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Tech on Toast, The Hospitality Tech PodcastAuthor: Chris Fletcher
Connecting hospitality with the tech that makes it better. Hosted by Chris Fletcher former operator, now tech matchmaker Tech on Toast brings you sharp, unfiltered conversations with the people shaping hospitalitys future. Each week, we sit down with operators, founders, and innovators to unpack the tech, tactics, and trends transforming how the industry works. From smarter kitchens and AI-driven scheduling to loyalty apps and next-gen EPOS, we cut through the noise to find what really works on the ground. Whether you run a pub, lead a restaurant group, or build tech for the sector Language: en Genres: Technology Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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Roger Wade: The Man Behind Box Park on Building Brands That Actually Last
Episode 1
Tuesday, 14 April, 2026
Chris sits down with serial entrepreneur Roger Wade, the man behind one of the UK’s original streetwear brands and the creator of the world’s first pop-up mall.From getting fired three times before the age of 22 to building Box Fresh, launching Box Park, and now reshaping hospitality real estate with Box Kitchen, Roger shares the lessons, mistakes, and mindset that have shaped his journey.This is a conversation about brand, resilience, physical retail, and why most businesses are solving the wrong problems.Why getting fired early might be the best thing that ever happens to youThe real reason Box Fresh worked — and why Roger sold too cheapHow a simple idea turned into Box Park, the world’s first pop-up mallWhy food became the hero and retail fell awayThe three reasons people go into business — and which one actually mattersWhy physical retail still beats online (and it’s not even close)How Box Kitchen is changing the economics of hospitality developmentThe truth about raising money and why it’s often overratedHow AI is levelling the playing field for creative entrepreneursEarly Life & MindsetFired from three jobs before 22Realisation: “If I don’t employ myself, no one else will”A near-death experience at 16 that shaped his outlookBuilding Box FreshStarted in Greenwich and Camden marketsOne of the UK’s original streetwear brandsLearned the hard way: brand is everythingCreating Box ParkBuilt from shipping containers with no blueprintFood operators became the unexpected winnersCommunity-first approach in Shoreditch and CroydonScaled to millions of loyal customers via the Black CardThe Business Frameworks3 reasons to be in business: Ego, Money, Legacy3 pillars of a brand: Product, Traffic, DeliveryRetail Reality CheckOnline conversion: 1–2%Physical retail: closer to 10%Why the high street still matters more than people thinkBox Kitchen & What’s NextModular kitchens, bars, and hospitality infrastructureBuilt for developers and operatorsFar stronger returns than traditional real estateLessons from FailureThe eBay keynote disasterWhy raising money isn’t success“Profit is sanity, turnover is vanity”“You make money by seeing something that’s growing and growing with it.”“Raising loads of money means nothing. You’ve got debt.”“If you’re not special to your customer, you won’t exist.”“Profit is sanity, turnover is vanity.”“I learned my best lessons from my biggest mistakes.”This episode is powered by Lightspeed Commerce — the POS and payments platform built for modern hospitality.From tableside ordering to fully integrated front and back of house, Lightspeed helps operators deliver faster, smarter service when it matters most.If you want, I can tighten this into a more punchy, SEO-led version or a YouTube cut as well.🎙️ Tech on Toast Podcast – Roger Wade (Full Episode)Episode SummaryWhat You’ll LearnKey MomentsStandout QuotesSponsor
