RTN Member Spotlight: Nick Blake

What unique problem does your company solve for restaurants?

We help restaurants to accept payments of any type, in any environment through any format with the unique capability of facilitating merchant acquiring, payment gateway and transaction security. A restaurant customer can choose whether to pay in cash, with a payment card or through a digital wallet, and they can do it online, in-person, or via a mobile-app or browser. The entire process is completed seamlessly and with the highest level of security through point-to-point encryption and tokenization.

Why did your company join RTN?

We joined RTN because we felt it was a great opportunity to collaborate with other technology providers and restaurant operators and to gain new perspectives. Working together we can create new and better ways to support the industry.

What’s your favorite personal pastime?

Spending time with my family. My two sons are 11 and 13 and are very into soccer so one of my favorite activities is watching them play.

What three words would you use to describe what’s happening in the restaurant industry right now?

Disruption, personalization, and digitalization

What’s your most-used restaurant app?

Starbucks App – Order ahead has been a game changer for me.

Restauranteur you most admire and why?

Danny Meyer – I was living near Madison Square Park as he was coming into his prime and while Union Square Café was the pinnacle, I loved the variety of restaurant from Blue Smoke to Tabla. The first time I went to Shake Shack in the park I knew it was a game changer.

What technology are you most excited about for the future of restaurants?

Data analytics and automation to give diners what they want, when they want it in a frictionless manner that puts the diner in control (e.g., seat location, dining experience, targeted menus, etc.).