The Rise of AI and Location Intelligence in QSR, with Gladys Kong

Industry vet Michael Sien joins QSR Uncut this week to talk about a recent leap—starting faSHOW, a specialist consultancy dedicated to helping organizers, exhibitors, and operators get more out of their industry events. We’ll explore what’s going wrong with the current model and how partners, leaders, and everyone in between can improve ROI while attending in-person experiences (including September’s QSR Evolution Conference).

At just about 90 locations open across 12 states and 230 signed for development in the coming years, the fast casual tenders focused brand is hitting the growth lever. Andy Howard, known as the “Chicken Guy,” has had stops from Kenny Rogers Roasters to Ranch One to Wingstop before taking on this corner of the category. What’s ahead, how is Huey Magoo’s winning over customers and franchisees—we get into all of it as we explore the future of a surging chicken contender.

Chick-fil-A owner-operator Jon Harmeling, a former West Point instructor in systems engineering, joins QSR Uncut to chat about his journey with the category leader, but also to break down how he’s developed 10 AI systems that run inside his store. From forecasting to hiring to becoming a better leader, Harmeling continues to test and refine the homemade approach to thrive under margin pressure. We talk about real-life examples, where it’s failed, how it’s made a massive difference in culture and recognition, and where it all goes from here. It’s an episode with actionable insights you won’t want to miss.

Gladys Kong, CEO of Azira, joins QSR Uncut this week to break down some rising technologies and how restaurant brands can better understand their customers, optimize operations, and compete in a market where consumer behavior is quickly changing. Is it time to move beyond basic foot traffic reporting and into predictive, data-driven decision making? Should you worry about privacy regulations? A lot to get into as innovation continues to flood the foodservice world.

One of the country’s most-iconic treat chains recently rolled out Seattle’s Best Coffee as it looks to compete more aggressively for high-frequency beverage occasions and evolve beyond traditional indulgence moments. We’ll explore what that means for Cinnabon, how it’s innovating overall to meet the customer where they are, and what’s next for a chain that added more than 300 stores nationwide last year.

Andy Grindstaff, Director, Enterprise Restaurant Product, Global Payments, joins QSR Uncut this week for a wide-ranging discussion as we roll around the tech landscape. Let's talk AI. Drive-thru (does speed matter as much as it used to?). How customers are reacting to innovation, and what the true after-shock of COVID is on the innovation debate. We get into all of it, backed by data, and take a look at what could be coming next.This episode is supported by our partners at Global Payments.

Moe’s Southwest Grill is in the midst of a new, three-part strategy to drive incremental gains. It includes extended hours to serve unmet demand, a Gen Z menu play, a deeper dive into delivery, and more as the category icon readies for what’s next. Chief brand officer Mike Smith joins QSR Uncut this week to unpack what brands are missing with late-night, how snacking behavior is shaping trends, and how Moe’s plans to find growth in one of the most competitive categories there is.

Kelli Jenkins, senior product manager at Vitamix, and Derek Clayton, the company’s corporate chef, join QSR Uncut for a wide-ranging discussion covering everything from back-of-the-house foodservice trends to the skill gap in restaurants to understanding why a piece of equipment built to last can make all the difference. We roll through pressing realities and where you can turn to get ahead of what’s coming next.This episode is brought to you by our partners at Vitamix. 

Recently named a Top 3 emerging restaurant chain in the U.S. by Datassential, The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill is fast approaching 100 units and $150 million in systemwide sales. President Bob Andersen joins QSR Uncut to discuss life growing a concept in a red-hot Mediterranean category and what it takes to win on the AI, menu, and franchising fronts. 

Alissa Partee is stepping into the role of CEO at Restaurant Technologies, a company she joined in 2020 before becoming COO. Partee has worked at leading brands such as Buffalo Wild Wings and Caribou Coffee and has picked up no shortage of lessons along the way. She joins QSR Uncut to discuss her journey to the CEO spot, what it takes to lead with clarity, and how restaurants can find back-of-the-house solutions to improve their hospitality and stand out during a challenging time.