As seniors increasingly use technology in their daily lives, innovative solutions are emerging to cater to their unique needs across different industries. Terence Ronson, Founder of Pertlink, has leveraged his hospitality expertise to develop technologies for senior living residences, such as voice control for simple tasks and dietary tracking systems in hospitals. While integrating such personalized technologies into the hospitality and restaurant industries with shorter patron stays poses...

Across almost every industry, self-service is being implemented in some format. Grocery stores have self-checkout, hotels have self-check-in/out, and of course the foodservice industry has embraced kiosk ordering.   Joining in an Accelerate Spotlight conversation this week with Rob Grimes is Tyler Wells, ISV & Strategic Accounts Partner Manager, Americas at MicroTouch. MicroTouch is a global leader in capacitive touch solutions and innovator in touch technology, with more than 50 million...

Hong Kong has always been ground zero when it came to hospitality, tech, innovation and education.  How this came to be, and was put to practical use was the subject of conversation with this week’s guest, Richard Hatter. Richard has an extensive background in the hospitality space, opening many hotels in the Asia-Pacific market over the last 25 years. Richard’s operations expertise led him to become an adjunct professor at Hong Kong Polytechnic University which opened up new doors, putting...

One of the problems the industry has always had, what is ‘technology’ in the first place?” jokes this week’s guest, Barbara Timm-Brock, CEO of E-Track. With a mutual passion for tech and operations with the foodservice industries, but coming from different starts in the industry, Barbara joins Rob as they examine the past, present, and future from their individual viewpoints. They begin by reflecting on their work experience, Rob at Marriott and Barbara at Pillsbury. The pair note how the...

In this episode of the Accelerate Podcast, host Rob Grimes, delves into the pulse of hospitality tech in a "Hospitality Tech: State of the Union" episode. Drawing inspiration from the recent State of the Union address, he embarks on a comprehensive exploration of the technological landscape within the hospitality industry. Join Rob, as he navigates through various industry predictions, presentations, and articles, shedding light on the latest tech trends shaping the hospitality industry....

In this week's episode, host Rob Grimes puts the spotlight on TechSpectations, or rather, the expectations of tech within hospitality. Not about airing grievances or frustrations about technology but rather a constructive dialogue aimed at dissecting observations and insights shared with Rob by industry insiders. From investing in cutting-edge technology to grappling with execution challenges, the conversation draws from recent industry developments and personal anecdotes, the podcast...

On this episode Accelerate, host Rob Grimes asks, can technology provide a solution to iconic brands and hospitality to avoid their demise allowing them to live on, not only in our hearts & minds, but in our stomach as well? Having recently visited a graveyard, Rob was able to look up names on headstones and find out a bit about their history by searching online, which prompted the idea for this episode. New technology is taking this concept even further, by providing immortality to...

Continuing the conversation around what is expected to be the top industry technology trends for 2024, Accelerate host Rob Grimes shifts his focus this week to technology influencers. Influencers, according to Rob, is more than just individual people. Rather, it’s individual focus areas that influence what happens to technology and innovation in general. But it is the Futurists that predict the future and set the path to get there. Rob breaks down influencers into two types - vertical and...

Since the start of 2024, there have been many discussions about technology trends or top 10 lists published. This episode of Accelerate, host Rob Grimes is diving into some of the top trending technology for the foodservice industry. Drawing from firsthand experiences, discussions with other industry leaders, and looking at industry ‘cousins’ retail or lodging, Rob dissects these emerging trends poised to evolve the foodservice industry. Starting from within the foodservice industry, Rob...

Right now, the collective hospitality industry has many concerns around the future of technology, especially artificial intelligence, and robotics. The major concern is that jobs will be replaced by technology, a conversation that has been going on for years. Host Rob Grimes begins the conversation by flashing back to a time when fast food restaurants were testing remote call centers taking orders at the drive through. Immediately, there were concerns about jobs being taken in the...

Making the decision of buy vs. build (or “make”) technology is always going to come down to the specific business. While majority of businesses will choose to buy from technology which already exists, there are many companies (small and large) who are developing their own systems, specifically point of sale (pos) or back-office. In this episode, Rob breaks down considerations when it comes to either approach. If you’re going to make your own technology, trust the people involved where the...

Every year CES, organized by the Consumer Technology Association, takes place annually in Las Vegas each January, and is immediately followed by NRF: Retail’s Big Show in New York City the following week. While CES primarily focuses on consumers and personal technology, NRF is a business-to-business (B2B) retail-oriented event. Joining Rob to discuss and compare their experiences at CES 2024 and NRF 2024 is Armand Rabinowitz, Vice President Digital and Technology at Levy Restaurants. Both...

Anyone who’s been to the NRF’s Retail Big Show would know it’s the one of the largest technology events in the retail space. In this episode of Accelerate, host Rob Grimes is joined by Susan Newman, Senior Vice President of Events at the NRF. As collaboration partners representing the NRF and IFBTA, they preview what’s in store for the 2024 show and how technology has connected the retail & foodservice industries. The pair start by discussing the 118-year history of the show and how it’s...

For some operators, the restaurant business can be a family business, passed down willingly or unwillingly to the next generation. Joining Rob today to discuss their experience in the family restaurant business is Amanda Signorelli and Nick McMillan who are co-owners of Golden Steer Steakhouse, the oldest restaurant on the Las Vegas Strip (established in 1958). In March 2019, Nick and Amanda took over the reins of the Golden Steer Steakhouse from Amanda’s father. Amanda and Nick had...

The choice of deciding between an All-in-One vs. Best-in-Breed systems and applications is one many operators are faced with. When you look for an All-In-One system, you have to define what this means within the total system. Otherwise, The types of systems that fall under Best-of-Breed could be a subset of a larger application with several different individual applications such payroll, pos, loyalty, scheduling, digital signage, inventory, etc. making it an All-in-One! The approach to...

As we approach a Cyber Monday which is projected to hit a new spending high this year, the conversation around technology continues to get louder. Joining Rob this week is Aramark’s Vice President Digital Innovation and creator of Emerge, Peter Czimback. Peter introduces Emerge and talks about the importance of keeping the consumers at the center of everything as you approach your technology. “At the end of the technology there’s one thing that always happens. Someone’s touching it - humans”...

As operators, the opportunities that new technology is bringing to the hospitality industry is abundant. Since technology enables every part of an operation, it allows operators to focus on their role without becoming technologists themselves. This week, Rob discusses many of the new opportunities that are available to operators. He calls out the growth and demand of fresh food. Customers increasingly desiring access to food that is cooked and delivered efficiently. Vending, an area that...

In this episode, Accelerate Host Rob Grimes has an insightful conversation with Jim Knight about the hospitality industry, focusing on the intersection of culture, technology, and customer service. They examine how new technologies like online ordering and handheld devices can improve operations but also potentially hinder the guest experience and company culture if not implemented thoughtfully. Jim draws on his extensive background in hospitality training, and his roots as a rock musician...

Accelerate Host Rob Grimes provides his perspective on how technology and generational differences converge, shaping the future of the hospitality industry. In today's diverse landscape, six distinct generations both serve and are served, each bringing its unique tech prowess and preferences. Harnessing the 5 C's of change - creativity, communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and compassion - we explore how these principles drive innovation, from reimagined dress codes to...

This week’s episode is about the inevitable adoption of certain technology - where resistance is futile. Mandates, whether it be from the government or operators themselves, are pushing technology in a certain direction and making it so there is almost no way to resist. Join Host Rob Grimes this week as he talks about the specific technologies that are being pushed and adopted despite the oppositions, concerns and roadblocks that may exist. Electrification is a good example of a trend that...

The role of technology in training and development across the hospitality industry has evolved dramatically, especially over the last 5 years. In this episode of Accelerate, host Rob is joined by Felicia White, President-Elect for the Council Hotel Restaurant and Trainers (CHART), and Monique Donahue, Director of Commercial Learning for Hilton, and prior president of CHART. CHART is an association that provides training and resources for both hotel and restaurant operators. Serving...

Over the past week, Accelerate host Rob Grimes attended 3 different industry events across 3 industries and segments - food and beverage, hospitality, and retail. Starting at CrEATe in Palm Springs, to NACS trade show in Atlanta, and then a presentation on food and beverage technology at the ‘On the Road’ series for the AHLA and IHLA in Chicago. Attending events by these various verticals in such a short timespan reminds Rob that although our approach to technology may differ, there are...

One of the most challenging things in the ‘food and beverage technology’ umbrella is the different terminology we use to define tech and the different segments within our industry. How do you define SMB vs. Enterprise? Casual vs. Full Service? What are the functions, features and applications within back-office technologies? As you seek or sell technology, understanding these definitions is key to making choices. Accelerate host Rob Grimes says emerging technology creates further...

Host Rob Grimes continues his review of FSTEC 2023 and compares notes with Tim Tang, Director of Enterprise Solutions at Hughes. Tim has also been going to FSTEC for over 10 years as a tech analyst that covers foodservice and many other related industries across retail, c-store, and hospitality where he and Rob keep running into each other. Speaking to broad observations of the industry as seen at FSTEC, Tim says “The current environment post covid - high inflation, labor challenges, new...