Episode 7: Beyond the Buzzwords: Ty Shehadi on Optimizing Restaurant Tech for Single-Unit Operators
Restaurant technology promises efficiency, but single-unit operators often struggle to deliver on that promise. Ty Shehadi, Head of Strategic Partnerships at Restaurant365, admits the hard truth: even R365 "is often not suitable for many single-unit operators unless paired with support services." Here's why optimizing restaurant tech for single-unit operators requires more than just software.
Episode 6: Taming the "Unique Beast": Steven Mamis on Why Specialized Accounting Software Is Non-Negotiable for Multi-Unit Restaurants
Restaurant accounting is a "unique beast," says Steven Mamis, Restaurant365 expert and founder of FORCS. "People have this misconception that restaurants are easy to deal with... but it really is sort of a unique beast." As Senior Controller of Five Guys New York, Steven reveals why specialized accounting software isn't optional for multi-unit success, it's essential.
Episode 5: From Building Collapse to Financial Clarity: Andy Himmel on the Grit and Gold of Restaurant Success
Imagine your first restaurant's building collapsing before opening day. That's what happened to Andy Himmel at 22. This disaster forged the resilience that defined his career and led him to found The Restaurant CPAs. "The restaurant business is unique in that hard work and genuine care translate directly into positive guest experiences that are difficult to fake."
Episode 4: Shawn P. Walchef's Journey from Dishwasher to Building a Restaurant Owner Media Empire
Shawn P. Walchef destroys the biggest lie in business: "If you build it, they will come." The Cali BBQ Media founder went from washing dishes at age 13 to owning that restaurant and building a media empire. His message? "You have to put the mask on yourself first because if you pass out, you're good to nobody else." Here's his strategy for sustainable restaurant growth.
Episode 3: Wade Allen's Surprising Shift: Why Costa Vida's President Now Puts Operations Over Marketing
Former Brinker International Chief Digital Officer Wade Allen made a surprising discovery at Costa Vida: marketing isn't the answer to sustainable growth. "Marketing is the fuel that will help that fire grow. But if the fire itself isn't lit and strong, no amount of marketing will sustain this brand." Here's how he maintains excellence across locations.
Episode 2: How Michael Beck's Personal Loss Sparked a Mission to Transform Restaurant Tech Sales
When Michael Beck's father lost everything due to poor financial management, it sparked a 15-year mission to transform how restaurant technology is sold and delivered. As CEO of Inc Tank GTM, Michael advocates for a revolutionary approach: stop pitching and start asking powerful questions. Discover why the team behind the technology matters more than features, how to achieve real product-market fit, and the proactive philosophy that drives both business success and environmental conservation.
Episode 1: How Matt Wampler Came to Revolutionize Restaurant Operations with ClearCOGS
From sleeping on aprons in a failing franchise to co-founding a cutting-edge AI company, Matt Wampler's journey exemplifies how the grittiest beginnings can lead to industry-changing innovation. As a self-described "ADD dyslexic kid," Matt transformed a train wreck Jimmy John's location from $400,000 to nearly $1 million in revenue within the first year. After years of intensive restaurant operations and an MBA at Duke, Matt identified the industry's biggest challenge: demand forecasting. In 2022, he co-founded ClearCOGS, an AI platform that helps restaurants predict customer volume, optimize staffing, and reduce waste.