In this episode of The QSR Experience Show, Scott Snyder, CEO of Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii, shares his insights on brand differentiation in the competitive coffee industry. He discusses the importance of understanding a brand's unique "ownable truth" and how leading with aloha can enhance customer experiences. 

Scott emphasizes the significance of strong communication and effective onboarding processes for franchisees to ensure consistency across locations. He also offers valuable strategies for fostering brand loyalty and creating memorable interactions with customers. 

Topics discussed:

• The importance of identifying a brand's unique and ownable truth to stand out in the competitive coffee market.

In this episode of The QSR Experience Show, Ken Rice, COO of Pickleman's Franchising, shares his insights into effective growth strategies, including replicable systems and thorough market research for expansion. Ken emphasizes the importance of building a strong culture through effective communication between franchisees and franchisors, for example “Pickle Time,” which is a monthly hour-long session for franchisees to meet with the franchisors and other corporate leaders to discuss their concerns. 

He also discusses how Pickleman's leverages AI and technology to enhance guest experiences while maintaining the human touch, as well as looking at customer trends such as wanting healthy options to better meet their needs.

Topics discussed:

• The importance of fostering a strong culture through effective communication between franchisees and franchisors.

In this special episode of The QSR Experience Show at the National Restaurant Association Show, Michael Chachula, CIO & CTO of FAT Brands, Inc., discusses the intersection of technology and customer feedback. Michael talks about the importance of making strategic technology decisions that align with business goals, ensuring tech investments drive real value. 

He also emphasizes the critical role of integrating customer feedback into technological deployments, allowing businesses to stay attuned to consumer needs. Michael also touches on innovative approaches to designing loyalty programs, moving beyond traditional discounts to offer personalized and engaging rewards that feel more like a game to customers. 

Topics discussed:

• The importance of aligning tech choices with business goals to ensure investments drive tangible value and operational efficiency.

In this special episode of The QSR Experience Show at the National Restaurant Association Show, Bobby has a quick but insightful chat with Megan Cupples, Partner Success Manager at Soundtrack Your Brand, exploring the critical role of music in enhancing commercial spaces. Megan discusses the importance of using licensed music to ensure artists receive their deserved royalties and to keep businesses compliant with legal standards. 

She also introduces the exciting new feature of AI-generated playlists, which allows businesses to create customized playlists based on a few words or sentences. Megan highlights the importance of creating a multi-sensory experience for customers, integrating what they see, hear, and even smell to build a cohesive brand atmosphere. 

Topics discussed:

• The importance of integrating music into business environments to enhance customer experience and brand atmosphere.

In this special episode of The QSR Experience Show at the National Restaurant Association Show, Bobby chats with Amy Chaffin, VP of Foodservice & On Premise Channel Strategy and Planning for The Coca Cola Company. Amy shares her expertise on the importance of creating personalized dining experiences to meet consumer demands, such as creating specialty drinks for events like concerts. 

She also discusses how integrating technology can streamline restaurant operations and enhance customer engagement. Amy also emphasizes the crucial role of employee engagement and training in improving service quality and boosting retention. She shares her advice to restaurant operators looking to stay on trend and grow their business. 

Topics discussed:

• The importance of offering unique and customized dining options to cater to the diverse preferences of modern consumers.

In this special episode of The QSR Experience Show at the National Restaurant Association Show, Jason Mceachern, CIO at Big Chicken, explores the intersection of technology and hospitality. Jason shares insights into the brand ethos of Big Chicken, highlighting the core values that drive customer loyalty and success. He also discusses how technology is leveraged to enhance both guest and franchisee experiences, ensuring seamless operations and satisfaction. 

Jason also emphasizes the importance of actively listening to customer feedback and incorporating it into the technology roadmap for continuous improvement. 

Topics discussed:

• How core values and missions drive a company’s success and customer loyalty.

In this special episode of The QSR Experience Show at the National Restaurant Association Show, we chatted with Erin Newkirk, Chief Brand & Marketing Officer at Caribou Coffee. Erin shares insights on the importance of personalization in marketing, emphasizing the need to tailor efforts across various channels like TikTok and Instagram. 

Erin also discusses the critical role of integrating customer feedback through social listening and location-based insights to enhance the customer experience. She also highlights some of Caribou Coffee's innovative campaigns, including a creative TikTok dating show aimed at engaging Gen Z audiences. 

Topics discussed:

• Tailoring marketing efforts to different channels like TikTok and Instagram to meet guests where they are.

In this special episode of The QSR Experience Show at the National Restaurant Association Show, Bobby speaks with Ming-Tai Huh, Head of Food & Beverage at Square and Partner at Cambridge Street Hospitality Group. Ming-Tai shares his journey to becoming a leader at Square and his passion for community involvement. 

He dives into how Square's technology is revolutionizing the food and beverage industry by streamlining operations and enhancing decision-making. Ming also offers invaluable advice for aspiring restaurateurs, including the importance of leveraging AI and knowing the right time to expand. 

Topics discussed:

• Insights on how Square's technology helps streamline operations and enhance decision-making in the food and beverage industry.

In this episode of The QSR Experience Show, Mike LaRue, Vice President of Franchise Development at Angry Chickz, shares his extensive experience in franchise development, in particular the ins and outs of when to start franchising and when to continue to expand. He emphasizes the importance of selecting the right partners and the lessons learned from emerging brands. 

Mike also discusses the critical role of maintaining personal guest interactions to stand out in the competitive QSR industry that is leaning into technology more heavily every day. Additionally, Mike offers insights into the future landscape of quick service restaurants, highlighting the balance between technology integration and preserving the guest experience. 

Topics discussed:

• The importance of selecting the right partners and reaching multiple locations before considering franchising.

In this episode of The QSR Experience Show, Rob Swain, Global Chief Operations Officer at KFC, shares insights from his rich background in the restaurant industry. Rob discusses the challenges and importance of scaling operations, focusing on both guest and team member satisfaction. 

Rob also talks about leveraging technology for improved customer experiences, integration of employee feedback into brand strategies, and the future of the restaurant industry. He emphasizes the value of actionable insights and the significance of surrounding oneself with a talented team.

Topics discussed:

• The scale of KFC's operations, spanning 150 countries with over 30,000 locations and a million employees.