In this episode, we’ll explore how GiftAMeal transforms everyday dining experiences into opportunities for generosity, with a stunning milestone of 2 million meals donated to food banks. We'll discuss the metrics and emotional connections that drive customer loyalty and behavior, and reveal how restaurants—from local spots to national chains—are integrating this initiative to make a positive impact.

Andrew will share insights on the challenges and triumphs of scaling GiftAMeal, the strategic importance of social media marketing, and future plans to expand their mission. If you’re in the restaurant industry or just passionate about social good, this episode is packed with valuable information and heartwarming stories. So, join us as we WISK it all together with Andrew Glantz on "WISKing It All!"

• GiftAMeal is a platform that allows restaurants to engage with their community and customers by making a donation to a local food bank for every photo taken by a guest.
• The program has reached 2 million meals donated and has shown positive impacts on customer loyalty, satisfaction, and online reviews.
• Restaurants can integrate GiftAMeal into their own mobile apps and utilize user-generated content for marketing purposes.
• Joining GiftAMeal is a quick and easy process, and there are plans to expand the program to support more restaurants and causes.

00:00 Entrepreneurial, social impact journeys merge through business. 03:16 Integrated entrepreneurship, social impact, and emotional-branding for restaurants. 09:06 GiftAMeal fosters emotional connection, boosting guest loyalty. 11:11 Marketing often deprioritized due to restaurant challenges. 15:20 User-generated content aids restaurant marketing and feedback. 18:22 GiftAMeal suits quick, casual dining, coffee shops. 21:52 Quick sign-up for customized promo materials, fast launch. 25:25 Recording and sharing uplifting restaurant customer stories. 29:08 Exploring technology to enhance restaurant social responsibility. 31:13 Visit GiftAMeal.com for partnership and demo information.

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Abhinav Kapur, co-founder and CEO of Bikky, discusses the customer data platform for restaurants and the importance of understanding guest behavior. Bikky pulls in data from various sources, such as point of sale, payments, online ordering, reservations, and loyalty, to help restaurants gain insights into their customers.

Kapur shares his journey of transitioning from finance to the restaurant industry and the inspiration behind starting Bikky. He also emphasizes the need for actionable data and the challenges of cutting through the noise in the restaurant tech space. Bikky recently raised $8 million in a Series A funding round and plans to invest in product development and scaling the business. So, whether you run a quick service spot or a casual dining joint, this episode has some golden nuggets to boost your game. Grab your headphones and let’s get into it!

• Bikky is a customer data platform for restaurants that helps them understand guest behavior and make data-driven decisions.
• Restaurants need actionable data to strategically grow their businesses and improve customer experiences.
• The restaurant industry is transitioning to digital, and there is a need for tools and resources to leverage the data generated.
• Choosing best-of-breed solutions that address specific pain points can be more effective than all-in-one systems.
• Raising prices can have an impact on customer frequency and behavior, and digital penetration in the restaurant industry is still growing.

00:00 Introduction and Background of Bikky 02:05 The Importance of Understanding Guest Behavior 04:23 Realizing potential in restaurant business through data. 05:51 Abhinav Kapur's Journey from Finance to the Restaurant Industry 08:43 Marketing automation for restaurants leveraging first-party data. 09:13 Challenges of Restaurant Tech and Cutting Through the Noise 12:53 Evaluating new menu items for customer impact. 14:45 Bikky's Biggest Challenge 16:16 Ecosystem changes, messaging importance in restaurant technology. 20:55 Bikky Raises $8 Million in Series A Funding 23:08 Bikky's Target Costumers: QSR and Fast Casual 25:25 Credit card token tracks guest information. 26:33 Accelerating investment in product, team, and market. 28:18 Aggressive pricing impacts restaurant customer frequency negatively. 31:15 Where to find Abhinav Kapur and Bikky

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Welcome to Episode 50 of the Wisking It All Podcast! Today, we're thrilled to have Branden Mcrill, co-founder, and CEO of Five Out, join us for an insightful discussion on the universal challenges within the restaurant industry. With over 26 years of hospitality experience, Branden dives deep into the critical aspects of achieving profitability through labor and purchasing optimization.

We'll explore his journey from humble beginnings parking cars and washing dishes, to working at prestigious restaurants like Alinea and eventually launching Five Out—a cutting-edge AI and machine learning solution revolutionizing restaurant operations. Learn how Five Out's automation software is helping restaurants streamline labor budgets, prep, and purchasing to enhance guest satisfaction and profitability.

Branden also shares valuable lessons from his extensive career, stresses the importance of balancing guest experience with business economics, and discusses the future of AI in the restaurant industry. Whether you're a restaurant owner, manager, or enthusiast, this episode offers a wealth of knowledge on optimizing operations and harnessing the power of technology in hospitality. Stay tuned for this enlightening conversation!

• FiveOut is an automation solution for the restaurant industry that uses machine learning models to optimize labor budgets, prep, and purchase volumes.
• The typical customer profile is QSR and FSR restaurants, particularly those at the higher end of the SMB and mid-market sectors.
• The onboarding process is streamlined and automated, requiring only integration with the point of sale system.
• The platform provides automated labor budgets, prep lists, and purchase orders, reducing the need for manual data entry and improving efficiency. Restaurants should measure success across multiple metrics, not just profitability.
• Automating labor budgeting and scheduling can help restaurants deploy the right budget at the right time.
• Sensitivity is crucial in inventory management to ensure the right amount of stock without any shortfall.
• AI and automation are transforming the restaurant industry, with robots and automation being used for various tasks.
• 5-Out aims to become a comprehensive solution for scheduling, prep, and purchase automation.

00:00 Introduction and Background

02:05 Starting 5-Out and the Need for Automation

08:09 Branden's Journey in the Restaurant Industry

10:29 Forecasted Revenue Using Algorithms

12:01 Transitioning to Software and AI

14:29 Refining Software Focus Towards QSR FSR Restaurants

18:23 Efficient Tech Setup Vital for Restaurant Success

20:39 Historical Sales Data is All We Need

25:11 Optimizing Staff Levels for Improved Service Efficiency

27:26 Restaurant Labor Scheduling: Time, Cost, Productivity Data

30:43 True AI is Automation, But We Need Humans

32:06 Success Not Celebrated, Errors Draw Attention. Consistency Valued

36:34 The Importance of Sensitivity in Inventory Management

40:41 The Role of AI and Automation in Restaurants

44:28 The Future of 5-Out: Scheduling, Prep, and Purchase Automation

48:07 Where to Find 5-Out

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