RTN Member Spotlight: Larry Fiel
What unique problem does your company solve for restaurants?
For over 35 years, our comprehensive, all-in-house, synchronous solution sets have given owners/operators the innovative resources needed to sell more, save more, and earn more.
With an array of highly secure, fully scalable, custom FOH & BOH enterprise solutions that include on-demand menu management, fingertip reporting via a 'single pane of glass,' complete data and cyber security, seamless RESTful API-based integrations, and an award-winning call center (that actually answers the phones), we eliminate the 'blame game' as it relates to issue resolution and take the onus upon ourselves for all-in accountability.
Why did your company join RTN?
We joined RTN and its extensive network of thought leaders in order to listen to the true voice of the customer and remain solidly ahead of the curve as it relates to marketplace needs, wants, and growth-enabled innovation.
What’s your favorite personal pastime?
Wow. Great question... I'm an antique junkie, so perusing through an array of oriental-style rugs, pottery and depression-era glassware is high on my list of activities. But I just purchased an e-bike, which allows me to explore the outdoors in a more unfettered fashion. So that's a favorite as well. And I write poetry. And then there's my daily dose of Wordle and the NY Times crossword puzzle!
What three words would you use to describe what’s happening in the restaurant industry right now?
Challenging. Challenging. Challenging.
What’s your most-used restaurant app?
Jimmy John's...naturally! :)
Restauranteur you most admire and why?
Paul Brown, co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Inspire Brands. I could say it's because of his numerous industry awards for exemplary leadership, along with his commitment to children's healthcare in Atlanta... or I could cite his innovative strategies and proven investments in technology--all of which contributed to the long-tenured success of the acclaimed Inspire brand. But perhaps what I admire most is his ceaseless efforts to champion diversity and create a influencing culture of excellence--one that truly resonates with his employees, his customers, the at-large community, and the restaurant industry as a whole.
What technology are you most excited about for the future of restaurants?
While I'd be remiss if I didn't mention AI and all its possibilities, I'm going to say it's the expanding proliferation of existing technologies that measurably and meaningfully meet customer expectations and further enhance the guest experience: namely contactless ordering/payments, personalized loyalty, and self-serve kiosks with multiple tenders (including QR code scanners) and reservation functionality.
