One of the first things Sash and his fellow co-founders at Incentivio learned when starting the business is the importance of having clean, usable data. This data-driven approach helps restaurants increase guest retention, optimize operations, and personalize marketing, leveling the playing field with larger chains.
AI has unlocked an incredible new world of possibilities for business owners and what that means for the future of marketing, Sash highlighted the importance of personalization at scale.
Incentivio has followed the same north star for the last 10 years: to help businesses develop a data-driven approach to building a healthier, better business.
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In this episode of Data Delicacies, Arun Kumar and Sash Dias delve into how Incentivio, co-founded by Sash, supports restaurants using data to improve business outcomes. The company's focus on integrating commerce, engagement, and intelligence allows restaurants to gain insights into guest behavior, optimize operations, and personalize experiences at scale. Sash also discusses the company's roots in solving tech stack complexities for large restaurant chains and adapting these solutions to smaller businesses.
Sash emphasized that clean, unified data is the foundation for restaurant success in today’s digital economy. Incentivio's platform not only helps restaurants gather data, but it ensures that this data is clean and actionable. By integrating ordering, payments, loyalty, and marketing, Incentivio enables restaurants to generate, analyze, and use data to drive business results. Sash explained, "Clean data is the first thing... to get clean data and to generate exactly the kind of data you need, you need to be able to generate most of that data." This clean data approach allows smaller restaurant brands to compete with larger chains by making informed decisions based on reliable, centralized data rather than relying on fragmented, siloed systems.
When asked about the future of AI in the restaurant and marketing space, Sash highlighted that personalization is the most likely next chapter - where tailoring experiences to individual guests is becoming crucial for success.
Incentivio's use of AI and machine learning allows restaurants to create personalized marketing campaigns at scale, moving beyond traditional one-size-fits-all approaches. Sash described this evolution: "It's really about how does commerce and engagement work together to generate that data and then drive revenue and retention." He stressed that AI is not just a trend but a critical tool to predict guest preferences and deliver targeted, meaningful offers, ensuring restaurants stay relevant in an increasingly competitive and fast-paced market.
Incentivio’s mission is to empower restaurants by turning data into actionable insights, helping businesses grow sustainably. The platform integrates various touchpoints—commerce, engagement, and intelligence—into a unified system that allows restaurant owners to use data to optimize guest experiences and business outcomes.
Sash explained, "Incentivio really wants to be known as the platform that helps you use your data to have a better, healthier business." This data-driven approach helps restaurants make smarter decisions, boost guest retention, and drive revenue, offering a level of sophistication typically reserved for larger brands.
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About Sash Dias
Sash Dias has over 20 years of experience in the technology sector. Sash began their career in 1999 as a Systems Analyst at John Keells Computer Services pvt Ltd. In 2002, they became a Program Manager at Virtusa. In 2007, they joined Nadastra as a Program Manager, where they implemented a Program Management Office for a $16bn property management company and managed the ramp-up of an operations center in Asia for a Fortune 500 company. In 2008, they moved to Aeturnum as the VP of Engineering & Client Services and later as the Director of Engineering & Client Services. In 2016, they became the Co-Founder & Chief Operating Officer at Incentivio.
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 is produced by Incentivio in partnership with Cali BBQ Media
