Stream Origin Story - Brett Berman knew he had to pivot on the backside of the pandemic shutdown. Using the resources he had, he and his team quickly went to work to help restaurants differentiate themselves and created Stream.
Creating Loyalty - For Brett Berman, loyalty is based on the customer experience. The better the experience, the higher the chance of creating loyalty, but it’s important for restaurants to have a way for customers to leave that feedback.
AI Usage in Restaurants - Artificial Intelligence is used in almost all walks of life, and increasingly so in restaurants. However, Brett Berman believes that we are still in the very early stages of AI and machine learning and the possibilities of where AI can be applied are endless.
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On this episode of the Data Delicacies podcast powered by Incentivio, co-founder of Stream, an online menu management platform, Brett Berman, sat down with host Arun Kumar to discuss the origins of Stream, the significance of customer loyalty, and the emerging role of AI in the restaurant industry.
The Stream Origin Story
Berman's journey to co-founding Stream was catalyzed by the pandemic's impact on the restaurant industry. Faced with the sudden disappearance of restaurant users, Berman and his team realized the urgent need to pivot and innovate. Leveraging the resources at their disposal, they set out to develop a product that would not only help restaurants survive but thrive in the new normal.
Reflecting on this pivotal moment, Berman shared, "We just wanted to build a product that helped restaurants... We've got an amazing team. Let's utilize these resources to find something that would help."
The result was Stream, a platform designed to offer restaurants a competitive edge, whether they are small businesses or large enterprises.
Creating Loyalty Through Experience
For Berman, loyalty in the restaurant industry is intrinsically tied to the customer experience. He emphasized that a positive dining experience, whether at a quick-service restaurant or a fine dining establishment, is key to fostering loyalty. However, he also pointed out the importance of providing customers with a way to share their feedback, and he highlighted the role of various platforms in managing this feedback loop, noting that making the process easy for restaurants is crucial.
"Loyalty, I would say, is experiential, right? Even if it's a QSR and you're just going there for a quick bite to eat," Berman explained.
The Early Days of AI in Restaurants
Artificial Intelligence is increasingly becoming a part of the restaurant industry, and Berman believes we are still in the early stages of fully understanding and utilizing its potential. He acknowledged that AI is already being used in certain aspects of Stream’s products and by restaurants, but he also stressed that there is much more to explore. He envisions a future where AI could revolutionize everything from phone ordering to automating processes like scheduling, opening up endless possibilities for the industry.
"I still think in general, Stream aside, that it's super early,” says Berman. “I truthfully couldn't tell you how much that is applicable today, realistically, unless you're really spending time in it. There are bits and pieces of AI being used today all over."
Berman’s appearance on Data Delicacies provided valuable insights into the ongoing evolution of the restaurant industry, the importance of customer experience, and the transformative power of AI. His forward-thinking approach is helping to shape the future of how restaurants operate and engage with their customers.
Episode Links:
Stream Online: https://www.streamorders.com/
Brett Berman LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brettaksel/
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ABOUT STREAM
Stream is revolutionizing an industry dominated by manual processes by building scalable, automated solutions. It offers self-service tools that empower restaurants to manage their online menus and seamlessly integrate orders directly into their POS systems. Whether it's a small family-owned business or a multi-billion-dollar tech company, Stream's mission is to equip them with the technology, intuitive UI/UX, and innovative strategies needed to run their businesses more efficiently.
ABOUT DATA DELICACIES—
Data Delicacies is a weekly podcast that dives deep into the world of technology and data as it pertains to restaurants. Host Arun Kumar interviews some of the best and brightest in the industry about all things hospitality tech, artificial intelligence, and machine learning.
Data Delicacies on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/29ExS0n9X3Z3FyK4HuSPKH
Incentivio Online - https://www.incentivio.com/
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Produced by Incentivio & Cali BBQ Media - https://www.incentivio.com/ | https://betheshow.media
