The Fast Casual Nation Podcast offers exclusive interviews with experts ranging from top chefs and brand makers to executives and restaurants who work in one of the fastest-growing segments of the restaurant industry. In this episode, Pepe chats with Karl Goodhew, Chief Technology Officer at BurgerFi about the latest restaurant technology, labor shortage solutions, and Patty the Robot.

Goodhew shares how he got started in the industry and restaurant technology, he says that his background was originally in big box retail where he was responsible for both the customer-facing e-commerce platforms and the in-store experience. Goodhew says that the way BurgerFi was approaching both online and in store experience just made sense to him, so he decided to transition from retail to the restaurant industry by joining the team at BurgerFi.

Goodhew talks about the other key reason he decided to join BurgerFi, he says, “They have a really great product.” He adds, “I really enjoy working for a company that I love the product.” He also enjoys a really great burger, just one of many items on the company’s menu created with Chef Paul Griffin, chief culinary officer at BurgerFi. Goodhew says that because they offer a diverse variety of food options, he is able to take his wife, a vegetarian and whole family to the restaurant and everyone is able to have a meal that they really enjoy.

Goodhew talks about labor shortages and how technology can help in this regard by supplementing and supporting both front and back of house staff. He says that ensuring systems stay up and running, streamlining POS and making sure innovation is helping staff is key. “There's nothing worse than having a room full of customers and maybe the POS goes down. That's not acceptable. I believe technology partners have to help our staff and an example of that might be as simple as making sure that the systems are always up and running. Things like that just help.”

Goodhew shares news of the latest addition to the BurgerFi team, Patty the Robot. Goodhew says that Patty the Robot is not intended to replace anyone but instead, she is there to assist the team and solve daily challenges. Goodhew says “I think we should focus on how can technology help solve problems that exist today.” Patty the Robot supports employees by helping to serve meals to tables, returning trays to the kitchen and by interacting with guests. Goodhew ads, “It’s extremely important that technology is driving that growth at BurgerFi and also the solutions.”

To hear more about how BurgerFi will be utilizing the latest technology to implement touchless QR codes, game changing drive-thrus, and how your next car might be able to order your burger for you, listen to this episode of Fast Casual Nation on Apple Podcasts.

Produced by Lisa Pepe