Mine Data: Mastering the Art of Data in the Restaurant Industry with Andrew Smith of Savory Fund

Is the clink of cutlery against plates soon to be replaced by the silent tap of digital orders? Join Meredith and me as we venture into the world of 100% digital restaurants, weighing the pros and cons of this tech-driven frontier. In the bustling realm of quick-service eateries, touch screens and kiosks are quickly becoming more than just a way to skip the line; they're pivotal in harvesting customer data and inflating check averages, all while striving to maintain that irreplaceable human touch in hospitality. We'll tackle the burning questions around the real price of customer contact info and the hefty investment needed to snag it. Get ready for a culinary journey that could change the way you think about your next dining experience.

This episode serves up a full course on the European restaurant scene, diving into the undercurrents of loyalty programs that seem to miss the mark and how data might just be the secret sauce to reinvigorate them. As we slice through the challenges of implementing new technology, like the backlash against dynamic pricing, we also sink our teeth into the evolving economics of the restaurant industry. From the magic number that makes a chain profitable to the revolution of central production units and tech at the heart of new dining concepts, we're peering into the kitchen of tomorrow. So, pull up a chair and savor the insights as we dissect the transformation of the food industry with a blend of skepticism and foresight.

🔔 Subscribe to The Digital Restaurant Podcast and follow us on YouTube for more episodes that combine the love of food with the latest in technology. Your next restaurant tech adventure starts here!

📖 Get your copy of the Delivering the Digital Restaurant books at www.theDigital.Restaurant

🎤 Have Carl or Meredith come and speak at your company conference! Learn more at www.theDigital.Restaurant

🎙️📰Please subscribe to our newsletter and connect with Carl & Meredith's Delivering the Digital Restaurant page on LinkedIn for their twice-a-month newsletter.

Embark on an enlightening journey through the intricacies of food safety with Christine Schindler, the innovative mind behind Pathspot. As the founder and CEO, Christine brings her background in biomedical engineering and global public health into the bustling world of food service, ensuring diners enjoy meals that are just as safe as they are delicious. At Create last year, Meredith took the conversation to the next level, exploring how restaurants are upping their game in hygiene practices with the help of cutting-edge technology.

Get ready for a masterclass in prevention and improving health awareness as we discuss the pandemic's silver lining: a universal pivot towards prioritizing health and safety. Christine and her team at Pathspot are at the forefront, employing a network of sensors that transform back-of-house operations into a digital fortress against contamination. Hear how their hand-washing  system is a true game-changer, providing real-time feedback on hygiene standards and safeguarding against potential health threats. It's not just about washing hands; it's about redefining the standard of cleanliness for the entire industry. Join Meredith and Christine for a compelling dialogue on how technology is serving up a future where dining out is synonymous with peace of mind.

🔔 Subscribe to The Digital Restaurant Podcast and follow us on YouTube for more episodes that combine the love of food with the latest in technology. Your next restaurant tech adventure starts here!

📖 Get your copy of the Delivering the Digital Restaurant books at www.theDigital.Restaurant

🎤 Have Carl or Meredith come and speak at your company conference! Learn more at www.theDigital.Restaurant

🎙️📰Please subscribe to our newsletter and connect with Carl & Meredith's Delivering the Digital Restaurant page on LinkedIn for their twice-a-month newsletter.

Explore the pulsating heart of the restaurant industry with us as we dissect DoorDash's latest earnings and the seismic shifts in food prices that have reached a 30-year summit. As we navigate through the financial intricacies, we shine a spotlight on the subtle strategies at play in this fiercely competitive market. From Focus Brands' pivot to a platform-centric approach to the ways in which soaring costs shape the dining landscape, we're serving up a full course of analysis that promises to satisfy your appetite for industry knowledge.

Venture into the future with us as we stir up the conversation on dining and retail's evolving symbiosis. With insights into Walmart's intriguing partnership with Wanda and the innovative models that Cluster Truck and Kitchen United bring to the table, we question the traditional boundaries between shopping aisles and restaurant tables. And as we chew over Chipotle's sustained financial success, we ponder the potential market disruption ushered in by alternative delivery services and semi-prepared meal kits, all while food prices continue to climb.

Cap off your experience with a taste of tomorrow, as we examine Wanda's acquisition of Blue Apron and mull over the savory prospects of drone delivery. Not to be outdone, we delve into Cartgen robots' dance with Uber Eats in Tokyo, a city that may well become the proving ground for automated delivery in urban jungles worldwide. Join us for a rich blend of strategy, technology, and culinary evolution that's tailored to satiate your curiosity and whet your appetite for what's next in the digital dining domain.

🔔 Subscribe to The Digital Restaurant Podcast and follow us on YouTube for more episodes that combine the love of food with the latest in technology. Your next restaurant tech adventure starts here!

📖 Get your copy of the Delivering the Digital Restaurant books at www.theDigital.Restaurant

🎤 Have Carl or Meredith come and speak at your company conference! Learn more at www.theDigital.Restaurant

🎙️📰Please subscribe to our newsletter and connect with Carl & Meredith's Delivering the Digital Restaurant page on LinkedIn for their twice-a-month newsletter.

Unlock the secrets of culinary content kings Mike Duffy of Yum Crunch and Matt Holloway from Bad Manners. Our kitchen conversation sizzles with their innovative strategies for captivating the palates of digital audiences. From selfie marketing triumphs to the subtle art of social media algorithms, they dish out anecdotes of their journey reshaping the promotional playbook. Their insights serve as a masterclass for foodpreneurs eager to stir organic growth and turn customers into loyal brand promoters through the magnetic power of online engagement.

Feast on our rich discussion about the future plate of the restaurant industry. As hashtags and QR codes become the new salt and pepper of marketing, we also carve into the generational shift where social video content is king, and multitasking millennials and Gen Z-ers are the court. Listen as we cover the seismic shift toward social media dominance, exploring the multitasking trends of content consumption, and speculate on the future of AI in the kitchen, stirring both awe and a pinch of nervous anticipation.

As we raise our glasses to the power of human connection, we can't help but get excited about the potential of an AI-generated hologram cookbook—sparking a debate on tradition versus tech in the culinary world. Mike and Matt join in, reflecting on the importance of actual engagement in the algorithmic age, and we close with a nod to the unity that shared meals and conversations bring to our tables. Tune in to whet your appetite for innovation and leave with a full serving of wisdom for the digital age.

🔔 Subscribe to The Digital Restaurant Podcast and follow us on YouTube for more episodes that combine the love of food with the latest in technology. Your next restaurant tech adventure starts here!

📖 Get your copy of the Delivering the Digital Restaurant books at www.theDigital.Restaurant

🎤 Have Carl or Meredith come and speak at your company conference! Learn more at www.theDigital.Restaurant

🎙️📰Please subscribe to our newsletter and connect with Carl & Meredith's Delivering the Digital Restaurant page on LinkedIn for their twice-a-month newsletter.

Get ready to explore the seismic shifts affecting your favorite dining spots as Meredith and I, Carl, guide you through the evolving landscape of the restaurant industry. As Google repositions itself, stepping away from being a middleman in online food ordering, we unlock the repercussions for restaurants and their relationship with tech giants. We don't just stop at a surface analysis; instead, we delve deep into the lawsuit that might have nudged Google aside and the newfound importance of Google My Business in directing patrons to restaurants' chosen ordering methods. Plus, we'll dish out the details on Uber Eats' landmark profit, and what this breakthrough signifies for the broader delivery service sector.

Then, strap in as we catapult into the trends and hurdles that today's food service businesses are navigating – from staggering sales predictions and the shift in consumer dining habits to the pressing issue of employment within the industry. You'll get an insider's perspective on how operators are grappling with labor costs, recruitment, and the integration of kitchen tech, alongside the strategies they might employ to combat the financial hangover from the pandemic. And for a taste of tomorrow's tech, we examine Starship's impressive funding success and how innovations like Apple's Vision Pro could transform your next meal into an augmented reality adventure. Join us for this rich blend of culinary currents and technological tides, and witness the restaurant revolution unfold.

🔔 Subscribe to The Digital Restaurant Podcast and follow us on YouTube for more episodes that combine the love of food with the latest in technology. Your next restaurant tech adventure starts here!

📖 Get your copy of the Delivering the Digital Restaurant books at www.theDigital.Restaurant

🎤 Have Carl or Meredith come and speak at your company conference! Learn more at www.theDigital.Restaurant

🎙️📰Please subscribe to our newsletter and connect with Carl & Meredith's Delivering the Digital Restaurant page on LinkedIn for their twice-a-month newsletter.

Step aside, traditional pizza delivery—there's a new slice in town, and it’s rolling your way. Join us as we sit down with the visionary Benson Tsai of Stellar Pizza, whose fully automated mobile food trucks are dishing out pizzas faster than you can say "extra cheese, please." Benson, who's traversed from the electric vehicle industry to a SpaceX collaboration, now marries his chemical engineering savvy with his culinary curiosity to dish out delectable pizzas on the go. Discover the unexpected journey that led this innovator to reimagine the pizza-making process, and how his high-tech approach is taking Los Angeles by storm, particularly among hungry college students and corporate event-goers.

In a whirlwind of efficiency and technology, Benson unveils the operational wizardry behind Stellar Pizza. Imagine a world where pizza production hits warp speed, churning out a fresh pie every 45 seconds. This isn't your average food truck; it's a glimpse into the future of fast food, combining prep work genius with sophisticated commissary logistics. Benson's tale is a tantalizing peek into how automation is slicing labor costs and revolutionizing how we satisfy our pizza cravings. So, grab a slice of this action-packed episode to feed your curiosity and perhaps spark your own entrepreneurial spirit in the bustling world of tech-driven gastronomy.

🔔 Subscribe to The Digital Restaurant Podcast and follow us on YouTube for more episodes that combine the love of food with the latest in technology. Your next restaurant tech adventure starts here!

📖 Get your copy of the Delivering the Digital Restaurant books at www.theDigital.Restaurant

🎤 Have Carl or Meredith come and speak at your company conference! Learn more at www.theDigital.Restaurant

🎙️📰Please subscribe to our newsletter and connect with Carl & Meredith's Delivering the Digital Restaurant page on LinkedIn for their twice-a-month newsletter.

Unlock the future of dining as Meredith and Carl dissect the evolving tastes of the restaurant industry, analyzing shifts in customer ordering habits and the ingenious ways full-service venues are adapting. As off-premise sales maintain their stronghold, with delivery dwindling and takeout holding firm, we bring to light the rise of direct online ordering and its stronghold on the sector. We tackle the daunting hurdles of inflated labor and commodity costs, and consider the findings from a recent Bank of America report, which uncovers an unexpected spike in technological investments. The conversation takes a turn towards the power of social media, where we unravel the diverse promotional strategies restaurants employ, navigating through the realms of Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and the burgeoning influence of TikTok.

Prepare to gaze into the technological crystal ball with the Rabbit R1,  that's set to revolutionize the way eateries harness smart tech. We explore the leap from language to action models and the role AI will play in refining customer interaction and streamlining operations. The episode also contemplates the delicate balance of marketplace charges, examining the tug-of-war between restaurants, consumers, and delivery platforms. We take a journey East to scrutinizeMeituan, assessing its approach to an aging demographic amidst a challenging economic landscape. Join us on this culinary adventure, where we peel back the layers of industry trends and technological feats, serving up insights that could very well shape your next dining experience.

🔔 Subscribe to The Digital Restaurant Podcast and follow us on YouTube for more episodes that combine the love of food with the latest in technology. Your next restaurant tech adventure starts here!

📖 Get your copy of the Delivering the Digital Restaurant books at www.theDigital.Restaurant

🎤 Have Carl or Meredith come and speak at your company conference! Learn more at www.theDigital.Restaurant

🎙️📰Please subscribe to our newsletter and connect with Carl & Meredith's Delivering the Digital Restaurant page on LinkedIn for their twice-a-month newsletter.

Join Carl and Meredith in a fascinating discussion with Anand from Gala Enterprises, recorded at the CREATE conference for Nation's Restaurant News. This episode delves into the critical path to digital maturity for restaurants and the role of technology in this evolution.

Anand shares his unique perspective, having grown up in the restaurant industry and now investing in restaurant technologies. From the challenges of integrating disparate systems to the revolution brought on by cloud computing, Anand brings to light the profound impacts and ongoing needs for technology in restaurants.

Key points discussed in this episode:

[00:01:00] Anand’s journey from restaurant operations to investing in restaurant tech.

[00:02:00] Overcoming the challenge of non-integrated systems to create cohesive digital ecosystems.

[00:03:00] The transformative effect of technology on restaurant efficiency and data management.

[00:07:00] The role of APIs and the confusion surrounding technology selection for operators.

[00:09:00] The convergence trend in restaurant technology and the rise of 'all-in-one' solutions.

[00:09:00] Investment insights on distinguishing viable tech businesses from fleeting products.

[00:14:00] The shift to cloud-based POS systems and their future as the backbone of restaurant operations.

[00:15:00] Predictions on the simplification of technology and cost reduction as the industry matures.

[00:17:00] The distinction between machine learning applications and true artificial intelligence in the restaurant space.

Carl and Meredith explore these topics and more, offering valuable insights for both independent operators and multi-unit brands looking to navigate the digital landscape. Stay tuned as they draw parallels with other industries, highlighting potential future trends for the restaurant sector.

Subscribe to The Digital Restaurant Podcast to not miss out on expert interviews like this, where we unpack the latest in digital innovation shaping the future of dining.

For further engagement and insights, reach out to Anand on LinkedIn or visit www.GalaCapitalPartners.com. Follow us on YouTube and our social media channels to stay updated with the latest episodes and conversations.

🔔 Subscribe to The Digital Restaurant Podcast and follow us on YouTube for more episodes that combine the love of food with the latest in technology. Your next restaurant tech adventure starts here!

📖 Get your copy of the Delivering the Digital Restaurant books at www.theDigital.Restaurant

🎤 Have Carl or Meredith come and speak at your company conference! Learn more at www.theDigital.Restaurant

🎙️📰Please subscribe to our newsletter and connect with Carl & Meredith's Delivering the Digital Restaurant page on LinkedIn for their twice-a-month newsletter.

Ready to envision the future of dining? This week, we're slicing into how Walmart's cutting-edge drone delivery could be a game-changer for the restaurant industry. Imagine your favorite meals flying to your doorstep! We dissect Walmart's innovative approach, servicing 1.8 million households, and its ripple effect on everything from kitchen layouts to inventory management. Plus, we're serving up a taste of personalization with AI-powered search, and how this tech could create a bespoke dining experience for your next big game day party.

As we stir the pot further, we discuss the perfect recipe for digital engagement in an era where a strong online presence is as crucial as the secret sauce in your burger. For restaurateurs swimming against the tide of marketing demands, we share survival strategies that won't nibble away at your budget. And, thanks to insights from the Nation's Restaurant News Intelligence report, we're sinking our teeth into the meaty topic of data-driven optimization—essential for those looking to cook up a storm in the digital transformation kitchen. So, join us for a feast of knowledge where we also grapple with the evolving tipping culture and propose innovative solutions to keep both customers and delivery drivers hungry for more.

🔔 Subscribe to The Digital Restaurant Podcast and follow us on YouTube for more episodes that combine the love of food with the latest in technology. Your next restaurant tech adventure starts here!

📖 Get your copy of the Delivering the Digital Restaurant books at www.theDigital.Restaurant

🎤 Have Carl or Meredith come and speak at your company conference! Learn more at www.theDigital.Restaurant

🎙️📰Please subscribe to our newsletter and connect with Carl & Meredith's Delivering the Digital Restaurant page on LinkedIn for their twice-a-month newsletter.

Ever wonder how restaurants are adapting to the rapidly changing world?  Join us in this enlightening episode of The Digital Restaurant Podcast as we dive into the future of the restaurant industry with our special guest, Mario Del Perro, a visionary from DOM Food Group and co-creator of Mendocino Farms.  Mario shares his unique perspective on the future of the restaurant industry as we delve into the importance of understanding your target audience, creating a craveable menu, and more as we dissect the essence of building a successful restaurant brand. Mario also enlightens us on the significance of a kitchen designed for off-premise and virtual orders and how to navigate the complex virtual kitchen space. 

We talk about the food delivery revolution and the ever critical topic of sustainability in the restaurant industry. You'll hear Mario's take on creating a delivery-friendly healthy menu that maintains freshness and flavor, even after a 45-minute journey. The conversation doesn't end there; we dive into the influence of Whole Foods Market and the significance of health and sustainability in the industry. It's a discussion you won't want to miss!

In this episode:

• 🌟 Digital Evolution [00:04:54]: Discover how Goop Kitchen, a digitally native brand, is revolutionizing the virtual kitchen space with its forward-thinking digital presence.
• 🍴 Culinary Diversity [00:04:00]: Mario sheds light on the importance of culinary diversity, creating differentiated and craveable products, and the rising trend of healthier food concepts.
• 🌱 Sustainability Meets Taste [00:16:19]: Delve into the challenges of crafting delicious, health-conscious food options and the strategic packaging decisions that tell a brand's story while maintaining food quality.
• 💡 Celebrity Impact [00:16:47]: Learn about Gwyneth Paltrow’s influence on Goop Kitchen and the authenticity she brings to the brand.
• 📈 The Future of Food [00:20:36]: Uncover the potential convergence of the restaurant and grocery sectors, and get a glimpse into the future strategies of Dom Food Group.

Whether you're a foodie, tech enthusiast, or someone passionate about the future of dining, this episode offers valuable insights into the ever-evolving landscape of the restaurant industry. Don't miss out on this opportunity to stay ahead of the curve!

🔔 Subscribe to The Digital Restaurant Podcast and follow us on YouTube for more episodes that combine the love of food with the latest in technology. Your next restaurant tech adventure starts here!

📖 Get your copy of the Delivering the Digital Restaurant books at www.theDigital.Restaurant

🎤 Have Carl or Meredith come and speak at your company conference! Learn more at www.theDigital.Restaurant

🎙️📰Please subscribe to our newsletter and connect with Carl & Meredith's Delivering the Digital Restaurant page on LinkedIn for their twice-a-month newsletter.