Advertise on podcast: The Restaurant Technology Guys Podcast brought to you by Custom Business Solutions

The conversation covers Pat Venn's journey in the hospitality industry, his role at Prima, and the innovative solutions Prima offers to restaurants and diners. It delves into the concept of the recommendation economy and the vision for Prima's future expansion. Takeaways Hospitality industry experienceInnovative solutions for restaurantsThe concept of the recommendation economyFuture expansion and vision for Prima Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background01:05 The Journey in Hospitality01:33 Talk and its Evolution04:17 Differentiation in the Reservation Platform Space06:48 Prima: Vision and Mission11:10 The Concept of the Recommendation Economy18:24 Attribution and Visibility in the Physical World27:37 Engagement and Expansion34:19 Future Vision and Expansion

The conversation delves into the journey of the San Pedro Fish Market, highlighting its growth from a small storefront to a renowned dining attraction. It explores the challenges faced, the innovative marketing strategies employed, and the importance of understanding and engaging with the customer base. The discussion emphasizes the power of authentic marketing and the impact of storytelling in building a successful brand. The conversation delves into the power of authentic storytelling in marketing, highlighting the impact of storytelling on brand building and customer engagement. It also explores the adaptation to change and innovation, the utilization of AI in marketing, the art of storytelling, and the significance of the culinary experience in branding. Takeaways Family-owned business successInnovative marketing strategies Authentic storytellingUtilizing AI in marketing Chapters 00:00 The Journey of San Pedro Fish Market02:26 Pivoting and Learning from Failures06:08 Creating an Engaging Dining Experience07:08 Understanding Customer Base and Value Proposition10:07 The Evolution of the Brand and Marketing Strategy18:01 The Power of Authentic Marketing21:37 Engaging Customers through Storytelling24:13 The Power of Storytelling in Marketing25:03 Adapting to Change and Innovation31:29 Utilizing AI in Marketing37:50 The Art of Storytelling43:00 Culinary Experience and Branding

The conversation delves into the challenges of restaurant marketing and the evolution of marketing strategies in the industry. It explores the power of digital marketing, the importance of targeting and tracking in restaurant marketing, driving repeat business, and the development of a marketing platform to address the needs of the industry. The conversation covers the evolution of e-commerce advertising, the challenges of proving ROI, the complexity of marketing funnels, the journey of building a tech product, raising funds, aspirations for the industry, the power of personalization and AI, and the engagement and consultation process. The key takeaways include the importance of personalization and data-driven marketing in the restaurant industry. Takeaways Restaurant marketing challengesTargeting and tracking in restaurant marketing PersonalizationData-driven marketing Chapters 00:00 The Evolution of Restaurant Marketing02:56 The Power of Digital Marketing08:09 Targeting and Tracking in Restaurant Marketing17:54 Driving Repeat Business22:58 Building a Marketing Platform24:00 The Evolution of E-commerce Advertising25:19 The Challenges of Proving ROI26:12 The Complexity of Marketing Funnels27:38 The Journey of Building a Tech Product28:21 Raising Funds and Aspirations for the Industry35:46 The Power of Personalization and AI41:57 Engagement and Consultation Process

The conversation covers James D. Jones' background in technology, US Foods' technology-forward approach, the challenges of technology adoption in the food service industry, the impact of COVID-19 on technology adoption, and the development of US Foods' e-commerce platform and sales CRM transformation. It also delves into the benefits of US Foods' Moxie and Menu IQ tools, the use of AI in menu profitability, and the future of technology in the food service industry. Takeaways Technology adoption in the food service industry has been slow but is accelerating due to factors like COVID-19 and the move into AI.US Foods is investing in technology to automate processes, improve customer service, and provide transparency in inventory and pricing.The Moxie and Menu IQ tools from US Foods are designed to simplify ordering, inventory management, and menu profitability for restaurant operators.The future of technology in the food service industry involves predictive analytics, flexible delivery options, and tools to help operators make informed decisions about menu innovation and ingredient choices. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background02:53 Challenges of Technology Adoption in Food Service06:56 US Foods' Technology-Forward Approach08:08 Benefits of Moxie and Menu IQ Tools29:31 Future of Technology in the Food Service Industry

Rick Rosenfield, co-founder of California Pizza Kitchen, shares the story of how he and his partner, Larry Flax, changed the way America eats pizza. From their humble beginnings as federal prosecutors to creating a unique brand that set trends and transformed the industry, Rick's journey is a testament to innovation and vision. The conversation delves into the creation of California style pizza, the introduction of upscale casual dining, and the translation of unique flavors to salads, all of which contributed to the success of California Pizza Kitchen. The conversation with Rick Rosenfield covers the growth and development of the California Pizza Kitchen brand, focusing on the unique open kitchen design, the selection of locations, and the establishment of a strong company culture. Rick also discusses the motivation behind writing the book and the importance of fostering a strong culture in business. Takeaways Innovation in the restaurant industryCreating cravable menu items Open kitchen designOpportunistic real estate strategyBuilding a strong company cultureMotivation behind writing the book Chapters 00:00 The Birth of California Pizza Kitchen01:40 From Law to Pizza03:02 The Emergence of California Style Pizza04:29 Expanding the Brand and Concept07:05 Anchoring Upscale Shopping Centers08:04 The Evolution of Menu and Concept09:02 The Strategy of Upscale Casual Dining13:32 Innovative Menu Creation18:37 Transition to Salads21:54 The Unique Open Kitchen Design22:50 Selecting Locations and Staffing29:11 The Evolution of CPK's Culture37:42 The Motivation Behind Writing the Book

The Restaurant Technology Guys podcast features Luke Christian and Jake Philpotts,, the founder and vice president of development at Surcheros, a fast-casual Tex-Mex restaurant chain. They discuss the unique founding story, the passion for people, site selection, off-prem sales, and the franchisee experience. Takeaways Passion for people drives the success of Surcheros.Site selection and off-prem sales are critical for the growth of the brand.Franchisees are attracted to the authenticity and transparency of the Surcheros team. Chapters 00:00 Founding Story and Unique Concept03:16 Passion for People and Purpose06:32 Site Selection and Off-Prem Sales09:27 Franchisee Experience and Engagement25:19 Product Differentiation and Innovation29:57 Franchisee Selection and Cultural Fit33:07 Brand Expansion and Product Recommendations

The CEO of The Big Biscuit, Chad Offerdahl, shares the brand's journey, growth, and menu innovation. He discusses the concept's focus on Southern comfort food, the success of traditional breakfast items, and the balance between technology and hospitality. The brand's regional expansion and franchisee selection criteria are also highlighted. Takeaways Southern comfort food is experiencing a resurgence in the marketplace, with a shift towards traditional and reliable breakfast options.The Big Biscuit emphasizes cultural fit and shared values when selecting franchisees, focusing on regional growth and operational simplicity.Menu innovation is driven by guest demand, operational feasibility, and the brand's commitment to traditional breakfast offerings. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to The Big Biscuit01:30 The Story Behind The Big Biscuit04:31 The Resurgence of Traditional Breakfast06:26 Kansas City as a Hub for Restaurant Brands09:30 Service Model and Hospitality11:15 Balancing Technology and Hospitality14:18 Franchise Expansion and Selection Criteria21:29 Menu Innovation and Guest Experience

The conversation covers the process of managing used cooking oil in restaurants, the innovative solutions provided by Restaurant Technologies Incorporated (RTI), and the environmental impact of their services. The incoming CEO, Alyssa Partee, discusses the company's closed-loop cooking oil network, its impact on green diesel production, and the importance of proper oil disposal. She also highlights the company's consultative approach to partnerships and the benefits of their automated oil management system. Takeaways Closed-loop cooking oil networkImpact on green diesel productionConsultative approach to partnershipsBenefits of automated oil management system Chapters 00:00 Introduction to RTI and Cooking Oil Management03:03 Alyssa Partee's Background and Role at RTI07:27 RTI's Innovative Solutions and Partnerships16:02 Total Oil Management and Just-in-Time Delivery26:19 Environmental Impact and Brand Partnerships29:44 Engagement and Conclusion

The conversation covers the introduction of Farmer Boys, the concept of the brand, John's culinary journey, expansion and franchising, the franchisee vetting process, and favorite Farmer Boys menu items. The brand's diverse menu and commitment to quality ingredients are highlighted throughout the discussion. Takeaways Diverse MenuQuality Ingredients Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Farmer Boys05:16 The Farmer Boys Concept09:25 John's Culinary Journey22:46 Expansion and Franchising29:53 Franchisee Vetting Process35:29 Favorite Farmer Boys Menu Items

The conversation explores the use of AI in forecasting food costs and demand in the restaurant industry. It emphasizes the importance of leveraging data and machine learning models to optimize purchasing, reduce waste, and improve overall restaurant performance. Takeaways AI can help forecast food costs and demandLeveraging data and machine learning models can optimize purchasing and reduce waste Chapters 00:00 AI in Forecasting Food Costs01:25 Building a Smart Prep List03:23 Demand Forecasting and Purchasing Behavior05:50 Factors Influencing Purchasing Behavior07:16 Tracking Waste and Behavior Changes08:16 Training and Enhancing AI Systems

The conversation covers a wide range of topics related to the implementation of IoT and AI in the restaurant industry. It explores the impact of security camera audits, the introduction of IoT technology, the automation of mundane tasks, the challenges and solutions in IoT implementation, the paradigm shift in data management, the reliability and security of IoT data, and the future of IoT and AI in restaurants. The discussion also delves into the impact of IoT on network traffic, actionable insights and AI augmentation, preventative maintenance, and incremental adoption of IoT solutions. The conversation emphasizes the importance of vision intelligence and AI in restaurants, as well as the engagement with MachineQ for IoT solutions. Takeaways IoT and AI play a crucial role in automating mundane tasks and improving operational efficiency in the restaurant industry.The adoption of IoT solutions can lead to significant cost savings, improved food safety, and enhanced customer satisfaction.Vision intelligence and AI augmentation are key components in the future of IoT implementation in restaurants. Chapters 00:00 The Impact of Security Camera Audit01:25 Introduction to Tom Woodbury and Restaurant Technologies02:19 Restaurant Technology and Operational Efficiency03:30 Automating Mundane Tasks with IoT04:52 Automating Tasks for Operational Efficiency05:28 Adoption of IoT in Restaurants06:24 ROI and Benefits of IoT in Restaurants08:29 Challenges and Solutions in IoT Implementation09:49 Paradigm Shift in Data Management10:47 Reliability and Security of IoT Data12:42 Food Safety and Preventative Maintenance13:56 Behavioral Insights and Spoilage Prevention15:47 IoT Management in Front of House16:45 Automating Tasks for Operational Efficiency17:42 Micro Improvements and Cost Savings18:17 Evolution of IoT and AI in Restaurants19:41 Impact of IoT on Network Traffic20:48 Security and Reliability of IoT Networks22:40 Actionable Insights and AI Augmentation23:37 Engagement with MachineQ24:04 Future of IoT and AI in Restaurants25:23 Vision Intelligence and AI in Restaurants26:47 Preventative Maintenance and AI Augmentation28:20 Engagement with MachineQ29:14 AI Augmentation and Preventative Maintenance30:12 Incremental Adoption of IoT Solutions31:12 Engagement with MachineQ32:26 Future of IoT and AI in Restaurants33:15 Engagement with MachineQ34:18 Future of IoT and AI in Restaurants35:22 Vision Intelligence and AI in Restaurants36:46 Impact of Vision Intelligence in Restaurants37:43 Engagement with MachineQ38:19 Incremental Adoption of IoT Solutions

00:00 Introduction and Jeremy's opening remarks 00:26 Guest introduction: Jake and his background 01:18 The chaos of restaurant scheduling and initial solutions 02:15 The inspiration behind Shiftwerx and its core features 04:09 Gathering staff preferences and creating schedules 05:37 In-app currency and shift trading market 07:33 Understanding restaurant needs and data integration 09:18 Handling staff availability and schedule changes 11:10 Staff morale, control, and fairness in scheduling 13:02 Tools for schedule creation and automation 17:21 Market features: shift swaps, incentives, and safety 19:45 Use of AI and avoiding hallucinations in scheduling 23:45 Deterministic algorithms and fairness in AI scheduling 26:44 Marketplace philosophy and shift trading benefits 33:21 Market incentives and employee engagement 37:57 How to get started with Shiftwerx 40:44 Target audience and scalability of the platform 43:09 Closing remarks and future outlook

00:00 Introduction to Ryan Volberg and His Journey 02:48 The Evolution of Restaurant Technology 05:49 The Concept of Daily Pay for Hospitality Workers 08:25 Introducing Guestology: A New Approach to Guest Engagement 11:05 Understanding Guest Loyalty and Retention 14:06 The Mechanics of Guest Recognition and Personalization 21:18 Crafting Personalized Guest Experiences 23:07 The Power of Machine Learning in Hospitality 24:24 Understanding the SAPS Model for Guest Loyalty 26:58 The Cost of Loyalty: Status vs. Discounts 29:42 Attribution and Proving Value in Guest Engagement 30:18 Engaging Occasional Guests: Strategies for Retention 36:43 Building Lasting Relationships with Guests

Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Berry AI and Eric Lam 02:41 Understanding AI in QSR: The Role of Berry AI 04:20 The Importance of Speed of Service in Drive-Throughs 07:15 Traditional Methods vs. Computer Vision in QSR 13:40 Operational Decisions: When to Pull Cars Forward 16:37 Making Data Actionable for Restaurant Operations 20:59 Addressing Privacy Concerns with Computer Vision 21:35 Recent Success: Berry AI's Major Win 22:20 Future Directions for Berry AI and Computer Vision

00:00 Introduction to Steve Black and His Journey 02:48 The Five Rules of Leadership 05:43 The Importance of People in Business 08:15 Inception of the Five Rules 10:57 Rule One: Do Your Job 13:42 Rule Two: Be Kind 16:32 The Impact of Kindness in Leadership 19:34 The Importance of Kindness in Leadership 22:03 No Surprises: A Leadership Principle 24:23 Eliminating Drama in the Workplace 28:45 Protecting the Brand: A Leadership Responsibility 33:01 Embedding Leadership Lessons Through Masterclass