In this episode of the Restaurant Technology Guides podcast, host Jeremy interviews industry veteran Bill Lindsey, founder of COGS-Well, a company specializing in cost of goods sold software for restaurants. Bill shares insights from his long career in the restaurant industry, which began in 1974 as a restaurant manager and evolved into developing restaurant management software. The discussion covers the basics of back office systems, the importance of managing cost of goods and labor, and strategies for improving profitability, such as menu engineering, waste reduction, and leveraging AI for inventory management. Bill also highlights the unique features and methodologies of COGS-Well, designed to set up inventory systems quickly and efficiently while maintaining high data quality through auditing teams. Additionally, the episode emphasizes the importance of partnering with vendors, leveraging rebates, and making data-driven decisions. For more information and a demo of COGS-Well's solutions, listeners are encouraged to visit their website and dedicated landing page.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:25 Meet Bill Lindsey: Industry Veteran

01:44 Understanding Back Office Systems

03:16 Labor and Food Costs: A Balancing Act

07:09 Impact of Tariffs and Volatility on Food Costs

13:18 Strategies for Managing Costs

26:55 Boosting Sales with Desserts and Appetizers

28:06 Leveraging Rebate Programs for Extra Income

30:58 Reducing Waste with AI and Donations

35:38 Introduction to Cogswell's Unique Approach

37:00 Setting Up and Managing Inventory Efficiently

44:01 Optimizing Menu and Labor Costs

52:03 The Importance of Partnering and Data-Driven Decisions

In this episode of the Restaurant Technology Guides podcast, host Jeremy Julian sits down with Sandeep, the founder of TechRyde, to discuss how his innovative middleware solutions are transforming guest engagement and connectivity in the restaurant industry. Sandeep shares his journey from being a technology and POS installer to creating a comprehensive middleware that integrates various apps with POS systems to streamline kitchen operations, reduce labor costs, and ensure on-time deliveries. They delve into the benefits of kitchen automation, real-time data analysis, AI integration, and the impressive ROI achieved by clients using TechRyde's systems. The episode concludes with success stories and insights into the future of restaurant technology.

00:00 Techryde

00:14 Introduction and Guest Introduction

01:33 Sandeep's Background and Journey

03:22 Tech Ride: Concept and Evolution

05:11 Kitchen Automation and Middleware Solutions

08:06 Real-Time Data and Machine Learning in Restaurants

14:37 Importance of Kitchen Automation Systems

24:46 Future of AI in Restaurant Technology

27:07 Contact Information and Closing Remarks

In this episode of the Restaurant Technology Guides podcast, host Jeremy Julian speaks with co-founders Lucy Logan and Sid Conklin from Every Bite. They discuss their innovative solutions for restaurant menus focused on personalization and food safety to better cater to a growing population with dietary restrictions and allergies. The smart menu technology offers a seamless, low-effort integration into existing restaurant systems, improving guest experiences and driving higher conversion rates. This episode dives deep into the impact of personalization in the dining industry, the technology behind Every Bite, and how simple it is for restaurants to implement these changes while enhancing guest satisfaction and loyalty.

00:00 Everybite

01:18 Introduction and Welcome

01:47 Meet the Entrepreneurs: Lucy and Sid

04:03 The Problem with Static Menus

05:06 The Birth of Every Bite

05:58 The Scale of Dietary Restrictions

08:08 Personalization in the Digital Age

09:41 Smart Menus: A Game Changer

14:54 Mobile and In-Store Experience

16:36 The Power of Customization

19:35 Seamless Integration for Restaurants

20:55 Introduction to PDF Import and Smart Menu

21:44 AI and Machine Learning in Menu Personalization

22:14 Simplifying Menu Updates for Restaurants

23:41 Real-Time Menu Sync and Automation

25:46 Enhancing Staff and Guest Experience

27:53 Onboarding and Personalization Process

29:48 Marketing and Customer Engagement

35:39 Voice Search and Future Innovations

38:14 Conclusion and Call to Action