Brandan Barton, CEO of Bite and co-host of The Simmer podcast, joins Shawn Walchef live from Restaurant Leadership Conference to break down the future of digital hospitality, kiosks, AI, and restaurant technology. After decades working across hospitality, fine dining, and restaurant tech, including early leadership at Resy, Barton explains why kiosks are not about replacing people but creating better guest experiences. The conversation explores restaurant innovation, personalized ordering, podcasting, leadership, AI optimism versus fear, and why hospitality still matters even through a screen.

Digital Hospitality Should Still Feel Human – Brendan Barton believes restaurant technology should not replace hospitality. Bite’s kiosks are designed to create more personalized, flexible, and emotionally connected guest experiences, not simply faster transactions.
AI Creates Both Opportunity And Fear – Barton is optimistic about AI’s ability to improve productivity and operations, but he is also deeply concerned about the long-term impact automation could have on jobs, human connection, and economic inequality.
Great Brands Are Built Through Reps – Whether discussing leadership, podcasting, or restaurant innovation, Barton argues that growth comes from consistently showing up, learning through repetition, and doing the work long before the audience or results arrive.

Episode Links

Brandon Barton LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandoncbarton/
Bite Online: https://www.getbite.com/
Bite LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bitekiosk/
The Simmer Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-simmer/id1743492523

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