The Paytronix team sponsored a popular photo op with MURTEC keynote speaker Daymond John, star of “Shark Tank.”
The Tech Stack Isn’t Set-and-Forget
Paytronix is well-known for its holistic approach to customer engagement technology, providing loyalty programs, mobile payments, analytics, and personalized marketing under one roof. But McElligott was clear: no matter what vendors a brand works with, strategy is just as important as software.
“Your partner should be an extension of your tech and marketing teams,” McElligott said. “You need more than a platform—you need service, flexibility, and real partnership.”
He noted that while some brands prefer an all-in-one stack, others thrive by choosing best-in-breed solutions that integrate well together. Either way, integration and communication between vendors are essential—and operators should challenge their tech partners to surface not just headline metrics, but hidden opportunities to boost performance.
“Brands are investing in CDP and CRM platforms to better understand customer preferences and personalize their experiences,” McElligott said. “The tools are evolving fast, and integration is critical.”
Catering Isn’t Just Back—It’s Evolving
Gone are the days when “catering” was synonymous with weddings, graduations, and holiday parties. Today’s catering orders span a range of needs: corporate lunches for 20, baseball tournaments, weekend family feasts. McElligott noted that brands are seeing up to 32% increases in catering revenue when they make the experience intuitive and streamlined.
“Sometimes a brand just lists a phone number for catering—that’s a lost opportunity,” McElligott said. “Guests want simple, guided ordering. How many people? What do they need? Keep them informed.”
His top advice: Whether you use a third-party service or a white-labele solution on your own site, own the catering experience and make it frictionless for guests. And don’t underestimate the importance of informing your customer base about your catering options in the first place.
Key Takeaways for Restaurant Tech Leaders
- Personalization is non-negotiable. Unified guest data across all channels drives better experiences and long-term value.
- A tech partner is more than a platform. Expect strategic collaboration and ongoing service, not just software.
- Loyalty is leveling up. Advanced CRM tactics are helping brands build deeper guest relationships.
- Catering growth is real, but requires ease, clarity, and control. Make it simple and own the experience.
- Focus on strategic simplicity. Avoid tech bloat by selecting solutions that work together and reduce operational complexity.
