In this episode, Hamed Mazrouei, founder of Vivant and Milagro, discusses his dual-focus approach to helping restaurants achieve consistent internet connectivity and exceptional customer retention. He explains the critical importance of preventing network outages to maintain seamless online operations and increase revenue. Hamed also shares his insights on why customer retention is vital for the restaurant industry and outlines practical strategies for encouraging repeat visits. Through his companies, Hamed aims to drive top-line revenue growth and ensure restaurant success by solving connectivity and retention challenges.

00:00 Introduction to Hammed Ri

00:14 The Importance of Internet Connectivity

02:40 Cost and Benefits of Reliable Internet

05:48 Customer Retention in the Restaurant Industry

07:55 Strategies for Enhancing Customer Retention

14:39 Conclusion and Contact Information

In this episode of the Restaurant Technology Guides podcast, host Jeremy Julian welcomes Anne Pritt, Chief Marketing Officer for Bobby’s Burgers by Bobby Flay. Jeremy and Anne discuss the collaboration with celebrity chef Bobby Flay, focusing on how Bobby's travels inspire seasonal and craveable menu items including burgers, fries, and shakes. Anne shares her extensive background in marketing with brands like Tim Horton's and Sbarro, and explains the philosophy behind Bobby’s innovations and limited-time offerings, including the use of high-quality ingredients like certified Angus beef. They also discuss the tech stack used to ensure consistent product quality and the strategic growth plan for expanding Bobby’s Burgers through traditional and non-traditional franchises. Listeners are encouraged to learn more about Bobby's Burgers and potential franchise opportunities.

00:00 Bobby's Burgers

00:54 Introduction and Warm Welcome

01:22 Meet Anne Pritz: Chief Marketing Officer of Bobby's Burgers

01:36 Anne's Professional Journey

02:53 Who is Bobby Flay?

03:48 The Unbeatable Burger Experience

04:58 Personal Stories and Bobby Flay's Approachability

07:24 Bobby's Burgers: The Fast Casual Concept

10:07 Menu Innovation and Limited Time Offerings

14:16 Marketing Strategies for New Products

18:39 Latest Menu Innovations: Greek Town Burger and Blueberry Cheesecake Milkshake

26:25 Franchising Opportunities and Expansion Plans

33:03 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode, Jeremy interviews Laura Wilber of Dinova. Laura explains her role in connecting 560 global companies and the US Department of Defense with a network of 25,000 restaurants that cater to business travelers. She highlights the value of having a business dining strategy, especially when consumer confidence and traffic are trending down. Dinova helps restaurants attract business diners, who often spend more when using company-issued credit cards. Laura also discusses the program's inclusivity, extending benefits to quick serve restaurants and high-end dining alike. She shares how restaurant operators can join Dinova's network to increase their visibility and sales. The episode underscores the important role Dinova plays in driving restaurant success.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction

00:08 Laura Wilbur's Background and Role

00:53 Dinova's Services and Impact

01:42 Sponsorship and Event Details

02:04 Business Dining Strategy Insights

03:30 Incentives for Business Travelers

05:16 Restaurant Operator Involvement

08:09 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode of the Restaurant Technology Guys podcast, host Jeremy Julian speaks with Nicholas Fontenot, CTO and partner at Crust Pizza Co., a Houston-based fast casual pizza brand known for its unique approach to pizza making and franchise operations. Nicholas shares insights into what sets Crust Pizza apart, including their dedication to fresh ingredients and a proprietary tech stack designed to streamline franchise operations. He discusses the journey from his background in tech and franchises to enhancing Crust Pizza's back-end processes with innovative technology solutions. They delve into the challenges and strategies behind building their own POS system and the importance of achieving consistency and quality across all franchise locations. The conversation highlights the balance of growing a brand while maintaining a high standard of food quality and customer experience. Nicholas also teases future expansion plans and emphasizes the importance of selecting quality franchise partners.

00:00 Crust Pizza

01:06 Introduction and Welcome

01:35 Meet Nicholas: Background and Journey

02:46 Crust Pizza: Concept and Quality

05:23 Challenges and Tech Solutions in Franchising

08:26 Building and Automating the Kitchen

16:21 Developing a Custom POS System

25:34 Franchise Growth and Future Plans

29:53 Conclusion and Farewell

In this episode of the Restaurant Technology Guys podcast, host Jeremy Julian interviews Maria, co-founder of Palona AI. They discuss how Palona is transforming the restaurant industry through generative AI, voice automation, and multimodal technologies to enhance customer experience and operational efficiency. With a background in leading tech companies like Google and Meta, Maria explains the capabilities of AI in hyper-personalization, conversational marketing, and overcoming challenges such as AI hallucinations. The episode also covers the onboarding process for AI solutions in restaurants and how these technologies can provide consistent and individualized guest experiences.

00:00 Palona.Ai

01:03 Introduction and Guest Welcome

01:40 Guest Background and Experience

03:04 Defining AI and Its Impact

07:04 AI in the Restaurant Industry

08:47 Multimodal AI Solutions

11:14 Human-Like AI Interactions

17:04 Standardizing Guest Experience with AI

20:05 AI-Powered Customer Interactions

21:04 Personalized Dining Experiences

22:34 Implementing AI in Restaurants

25:11 Guest Identification and Data Management

26:04 Ensuring AI Reliability and Security

28:48 Handling Special Requests and Continuous Learning

32:31 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode, Krish, the founder and CEO of Know, discusses the transformative mission of his company to make every frontline worker a 'superhero.' Krish explains how the Know app helps streamline day-to-day operations, reduce chaos, and improve worker satisfaction and retention in industries with high turnover, like restaurants. The app functions as a comprehensive digital assistant, offering training, task management, and direct communication from management. Krish also explores the importance of micro-learning and the app's multilingual capabilities, emphasizing the need to meet workers where they are, both geographically and technologically.

00:00 Introduction to Krish and His Mission

00:27 Streamlining Day-to-Day Operations

01:28 Addressing Employee Turnover

03:47 The Role of Technology in Training

04:44 Customizing and Documenting Processes

07:36 Micro Learning and On-Demand Information

09:52 International Reach and Multi-Language Support

11:07 Conclusion and Contact Information

In this episode of the Restaurant Technology Guides podcast, hosts Jeremy Julian and David Alvarado delve into the world of financial technology and its impact on the restaurant industry. They discuss the critical importance of earned wage access, allowing employees to get paid daily, and the advantages it offers for both employers and employees. David Alvarado, who has extensive experience in the restaurant industry, shares insights from his journey, including his tenure at Blooming Brands and his current role at Instant Financial. Instant Financial provides a solution that enables daily pay for non-tipped employees and digital tip distribution, streamlining operations and reducing costs for restaurants. The episode also covers the broader implications of financial wellness tools, including financial literacy education, credit building, and health and wellness benefits, emphasizing how these tools can significantly improve employees' lives. This podcast is a must-listen for restaurant operators looking to gain a competitive edge by adopting technology that addresses modern employees' needs.

00:00 Instant Financial

01:17 Introduction and Welcome

01:45 Meet David Alvarado

02:14 David's Career Journey

03:36 Introduction to Instant Financial

04:57 Understanding Earned Wages

07:24 Benefits of Instant Pay

13:35 Addressing Concerns About Instant Pay

23:33 Digital Tips Management

31:09 Employee Financial Wellness

37:33 Conclusion and Contact Information

In this episode, Paul Potvin, Chief Financial Officer of California Fish Grill, introduces himself and discusses the seafood chain’s mission, expansion plans, and innovative strategies. He elaborates on the company's focus on providing high-quality, sustainable seafood at affordable prices in a fast casual setting. Paul highlights how technology, such as digital menu boards and self-service kiosks, has transformed operations and enhanced customer experience, especially during the pandemic. He also shares insights on managing supply chain challenges and maintaining value for customers. The discussion ends with Paul's personal menu recommendations for new guests.

00:00 Introduction to Paul Potvin and California Fish Grill

00:20 Expansion Plans and Market Strategy

00:47 Brand Mission and Vision

01:19 Value and Innovation in Seafood

03:09 Digital Transformation and Kiosk Implementation

07:38 Impact of Digital Menu Boards

11:30 Paul's Recommendations and Conclusion