Pizza Today - July 2019 - 39

phones in an order, for instance, how is
that order processed and transitioned
into the kitchen? Operators might
also consider the processes or duties
that create undue stress, whether
that's onboarding a new employee or
scheduling labor.
In most cases, Martinez suggests
starting with external technology - the
solutions designed to attract customers
rather than internal technology more
focused on operations.
"Prioritize the top-line, which means
how you can better reach customers and
provide added convenience, because
that's likely the immediate battle that
needs winning," he says, adding that
operators involved in the day-to-day
management of their stores tend to
already have some established, though
perhaps archaic, systems in place to
control costs.
WITH A PROBLEM IDENTIFIED, OPERATORS
CAN THEN BEGIN RESEARCHING SOLUTIONS.

For many, an online search of
potential solutions to, say, "labor
scheduling for restaurants" will yield
plenty of prospective technologies that
warrant further investigation. Operators
can contact the companies directly and
request demos to gather additional
information on a product's capabilities
and costs.
Operators might also discover
solutions at industry events such as
International Pizza Expo and Pizza &
Pasta Northeast, which feature an array
of tech solutions addressing common
industry challenges. Visiting a booth,
operators can gain firsthand knowledge
of the product and ask direct questions
applicable to their business.
"The more you know, the better,"
Martinez says.
Operators would also be wise
to connect with fellow restaurant
operators, including those beyond the
pizza business. Operators can initiate
conversations with those they already

Will you
make
the list?

know or ask a tech provider for names
of restaurant operators currently using a
given solution.
"The key is to get someone who
understands the type of business you're
in, the technology and how it can help
your establishment," LeFranc says.
While technology will not replace
poor food or inattentive service,
LeFranc notes that technology can
most certainly bring expediency
and efficiency to existing operations
and provide operators a roadmap to
improved profitability.
"With technology, you can figure out
answers to problems much easier than
if you were doing it all by yourself,"
LeFranc says. n
Chicago-based writer DANIEL P. SMITH has
covered business issues and best practices for
a variety of trade publications, newspapers,
and magazines.

2019

Each year, we rank America's 100 largest
independent pizza operations based on sales.
It's free and easy to fill out online. Submissions
are due no later than Monday, August 5.

INDEPENDENT
Complete your 2019 Hot 100 Independent
Pizzerias Questionnaire now.

PIZZERIAS

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Pizza Today - July 2019

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