Podcast: Restaurant and Retail Revel(ations)

In this episode of the Restaurant and Retail Revel(ations) podcast, PDQ Chief Operating Officer Eric Knott shares how listening to your customers, testing your ideas, and caring about your people are part of the fast-casual restaurant's recipe for success.PDQ stands for “People Dedicated to Quality,” and true to the brand's name, the PDQ franchise goes to great lengths to ensure it ranks among the best fast casual restaurant options in the marketplace.Whether you're interested in why PDQ chicken could be a smart franchise investment for you, or to see how the brand's quality-first operations result in an irresistibly craveable menu, tune in now for Eric's insights!

In this episode of the Restaurant and Retail Revel(ations) podcast, Revel Systems Chief Strategy Officer Chris Lybeer returns to the guest seat to explore how far the industry has come in the way of technology innovation, key questions merchants are faced with today, and what lies ahead in the increasingly complex space of order management software.Restaurant technology acceleration has only gained momentum in recent years, and there is more information than ever for restaurant and retail operators to consider when reviewing what solutions will best meet the needs of their consumers and fit the structure of their operations.At Revel, a best-of-breed approach to order management technology is one way our team enables brands to design a platform that works for them. Listen now for more on this philosophy, along with other considerations to help merchants navigate the exciting and ever-evolving space of restaurant and retail tech.

In this episode of the Restaurant and Retail Revel(ations) podcast, Pepper Lunch CEO of the North American division Troy Hooper explains what teppanyaki means, especially within the context of DIY fast food.Whether you're wondering, “are teppanyaki and hibachi the same?” or “where did Pepper Lunch originate from?” you won't want to miss Troy's insights.From hot, sizzling plates of made-to-order food to strategic tech innovation, Pepper Lunch takes a multi-pronged approach to distinguish itself among the best fast casual restaurants in the marketplace. Listen now for more!

Many people take their pizza very seriously. Ask anyone whether pineapple and pizza are a match made in heaven or a culinary abomination, or pit a defender of Detroit-style pizza against a Chicago-style evangelist. While Midwest pizza chain Dewey's Pizza doesn't take a hard stance on regional pizza styles, they offer a playful take on classics and seasonally-inspired pies with a common ingredient requirement: quality.In this episode of the Restaurant and Retail Revel(ations) podcast, Revel co-hosts Julie and Sydney talk with Dave Roush, director of operations for the pizzeria brand. Through a long career in restaurants and hospitality, Dave joined the Dewey's team with a clear understanding of what underpins smooth operations and satisfied guests.Technology was one area Dewey's explored for operational updates. Specifically, they updated their pizza POS system, moving forward with Revel's cloud platform at their restaurants. When it comes to the POS, pizza brands (like Dewey's) can greatly benefit from a system that allows seamless integrations, smooth order management, rapid deployment and more.Listen now for Dave's insights on the differentiators at Dewey's and the many ways their team is blending new technology with a people-focused approach to deliver on their quality commitment.

As we come to 2023's close, podcast co-hosts Julie and Sydney reflect on a year of new episodes.A few common topics emerged from this year's content, including artificial intelligence restaurant applications, labor trends and innovative restaurant technology.In this episode, hear clips on these topics from featured guests from some of our most streamed content throughout 2023.A new year is sure to bring its share of job market trends, new restaurant technology trends and retail best practices.Subscribe to Restaurant and Retail Revel(ations) wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss revelations from our featured industry experts!

Tune in to episode 45 of the Restaurant and Retail Revel(ations) podcast to hear from Michael Keller, president and CEO of Jeremiah's Italian Ice, about the brand's strategic roadmap, its recent accolades and takeaways from the annual Frog Squad Summit. You'll want to listen to the end for a fun fact about Michael connecting two whimsical animals with surprisingly relevant career lessons.

Restaurant365 Solutions Engineer Rich Sweeney (of Top Chef fame!) explores how the right tech stack can answer the following question for restaurants: How can we make your life easier? From data insights into the factors driving restaurant profits and losses to new artificial intelligence (AI) tools, R365 has some amazing solutions available for today's busy operators. Don't miss this episode of the Restaurant and Retail Revel(ations) podcast for more on the value of seamless tech integration for restaurateurs.

In this episode of Restaurant and Retail Revel(ations) we hear from not one, but two of the leaders at Gusto!, a scaling Atlanta-based fast casual restaurant chain. Founder Nate Hybl and VP of Operations Richmond Green explore a wide range of topics, from tech integrations for customer loyalty and online ordering, to menu innovation, and beyond. Listen now for insights into the cool developments afoot at this dynamic brand.

Schedulefly Partner Wil Brawley joins us in the guest seat of episode 42 of Restaurant and Retail Revel(ations) to share more about the company's mission to simplify employee scheduling. With over 6,000 customers today and counting, Schedulefly relies on—you guessed it—simple software to take the burden of complex employee scheduling off of the operator and staff. Tune in to hear from Wil as he shares success stories of clients ditching dated Excel spreadsheets and modernizing their scheduling efforts with simplified technology.

Florida-based Southern Steer Butcher is making a name for itself in the sustainable, field to table consumer segment. This year the butcher chain will celebrate 10 years in business, and according to Founder & President Greg Snyder, their focus on quality sourcing and customer service are a huge part of their success to date. Tune in to learn more from Greg as he shares a closer look at Southern Steer Butcher's business model, philanthropic initiatives, and upcoming milestones.

Online ordering and delivery continue to be critical revenue streams for restaurants, and Revel Integrated Partner Deliverect addresses the third-party ordering challenges facing restaurants and consumers head on. Tune in to episode 40 of Restaurant and Retail Revel(ations) to learn more about Deliverect's solution directly from Joe Heather, Ireland & UK general manager at Deliverect. Joe also shares what's on the horizon for the company in his region as they approach an exciting milestone: 300 million orders across 42 regions!

Revel Integrated Partner Waitrr offers QR ordering and payments solutions, helping restaurants meet the demands of today's busy consumer while also streamlining the front of house experience for staff. Join the hosts of Restaurant and Retail Revel(ations) and Waitrr Chief Operating Officer Tim Davies as they discuss the many ways Waitrr's solution encourages efficiencies across a restaurant's ecosystem, as well as a look at what's next for the company.

When Scott Moore co-founded Maple Street Biscuit Company, he had no idea just how popular the brand's comfort food with a twist was going to be. Now it's a growing franchise so attractive that it was purchased by Cracker Barrel in 2019. Hear from Scott in this episode of Restaurant and Retail Revel(ations) on the importance of community, sticking to foundational principles and identity, and how the right partners can help brands strategically navigate the “messy middle” in business growth.

For Mani Bhushan, an Indian immigrant who founded Texas-based Taco Ocho after years working his way through the ranks of restaurant chains, his multi-site concept offered a way to bring fresh, healthy, and vegetarian options to Dallas-area diners. The brand is also a love letter to the many flavors and textures inspired by eight different Latin American countries. Listen to this episode of Restaurant and Retail Revel(ations) for a better understanding of Mani's journey and why you can probably spot him at one of his restaurants the next time you're in Dallas!

In this episode of Restaurant and Retail Revel(ations), learn how Pizza Patrón and Wingstop are closely connected, as well as how the pizza brand's identity and tech stack have evolved over time from Juan Reyes, the pizzeria's director of marketing & development. Could this be the restaurant chain that puts “San Antonio-style pizza” on the map? Listen now and decide for yourself!

Ken McGarrie is co-founder of Korgen Hospitality, COO of Fabio Viviani Restaurants, and best-selling author of The Surprise Restaurant Manager. In episode 35 of the Restaurant and Retail Revel(ations) podcast, he is also the featured guest! Tune in to this episode for some of Ken's advice on transitioning into restaurant management for the first time, what features to prioritize for restaurant technology, and more!

As a Revel Solution Partner, the team behind Delaware Business Systems—or DBS for short—plays an integral role in getting Revel's cloud-native technology into the hands of new clients. And with nearly 40 years in the point of sale market, there's a reason DBS is such a trusted name in the industry. DBS Sales Manager Pat Hynson joins us in the guest seat to give us a closer look at what it means to be a Revel Solution Partner. He also shines a light on why Revel and DBS were the right partners for shared client PrimoHoagies.

In spite of economic headwinds and on-going supply chain challenges, restaurants can enjoy respite in a well-executed customer engagement program. Paytronix VP of Partnerships and Business Development Dan Murphy joins us in this episode to unpack how his company—a clear leader in the customer engagement and loyalty space—leverages direct integration with POS platforms like Revel Systems to provide seamless solutions to hospitality brands focused on deepening lasting relationships with their guests.

In episode 32 of the Restaurant and Retail Revel(ations) podcast, Revel Chief Financial Officer Josh Boyer joins the co-hosts to talk finance, leadership, and 2023 forecasting. Tune in to hear from Josh as he reflects on his own career and leadership journey and offers a glimpse into the macro trends he's keeping a close eye on as budget season continues and the new year draws near.

CEO of Red's Savoy Pizza Reed Daniels joins us in the guest seat for episode 31 of Restaurant and Retail Revel(ations). Since getting its start in 1965, this founder-driven brand has made a name for itself with a fresh, signature twist on a menu classic: Sota-style pizza. Creative marketing campaigns, unique menu elements like “passive aggressive sauce,” and a healthy amount of technology all play into the franchises' success spanning the state of Minnesota.

Episode 30 of Restaurant and Retail Revel(ations) features insights from Bubbakoo's Burritos Chief Financial Officer Chris Ives. With ties to the Jersey Shore, boardwalk themes and fresh ingredients are staples of this popular burrito spot. Today Bubbakoo's has locations scattered across the U.S., and this successful franchise credits much of its continued growth to the integrated technology that sits at the heart of its operations.

This year marks the 30th anniversary of Pancheros Mexican Grill, and Director of Franchise Development Joe Gale joins us in the guest seat to share more about the milestone. Fresh-pressed tortillas and scratch-cooked ingredients have always been hallmarks of this midwest-based burrito brand. But it's the more recent additions of their native app and robust loyalty program, to name a few, that continue to drive steady traffic of burrito loyalists. Tune in to learn more about why this growing franchise operation is one to watch.

Pizza Factory President and CEO Mary Jane (MJ) Riva joins us in the guest seat of episode 28. MJ began her journey with Pizza Factory as a franchisee and eventually bought the company in 2012. Since then, the team has scaled the beloved pizza concept from coast to coast, focusing on fresh ingredients, technology, and a community-centric approach to business. Tune in to hear more from MJ on how Pizza Factory continues to make a name for itself amongst pizza lovers.

Prakash Karamchandani, CEO & co-founder of Balance Pan-Asian Grille, joins us in the guest seat for Episode 27 of Restaurant and Retail Revel(ations). Since launching the concept in Toledo, Ohio, Prakash and co-founder HoChan Jang have already scaled the hip spot for clean, Asian-inspired dishes to five locations and counting. Each day the whole team applies the concept of “kaizen,” the Japanese word for continuous improvement, to their work. Prakash shares more on how the brand's technology-first mindset, a focus on wholesome ingredients and equitable pay for their employees have helped Balance Grille regularly make headlines in the fast casual space.

Mike Spence, chief technology officer & executive director of store operations at Gravity Coffee, joins us in the guest seat to discuss how Gravity Coffee's drive thru model has helped them stand out in the competitive coffee vertical. Based in Pacific Washington, this tech-savvy coffee chain is growing rapidly, crediting their thoughtfully crafted coffee and customer-centric business approach as just two of the factors contributing to their fandom

Episode 25 of Restaurant and Retail Revel(ations) features Coolgreens Vice President of Operations Amanda Powell. Coolgreens' mission to serve “food that makes you feel better” is brought to life by its nine franchised locations across the U.S., with continued growth on the horizon. Between delicious, healthy menu items and seamless technology implementation—their native application lets you order ahead and take advantage of promotions—Coolgreens offers a fresh take on healthy food on the go.

Episode 24 welcomes Ziggi's Coffee Director of Marketing Kathryn Bleeker to the guest seat. Since joining the Ziggi's Coffee team nearly six and a half years ago, Kathryn has had the pleasure of watching Ziggi's skyrocket in growth, recently signing their 150th franchise deal. Tune in to learn more about how an entrepreneurial husband and wife duo took their passion for coffee and made a name for themselves in the coffee vertical, focusing on providing service and support for their local communities.

As the Managing Director of International Sales at Revel, David Norris pulls from his diverse business background to creatively and successfully manage Revel's growth internationally. Since taking the helm in October of 2020, David has hit the ground running to support Revel account executives based in the United Kingdom, Singapore, and Australia. Tune in to learn more about David's philosophy when it comes to management and leadership, along with Revel's current and future initiatives he thinks clients will love.

Rapidly-growing fast-casual franchise Sauce on the Side knows a thing or two about what makes a great calzone. Brad Eaton, President of Franchise Operations & Development, joins us to discuss Sauce on the Side's evolution, their differentiators, and how their tech stack helps them succeed. We also ask Brad about their recent accolades, including being named to QSR Magazine's 40/40 List for 2022.

David Joseph, co-founder of DAVO by Avalara, joins us in the guest seat to discuss the importance and implications of sales tax. Self-described as a "Simplified Sales Tax Evangelist," David hails from the restaurant industry and understands firsthand the challenges many restaurateurs face when accounting for sales tax. That's why he co-founded sales tax automation platform DAVO by Avalara.

Revel Enterprise Products Director Wajih Rahman joins us in the guest seat to discuss some of the biggest pain points Revel is trying to solve for restaurant and retail operators today. With over six years of experience working with enterprise clients at Revel, Wajih shares what makes stakeholders lean forward in their chairs when weighing Revel against competitors. Here's a hint: Revel's cloud-native architecture typically tops the list.

Lucas Bertini, Sr. Director of Payments Strategy & Operations at Revel, joins us in the guest seat for episode 19. Tune in to learn how Lucas and his team drive payment technology innovation at Revel, paired with his fresh take on the most exciting trends in the space. As a self-proclaimed payments enthusiast, Lucas also offers advice to merchants who are in the process of selecting their own payments technology.

For more information about the integration between 7shifts and Revel Systems, check out the Employee Management & Payroll tab on our partners page.

Director of Professional Services Dave Bovenkamp and Director of Enterprise Professional Services Craig Crawford join us for a closer look at Revel's implementation process for client point of sale (POS) platforms. With hundreds of successful implementations under their belts, Dave and Craig share what goes on behind the scenes to keep things simple for new Revel clients.

With previous experience as a Tin Drum Asian Kitchen franchise owner and investor, Amisha Popatiya was the perfect fit for the chief marketing officer role at the fast-growing brand. Tune in to hear how Amisha and team help drive innovation in the upscale fast-casual space while honoring authentic Asian cuisine.

Just in time for Halloween, this episode of Restaurant and Retail Revel(ations) explores a spooky topic with Revel CSO Chris Lybeer. Tune in to hear why Chris believes the POS is dead, and what's next for restaurant and retail technology.

In this episode of Restaurant and Retail Revel(ations), SoBol Head of Marketing Nick Pesko explores marketing tactics, franchise support, the introduction of a loyalty rewards program and recent accolades for the quick service açai bowl chain. Listen now to learn more about what's happening with this fast-growing franchise and its tasty, healthy treats!

Over Under Founder & CEO Ed Barry joins us for Episode 12 of Restaurant and Retail Revel(ations). Ed discusses how a passion for great coffee, visible differentiators, and the right technology have enabled the high-growth coffee by day, cocktail by night concept to make a name for itself amongst London-based beverage aficionados.

In episode 11 of Restaurant and Retail Revel(ations), Founder and Chief Consultant of Piedmont Avenue Consulting David Mitroff offers his go-to "do's" and "don'ts" when it comes to running a successful business. Gathered from a career spent consulting clients in the hospitality industry, David shares both short and long-term changes owners can implement to help their businesses thrive in today's environment.

Hear from Tom Ferguson, CEO of Rise Southern Biscuits and Righteous Chicken Franchising, on embracing technology, leaning into company culture, pivoting when necessary, and simplifying a “chef's utopia” into a scalable franchise in this episode of Restaurant and Retail Revel(ations).

Since 1996, Jeremiah's Italian Ice has been serving its namesake, along with creamy soft serve and fan favorite Gelati. In episode nine of Restaurant and Retail Revel(ations), Vice President Nicole Di Pietro shares more about founder Jeremy Litwack's humble shaved ice stand beginnings, and how their team translated Litwack's early success into 71 locations and counting today.

This episode of Restaurant and Retail Revel(ations) draws on the experience of digital and technology expert Mike Nettles. Mike's career includes digital transformation at big brands like Papa John's and Panera Bread Company, and you won't want to miss his take on the potential for digital drive thru for businesses that approach it in earnest.

In episode six of Restaurant and Retail Revel(ations), Revel's Chief Customer Officer Leslie Leaf discusses her career journey in the technology and services space. Leslie also shares some of the quality advice she's been given along the way, and how simply being herself has proved to be one of the best strategies for success.

In episode five of Restaurant and Retail Revel(ations), Giving Kitchen Co-founder Jen Hidinger-Kendrick shares more about the non-profit's history and mission, their record-breaking response to the pandemic (which includes emergency assistance for over 2,500 food service workers!), and exciting expansion plans.

In episode four of Restaurant and Retail Revel(ations), Tarka Indian Kitchen CEO Tinku Saini discusses his team's response to the pandemic, paired with the key role Tarka's technology stack has played in the brand's continued success.

In episode three of Restaurant and Retail Revel(ations), franchising and corporate-operated QSR expert Steve DeSutter returns with his take on the pros and cons associated with single vs. multi-owner approaches to franchising.

In episode two of Restaurant and Retail Revel(ations), guest speaker and franchising expert Steve DeSutter returns to take a closer look at some of the critical boxes to check prior to jumping into franchising—including nailing down the concept of four-wall economics and investing in great technology.

In the first episode of Restaurant and Retail Revel(ations), guest speaker and tenured franchising expert Steve DeSutter helps operators answer the critical “Should I?” question in order to lessen the risk and increase the wins involved with franchising.