The Restaurant Technology Guys Podcast brought to you by Custom Business Solutions

In this episode of the Restaurant Technology Guys podcast, the hosts welcome back Meredith Sandland, CEO of Empower Delivery. Meredith offers insights into the evolution of restaurant technology and the importance of efficient delivery systems. She discusses how her company, Empower Delivery, spun out from ClusterTruck, aims to streamline the delivery process for restaurants by offering an end-to-end order fulfillment system. The conversation delves into the challenges of third-party delivery services, the importance of first-party delivery to control guest experiences, and the concept of using gig workers as in-house delivery drivers. Meredith also shares her perspectives on the current state of delivery services and how restaurants can adapt to changing consumer behaviors and rising costs.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction
00:26 Meeting Through the Book
01:30 Empower Delivery and ClusterTruck
04:52 First Party vs Third Party Delivery
06:47 Challenges and Solutions in Delivery
11:48 Current State of Delivery
18:34 Reflecting on Purposeful Actions
18:55 Three Types of Restaurants and Delivery Strategies
22:11 Challenges and Solutions in Delivery
25:05 The Role of Technology in Delivery Management
29:32 Consulting and Onboarding for Restaurants
33:57 Getting in Touch and Final Thoughts

Harnessing AI for Restaurant Reputation Management with Akira's Co-Founder

In this episode of the Restaurant Technology Guys podcast, the hosts sit down with Shereen, co-founder of Akira, to discuss the importance of online reputation management for restaurants. They delve into how Akira uses AI to streamline reputation efforts, manage online reviews, and deliver actionable insights to improve customer experience and branding. Shereen shares the origins of Akira and highlights the significance of consistency in customer feedback and online listings. The discussion also covers the challenges of managing reviews from third-party delivery platforms and the impact of reputation scores on revenue.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction
00:28 Meeting Through the Podcast
01:17 What is Akira?
01:30 Importance of Online Reputation
04:28 Origin Story of Akira
06:17 Challenges in Reputation Management
12:47 Consumer Behavior and Review Sites
20:13 The Importance of Accurate Information
20:27 Consistency in Business Listings
21:55 Managing Third-Party Marketplaces
22:32 Handling Reviews and Feedback
25:40 Guest Recovery Strategies
30:37 Consistency and Reputation Management
34:36 The Impact of Ratings on Revenue
38:00 Getting Started with Akira

In this episode of the Restaurant Technology Guys Podcast, the hosts welcome Chad and Lauren Coulter, co-founders of Biscuit Belly. They share their journey from being pharmacists to becoming successful restaurateurs, developing their biscuit-centered restaurant brand. The Coulters discuss their strategic branding efforts, the challenges and adaptations brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, and their expansion plans. They also reflect on the importance of maintaining a unique dining experience, both on-premise and off-premise, while highlighting their focus on building a strong, community-centered brand. Listeners gain insights into the operational intricacies of franchising and the duo's vision for future growth.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome
00:27 Meet Chad and Lauren Coulter
02:30 The Origin of Biscuit Belly
17:02 Navigating the Pandemic
22:15 Biscuit Belly's Menu and Experience
24:42 Expansion and Franchising
30:25 Conclusion and Contact Information

In this episode, the host welcomes Casey Cooley, President of Pivotal Growth Partners and Director of Franchising and Development for Jeremiah’s Italian Ice. Casey discusses his role in helping emerging restaurant franchises grow by focusing on recruiting the right franchisees and selecting the optimal locations. He emphasizes the importance of a phased vetting process to determine if a brand is franchisable and the need for a comprehensive support system. Casey also highlights how different franchising models, technology, and location strategies impact the success of franchise brands. Additionally, he shares success stories from Vicious Biscuit and Jeremiah’s Italian Ice, providing valuable insights for both potential franchisors and franchisees.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome
00:14 Meet Casey Cooley: Background and Role
01:24 Franchising Process and Vetting
03:31 Challenges and Mistakes in Franchising
06:29 Franchisee Accountability and Success
11:20 Technology and Location Strategy
18:01 Expanding Beyond Core Markets
25:31 Success Stories and Emerging Brands
33:09 Conclusion and Contact Information

In this episode of the Restaurant Technology Guys Podcast, the host interviews Ashley McNamara, VP of Marketing at Apex Order Pickup Solutions. They discuss the efficiency and security of Apex's automated locker systems designed for restaurant order pick-ups. Ashley explains how these lockers streamline the order retrieval process, improve data visibility, and enhance customer and staff experiences. Topics include the comparison with traditional shelves, the role of geo-fencing, and the impact of integrated digital ordering systems. They also touch upon the benefits for third-party delivery drivers and the flexibility of the locker system in various restaurant settings.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
00:10 Meet Ashley from Apex
00:34 Apex Order Pickup Solutions Overview
01:24 Challenges with Traditional Pickup Methods
02:50 Automated Locker Solutions
03:47 Sponsor Message
04:12 Enhancing Customer Experience with Technology
05:55 Food Quality and Safety
08:36 Smart Solutions and Geofencing
15:56 Handling Large Orders and Special Cases
18:37 Third-Party Delivery Integration
21:13 Implementation and Space Requirements
25:53 Integration with Existing Systems
30:24 Conclusion and Contact Information

In this episode of the Restaurant Technology Guys Podcast, host Jeremy welcomes Anan, a long-time listener and an AI expert with significant experience in restaurant tech and operations. The discussion dives deep into the challenges and solutions associated with delivery in the restaurant industry, focusing on Loop AI—a platform designed to help restaurants understand and improve their delivery profitability. Anan shares his journey from AI research to working at Uber and starting his own restaurants, and eventually creating Loop AI to address the financial and operational struggles of delivery services. The conversation covers the intricacies of delivery, taxation, profitability, and marketing spend, emphasizing the importance of data and technology in making informed business decisions for delivery channels.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome
00:13 Guest Introduction: Anan's Journey
01:34 The Rise of Delivery in Restaurants
02:26 Challenges in Delivery Profitability
03:16 Loop AI: Revolutionizing Restaurant Delivery
06:02 Understanding Financial Complexities
11:34 Marketing and Consumer Behavior
17:02 Taxation and Reconciliation
38:10 Engaging with Loop AI
41:00 Conclusion and Call to Action

In this episode of the Restaurant Technology Guys Podcast, Jeremy interviews Travis, an expert in credit card security and tokenization, from VGS (Very Good Security). They discuss the importance of security in the restaurant industry, the role of tokenization in ensuring PCI compliance, and the benefits of owning customer payment data. Travis shares insights on how VGS helps restaurants and other merchants improve their security and customer experience by protecting sensitive data and enabling flexible payment processing. He also provides examples of successful implementations and the onboarding process for new clients. The episode highlights the growing need for advanced security solutions in the face of increasing data breaches and the importance of understanding customer data for targeted marketing.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome
00:20 Meet Travis: Background and Experience
02:51 Understanding VGS and Tokenization
04:07 Importance of Security in Payment Processing
05:08 Challenges and Solutions in PCI Compliance
08:11 Enhancing Customer Experience with Tokenization
15:23 Portability and Flexibility of Tokenized Data
23:22 Customer Success Stories
26:57 Onboarding and Implementation with VGS
29:58 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode of the Restaurant Technology Guys podcast, host Jeremy Julian is joined by Ryan Black, the co-founder of Sambazon. Ryan shares his fascinating journey of discovering acai in Brazil 25 years ago and turning it into a popular superfood in the United States. He discusses the sustainable and environmental impact of Sambazon, the challenges in establishing a supply chain, and the evolution of acai from a niche product to a mainstream health food. Ryan also outlines the future plans for Sambazon, including their retail and franchise expansions. This episode offers insights into entrepreneurship, sustainability, and innovation in the food industry.

00:00 Welcome to the Restaurant Technology Guys Podcast
00:29 Discovering Acai: A Journey Begins
01:39 The Nutritional and Environmental Impact of Acai
03:10 Bringing Acai to the American Market
09:06 Challenges and Innovations in Acai Distribution
15:02 The Acai Bowl Experience Explained
17:33 Expanding Acai's Reach: Retail and Beyond
22:08 Sambazon's Sustainable Business Model
28:36 Launching Acai Bowl Franchises
35:30 Closing Thoughts and How to Get Involved

In this episode of the Restaurant Technology Guys Podcast, the host introduces Todd Myers, CEO of GoZone WiFi, a software company that helps brick-and-mortar businesses, including restaurants, monetize their WiFi services. Todd shares insights on the evolution of WiFi technology and discusses how GoZone WiFi enables companies to collect customer data, enhance guest experiences, and drive revenue through targeted marketing campaigns. Highlighting both the security aspects and the substantial benefits of managed WiFi, Todd provides valuable real-world examples and success stories. The conversation also touches on GoZone WiFi's flexible hardware integration and their freemium model, making advanced WiFi solutions accessible to a broad range of businesses.

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest
00:22 Meet Todd Myers: The Journey of a WiFi Pioneer
02:36 The Evolution of WiFi in Restaurants and Beyond
06:52 The Security Risks and Solutions for Restaurant WiFi
12:24 Exploring the Benefits of Managed WiFi for Restaurants
26:28 Success Stories and How to Get Started with GoZone

In this episode of the Restaurant Technology Guys Podcast, the hosts welcome Heather Cox Codes, a self-declared tech nerd and social media strategist. Heather shares her journey from working at her mom's boutique to becoming a key figure in the tech and restaurant industry, specializing in WordPress website design and SEO optimization. Heather discusses the complexities of branding, the importance of cohesive and user-friendly websites, and the necessity of consistent social media presence. She also touches on personal experiences, offering insights into overcoming challenges and leveraging digital tools for business growth.

00:00 Welcome to the Restaurant Technology Guys Podcast
00:07 Meet Heather: A Tech Nerd in the Restaurant Industry
01:24 Heather's Journey: From Hospitality to Tech
04:15 The Challenges of the Restaurant Industry
06:29 Heather Cox Codes: Branding and Web Design for Restaurants
10:24 The Importance of Cohesive Branding in Hospitality
15:56 Optimizing Restaurant Websites for Every Generation
18:41 Demystifying SEO for Restaurants
21:03 Revolutionizing Kitchen Operations with Total Oil Management
21:32 The Ever-Changing World of SEO and Its Importance
21:58 Leveraging Social Media for Organic Traffic and Customer Engagement
23:08 The Critical Role of Social Proof in Restaurant Selection
24:48 Active Digital Presence: A Must for Restaurants
26:09 Content Creation Strategies and the Power of Posting Daily
30:09 Overcoming the Fear of Sharing Your Story on Social Media
33:12 The Strategic and Creative Journey of Launching a Podcast
36:25 Leaving a Legacy Through Digital Content
38:05 Engaging with Heather Cox: Insights and Opportunities