TechBytes Podcast

In the latest episode, Rob sits down with George Brophy, Portfolio Director of the Hospitality B2B Portfolio at the Hospitality Tech Expo in London. George provides an exclusive preview of this must-attend event, taking place October 15-16 at the ExCeL London. Discover how the expo brings together over 20,000 hospitality professionals and 500 exhibitors showcasing the newest technology solutions across seven specialized shows - from hotel tech and restaurant innovation to coffee, drinks, and sustainable packaging.  Gain insider knowledge on the groundbreaking products and services launching at the expo, and learn how you can attend for free as a qualified hospitality o...

In this episode, host Rob Grimes sits down with John Doyle, Chief Information Officer of Fiesta Restaurant Group, to explore the technological transformations that have shaped the restaurant industry over the past two decades. From the rudimentary systems of the 90s to today’s sophisticated cloud-based solutions, John provides a unique perspective on the shift from on-premise to cloud infrastructure and its impact on adoption rates and the critical role of technology. They dive into the potential of voice AI to streamline operations, particularly in drive-thrus, and discuss evolving consumer and employee expectations around technology. The conversation covers the debate be...

Join Sindhu Rajan, Vice President of Enterprise Systems and Service Delivery at Hughes Network Systems, on the IFBTA TechBytes podcast with host Rob Grimes. Sindhu discusses her 17-year journey at Hughes, where she now leads the Enterprise Support Center, managing over 800 global broadband providers. She explores how Hughes supports industries like food service, hospitality, and retail in navigating digital transformation. With a focus on creating a frictionless customer experience, Sindhu shares how Hughes balances tech-savvy customers with those needing more guidance through their concierge program, ensuring seamless onboarding and support across diverse industries.

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Join host Rob Grimes on the TechBytes podcast, powered by IFBTA, as he sits down with Wade Allen, President of Costa Vida. Wade’s journey from the digital world to the restaurant industry is unconventional and inspiring. Starting with self-taught web development during the internet boom, he transitioned through roles in retail and grocery before leading digital transformation at Brinker International. Wade’s tech-forward leadership propelled him to CIO, and now at Costa Vida, he navigates the challenges of a growing fast-casual brand. Tune in for Wade’s insights on tech, leadership, and the evolving restaurant landscape.

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Get an exclusive insider's look at the must-attend events shaping the future of the restaurant industry. In this captivating podcast, Danny Klein, Editorial Director of QSR and FSR magazines, takes listeners behind the scenes of the QSR Evolution and Next Gen Restaurant Summits. Discover the innovative editorial approach that sets these conferences apart and uncover the latest trends transforming the foodservice landscape - from the rise of restaurant tech to the evolving role of women in leadership. Tune in for a treasure trove of insights that will inspire and empower restaurant operators, industry insiders, and innovators alike.

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In this episode of the TechBytes podcast, Jeff Caplan, CIO of Hooters of America, discusses his transition from the payments technology industry to his current role, emphasizing how his background has been crucial in navigating the restaurant's digital transformation. Caplan highlights Hooters' modernization efforts, including technology upgrades and AI integration, as well as its strategic expansion into non-traditional dining outlets and a focus on enhancing customer loyalty through data-driven decisions.

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In this episode of the TechBytes podcast, Jeff Caplan, CIO of Hooters of America, discusses his transition from the payments technology industry to his current role, emphasizing how his background has been crucial in navigating the restaurant’s digital transformation. Caplan highlights Hooters’ modernization efforts, including technology upgrades and AI integration, as well as its strategic expansion into non-traditional dining outlets and a focus on enhancing customer loyalty through data-driven decisions.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/techbytes-podcast--6154934/support.

In this episode of TechBytes, host Rob Grimes interviews Don Zimmerman, the recently retired Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer of Landry's, who shares his extensive experience in the foodservice, hospitality, and retail industries. Zimmerman discusses the key technologies that have shaped the industry, the challenges of modernizing franchise organizations, and his experiences during significant mergers like Arby's and Wendy's. He also reflects on his career achievements, including the digital transformation of Wendy's, and the difficulties faced in aligning franchisees with technology mandates.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/techbytes-podcast--6154934/support.

Dive into the future of foodservice and retail technology with the latest TechBytes episode! Host Rob Grimes welcomes Courtney Radke, VP of Innovation at SageNet, for a fascinating discussion on the evolving world of managed network services. 
 
In this Spotlight, Courtney shares insights from his extensive career in restaurant technology, cybersecurity, and infrastructure. Now at SageNet, he's focused on building solutions that address real customer needs with an outcome-based approach. 

Key topics discussed include:
The growing bandwidth and security demands of AI-powered voice ordering and other emerging technologiesWhy rushing to implement new systems can...

This podcast episode features Martine Reardon, CMO and EVP of Content and Retail Strategy for the National Retail Federation, discussing the evolving retail industry. Reardon shares insights from her experience, including her role as Macy's CMO, highlighting the importance of integrating traditional and digital marketing channels. She emphasizes the need for collaboration between CMOs, CTOs, and CDOs in driving e-commerce growth and adapting to a digital-first environment. Reardon predicts advancements in personalization through AI and robotics but stresses the irreplaceable value of human empathy in customer experiences. The episode also touches on NRF's efforts in tracking consumer trends and showcasing...

This TechBytes podcast episode features Christopher Thomas-Moore, Domino's Chief Digital Officer, discussing the intersection of retail and food service industries through data-driven innovation. Thomas-Moore explores global technology scaling, AI's potential in restaurants, and the importance of balancing automation with human relationships. He shares insights on industry trends, challenges like voice adoption, and the benefits of personalization across sectors. The conversation, which took place at NRF-Asia in Singapore, offers valuable perspectives on navigating digital transformation while considering regional preferences and maintaining human connections. This episode provides strategic insights for professionals in retail, food service, and other industries undergoing digital evolution.
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This TechBytes podcast episode features Asif Khan, CEO of the Location Based Marketing Association, discussing the impact of location data and proximity marketing across various industries. The conversation covers topics such as geospatial insights, personalized customer experiences, and recent technological developments like facial detection. While exploring innovative strategies in retail, tourism, and transportation, the discussion also addresses important concerns about data privacy and consumer trust. The episode highlights how different sectors are leveraging location data to create seamless, personalized experiences, including examples from airlines, airports, and retailers like Walmart experimenting with virtual storefronts and metaverse experiences.



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In this week’s TechBytes Spotlight, host Rob Grimes sits down with Drew Holst, Vice President of Sales & Marketing, about Powerhouse Dynamics and their Open Kitchen platform. Connected kitchens and digital integrations are becoming more important to business operations - from reducing utility costs to optimizing equipment usage, these connections allow owners to remotely monitor and manage their operations more effectively. Drew also discussed how AI and automation will further advance connected kitchens in the future. Automation in the kitchen is the wave of the future and you don’t want to miss out. Tune into this week’s episode and le...

In this final episode recorded on the floor at the 2024 National Restaurant Association Show TechBytes host Rob Grimes is joined by Kelly Esten, Head of Marketing & Partnerships at Toast. The pair discuss their experience walking the show, Kelly’s perspective on various partnerships and the technology ecosystem at large.
 
Beginning with their show observations, the topics of robotics, AI and data are top of mind. When thinking of the future, data sharing is a key focus for Toast, who has over 200 application partners. “When you think of AI, data is the foundation… and POS can be that hub of data...

Unveiling the true potential of restaurant technology requires a blend of data analysis, research, accounting, and, most importantly, an understanding of the subject matter. From the floor of the 2024 National Restaurant Show, Rob is joined by Chief Information Officer Kevin Steele & Senior Vice President, Research & Knowledge Group, Hudson Riehle of the National Restaurant Association - two experts and perspectives from the association representing our industry.

The trio start their conversation about the state of technology in the restaurant industry. According to an Restaurant Association survey, labor recruitment continues to be the biggest challenge for operators. And on the...

In this special edition of TechBytes, 4 industry experts invited by the National Restaurant Association Show, sit down tor a conversation with Rob Grimes at the IFBTA’s TechDesk.  Representing an association, an operator, and a technology supplier, each guest shares their thoughts on technology from varying points of view.

The episode kicks off with Kelly Esten, Head of Marketing & Partnerships at Toast, and Kim DeCarolis, SVP of Strategic Growth with Craveworthy Brands who offer the supplier and operator perspective. The conversation concludes with a sneak peek of next week’s episode with the National Restaurant Association’s Hudson Riehle...

In the very first edition of TechBytes, Rob Grimes has a tech conversation from the floor of the National Restaurant Show 2024, with Joanna Fantozzi, Senior Editor of Nation’s Restaurant News & Joe Guszkowski, Senior Editor of Restaurant Business.

The trio started the conversation by discussing the world of restaurant technology prior, during and after COVID - coming into present day. Joe mentions that QR codes is one technology that was non-existent almost a joke prior to COVID, but now they are omnipresent. Ghost Kitchens have had the opposite trajectory. During the early stages of COVID, Ghost Kitchens were se...