In this episode of the Restaurant Technology Guys podcast, Jeremy Julian interviews Steven Klein, co-founder of a tech company focused on solving challenges in the restaurant industry. They discuss the importance of enhancing customer experience through AI, the challenges of abandoned carts in online ordering, and the transition from third-party to first-party orders. Steven shares insights on how AI can help understand customer intent and streamline the ordering process, ultimately improving sales and customer loyalty. The conversation also touches on case studies of successful implementations and the future direction of restaurant technology.

00:00 Introduction to Restaurant Technology and Guest Background
01:48 Identifying Challenges in Restaurant Ordering Systems
05:30 The Role of AI in Enhancing Customer Experience
11:09 Understanding Customer Intent and Order Customization
17:07 The Importance of First-Party Orders and Customer Loyalty
22:57 Case Studies and Success Stories in Restaurant Tech
28:32 Future Directions and Engagement Opportunities

00:00 Introduction to Atmosphere TV and Its Mission
03:29 Content Strategy and Audience Engagement
06:25 The Evolution of Atmosphere's Offerings
09:22 The Role of Digital Signage in Business
12:15 Live Sports and Real-Time Content
14:59 Advertising and Driving Customer Behavior
17:36 Installation and User Experience
21:38 The Impact of AI on Advertising
24:06 Conclusion and How to Get Started with Atmosphere TV

00:00 Introduction to Rita's and Lawrence's Background
02:54 The Unique Offerings of Rita's
05:35 Signature Flavors and Product Quality
08:50 Innovative Location Strategies for Growth
11:23 Franchisee Success and Sales Growth
14:24 Supply Chain and Product Consistency
17:12 Community Engagement and Marketing Strategies
20:21 Year-Round Appeal of Rita's
23:03 Franchise Opportunities and Incentives
26:18 Conclusion and Future Growth Plans

00:00 Introduction and Guest Background
06:36 What is Loop AI?
09:07 The Necessity of Delivery in Restaurants
15:32 How Loop AI Helps Restaurants Optimize Delivery
21:37 Data-Driven Decision Making with Loop AI
31:31 The Future of Loop AI and AI in Restaurants

00:00 Introduction to Cost Reduction in Restaurants
03:02 Understanding Spend Management and AI Solutions
05:39 The Importance of Anomaly Detection in Cost Savings
08:32 Overcoming Common Objections in Cost Management
11:20 Identifying Hidden Costs and Vendor Relationships
14:19 Engagement Process with Clients
16:55 Exploring Non-Core Costs and Their Impact
19:33 The Role of Waste Management in Cost Reduction
22:28 Client Engagement and Onboarding Process
25:17 Benchmarking and Data Privacy in Cost Management
28:05 Conclusion and Future of Spend Intelligence

00:00 Introduction to Identity Resolution in Restaurants
01:22 The Journey to Data-Driven Marketing
03:26 Challenges in Capturing Customer Data
05:16 Understanding the Identity Graph
07:51 The Importance of Customer Insights
10:56 Data Silos and Their Impact
12:48 Making Data Actionable
15:50 Deep Dive into Identity Resolution
19:22 Bridging the Gap in Customer Engagement
20:55 Personalized Marketing Strategies
23:05 Data Privacy and Security
24:50 Differentiating from Loyalty Programs
26:05 Engagement and Implementation with Bridge
28:02 The Role of AI in Data Utilization
29:30 How to Engage with Bridge

In this episode, Jeremy Julian sits down with Kiplen Welsh, President of Via 313, to explore the incredible journey of building a rapidly expanding restaurant brand rooted in Detroit-style pizza. They discuss strategic growth, innovative menu development, off-premise excellence, and the value of thoughtful partnerships in scaling a restaurant business sustainably.

00:00 - Welcome to the Restaurant Technology Guys podcast
00:41 - Introduction of Kip Welsh and Via 313’s origin story
01:54 - Background of Kip’s career in casual dining
03:01 - Overview of Detroit-style pizza and brand concept
04:25 - Detroit style pizza history and what sets it apart
05:54 - The trailer beginnings and early challenges
07:06 - Growth milestones and multiple locations in Texas and Utah
08:50 - Partnership with Savory Restaurant Fund and brand protection
09:22 - Rapid expansion and future pipeline through 2026
10:11 - Why Detroit-style pizza is gaining more recognition
11:47 - Unique flavor profile and competitive landscape
12:23 - How Detroit-style pizza creates a different culinary experience
14:23 - On-premise vs. off-premise strategy and travelability of product
15:44 - Packaging innovations for delivery and takeout success
16:17 - Digital ordering, third-party partnerships, and mini brick-and-mortar models
17:55 - The potential of food trucks for market testing and expansion
18:39 - Balancing growth with quality and responsible operations
19:50 - Creative menu development and guest-driven innovation
21:30 - Launching limited-time offers and new flavor experiments
23:38 - Future menu strategies, including salads and desserts
24:36 - Importance of staying inventive and not relying solely on staples
25:37 - Personal favorite menu items and flavor combinations
27:19 - The partnership with Savory Fund: how it fosters responsible growth
28:57 - How to maintain brand integrity while scaling
33:02 - Connecting with customers through loyalty programs and marketing
36:54 - Exciting new initiatives like the food truck launch and market expansion
38:16 - The value of sustainable, responsible growth over rapid, unchecked expansion
39:09 - Closing remarks and encouragement for restaurant owners to consider strategic partnerships

00:00 Introduction to Costa Vida and Alan Beck
02:44 Costa Vida's Unique Approach to Mexican Cuisine
05:33 The Importance of Operational Buy-In for Off-Premise Success
08:16 Strategies for Successful Catering Operations
11:04 Innovations in Off-Premise Dining and Delivery
16:36 The Role of Packaging in Food Delivery
20:24 Competitive Analysis and Learning from Others
23:01 Personal Favorites and Customer Engagement