Will Pacio is the cofounder and CEO of Expo, a data science platform that has contributed greatly to transforming the hospitality industry. Expo focuses on helping large multi-unit operations better leverage all of their data in one integrated solution. With over 20 years in the restaurant industry- with responsibilities ranging from line cook to head of IT- Will has seen it all!

Here’s one of our highlights from this episode and Will’s answers to some of our questions:

Featured Takeaway: Getting data into the right hands

“The right data exists and it’s a matter of getting it in into the right format but also to the people who really matter. Those are the folks in the four walls of the restaurant everyday making it happen. You need to take all that information bring it together and make it easy for the frontline manager.”

What’s the most important aspect of the guest experience nowadays? (14:51)

“It’s delivery and the experience outside the four walls. Delivery is such a new frontier.

… how do you how do you take care of your guests? You know, when they’re not sitting there? How do you recover a guest when they’re not sitting there and you can’t come?”

What’s something successful you’ve seen restaurants try lately? (15:50)

“I think the ghost kitchen. It’s coming onto its own and there’s some really interesting things going on there. Some of the partners that that we have using Expo using as part of their strategy

… It’s pretty important to keep our eyes on restaurant tech folks.”

Who is someone in the industry that deserves an Ovation? (18:26)

Anthony Rush at Senia and Hawaiian Cuisine.