Happy hour conversation touched on — what else? — integration, infrastructure, analytics, and what’s keeping restaurant leaders up at night.
Courtney Radke, Vice President, Innovation, SageNet
“My key takeaway from this year’s National Restaurant Show is that FINALLY technology investments in restaurants aren’t being viewed as optional — it’s foundational,” notes Courtney Radke, Vice President, Innovation, SageNet. “It shapes every guest experience, every operational process, and every competitive edge. It’s exciting to see the industry finally leaning into this mindset.”
That doesn’t mean every brand is doing it right. “Emerging restaurant brands seem to get it: build your technology right from day one, and you avoid the pain of costly retrofits later. Investing early in robust networks and digital platforms positions you for agility and growth—exactly what new brands need to thrive.”
Established brands, on the other hand, often misjudge the cost of delay. “It’s easy to chase the shiny new object, but without a strong network backbone, all those shiny objects can quickly lose their luster,” Radke said. “What they perceived as 1–2 years behind is now 5… and more expensive to catch up every day.”
He also pointed to meaningful progress in closing the digital divide. “Technology is bridging the gap for restaurants operating in digital deserts—those areas lacking reliable connectivity—have struggled far too long. Now, solutions like Starlink, private 5G, and CBRS are becoming accessible, affordable options that truly democratize connectivity.”
Christopher Sebes, Partner & Board Member, Results Thru Strategy
For Christopher Sebes, Partner & Board Member, Results Thru Strategy, a longtime observer and shaper of restaurant tech trends, the sheer volume of new POS platforms was hard to ignore. “Another profusion of inevitably short-lived new POS solutions. I think I saw seven that I had neither seen nor heard of before the show.”
But he wasn’t all skepticism. Voice-driven interfaces are no longer vaporware. “VoiceAI for drive-thru, call-in orders, and reservations is becoming mainstream, and getting better very quickly.”
He also noted a clear shift in competitive dynamics. “Toast is clearly an enterprise competitor today, and if I still had my POS company, I would be worried.”
