Tech on Toast, The Hospitality Tech Podcast

In this episode of the Tech on Toast Podcast, Chris Fletcher is joined by JP Kloppers, Managing Director at Omnisient, to explore how hospitality operators can unlock the hidden value in their customer data—without compromising privacy. JP explains how data collaboration works when it’s done responsibly, and how encrypted, anonymised data can create entirely new revenue streams, enable smarter AI adoption, and improve consistency across operations. Whether you’re running a multi-site group or managing a single site, this episode breaks down where AI and data intersect—and why this matters more than ever in a sector under pressure. 👉 Topics covered: * Why AI adoption in hospitality is still under 5% * What encrypted data collaboration actually looks like * The real-world value of restaurant CRM data * How to automate guest profiling and team support with AI * The role of large language models in streamlining operations * How retailers and banks are already collaborating—and why hospitality should follow 💡 “Every operator is sitting on a goldmine of data—they just don’t know how to activate it yet.” – JP Kloppers

In this episode of the Tech on Toast Podcast, Chris Fletcher is joined by Jo Morgan, Operations Director at The Other House, for a brilliant conversation on how modern hospitality is evolving — and what it really takes to scale a hybrid hotel model that blends flexibility, technology and heart. Jo shares her journey from Yorkshire pot-wash to cruise ship director, through to leading one of London’s most exciting hospitality concepts. They talk scaling without losing culture, how tech like Mews and Lightspeed power better experiences, and why warmth and human connection still matter most. 🔍 Topics include: * Life at The Other House and the launch of Covent Garden & Belgravia * Why hospitality needs flexibility — for teams and guests * The real role of tech (hint: it’s not all QR codes) * How to nurture and promote your best people * What AI could mean for the future of hotel teams 🎧 Whether you’re a hotelier, tech provider or just love great operational stories — this one’s for you. 🧠 Powered by our friends at Lightspeed 👉 Book your demo: lightspeed.co.uk/techontoast 📍 Hosted by Chris Fletcher 📨 Connect with Jo on LinkedIn

I'm excited to share our latest episode of the Tech On Toast podcast, where we dive deep into the world of technology in the fine dining industry. This week, we had the pleasure of visiting Benares in Mayfair, a Michelin-starred Indian restaurant, and speaking with Shubham and Mark from TISL. Together, we explored the challenges and triumphs of implementing technology in a bustling restaurant environment.Here are three key takeaways from our conversation that I believe are crucial for anyone in the tech or hospitality sectors:The Importance of Support: One of the standout themes from our discussion was the critical role that support plays in the success of technology implementation. Shubham emphasised how TISSL's support team is always just a phone call away, ready to resolve issues in real-time, even during the busiest hours. This level of accessibility not only alleviates stress but also ensures that operations run smoothly, allowing staff to focus on delivering exceptional customer experiences.Simplicity is Key: In a fast-paced environment like a restaurant, simplicity in technology is paramount. Both Shubham and Mark highlighted how TISSL's system is designed to be user-friendly, enabling staff to manage orders and make adjustments quickly, even from their phones. This agility is essential for maintaining efficiency and minimising errors, especially during peak service times. It’s a reminder that technology should enhance operations, not complicate them.Building Strong Relationships: The relationship between Benares and TISSL is a testament to the power of collaboration and trust. After a brief period with another provider, Benares returned to TISSL, citing the reliability and support they received as key factors in their decision. This episode reinforces the idea that successful partnerships are built on understanding, communication, and a shared commitment to excellence.I invite you to listen to the full episode to gain deeper insights into how technology can transform the dining experience and the importance of having the right support system in place.Thank you for tuning in, and I look forward to hearing your thoughts on this episode! Let’s continue the conversation about how we can leverage technology to create better experiences in our industries.#TechOnToast #Podcast #Hospitality #Technology #Support #Simplicity #Relationships #FineDining

In this episode of the Tech on Toast podcast, we sit down with Gemma Glasson, Managing Director at Wahaca, to uncover how one of the UK’s most iconic restaurant groups balances bold flavour, cultural authenticity, and cutting-edge technology to create a hospitality experience that customers don’t just enjoy — they come back for. 🔑 Key Takeaways🎯 From regeneratively sourced beef to the rhythm of the dining room, Gemma shares how Wahaca is navigating today’s hospitality landscape with purpose and passion. Here are the big themes that emerged: 1. Tech with Purpose Wahaca’s tech stack isn’t about bells and whistles — it’s about solving real problems. Whether it’s optimising the timing of dishes hitting tables or integrating new dynamic pricing models, Gemma talks about working with tech partners like Toast to shape solutions that make a tangible difference. 2. The Power of Partnership For Wahaca, tech partnerships aren’t just transactional. Gemma shares why collaboration, transparency, and influence on product pipelines are key to creating technology that works in a high-pressure, high-volume restaurant environment. 3. Sustainability, Storytelling, and Sourcing With a menu packed with responsibly sourced ingredients and sustainable packaging (shout-out to their innovative work with Biopac), Wahaca leads with its values. Gemma dives into how the brand balances sustainability with commercial reality — proving you don’t have to compromise on quality to stay profitable. 4. From Mexico to the UK — Culture Matters Wahaca sends team members to Mexico to experience the heart of the cuisine they serve. That cultural connection fuels pride, deeper knowledge, and better service — all of which shape the guest experience. 5. Rhythm, Flow & Experience Great service is all about timing. Gemma discusses how Wahaca designs the dining rhythm — making sure everything, from how food arrives to how teams communicate, contributes to a smoother, more emotionally connected guest experience. 6. Resilience and Reinvention Post-pandemic, Wahaca has evolved fast. Gemma explains how she returned to the business just before COVID hit and has since helped steer the group through massive change — all while keeping guests and team culture front and centre. ✨ “If you can make a guest feel like a regular on their first visit, that’s the real magic.” – Gemma Glasson * Hospitality leaders rethinking their approach to tech * Operators seeking stronger supplier relationships * Restaurateurs balancing sustainability with growth * Anyone passionate about delivering unforgettable guest experiences 📲 Listen now and learn how Wahaca continues to stay culturally rooted, operationally sharp, and emotionally engaging in one of the UK’s toughest sectors. #TechOnToast #Wahaca #GemmaGlasson #HospitalityLeadership #RestaurantTech #Sustainability #Culture #CustomerExperience #HospitalityPodcast

Guest: Jonatan Marc Rasmussen, CEO & Co-Founder, All Gravy Title: Why Your Team Is Ghosting Your Workplace Comms (and How to Fix It) Live at HRC ( sorry for the audio blips!) 📢 In this episode: What do Pizza Pilgrims, Gen Z, and Duolingo have in common? They’re all part of the new wave of employee engagement — and Jonatan Marc Rasmussen is here to spill the gravy on how tech is finally catching up to what workers actually want. Jonatan, CEO and co-founder of All Gravy, joins Chris to talk about building a communication platform that doesn’t make your team roll their eyes. From ditching outdated group chats to making onboarding actually enjoyable, this episode is packed with hot takes, smart insights, and a glimpse into the future of workplace tech. 🎯 Top takeaways: * WhatsApp is great… until it’s notJonatan breaks down why familiar tools aren’t cutting it anymore and how All Gravy is rethinking internal comms for a generation raised on Stories, not spreadsheets. * Engagement stats that’ll make your ops team swoonSome companies are seeing 120 logins in the first 2 weeks — and not just for the banter. Employees want to connect and feel seen. This is how you build loyalty. * Learning that doesn’t suckWhat if training felt more like Duolingo and less like death by PDF? Discover how integrated learning boosts retention and turns onboarding into a community moment. 🎙️ Bonus moments: * [00:05:05] The chaos of onboarding * [00:09:24] How AI is creeping (in a good way) into comms * [00:12:04] Going big in the US * [00:16:37] Why the employee experience is the brand Ready to stop shouting into the digital void and actually engage your team? This episode is your sign. 👉 Listen now #TechOnToast #All Gravy #WorkplaceTech #HospitalityInnovation #GenZWorkforce #EmployeeEngagement #HospitalityTech #LearningAndDevelopment