The podcast episode features a conversation with Daniel Martinez, the founder and CEO of QNS, discussing the impact of technology on restaurant operations, the value proposition for restaurant brands, Daniel's personal journey as a solopreneur, and the role of technology in the hospitality business. The conversation also delves into the misconceptions and realities in technology adoption, as well as the alignment of technology with measurable outcomes and the importance of resiliency and redundancy in network infrastructure. The conversation delves into the impact of technology on customer experience, highlighting the shift in the restaurant industry towards technology-driven customer interactions. It also explores the critical importance of endpoint security in business operations, emphasizing the need for robust security measures to protect sensitive data and systems.

Takeaways

• Technology needs to be aligned with measurable outcomes
• The importance of resiliency and redundancy in network infrastructure Customer experience is impacted by technology
• Endpoint security is a critical concern for businesses

Chapters

• Daniel’s Background & Career Journey – From IT leadership to founding Q & S, solopreneurship, and lessons learned.
• Q & S & Restaurant Technology – Discussing tech infrastructure for multi-unit restaurants, scaling, and operational efficiency.
• Security & Network Insights – Cybersecurity, endpoint security, and network resiliency in restaurants.
• AI & Tech Adoption – How AI and modern technology impact operations and decision-making.
• Personal Reflections – Daniel shares personal stories of resilience, community, and lessons from entrepreneurship.

The conversation covers the importance of AI in hospitality, Josh's Halpern's expertise in bar operations, his role at Anheuser-Busch, identifying key industry challenges, the impact of chicken wings on business, the role of AI in hospitality and emotional currency, the use of AI to enhance guest experience, challenges and opportunities with AI and Shaquille O'Neal, and creating emotional experiences in Big Chicken and Fresh Brothers Pizza. The conversation covers topics related to creating lasting memories, improving hiring processes, learning from Craveworthy, challenges of restaurant tech, the value of trade shows, AI in hospitality, and preparing for an AI-enabled future. Key themes include the importance of authentic energy and hospitality, the complexity of restaurant tech solutions, and the need to isolate feeling vs. thought in business.

Takeaways

• AI's role in enhancing guest experience
• Emotional currency and its impact on hospitality Authentic energy and hospitality are essential for creating lasting memories
• The complexity of restaurant tech solutions requires careful consideration and optimization

Chapters

• 00:00 Introductions and Cold Weather Chatter
• 05:15 Identifying Key Industry Challenges
• 16:04 The Use of AI to Enhance Guest Experience
• 23:51 Creating Emotional Experiences in Big Chicken and Fresh Brothers Pizza
• 29:21 Learning from Craveworthy
• 35:24 The Value of Trade Shows
• 41:07 Preparing for an AI-Enabled Future

🎙️ Podcast Spotlight: ChatGTM Podcast S2 Ep 5: Toni Ronayne on Leadership, Fractional Roles & Community

We had the pleasure of speaking with Toni Ronayne about her journey from corporate leadership to founding her own company, The C Society. The conversation dives into the shifts, insights, and strategies shaping modern hospitality leadership.

✨ Key Themes:
• Embracing change & validation
• Early career leadership lessons
• The rise & impact of fractional leadership
• Community building & mentorship in hospitality
• Unique pressures for women in leadership
• Momentum, cross-pollination & setting up fractional leaders for success

💡 Top Takeaways:
• Hospitality leadership: Navigating dynamic change & priorities
• Fractional leadership: Essential in times of transformation
• Community building: Finding your tribe & fostering connections
• Validation & timing: Knowing when to pivot & embrace new opportunities

🕒 Episode Chapters:
• 00:00 – NRF Highlights & Introduction
• 05:57 – Early Career & Leadership Lessons
• 14:00 – Rise of Fractional Leadership
• 20:54 – Community Building & Transition to C Society
• 27:16 – Embracing Change & Validation
• 33:27 – Unique Pressures for Women in Hospitality Leadership
• 39:03 – Setting Up Fractional Leaders for Success

Toni’s insights remind us that leadership isn’t just about title, it’s about momentum, community, and impact.

#Leadership #FractionalLeadership #Hospitality #CommunityBuilding#Mentorship #CareerTransition

The conversation covers the impact of AI on the QSR industry, focusing on decision-making, operational efficiency, and staff experience. It also delves into the challenges and benefits of AI adoption, particularly in the context of product leadership and operational dynamics within the QSR industry. The conversation covers the importance of challenging AI models, the process of pivoting in product development, the future of drive-through technology, the significance of customer satisfaction, the role of customer obsession in product leadership, and the need for clarity in AI adoption. Each chapter delves into these themes, providing valuable insights and perspectives from the speakers.

Takeaways

• AI as a Decision-Making Tool
• Impact of AI on QSR Industry AI models should be challenged
• Pivoting in product development
• The future of drive-through technology
• The importance of customer satisfaction
• Customer obsession in product leadership
• The need for clarity in AI adoption

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and Event Discussion
• 05:28 AI in QSR Industry
• 14:30 Impact of AI on QSR Staff and Operations
• 19:37 New Bottleneck in AI Adoption
• 25:06 Pivoting in Product Development
• 31:36 Customer Satisfaction and Obsession
• 40:50 AI Tools and Product Mistakes

The conversation delves into the influence of Jim Knight, the impact of culture on business success, Jim Knight's career journey and focus on culture, the power of one in sparking change, the role of leadership in organizational culture, encouraging innovation and risk-taking, the shift towards personal branding and employee engagement, and the importance of personalization in customer experience. The conversation covers Jim Knight's journey from a middle school teacher to a promoter of change and impact. It delves into the trajectory of change, resilience, and identifying key areas of change. It also explores unique experiences, lessons of gratitude, and the influence of speaking engagements.

Takeaways

• Culture as the Terroir of Business
• The Primacy of Personalization in Customer Experience Embracing change
• Fostering internal content creators

Chapters

• 00:00 The Importance of Personalization in Customer Experience
• 42:22 Creating Impact Through Change Management
• 48:21 The Hard Rock Vault
• 57:29 Speaking Engagements and Impact

In this episode, Joseph Szala discusses the concept of 'Quiet Killers' and how it relates to the challenges faced by restaurant brands. He shares insights on the patterns and frustrations that led to the development of his book, as well as the allure of bad ideas and the fallacy of the marketing funnel. Joseph emphasizes the importance of blaming systems, not people, and addresses the resistance to change in the industry. The conversation delves into the challenges of challenging beliefs, the importance of daily rituals, creating a safe space for risk-taking, collaboration and clarity, implementing frameworks and simplicity, addressing the funnel and emerging brands, prioritizing and aligning goals, the importance of digital experience, recognizing organizational health, identifying underlying issues, the desired outcome of reading Quiet Killers, key questions for leaders, and encouraging random acts of kindness.

Takeaways

• Patterns and frustrations led to the development of 'Quiet Killers'
• The allure of bad ideas and the fallacy of the marketing funnel are key challenges in the industry. Daily rituals are essential for identifying and addressing 'Quiet Killers' in business.
• Creating a safe space for risk-taking and collaboration leads to organizational health and success.

Chapters

• 00:00 Uncovering Quiet Killers
• 06:00 The Allure of Bad Ideas
• 10:52 The Marketing Funnel Fallacy
• 17:03 Blaming Systems, Not People
• 22:20 The Challenge of Challenging Beliefs
• 28:33 Prioritizing and Aligning Goals
• 36:57 Identifying Underlying Issues
• 42:44 Key Questions for Leaders

The conversation covers the journey of Bill Assyri, the owner of Wits frozen custard, from his background in the restaurant industry to the acquisition of Wits and the subsequent growth of the business. It delves into the importance of trust, teamwork, and leadership decisions, as well as the innovation in technology and the relationship with franchisees. The conversation covers the challenges and strategies of balancing technology and people in the restaurant industry, as well as the growth and expansion plans of a franchise. It delves into the importance of customer experience, staffing, culture, and the franchisee journey, along with the integration of technology and vendor selection. The discussion also highlights the significance of work ethic and success in the industry.

Takeaways

• Franchise Acquisition
• Business Growth Balancing tech and people
• Growth and expansion strategy

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and Background
• 06:03 The Journey of Acquiring Wits
• 11:31 The Importance of Trust and Teamwork
• 19:06 Leadership Decisions and Franchisee Relations
• 24:16 Customer Experience and Branding
• 30:25 Franchisee Journey and Vision
• 37:21 Work Ethic and Success

In this episode of Chat GTM, hosts Michael Beck and Chad Horn sit down with Rich Faltot, leader of the Restaurant and Hospitality vertical at Point B , a consulting powerhouse helping iconic brands like Whataburger, Starbucks, and others transform from the inside out.

Fresh off Point B’s surprise Trailblazer Award from Whataburger, Rich shares the story behind the recognition, why Point B consultants start every engagement working inside a restaurant, and how brands can future-proof their operations as AI and automation reshape hospitality.

Whether you’re building tech for restaurants, leading transformation initiatives, or just love hearing how great teams scale with integrity — this episode delivers insight, humor, and actionable takeaways from one of the industry’s best.

👉 Meet the Point B and Inc Tank GTM teams in person at the upcoming Restaurant Finance & Development Conference in Las Vegas, November 10–12. Come say hello, swap stories, and learn how Point B is helping restaurant brands perform, scale, and evolve.