S2E78 - What Restaurants Get Wrong About Tech: Advice on POS, Labor, and Service Models

About the Episode

In this episode of Whisking It All, Angelo Esposito interviews Anthony Presley, the Chief Technology Officer at CBS NorthStar and managing partner at TimeForge Labor.

They discuss Anthony's journey into the restaurant tech world, the importance of labor management, and the evolution of POS systems. Anthony shares insights on how to start a tech venture without a background, the significance of prototyping, and the common mistakes restaurants make when choosing tech solutions.

In this episode, you’ll hear Angelo share stories from his early entrepreneurial days, candid advice for non-technical founders looking to break into hospitality tech, and real-world lessons learned from growing two companies that have had to evolve with the ever-changing needs of the restaurant industry.

The discussion touches on everything from rapid prototyping with new no-code tools, to the importance of prioritizing people and service over shiny features, down to the nuts and bolts of selecting the right POS and labor solutions.

Takeaways

• Anthony Presley has extensive experience in both hospitality and technology.
• TimeForge focuses on labor management, helping restaurants find and retain qualified staff.
• Prototyping tools and AI can significantly aid in developing tech solutions.
• Simplicity in tech solutions is crucial for effective business operations.
• Customer feedback is essential for product development and improvement.
• Partnerships and reseller channels can drive growth for tech companies.
• The restaurant tech landscape has evolved significantly over the past 30 years.
• Labor management tools are critical for compliance and efficiency in restaurants.
• Choosing the right POS system is vital for restaurant operations.
• Data utilization can enhance customer experience and operational efficiency.

Timestamps

00:00 Labor Challenges and Market Positioning 05:16 Questioning Purpose and Growth 08:15 "Validate Ideas Through Neutral Feedback" 10:26 Prototyping Tools for MVP Development 13:35 Gaining First Customers Insights 19:29 "Unchanged Restaurant Service Model" 21:49 Onboarding and Support Excellence 23:16 Integrating HubSpot's Full Potential 27:01 Labor and POS: Restaurant Tech Priorities 32:37 "Forecasting Needs in Small QSRs" 34:45 POS System Add-Ons Explained 37:09 "Prioritizing Hyperlocal Recruitment Needs" 41:49 Lineup AI's Journey and Closure 45:56 Verify Before Trusting Systems 49:32 POS System Offline Functionality Concerns 53:28 Enhancing Dining Experience with Reservations 55:20 Gamifying Brand Collaborations 57:34 Promotional Spotlight & Predictions