Crunchtime

?? Thanksgiving may be one day, but the preparation starts weeks in advance for restaurants serving special holiday menus. ?? Precise forecasting can help restaurants save money and reduce food waste during the busiest times of the year. ?? Helping restaurants operate smarter is something we’re thankful to do every day. ?? Learn more about the essential role of forecasting here: https://lnkd.in/edD-8ff3

In the spirit of gratitude, we've launched our second charitable giving campaign to help address hunger at home and abroad. At Crunchtime, food is at the core of what drives our product, our purpose, and our passion. Working with thousands of restaurants around the world, we know the importance of sharing a meal. We are partnering with World Central Kitchen to help support others through the gift of food. https://lnkd.in/eftvKvdi

Thrilled to see the CEO of 2024 Ops Excellence Award winner SPB Hospitality featured on the cover of FSR's December issue ?? Our second annual Ops Excellence Awards highlighted?remarkable leadership and innovation in operations.?Nomination requirements included explaining how their organization has harnessed the power of Crunchtime solutions to manage profitability, deliver great customer experiences, and successfully grow their multi-unit operations. With so many phenomenal nominations, it was extremely difficult to narrow it down to our top finalists:?BBQ Holdings, Inc., Five Guys Enterprises, Jersey Mike's Subs, and Triple T Hospitality Group, and the winner,?SPB Hospitality, as voted on live by all Ops Summit attendees.

Is Your Restaurant Brand Ready to Use AI? ?? Things to Consider ?

Congratulations to our friends at Jersey Mike's Subs for this milestone! Jersey Mike’s growth story is a testament to the power of investing in your team. ?? With 1,000+ locations added in the last five years, they’ve shown how a culture of continuous improvement and consistent training can pave the way for success. Ready to fuel your brand’s growth? Start with your team. Visit www.crunchtime.com/grow to learn more.?

It's one thing to find a great burger at the airport—but enjoying one in the sky is on a completely different level ?? Congrats to our friends at Shake Shack on this awesome new partnership ??

What happens when the best minds in restaurant ops come together? Magic ? & metrics ?? (And, some penguins too ??) Ops Summit 2024 reminded us that excellence doesn’t happen by accident—it’s built, measured, and continuously improved. From solving the industry's biggest challenges to building better connections, it was all about elevating how we work and grow together. Couldn’t make it? Catch up with our recap, filled with top takeaways and insights ??

Why AI forecasting matters more now than ever: At its core, AI forecasting is about enabling restaurants to plan smarter, with an accurate view of customer demand, staffing, and inventory needs. This capability can make a huge difference for international brands operating across diverse regions with unique cultural and consumer habits. For instance, in the UK, fluctuations in demand can hinge on sporting events or seasonal tourism, while in the Middle East, religious holidays and weather can drive high variability in customer traffic. AI-driven forecasting is transforming how brands stay ahead by adapting to these unique factors. It uses advanced algorithms to combine historical data with real-time information, creating reliable predictions that allow restaurant leaders to avoid the risk of over- or under-scheduling staff, while also managing inventory to reduce waste. Read more in our latest blog: https://lnkd.in/eDmUjDbC

Another big THANK YOU to everyone involved in making Ops Summit 2024 a success as our largest event to date: ?? To every single attendee: You make this event what it is, and we're incredibly grateful for your time and participation. ?? To our partners Oracle NetSuite, MachineQ, a Comcast Company, and Tapcheck: This was only just the beginning and we truly look forward to what's to come. ??To all of our customer presenters: We deeply appreciate your commitment and preparation in sharing your expertise and insight. ?? To the winner SPB Hospitality, finalists and honorable mentions of our Ops Excellence Awards: Your stories are so very important and we can't wait to see what you do next. ?? To pre-conference training participants: We're so inspired by your eagerness to learn and grow. ?? To Jim Knight: We're amped up from learning about cultures that rock and the names of all the band members in U2. ?? To the New England Aquarium and all of our new finned friends: You made the night unforgettable. ?? To the Boston Long Wharf Marriott Hotels: Your views are unmatched and made the perfect backdrop to our event. ?? To the Crunchtime crustacean: You owned your role as our unofficial mascot and made the perfect souvenir. ?? To the cowbell: It's a love-hate relationship but we wouldn't have stayed on schedule without you. And last but not least, ?? To Boston: You reminded us of the importance of proper outerwear and to never underestimate wind chill. Until next time! ??

That’s a wrap on Ops Summit 2024 ??? ??? Thank you to our incredible customers for being part of our user conference. What an incredible two days of connecting and learning.? Big thanks to our speakers, and of course, the Crunchtime crew for making this event possible! #CtOpsSummit Hope to see you again next year!