Popcorn GTM

Always great vibing with Paul Barron #restaurantmasterminds #podcast

If a picture is worth one thousand words, this has to be worth a million. #restauranttech

The #KIAward2025 winners highlight a clear direction for restaurant technology: the future lies in smart, integrated solutions that streamline operations, reduce labor dependency, and enhance consistency. Tech vendors should take note—operators are prioritizing automation, plug-and-play simplicity, real-time data, and high-performance equipment that delivers quality without complexity. These aren’t just “cool new toys.” These are strategic responses to the industry’s top challenges. So, here are a few award recipients we thought deserved a shout-out: 1?? Automation and Robotics: Restaurants are leaning hard into automation not just in the front-of-house (e.g., #kiosks) but behind the scenes, where high-volume tasks can be systemized for better throughput. ?? FizzBot? by Lab2Fab? LLC: Developed initially by Yum! Brands! Automation and now commercialized with The Middleby Corporation Corporation, FizzBot? automates beverage dispensing, producing a completed drink every 8 seconds, handling up to 450 drinks per hour! 2?? Integrated Systems: Operators want plug-and-play simplicity — and manufacturers are responding by bundling tech and utilities to minimize install time, reduce error, and save space. ?? NEO Undercounter Ice Machine with Filtration by The Manitowoc Company: This innovation integrates an on-board water filtration system within a standard-size undercounter ice machine, simplifying installation and maintenance. 3?? Food Quality and Consistency: Precision equipment is critical for multi-unit brands, ghost kitchens, and growing franchises where repeatability = reputation. ?? MilkPal by Marco Beverage Systems | B Corp Certified: A milk system that delivers hot or cold milk and foam with precise volume and consistency, reducing drink preparation time by up to 20% and minimizing waste. 4?? Data-Driven Operations: The back-of-house is digital. Tools that offer real-world analytics for inventory, portioning, and prep are now essential, not optional. ?? Metafoodx Platform for Foodservice Operations: Combining a mobile AI food scanner with a cloud-based dashboard, this platform tracks menu-item consumption, monitors leftovers, and captures food temperatures, enabling accurate production forecasts and operational optimization. 5?? Advanced Cooking Technologies: There’s growing demand for high-performance ovens and grills that deliver chef-quality results, but with less training and more speed. ?? LongWave IR Oven by Middleby Marshall: Featuring new infrared emitters that distribute heat evenly and increase temperature limits, this oven ensures meats sear and cook uniformly in one pass, enhancing cooking efficiency. Check out all the winners at the National Restaurant Association Show website link. https://lnkd.in/gSKDKsSz

Happy #RIFFRIDAY -- Trust yourself... You know what you're capable of better than anyone. Improvise whenever necessary. :-) ?? ??

So, this interview is kind of a big deal for me. ?? ?????????? ?????? Peter Romeo ???????? ???? ???????? ?????????? ?????? ?????? ???????????? ?????????? ???? ???????????? ???? ?????????? ???? ?????? ??????????????. I was new at Crunchtime and really didn't know much about the industry or anyone in it. Somehow I managed to bump into Peter, and I struck up a conversation with him. Next thing I know, he invites me to tag along with him to some muckety-muck parties and wisks me around, not too dissimilar to when ?????????? ???????????? ?????????? ???????????? ???????? ???????????? ???????????????????? ???? ????????????????????. ?? ?????? ??????????????????. :-) Anyhow, with his four decades of industry connections, awards, and journalism pedigree, Peter, a former managing editor of NRN, QSR Magazine, and Restaurant Business, is simply both ?? ?????????????????? ?????? ?? ??????????????. I highly encourage you follow him and his good work now at IFMA The Food Away from Home Association for his unique industry journalism, insights, and unfiltered POV. ?? ?? ?????????? ?????? ???????? ?????????????????? ???? ??????????????, ????????????, ??????????????, ??????. or on my Popcorn GTM website here: https://lnkd.in/e-bnRCiD

Happy #RIFFRIDAY everyone. Calling 867-5309 and Jenny's still not answering. WTH #coldcalling #targetedmarketing #restauranttech #popcorngtm ?? https://popcorngtm.com

As a restaurant industry professional, whether you’re working with independent operators or national chains, understanding the nuances of social media platforms can help you have smarter, more impactful conversations about digital growth. This cheat sheet breaks down five key areas—???????? ????????????????????, ?????????????? ??????????????, ???????????????? ????????????????????????, ?????????????????????? ??????????????????????????, and ????????????????-???????????????? ????????????—so you can guide restaurant operators toward the most effective strategies on ??????????????????, ????????????, ????????????????, and ?? (formerly Twitter). With the right insights, you can help restaurants maximize visibility, attract new guests, and drive loyalty—turning casual diners into repeat customers. We hope you find this cheat sheet useful! #makeitpop

Early morning client video shoot. Let the day begin. #murtec

This week I was on Shawn P. Walchef's terrific Cali BBQ Media livestream broadcast, "Rising Tides," and I got inspired by the brilliant Jason Berkowitz, Elizabeth Doss, Matt Wampler, Adam Forman, Richard Liverman, Chris Tripoli, and the rest of the Rising Tide digital community to do something different with "social selling." Introducing "RIF Fridays." It's Friday. It's Alright. Right? We'll see if this thing grows legs—or if it's one-and-done. lol. My audio will be better next time. ?? #onetake The End of the Line by Traveling Wilbury's https://lnkd.in/ebJT33VX See you at #MURTEC #RTN ??

Carry on ??