Yum, about balancing tech investments with human interaction in hospitality, and get the scoop on Olive Garden's strategic move to partner with Uber Eats, all in response to evolving consumer demands.

Support the show

🔔 Subscribe to The Digital Restaurant Podcast and follow us on YouTube for more episodes that combine the love of food with the latest in technology. Your next restaurant tech adventure starts here!

📖 Get your copy of the Delivering the Digital Restaurant books at www.theDigital.Restaurant

🎤 Have Carl or Meredith come and speak at your company conference! Learn more at www.theDigital.Restaurant

🎙️📰Please subscribe to our newsletter and connect with Carl & Meredith's Delivering the Digital Restaurant page on LinkedIn for their twice-a-month newsletter.

Send us a text

Support the show

🔔 Subscribe to The Digital Restaurant Podcast and follow us on YouTube for more episodes that combine the love of food with the latest in technology. Your next restaurant tech adventure starts here!

📖 Get your copy of the Delivering the Digital Restaurant books at www.theDigital.Restaurant

🎤 Have Carl or Meredith come and speak at your company conference! Learn more at www.theDigital.Restaurant

🎙️📰Please subscribe to our newsletter and connect with Carl & Meredith's Delivering the Digital Restaurant page on LinkedIn for their twice-a-month newsletter.

Send us a text

Support the show

🔔 Subscribe to The Digital Restaurant Podcast and follow us on YouTube for more episodes that combine the love of food with the latest in technology. Your next restaurant tech adventure starts here!

📖 Get your copy of the Delivering the Digital Restaurant books at www.theDigital.Restaurant

🎤 Have Carl or Meredith come and speak at your company conference! Learn more at www.theDigital.Restaurant

🎙️📰Please subscribe to our newsletter and connect with Carl & Meredith's Delivering the Digital Restaurant page on LinkedIn for their twice-a-month newsletter.

Send us a text

Can technology enhance your dining experience, or is it slowly eroding the personal touch that makes dining special? Join us as we dissect Pete Wells' provocative retirement essay and engage in a lively debate between Meredith and Carl on whether technological innovations like kiosks and mobile ordering are a blessing or a curse for the hospitality and restaurant industry. While Wells laments the loss of personal interaction, Meredith counters with compelling arguments on the efficiency and satisfaction that technology brings to fast food and casual dining. Drawing insights from our book "Delivering the Digital Restaurant," we delve into the generational shift towards digital preferences and how modern diners are redefining the dining landscape.

Beyond the dining room, we delve into the financial dynamics between restaurants and delivery platforms like DoorDash and Uber. Learn how restaurants might be inadvertently funding these platforms through merchant-funded promotions and the broader implications of this trend. We also explore the groundbreaking potential of reinforcement learning in AI, revealing how it can elevate customer experiences, streamline operations, and drive future growth. Amidst mixed economic forecasts, there's a tech-driven transformation underway in the restaurant sector—tune in to discover how these advancements are reshaping your dining experience and the industry as a whole.

Support the show

🔔 Subscribe to The Digital Restaurant Podcast and follow us on YouTube for more episodes that combine the love of food with the latest in technology. Your next restaurant tech adventure starts here!

📖 Get your copy of the Delivering the Digital Restaurant books at www.theDigital.Restaurant

🎤 Have Carl or Meredith come and speak at your company conference! Learn more at www.theDigital.Restaurant

🎙️📰Please subscribe to our newsletter and connect with Carl & Meredith's Delivering the Digital Restaurant page on LinkedIn for their twice-a-month newsletter.