Sam Oches, editor-in-chief of Nation's Restaurant News, joins Shawn Walchef to discuss what separates memorable restaurant brands from the rest. Drawing on 17 years covering the industry, Oches shares why storytelling, hospitality, and relationships matter as much as great food, how he defines an "emerging" restaurant brand, and why founders should never stop thinking like entrepreneurs. He also previews CREATE and explains why stepping outside your restaurant can be one of the best investments you make.

• The Best Restaurant Brands Tell Better Stories – Sam Oches believes memorable brands don't stand out because of their menus alone. They build authentic stories, strong relationships, and a clear identity that customers and the industry remember.
• An Entrepreneurial Mindset Doesn't End With Growth – Whether a brand has 10 locations or 2,600, the best leaders continue learning, adapting, and looking for new ways to improve their business.
• Getting Out Of Your Restaurant Can Change Your Business – Conferences like CREATE give operators the opportunity to learn from experienced founders, build meaningful relationships, and discover ideas that are difficult to find while working inside the day-to-day operation.

Episode Links

• For More Information On CREATE: https://informaconnect.com/create/
• Register for CREATE: https://web.cvent.com/event/0ae8fbb0-16d7-4b45-868d-a81373bacf4b/register?RefId=CREATE26-website&rt=8s3c6PHeDEaFupHQqsmBmQ&utm_campaign=CREATE26&utm_medium=website&utm_source=digital
• Sam Oches on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-oches-5923bb13/
• Informa on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/informa/

Where to find Cali BBQ Media

• Visit our Website
• Follow Restaurant Technology Substack
• Follow us on Instagram
• Follow us on LinkedIn
• Learn About our Media Services

In this episode of Digital Hospitality, Shawn Walchef sits down with Dan Diaz, founder and CEO of F3 Tech, to discuss why restaurant technology starts with strong infrastructure, not just great software. Diaz shares how his team helps operators navigate POS transitions, simplify complex IT environments, and build technology systems that support hospitality instead of getting in the way. They also discuss the importance of storytelling, building relationships at the National Restaurant Association Show, and why every restaurant has a story worth telling.

• Restaurant IT Requires Restaurant Experience – Dan Diaz believes technical knowledge alone isn't enough to support restaurants. His team is made up of industry veterans who understand the realities of service, allowing them to guide operators through stressful technology transitions with empathy, speed, and a hospitality-first mindset.
• Strong Infrastructure Powers Every Guest Experience – From POS systems and kitchen printers to cameras, music, and online ordering, nearly every tool inside a restaurant depends on a reliable network. Diaz explains why investing in the technology behind the walls is just as important as the software employees use every day.
• Every Restaurant Has A Story Worth Sharing – Beyond technology, Diaz encourages operators to document their journey. He believes founders often overlook the value of their own experiences, and that sharing both successes and setbacks builds stronger relationships, helps others in the industry, and creates lasting trust.

Episode Links

Dan Diaz LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-d-diaz/

Dan Diaz Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/f3diaz/

F3 Technologies Online: https://www.f3tech.com/

F3 Technologies YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@F3fixes/videos

F3 Technologies Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/f3inc/

F3 Technologies Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/f3techinc

Where to find Cali BBQ Media

• Visit our Website
• Follow Restaurant Technology Substack
• Follow us on Instagram
• Follow us on LinkedIn
• Learn About our Media Services

Keegan Conrey, CEO of Decision Logic, joins Shawn Walchef live from the Restaurant Leadership Conference to discuss why successful restaurant technology depends on adoption, not just innovation. Conrey explains why AI starts with quality data, how operators can improve food and labor costs through better operational habits, and why helping restaurant teams embrace change is just as important as building great software.

• The Best Restaurant Technology Solves People Problems – Keegan Conrey believes great restaurant software isn't about flashy features. The companies that create lasting value help operators manage change, train employees quickly, and make technology easy enough for anyone to use.
• Better Data Creates Better AI – While many companies are racing to add artificial intelligence, Conrey says AI is only as valuable as the data behind it. Clean, structured data allows restaurant leaders to identify problems faster and make smarter decisions.
• Small Operational Habits Create Big Financial Results – Conrey shared that one restaurant brand improved profitability by approximately $15,000 to $30,000 per location simply by consistently taking inventory. He explains why operational discipline often delivers bigger returns than chasing the next new technology.

Episode Links

• Keegan Conrey LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keeganconrey/
• Decision Logic: https://decisionlogic.co/
• Decision Logic LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/decisionlogic/
• Decision Logic YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@decisionlogic8201
• Decision Logic Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/decision_logic/
• Decision Logic Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/decisionlogicsoftware

Where to find Cali BBQ Media

• Visit our Website
• Follow Restaurant Technology Substack
• Follow us on Instagram
• Follow us on LinkedIn
• Learn About our Media Services