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

In this episode of the Restaurant Technology Guys podcast, the conversation focuses on the critical role of customer data in driving brand success within the restaurant industry. Guest speaker Lewis, with a 25-year background in digital media, discusses the transition from traditional metrics like click-through rates to more effective measures linking advertising to in-store performance. He emphasizes the importance of first-party data over third-party data, especially in light of privacy concerns and the deprecation of cookies. Pairzon's approach combines AI algorithms to predict consumer behavior with a focus on real-time, actionable insights from a restaurant's own data. The dialogue covers the challenges restaurants face in capturing customer data and how solutions like loyalty programs and e-receipts can aid in better targeting and personalization. Lewis shares insights on the evolving landscape of digital advertising, the effectiveness of different platforms, and the imperative of understanding and utilizing first-party data for competitive advantage.

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest Speaker
00:24 The Importance of Customer Data in the Restaurant Industry
00:48 Deep Dive into Digital Advertising and Marketing Evolution
01:13 Challenges and Solutions in Modern Marketing Metrics
02:24 The Power of AI in Predicting Consumer Behavior
02:33 Leveraging First-Party Data for Marketing Success
03:30 Understanding and Overcoming Data Challenges in Restaurants
09:04 The Role of Loyalty Programs in Data-Driven Marketing
23:11 The Future of Targeted Advertising and the Importance of First-Party Data
27:27 How Pairzon Enhances Restaurant Marketing with Data
34:53 Conclusion and How to Connect with Pairzon

In this episode, the host welcomes Will Pemble, an entrepreneur who previously founded one of the largest web hosting companies, web.com, and later sold it. Will delves into his journey from web hosting to management consulting and back to his roots in technology and web optimization with his latest venture, Page Leap. Will describes Page Leap as a tool designed to address the myriad challenges of SEO for restaurants, highlighting the importance of page speed, content optimization, and technical SEO factors for increasing conversions. The conversation emphasizes the potential of Page Leap to level the playing field for smaller restaurant chains against industry giants in search engine results. Furthermore, both Will and the host discuss the complexities of SEO, the dire consequences of slow-loading pages, and the critical elements necessary for a successful restaurant landing page. This episode offers valuable insights into how meticulous SEO execution can drive business growth and customer engagement in the restaurant industry.

00:00 Welcome to the Restaurant Technology Guys Podcast
00:12 Introducing Will Pemble: From Web.com to Page Leap
02:19 The Genesis of Page Leap: Revolutionizing Web Speed
03:06 SEO Strategies and the Importance of Page Speed
05:27 Building Page Leap: A Journey from Idea to Execution
09:11 The Impact of Page Speed on Conversion Rates
14:10 Breaking Down the Anatomy of an Effective Landing Page
16:06 Exploring SEO Essentials for Restaurants
17:58 The Art of Dave's Hot Chicken Locations
18:46 Optimizing for Mobile and Page Speed
20:13 Accessibility and Security in Web Design
23:47 The Birth of PageLeap: Revolutionizing SEO Execution
25:46 Engaging with PageLeap: A Solution for Restaurateurs
28:36 Leveling the SEO Playing Field for Small Businesses
31:32 The Vision of PageLeap: Empowering Every Business

In this episode of the Restaurant Technology Guys Podcast, the hosts dive into a compelling discussion with Mike, a veteran in the field of restaurant technology with over 25 years of experience. Introduced by Tammy Billings, Mike shares his journey from restaurant operations to mastering the quantitative aspects of pricing, analytics, and data during a time when the concept was still novel. He delves into his early work with McDonald's and his ventures into data-driven businesses during the financial collapse, focusing on leveraging AWS cloud technologies. Mike introduces his latest venture, SignalFlare, and the advanced methodologies they use to analyze consumer behavior and pricing dynamics. They explore the impact of COVID-19 on demand patterns, the importance of understanding the emotional connection consumers have with restaurants, and the future of dynamic pricing. Mike explains how SignalFlare helps both large chains and smaller operations make informed pricing decisions, driven by extensive data sets and machine learning. He emphasizes the incremental ROI and the evolving intelligence of these systems over time. The discussion concludes with insights on decision intelligence for the restaurant industry, urging operators to adopt advanced pricing methodologies to stay competitive.

00:00 Welcome to the Restaurant Technology Guys Podcast
00:19 Introducing Mike and His Journey in Restaurant Tech
00:32 The Evolution of Restaurant Data Analytics
01:59 Launching a New Venture Amidst Financial Collapse
03:59 Rethinking Data Analysis Post-COVID
06:15 The Power of Modern Data Sets in Restaurant Pricing
08:55 Making Data-Driven Decisions Accessible to All Restaurants
10:43 The Importance of Context in Data Analysis
12:18 Understanding Customer Behavior Beyond Price Elasticity
26:15 Introducing SignalFlare: A Decision Intelligence Tool for Operators
31:22 The Future of Pricing and Menu Management in Restaurants
38:45 Why Embracing Data-Driven Decisions is Crucial for Restaurants

In this episode of the Restaurant Technology Guys podcast, the host interviews Patric, the vice president of operations for Bobby's Burgers by Bobby Flay. Patric shares insights into his extensive background in the restaurant industry, including his experiences before joining Bobby's Burgers, like working with Cold Stone Creamery and a significant sushi brand. The discussion delves deep into how Bobby's Burgers leverages technology to ensure recipe consistency, enhance kitchen efficiency, and improve customer service, particularly highlighting their use of clamshell grills for perfect burger cooking and kitchen technology for order accuracy. Patric also touches on the brand's growth strategy, franchise opportunities, and the critical role of selecting the right technology and partnerships to support their vision. The episode concludes with a discussion on the importance of enhancing the guest experience through technology, including off-premise dining solutions and future plans for Bobby's Burgers expansion and franchising opportunities.

00:00 Welcome to the Restaurant Technology Guys Podcast
00:14 Introducing Patric from Bobby's Burgers
01:02 Patric's Journey in the Restaurant Industry
02:26 The Concept Behind Bobby's Burgers
04:56 Leveraging Kitchen Technology for Quality and Efficiency
07:30 Exploring the Impact of Technology on Franchise Consistency
18:08 The Evolution of Off-Premise Dining and Packaging Innovations
25:04 Embracing AI for Enhanced Customer Experience
30:57 Future Plans and Franchise Opportunities with Bobby's Burgers
35:50 How to Learn More About Bobby's Burgers Franchising

In this episode of the Restaurant Technology Guys podcast, the host welcomes Lucas Judice, the founder of Freet, a technology company focusing on improving customer experience through a deep understanding of consumer behavior. Originally from Brazil and a former lawyer, Lucas transitioned into technology and entrepreneurship after moving to the U.S. to pursue a master's degree. Freatz stands out by offering a unique method of collecting and analyzing consumer feedback at no net cost to restaurants, using AI to delve into consumer perceptions and behaviors. Lucas explains how Freatz incentivizes customers to provide feedback, leading to actionable insights for restaurants. Success stories are shared, highlighting Freatz impact on enhancing the dining experience and increasing sales by attentive adjustments based on consumer feedback. Freatz approach not only aids in operational improvements but also helps in identifying hidden opportunities for revenue growth. For restaurant operators and owners interested in elevating their customer experience and understanding the 'wow' factor through AI-driven insights, Freatz offers a promising solution.

00:00 Welcome and Introduction to the Guest
00:41 Lucas's Journey from Brazil to Tech Entrepreneur
02:01 The Birth and Mission of Freatz
06:03 Deep Dive into Freatz: Concept and Impact
09:19 Challenges and Solutions in Restaurant Feedback
14:28 Consumer Experience with Freatz
19:02 The Restaurant's Perspective: Utilizing Data for Growth
23:15 Leveraging AI for Enhanced Consumer Insights
31:50 Success Stories and the Freets Model Explained
35:59 How to Connect with Freets and Closing Thoughts