Kim DeCarolis

For those of you that attended the Restaurant Leadership Conference, what is one key take-away regarding Technology, AI, Labor, or Culture? The industry’s shift towards technology is evident, with a focus on labor-saving features, back-of-house efficiencies, and omnichannel strategies. AI continues to be a hot topic, and how to best utilize it moving forward. What can we expect to see & experience? #restaurantleadership #technology #ai #labor #culture

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Yo Quiero Taco Bell! 🌮 Remember the Taco Bell Chihuahua from the 90s? Two tacos for 99 cents – what a deal! Times have changed, and so has Diversified Restaurant Group, a Taco Bell Franchisee. Here are some key takeaways on how they're adapting to meet evolving customer needs 👇 🌮 Consumer demand is shifting rapidly. Digital accounted for only 3 to 4 percent of business 5 years ago, now it's 30 to 35 percent and growing. 🌮 Pre-COVID, 60 percent of sales were through drive-thru and 40 percent in the dining room. Now, less than 10 percent dine in. 🌮 Geographical differences matter. In California, labor costs are now $20 an hour, prompting DRG to explore automation for cost efficiency. 🌮 Technology evolves quickly. COO Todd Kelly emphasizes the need to stay ahead: "What's new today won't be new in six months." 🌮 Adapting to change, 90 percent of customers use the drive-thru, leading DRG to shift to smaller buildings, reducing costs significantly. How are you adjusting to changing consumer preferences? Let's taco 'bout it🚗 #TacoBell #ConsumerPreferences #Adaptation #Digital #CIO #CEO #CFO https://lnkd.in/e3wu7z4C

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Always amazed when you walk the floor and see some of the common exhibitor mistakes. Here are my top peeves: - Stop hiding behind tables and creating barriers to engagement - Don't confuse feeding people with interest in your product - Bad signage that says nothing about your brand ** - Get off your phones - Let your product speak for itself (ie don't hide your latest plant-based chicken nugget under a ton of sauces and spices). Amazed that folks will spend all that money on attending NRA, but then fall short to represent their brand. ** saw one booth that said "we do social media for restaurants". Yup, you and 1,000 freelancers/ influencers. Well, at least they were at the right show.

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District Taco's partnership with Facteus is a game-changer in the fast-casual restaurant industry.... By tapping into advanced data analytics, District Taco can now answer critical questions about #markettrends and #customerpreferences with precision. Isn't it exciting to imagine how this data-driven approach will identify the best new locations for their delicious tacos? With Facteus providing deep #consumerinsights, District Taco is poised to not only meet but exceed customer expectations. This collaboration isn't just about #growth; it's about #smart, #informed, and #strategic expansion. For more details, you can read the full Fast Casual article here... https://lnkd.in/eYUVeN4D Chipotle Mexican Grill Qdoba Restaurant Corporation Del Taco Moe's Southwest Grill Baja Fresh El Pollo Loco, Inc. #DataDrivenGrowth #RestaurantExpansion #MarketInsights #FastCasualInnovation #CustomerExperience #Facteus

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Nice article! Simply put, participation in Rewards Network requires minimal effort from restaurants, with no sign-up or integration fees, and no technical integration necessary. Favorite Quote: "Rewards Network exists as an unusual player at the center of the payments ecosystem, serving as a merchant-funded platform that monetizes the most perishable inventory at restaurants — unsold seats — by giving members of large established loyalty programs more everyday options to earn rewards." https://lnkd.in/e2V2s5yU

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In the restaurant business, retaining staff is crucial. Our new white paper reveals the secrets to success. Learn how to cultivate a culture that values employees and make the most of your HCM technology. Download your copy today! https://lnkd.in/eGQSHn-e #adp #hcm #retention

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🚀📱 Step into the future of restaurant marketing with Textdrip!  Automate your text messages and focus on serving up unforgettable experiences. Revolutionize your restaurant's success today! #usarestaurants #restaurantbusiness #restaurantmarketing #textdrip #smsmarketing #restaurantsuccess #michigan #smsservice #textmessaging

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Join us tomorrow, November 13th at 12 PM ET for an exclusive session with Madeleine Zook as she reveals how to empower your franchisees with the Revenue Planner approach. In this session, you’ll discover how to: 🔹 Set actionable, measurable goals for franchisees 🔹 Balance paid advertising with impactful local marketing 🔹 Drive greater franchisee engagement and results 🔹 Track and optimize performance for long-term growth Don't miss out—register now: https://lnkd.in/et74ik8g #FranchiseMarketingWebinar #FranchiseeSupport #FranchiseeEducation #MarketingTips101 #DigitalMarketingWebinar

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In the restaurant business, retaining staff is crucial. Our new white paper reveals the secrets to success. Learn how to cultivate a culture that values employees and make the most of your HCM technology. Download your copy today! https://lnkd.in/ersPkYws #adp #hcm #retention

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In the restaurant business, retaining staff is crucial. Our new white paper reveals the secrets to success. Learn how to cultivate a culture that values employees and make the most of your HCM technology. Download your copy today! https://lnkd.in/esjkC6BU #adp #hcm #retention

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🌟 Embracing the Future: Upcoming Restaurant Technology Trends of 2024 The restaurant industry is undergoing a major digital transformation, driven by evolving consumer behavior and market dynamics. According to the National Restaurant Association’s Restaurant Technology Landscape Report 2024, a whopping 76% of operators believe that using technology provides a competitive edge. In our latest article, we explore the most impactful restaurant technology trends of 2024, highlighting the tools and systems that are revolutionizing daily operations, enhancing customer satisfaction, and boosting profitability. Key Trends Include: - Advanced Inventory Management Systems: Tools like Apicbase that keep your kitchens stocked and food costs under control. - Modern POS Systems: Streamlining transactions and tracking sales data for better operational insights. - CRM Systems: Helping your teams understand and engage with customers on a deeper level. - Self-Serve Kiosks: Reducing wait times and improving order accuracy. - Kitchen Display Systems: Enhancing kitchen efficiency and communication. - Table Management Systems: Optimizing reservations and seating arrangements. - QR Codes: Modernizing menus and streamlining ordering and payments. - Event Ticketing Systems: Simplifying event management and boosting customer engagement. Embracing these technologies is not just about staying current—it's about setting your restaurant up for sustained success in an increasingly competitive market. 🔗 Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/eXy_fwzM Let’s discuss: How has technology transformed your restaurant operations? What trends are you most excited about? Share your experiences in the comments! #RestaurantTechnology #DigitalTransformation #HospitalityInnovation #RestaurantManagement #TechTrends2024 #CustomerExperience

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What's one panel you will not miss at the Florida Restaurant Show and Pizza Tomorrow Summit this/next week? Transforming your People from Liabilities to Assets Identifying and evaluating data about your People and learning how to align that data so your People will no longer be viewed as an expense or a negative on your balance sheet, but rather an asset that helps generate revenue and great guest experience. You will change your mindset initially from assuming that all your people are expenses. Identify easy yet often overlooked ways to identify data related to your People's productivity. See evidence showing that simple changes in how your People operate can create huge benefits for them and you! ➡️ Bryan Meredith, Restaurateur Coach WEDNESDAY | NOVEMBER 06, 2024 11:30 a.m. | Education Alley - Theater 1969 #FloridaRestaurantShow #FLRestaurantShow #PizzaTomorrowSummit #restaurantbusiness #restauranttech #restaurantowners #restaurantmarketing #restaurantindustry #restaurantowner #tradeshow RESTAURANT MARKETING PLAYBOOK https://lnkd.in/e_f73ni9

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Fast-food brands continue evolving with tech innovations, creative promotions, and value-driven offerings. Check out 9 ways franchises are shaping the future of fast food. #FastFoodTrends #RestaurantTrends #RestaurantTech

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The National Restaurant Association predicts that sales in the restaurant industry will reach a historic milestone in 2024, with projected revenues of $1.1 trillion 😲 . This marks the first time the industry has exceeded the $1 trillion mark and represents a 10% rise from the forecasted figures for 2023. The main reason for this being the massive amounts of data restaurants can now gather and action. This is also why more and more brands are turning to loyalty providers like Spendgo to gather data on their most valuable asset, their customer; and in return enhancing that customers experience with the brand. https://lnkd.in/gZusyDWU

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Webinars are one of the most powerful tools for engagement. If only it was worked on as much as it deserves. It's great to see some teams doing it so well!

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🚨RESTAURANT OWNERS/OPERATORS! We know it’s not the easiest climate these days to keep yourself above the red. Craftable is here to help make sure every penny is accounted for. The more you know! Sign up for our webinar tomorrow, September 25th @ 2:00 pm EST to learn all the tips, tricks and best practices we have to keep that profit flowing! 💸💰📈🧑‍🍳🍔 #restaurant #restauranttech #profit #labor #foodcosts #laborcosts #accounting

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💡 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗖𝗮𝗻’𝘁 𝗔𝗳𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗩𝗶𝗲𝘄 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵 𝗮𝘀 ‘𝗦𝗲𝘁 𝗜𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝗜𝘁’ 💡 In today’s competitive restaurant industry, simply adopting the latest technology isn’t enough. To stay ahead, restaurants need to break down silos and unify their systems to unlock long-term value, streamline operations, and create a seamless customer experience. 𝗧𝗼𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻 by Evention is designed to do exactly that—serving as the unifying platform for all payment and reconciliation needs. Here’s what Total Recon brings to the table: 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗱 𝗣𝗮𝘆𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: By consolidating cash, credit, gift card, and mobile reconciliation into one seamless system, Total Recon eliminates fragmented workflows and reduces manual reconciliation efforts. It brings all payment types together, giving restaurants a complete, accurate view from POS to bank. 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗱 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗮 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗙𝘂𝗹𝗹 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆: Total Recon acts as a single source of truth for payment data. With a centralized dashboard, operators gain clear insights into cash flow, discrepancies, and performance metrics, empowering them to make data-driven decisions faster. 𝗦𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲, 𝗙𝗹𝗲𝘅𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Total Recon’s compatibility with a wide range of third-party providers—banks, hardware, credit card processors—allows restaurants to work with their preferred vendors while maintaining a streamlined, unified platform. This flexibility also reduces long-term switching costs. 𝗘𝗻𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗰𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘀 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺𝘀: By unifying data and breaking down silos, Total Recon improves communication between finance, operations, and front-line staff, which translates to fewer errors, faster service, and more time to focus on customer experience. For restaurants, technology can’t be “set it and forget it.” Systems need to grow with the business and adapt to changing customer expectations. 𝗧𝗼𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻 does just that by transforming payment reconciliation and cash management into a streamlined, efficient process that boosts operational performance and positions restaurants for success in a crowded market. 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗺𝗮𝘅𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘇𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘁𝗲𝗰𝗵 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁? Let’s connect and discuss how Total Recon can unify your operations and elevate your restaurant’s reconciliation processes. #𝗧𝗼𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻 #𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 #𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵 #𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗘𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆 #𝗨𝗻𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗱𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺 #𝗣𝗮𝘆𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 #𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 #𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗮𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 #𝗖𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 #𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗦𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 https://lnkd.in/eEuY6E-4

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🚨 Webinar Alert for Multi-Unit Restaurant Operators! 🚨 Join us on October 29th for a live webinar where we'll dive into Mastering Tip Management Across Multi-Unit Restaurants with TipHaus! 🔥 #freewebinar #restaurants #restauranttech #hospitalitytech

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