Episode 51: Restaurant technology, necessary guardrails and AI in hospitality with Emily Williams Knight of The Texas Restaurant Association

Stephen Klein, CEO and co-founder of Saivory, joins the podcast to discuss how restaurant operators use artificial intelligence to help decipher guest data, tailor the ordering process to consumers and overcome gaps in their tech stacks. 

Aalok Kapoor, COO of CookUnity, discusses the evolution of meal kit delivery and how CookUnity leverages technology to offer personalized, restaurant-quality prepared meals to consumers. 

Andrew Glantz, CEO and Founder of GiftAMeal, joins the Food On Demand Podcast to discuss his story as a social entrepreneur, how the platform uses restaurant marketing to combat food insecurity and more. 

Emily Williams Knight, president and CEO of the Texas Restaurant Association, joins this episode of the Food On Demand podcast to discuss restaurant adoption of AI, food delivery policy changes, third-party delivery friction points and more.  

Angela Diffly, Director of Restaurant Digital and Technology Capabilities at Coca-Cola, talks restaurant tech trends and how the company is helping restaurants boost digital ordering and guest retention through smart partnerships. She also explores the future of instant delivery and where the digital dining experience is headed.

In this episode, Zach Rash, CEO and Founder of Coco Robotics, walks us through the journey of building the company—from its inception to its latest advancements in AI and automation. He shares what it takes behind the scenes to prepare cities for robotic delivery and how Coco partners with restaurants for last-mile logistics. We also explore the benefits of robotic delivery and where he sees the future of the industry heading.

Ahead of speaking on a panel at the conference, Ashley Elzinga joins the podcast to discuss key packaging trends, such as the growing focus on recyclability, compostability, and reuse. And touches on how legislation is shaping packaging decisions and how brands are leveraging packaging as a marketing opportunity.

Fresh off their "Demystifying AI" panel at the Food On Demand Conference, Carl and Deborah join us to break down how AI can help operators across the industry. From voice AI in the drive-thru to predictive data modeling, they share real-world use cases, unexpected wins, and what operators should focus on next.

In this episode, we sit down with Shawn P. Walchef, founder of Cali BBQ Media, right after a dynamic Next Gen Marketing panel at the Food On Demand Conference. Shawn shares his journey from running a San Diego barbecue restaurant to becoming a leading voice in restaurant storytelling through social media and podcasting. We dive into practical advice for operators hesitant about video content, the power of showing up online—even imperfectly—and how authentic storytelling can drive real business results. Whether you're a restaurateur, marketer, or just curious about building a brand with your phone, this conversation will leave you ready to hit record.

In this episode, we're bringing you insights straight from Vegas at the eighth annual Food On Demand Conference! Bernadette sits down with Allen Beck, Director of Off-Premise and Catering at Costa Vida, as he breaks down how the brand uses a holistic, fully burdened approach to grow its catering business profitably. Plus, hear how technology integration plays a critical role in operations—and why having a smart, future-ready tech stack matters more than ever.