Papa Gino's is a restaurant chain based in Massachusetts that specializes in traditional thin crust pizza along with pasta, subs, salads, and a variety of appetizers. As of 2022, there are 81 Papa Gino's locations in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island. Kevin attributes his 10-year NFL career to helping him develop leadership and management skills that he uses today. Papa Gino’s has an immense amount of love and respect from its New England fan base. That passion is fueled, in part, by the quality of the pizza and food it serves. Kevin and Papa Gino’s look for vendors who will work with the brand as partners in a longer, continually-involving technological journey. Kevin isn’t afraid to admit it, but he’s a pineapple on pizza kind of guy – and so is Joseph. Quotes “The biggest benefit of my collective background is being able to fit in in any environment. I’ve had so many collective experiences that it allows me to connect with people naturally and organically.” (Kevin) “Technology is a part of every single department in this organization. You either have a say in this, or the technology is going to steamroll you.” (Joseph) “At the core, as long as you continue to deliver quality food and a quality experience, that cult (following) will continue.” (Kevin) “Pretty much every challenge in a restaurant is being tackled by a tech company right now. If you don’t have leaders in these silos understanding that, embracing it and then finding someone who’s an ally like yourself that’s going to give you some great movement forward.” (Joseph) “The rate at which technology is moving, you really need a strategic partner that’s going to come along with you for the journey. I’m looking at vendors long term and how we can be strategic together.” (Kevin) “Everyone will swear they have an open API but when you start digging into the weeds, it’s not so open. The reality is, not every tech vendor can do everything well and integrations are critical for the ecosystem.” (Kevin) Transcript 00:00.00 vigorbranding O sorry let me just 1 more thing it is Kevin Bentley right and it's a Vp of technology and automation at pappainas pizzeria and Dangelo sub sandwiches. Okay, just making sure I don't want to get on ambul like actually it's Kevin you said it wrong all right? so. 00:04.71 Kevin Bentley Yep. 00:08.59 Kevin Bentley Um, yep. 00:19.69 vigorbranding 3 2 1 hey everyone today I'm joined by my friend Kevin Bentley he is the Vp of technology and automation at papaginno's Pizzeria and Deangelo sub sandwiches if you're from the northeast you know those names if you're not from the northeast you're about to learn a bit more about them. Before we dive in Kevin say hello give a little bit of backstory. 00:40.63 Kevin Bentley Yeah Joseph thanks for having me on just a quick correction. It's actually ca on it's french no I'm just totally kid totally get it? Yeah ah no thanks for having me on I'm really excited to join you and have this discussion as. 00:45.78 vigorbranding Oh kept. Ah I didn't see the accent Mark. Ah. 01:00.30 Kevin Bentley Joseph mentioned I'm the Vp of tech give you a quick backstory I know we're gonna dive into my story a little bit so I'll keep it really high level born or raised on the west coast in California was convinced to go to school in Chicago at northwestern to play football. Don't ask me how they got a kid from the sunny California west coast to. Go to the Midwest where was cold and raining and snowing all the time but they got me. There had a great time at northwestern play 10 years in Nfl went back got my Mba from rice a masters in technology from northwestern and actually prepare for my doctorate. At Usc and organizational leadership. Yeah I'm a glutton for pain when it comes to education. So don't fault me too much. 01:43.70 vigorbranding I love it. Yeah I mean the professional journey and then and then the the academic journey as we