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.