Robots, Ghost Kitchens & Papa John's

1. Interesting article by Benji Koltai , explaining how his company Galley Solutions is using technology to make things better for food industry workers.

"The food industry is one of the last to rely so heavily on minimum-wage workers who are required to make dozens or hundreds of operational “micro-decisions” every day, in critical areas like purchasing and preparation.

Despite having the skills and intelligence to excel and grow, these workers struggle to thrive because they’re trapped in operational inefficiency, without access to the vital information required to do their jobs well."

The result is poor quality, low margins, and reduced profits. The business then can’t afford to pay anything other than minimum wage and the negative flywheel accelerates."

2. In Jacksonville-area Florida, you will soon be able to get all your fast food cravings from one location.

" Ghost Kitchen Brands employees prepare each menu item according to each brand’s guidelines, replicating the quality in those brand’s own restaurants.

For the Big & Sloppy from Big Chicken , for example, each sandwich is prepared with fresh chicken that is battered and fried to order.

For the Chicken Carbonara from Quiznos , the sub sandwich is made and toasted just like it would be at Quiznos.

And the Avocado Cobb would be assembled using the same Saladworks recipe."

3. The evolution of Loyalty programs continues, from the punch cards to beyond.

"But can a loyalty program spark the same emotional response from guests of full-service establishments?

The short answer is "absolutely." As long as it's implemented in a way that's easy to use and reflects your restaurant's brand.

Whatever digital loyalty program you choose, make sure that you can include your restaurant's logos and colors on the interface.

Along with adding these branding elements, choose rewards that compliment your restaurant's style. 

4. So, robots are waiters, now. Do you tip them?

"Eric Sit, owner of OMO Teppan and Kitchen Japanese and Sushi and Kitchen along Macleod Trail, is always on the lookout for new, high-tech ways of operating, and after a month-long trial has introduced OMOBOT to his customers.

OMOBOT is a robot waiter, a natural progression to the next level of upgrading his restaurant’s experience.

With the robot’s help, human staff can do more productive and high-level duties, which increases their efficiency."

5. Say, this is a big boost for Papa Johns .

"Perales already has a lot of brands—he’s a franchisee of Burger King, Popeyes, Arby’s, Applebee’s, T-Mobile, McAlister’s, IHOP and GNC. Sun Holdings is also the owner and franchisor of Taco Bueno.

When asked about his goals for Papa John’s, he’s noncommittal, but he’s certainly not planning to go slow."