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The meez PodcastAuthor: Josh Sharkey
Josh Sharkey (Entrepreneur, professional chef, and founder/CEO of meez, the culinaryOS for food professionals) interviews world class entrepreneurs in the food space that are shifting the paradigm of how we innovate and operate in our industry. Language: en-us Genres: Arts, Business, Entrepreneurship, Food Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it Trailer: |
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Is Your Restaurant Tech Stack Making You Worse? Plus AI Forecasting, Combi Oven Confessions, and the Nokia Phone Problem with Brianne Harvey
Episode 122
Tuesday, 10 March, 2026
#122Josh sits down with Brianne Harvey, founder of Break Bread Consulting and the newly launched Restaurant Resource, to unpack why so many restaurant teams underutilize the powerful tools they already pay for. Using the analogy of a brand-new iPhone being treated like an old Nokia, Brianne explains how operators often invest in sophisticated systems—from back-office platforms to combi ovens—only to use a fraction of their capabilities. They explore why tech adoption breaks down, how implementation requires ongoing training and reinforcement, and what it really takes to embed systems into daily operations without overwhelming teams.Brianne shares the story behind Restaurant Resource, a free, national directory built to help operators discover software, service providers, and suppliers without biased paywalls. She discusses Break Bread’s focus on emerging multi-unit brands, the operational inflection point that happens between 10 and 50 locations, and the habits that consistently show up in the best scaling restaurant groups. The conversation also dives into AI—how Brianne uses it daily to triage email, automate workflows, and accelerate research, where it falls short, and why guardrails and critical thinking matter more than ever. Throughout, one theme remains clear: technology should support hospitality, not overshadow it. In the end, the artistry, taste, and human connection at the table are still what matter most.Timestamps04:05 Why Brianne Built Restaurant Resource09:03 Break Bread Consulting And The 10 To 50 Location Inflection Point14:37 What Restaurants Get Wrong About Tech Adoption18:39 Inventory, Back Office Tools, And Data Accuracy Challenges22:00 What The Best Scaling Restaurant Groups Do Differently26:47 Apicii, Complex Openings, And Operational Mindset28:13 How Brianne Uses AI In Daily Operations34:43 Where AI Is Headed In Restaurant Tech46:51 Guest-Facing AI And The Future Of Admin Roles50:11 What AI Can’t Replace: Taste, Hospitality, And Relationships52:22 Brianne’s Grilled Cheese And Memorable Meals59:06 Jose Andres, Recipe Systems, And Closing ThoughtsLinks and resources 📌Visit meez: https://www.getmeez.comFollow meez on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/getmeezFollow Josh on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joshlsharkey/?hl=enFollow Josh on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshua-sharkey-406965b/Follow Brianne on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/briannemharvey/Follow Brianne on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mspennilane/?hl=en
