Meet the Experts
Brandon Barton serves as the CEO of Bite, a leading provider of intelligent kiosk solutions designed to enhance the restaurant guest experience, streamline operations, increase sales, and improve order accuracy.
Harry Yu is Director of IT at Ono Hawaiian BBQ and has held technology leadership roles at Dine Brands, Jollibee, and Johnny Rockets, and was IT Manager at Amazon.
At MURTEC 2025: Experience Matters, Brandon Barton, CEO, Bite; and Harry Yu, Director of IT, Ono Hawaiian BBQ, delivered an exceptional MURTalk on the exhibit hall’s Solution Stage (sponsored by Bite), essentially a briskly paced masterclass in making strategic, high-impact tech investments that truly move the needle.
Why Experience Matters in Restaurant Technology
Barton brough Yu to the stage because, with 26 years in technology, including leadership roles at Dine Brands, Jollibee, and Johnny Rockets, Yu knows what works—and what doesn’t—when it comes to scaling restaurant operations. In collaboration with Bite’s intelligent kiosk solution, Ono Hawaiian BBQ, a family-owned, 117-location brand, is on a growth trajectory, and their approach to technology reflects deep industry experience:
- The Right Tech at the Right Time: Not all innovation is a fit for every brand. AI and robotics might dominate headlines, but foundational tech—like POS, analytics, and infrastructure—must be in place first.
- Scalability Requires Standards: A disciplined, test-and-learn approach ensures fast rollouts without chaos.
- Speed Matters: Once a brand identifies a winning solution, rapid deployment is key to staying competitive.
AI: A Powerful Tool—But Only If You’re Ready
“Today’s AI is like a three-year-old child,” Yu explained. Many restaurant leaders are eager to invest in AI, but he emphasized that AI is not a magic pill—it requires preparation:
- Is your infrastructure AI-ready? Operators must first ensure clean, organized data and strong foundational tech before layering in AI.
- What problem are you solving? AI should be deployed with a clear business objective—whether it’s fraud detection, predictive analytics, or personalization.
Barton reinforced that data hygiene and infrastructure investment are critical precursors to AI adoption. Without these, AI-driven insights won’t be accurate or useful.
Robotics: The Right Time and Place
Ono Hawaiian BBQ has evaluated robotics but remains cautious. “We cook to order,” Yu explained, “so efficiency is key—but we also prioritize the human factor.”
Yu believes robotics will get there, but the key is watching the industry, learning from others, and adopting only when the technology proves it can enhance efficiency without compromising guest experience.
