Modern Solutions for Modern Restaurants

How Rich Catalogs are Reshaping E-Commerce in Foodservice with Hans Schatz of Cut+Dry

Welcome back to the newly rebranded show, Modern Solutions for Modern Restaurants. In this episode, Paul sits down with Hans Schatz, EVP of Cut + Dry, the leading e-commerce platform for food service distributors. Hans brings decades of experience in the food service industry and shares insights into how Cut + Dry is transforming the supply chain through rich e-commerce catalogs, AI-driven recommendations, and seamless integrations. Learn how this innovative platform is helping independent distributors compete with industry giants, and discover the benefits of moving from analog to digital systems. Tune in for a deep dive into the future of food service distribution and hear success stories that exemplify the remarkable impact of Cut + Dry.

Chaos to Cohesion: Organizational Design and Adaptation for Restaurant Tech

Join Paul Molinari from Popcorn as he discusses the importance of organizational design in the restaurant technology sector with expert Jasper Nelissen. Nelissen, a University of Miami lecturer and professor, is the founder of NCG Consulting and the award-winning Multi Agency. Listen in as he shares insights into transforming chaos into cohesive operational structures. They explore how change management and organizational development can significantly impact restaurant operations, focusing on the role of leadership, stakeholder engagement, and the integration of new technologies. Discover practical methodologies for managing change effectively and the emerging trends shaping the future of organizational development. Learn more at https://multi-theagency.com/ 

For the Love of Accounts Payable! Fixing AP with AI and Factura

In episode 036 of the Morning Sam, Morning Ralph podcast, Paul Molinari from Popcorn GTM and his co-host Matt Haselhoff from One Goal Consulting dive deep into the world of restaurant technology. They discuss the innovative advancements in accounts payable systems, particularly focusing on Factura's role in transforming and streamlining the process for multi-unit restaurants. Special guests Alisia Kleinmann and Ben Foscillo from Factura.ai share insights into their AI-driven solution that drastically reduces manual work, cuts down errors, and enhances operational efficiency. The conversation highlights how Factura helps restaurants scale by alleviating the burdens of traditional AP processes, making life easier for HQ teams. Tune in to learn how this game-changing technology can significantly benefit restaurants and multi-unit businesses.

How Training Rooted in Humanity Can Fix Employee Turnover with Beth Hussey, Founder of Shifty

In episode 035 of the Morning Sam, Morning Ralph podcast, Paul Molinari is joined by special guest Beth Hussey, founder of the Shifty. They discuss how smarter training can solve restaurant turnover and improve manager engagement. Beth explains how Shifty, a mobile app for training, engagement, and scheduling, helps reduce employee turnover by optimizing training processes. They also dive into the costs associated with high turnover and how Shifty saves restaurants significant money by standardizing training and making information easily accessible. Beth shares her journey from establishing a paper-based training program in the 1990s to developing a sophisticated tech platform during the COVID-19 lockdown. They highlight the importance of manager engagement, gamification, and consistent methodology to ensure effective training and retention in the restaurant industry.  Learn more about Shifty at https://www.shiftyinc.com/ 

Why Franchisees Are the Hidden Goldmine for Restaurant Tech with Edith Wiseman of FRANdata

In this engaging episode of the Morning Sam, Morning Ralph podcast, Paul welcomes Edith Wiseman, President of FRANdata, to discuss the often overlooked but critical role of franchisees in the restaurant technology sector. Edith highlights the untapped potential of the franchisee market, explaining why it's a gold mine for tech solutions and how her company helps tech providers navigate and target this complex landscape. The conversation delves into the dynamics between franchisors and franchisees, strategies for successful tech sales, and the insightful data FRANdata provides to bridge the gap. This episode offers invaluable insights for anyone involved in restaurant tech or franchise operations.  Learn more at: https://popcorngtm.com/frandata 

Dining Gluten-Free on College Campus: Insights from the Celiac College Guide's Nicole Sherrin-Kessler

In this episode of Popcorn GTM's "Morning Sam, Morning Ralph Podcast," we welcome Nicole Sherrin-Kessler, the founder of the Celiac College Guide, to dive deep into the challenges and opportunities for students with celiac disease. Nicole shares her personal story as a mother of two daughters with celiac and her professional insights from her extensive experience in education. Discover the importance of gluten-free dining options on college and university campuses, how the Celiac College Guide provides essential information for prospective students, and why it's crucial for schools to support their celiac students. Whether you're a student, parent, or educational professional, this episode is packed with valuable tips and inspirational stories. Don't miss out on how you can make a difference and support this important cause. Visit https://www.celiaccollegeguide.org/ to learn more and support their mission.

How Partnerships Fuel Sales & Big Ideas in Restaurant Technology with Chris Munz of Fishbowl

In this episode of 'Morning Sam, Morning Ralph,' we dive into the world of restaurant technology with seasoned industry leader, Chris Munz from Fishbowl. Paul shares the story behind the podcast's name, inspired by the classic 'Wiley Coyote and Sam the Sheepdog' cartoons, which symbolize a healthy competition and camaraderie in the restaurant tech sector. Chris shares insights from his extensive career, from his early days as a raft guide to his current role at Fishbowl, where he heads up partnerships. Learn about Fishbowl’s evolution, their innovative Guest Relationship Management platform, and how strategic partnerships are driving success in the restaurant tech space. Explore key challenges, the importance of cultural and technical fit in partnerships, and hear about successful collaborations like Fishbowl's recent integration with Breeze kiosks. Whether you're a tech enthusiast or industry professional, this episode offers valuable takeaways on leveraging partnerships to fuel growth and innovation.  Visit popcorngtm.com to learn more.

MSMR 031 - Capturing Loyalty: How Smarter WiFi Builds Stronger Restaurant Brands

In this episode of the Morning Sam, Morning Ralph podcast, we dive into the world of smarter WiFi solutions with special guest Adam Foreman, CEO of CaptiveWiFi. Discover how enhanced WiFi can significantly boost restaurant brands by creating a seamless customer experience and enhancing loyalty. Adam shares the story of CaptiveWiFi’s inception, innovative methods of customer data capture, and effective marketing automation strategies. Whether you run a high-end restaurant or a quick-service café, this podcast is a must-listen for anyone looking to harness technology for greater customer engagement and retention.  Visit captivewifi.com for more information! 

MSMR 030 - The Restaurant Industry 2025 with Peter Romeo: A Veteran Journalist's Perspective

Paul Molinari is joined by Peter Romeo, an award-winning journalist and a renowned figure in restaurant journalism. They discuss Peter's illustrious career and his new role as Managing Editor at IFMA. Dive into the current trends, challenges, and technological advancements shaping the restaurant industry. The conversation spans from the impact of the pandemic on labor, consumer demands, the role of AI, to the importance of staying informed in a rapidly evolving field. An insightful talk for restaurant technology professionals and industry enthusiasts!

MSMR 027 - Keeping Food Order On-Time Promises with Kitchen Capacity Management featuring Scott Siegel of Curbit

In this episode of Morning Sam, Morning Ralph, host Paul Molinari of Popcorn GTM speaks with Scott Siegel, co-founder and CRO of Curbit. They discuss Curbit's innovative approach to kitchen capacity management that ensures food is delivered on time, every time, by orchestrating and organizing orders from multiple channels. Scott explains Curbit’s origins and evolution, their strategic decisions during the pandemic, and how their technology improves restaurant operations and customer experiences. Learn about the omnichannel integration with existing tech stacks, the importance of real-time data, and the significant benefits Curbit brings to restaurant brands like Smashburger. Don’t miss the insightful discussion on solving the chronic issues in the restaurant industry and enhancing food service delivery. Visit: https://curbit.com to learn more.