**WATCH HERE** Scaling Your Brand! RTN Town Hall Is Now Available On-Demand
The Restaurant Technology Network (RTN) recently hosted a candid Town Hall conversation centered on a critical topic for every growing brand: "Scaling Restaurant Tech: How to Get from One to 3,000+ Locations." Without slides or formal presentations, this dynamic discussion unpacked real-world strategies for successful growth.
Here are some of the most valuable takeaways from our industry leaders.
On Partnerships
Technology partners should view each restaurant like a Rubik’s Cube—a unique system of existing solutions that requires smart integration, not replacement. The best partners work with a restaurant's chosen vendors to streamline operations, save complexity, and create a cohesive technology stack. For restaurants, the advice is to keep your options open and always understand what your next strategic move will be.
On Franchising
Franchising is the primary mechanism for scaling in the restaurant world, but it requires a unique approach to technology. Because you are dealing with independent business owners, trust is paramount. The key is to think of your technology rollout in strategic phases. The first step should always be the one with the smallest investment for your franchisees, but with the biggest return. This approach builds confidence and earns buy-in for future solutions.
On Team Members
Your people are often the most underutilized powerhouse within your organization. The discussion highlighted the importance of implementing solutions that can gamify front-line roles. When technology makes it easy for employees to earn points and recognition for working hard and providing great service, they are more motivated to bring their best to the job every day.
On AI Solutions
For many smaller operators without dedicated IT teams, AI can feel out of reach. The conversation emphasized looking for self-contained AI solutions that can deliver business value right out of the box. For example, one operator spoke about using a simple AI tool to analyze their menu against broader industry trends, providing valuable insights without a heavy lift.
On VOIP & Connectivity
A hot topic in the discussion was the challenge of network connectivity. Brands shared their real-world experiences using SD-WAN to preserve bandwidth for critical systems like voice. Both operators and vendors provided valuable tips on how to add redundancy and ensure business continuity across locations, a foundational requirement for any large-scale operation.
Special Thanks
RTN Town Halls are quickly becoming the most engaging ongoing conversation between restaurant brands and tech companies. A huge thank you to these RTN members for hosting the conversation and setting an example for collaboration and sharing:
- Douglas Hunter, Amy's Drive Thru
- Douglas Davis, Monical's Pizza
- Gil Brucken, Flynn Group
- Abdul Wahhab Khalid, ClayHandi Restaurant
- Tim Tang, CFE, Hughes
- Tony Fernandez, MTech Mobility
- Richard Newman, Scale Computing
And a special thank you to Robert Firpo-Cappiello from Hospitality Technology for expertly moderating the conversation!
Want to put this conversation into action?
We're continuing the discussion on September 30th at 2 pm ET at our upcoming Share Group. This is your chance to see how solution providers are building actionable tools to help you navigate your scaling journey.