Join us for networking breakfast in the MURTEC Exhibit Hall. Grab a bite to eat, explore the exhibits, and stop by the all-new Exhibit Hall "Solution Stage," featuring 10-minute MURTalks on these hot topics:

• 8:15 a.m. -  Maximizing Revenue with AI-Driven Customer Experience | Jeff Loukas, VP Product, AI, SoundHound
  Explore how AI accelerates service, reduces bottlenecks, and creates seamless omnichannel experiences—from drive-thrus to voice commerce.
   
• 8:30 a.m. - Driving Success Through Data-Driven Decisions | Dennis Carriere, Head of Client Success, Collectiv; Alicia Battershell, Bluemont Group
  Learn how operators can harness data insights to optimize performance and boost profitability.

Daymond John, entrepreneur, branding expert, and star of Shark Tank, shares his journey from founding the clothing and lifestyle brand FUBU (For Us, By Us) to becoming an A-list business thought leader, including insights on innovation, resilience, and growing a business. Learn how thinking like a shark — including focusing on goals, doing your homework, understanding the importance of each decision, taking ownership, and constantly visualizing success — can keep you and your team moving in the direction of your dreams.

Join us for a networking break in the Exhibit Hall. Stop by the Paytronix booth for a photo opportunity with MURTEC's keynote speaker Daymond John!

Plus, check out these MURTalks on the Exhibit Hall Solution Stage:

• 10:15 a.m. - Perfecting the Guest Experience with Smart Ordering | Brandon Barton, CEO, Bite; Harry Yu, Director of IT, Ono Hawaiian BBQ
  Discover how intuitive digital ordering can streamline operations and elevate customer satisfaction.
   
• 10:30 a.m. - Biggest Catering and Tech Predictions for 2025 | Digger McElligott, VP Sales, Paytronix
  Gain exclusive insights into the biggest catering and tech predictions for the next 12-18 months. Stay ahead of the curve and discover what's shaping the future of online ordering. 

Get a front-row seat to the future of restaurant technology! Restaurant tech providers face off in a high-energy pitch slam competition to showcase game-changing tools and ideas, with judges and audience members deciding who takes home the top prize. 

CRM is only as powerful as the strategic thinking of the seasoned pros who use it. Learn from the experts how to leverage data, refine guest engagement, and drive meaningful results for your restaurant.

Learn from the inspiring journey of a Chick-fil-A franchisee who climbed the ranks to learn essential leadership principles including innovative approaches to improving throughput, optimizing team performance, and delivering top-tier guest experiences. 

As bad actors become more sophisticated, staying ahead of attacks is essential for protecting data, operations, and reputation. Learn about the essential cybersecurity trends, tools, and strategies for securing your POS systems, defending against ransomware, and protecting sensitive data. 

MURTEC celebrates the remarkable leaders and trailblazers who are shaping the future of the restaurant technology space and the rising stars who represent the next generation of industry leadership. This engaging session is a must for anyone who’s passionate about innovation.

• 1:00 p.m. – Balancing Tech & Operations: Avoiding the Pitfalls
| Tony Fernandez, CEO & President, MTech Mobility
  MTech Mobility
Why tech that enhances flexibility and operational reliability is essential for optimizing customer experience.
   
• 1:15 p.m. – The AI-Powered Workforce: Transforming Hiring and Employee Management | Mitesh Gala, CEO, Altametrics
  Altametrics
Explores how Plum POS streamlines processes and supports better decision-making for restaurant operators.
   
• 1:30 p.m. – Securing Restaurant Networks and Building a Flexible Foundation | Phil Stead, Acumera
  Learn why network security and performance are critical to sustaining seamless restaurant operations.

Dive into this hands-on session designed exclusively for full-service professionals! Collaborate with fellow operators and tech developers in a dynamic environment to tackle industry challenges and unlock innovative solutions. 

Open to restaurant operators and workshop sponsors.

Join your fellow QSR professionals as operators collaboratively ideate with tech developers in a highly interactive session that will deliver a critical take-home to-do list.

Open to restaurant operators and workshop sponsors.

At last! We’ll share a step-by-step guide through best practices for more efficient, transparent, and effective requests for proposals, fueled by the Restaurant Technology Network’s standards. Whether you’re a restaurant operator or technology provider, this session will enlighten and empower you and your team.

Learn how  technology tools like AI, mobile apps, and real-time data can help create and enhance the kind of personalized interactions that keep full-service guests satisfied and coming back. 

What are the economic trends shaping the restaurant industry in 2025? A renowned Harvard economics professor breaks down factors such as labor and consumer trends to help you stay resilient and thrive in the year ahead. 

• 3:45 p.m. – AI-Driven Inventory: Boost Profits & Cut Waste | Vinnie Cholewa, VP, Strategic Accounts, Restaurant365
  See how AI transforms inventory management—reducing food waste, improving margins, and streamlining operations.
   
• 4:00 p.m. – Making AI Work for You: Smarter Data, Better Decisions | Jordan Burger, Lead Researcher, AI Applications, Keboola
   Harness the power of AI to turn data into actionable insights, driving efficiency and profitability.

Damola Adamolekun, the new CEO of Red Lobster, is known for his ability to drive growth and innovation, as seen in his tenure at P.F. Chang’s. He is one of Fortune’s "100 Most Powerful Business Leaders," and is now steering Red Lobster's epic turnaround, bringing his background in private equity, strategic investment, and operational leadership to bear on the economic, logistical, and technological challenges faced by so many restaurant brands. 

The stage is set for the ultimate pitch-off! Watch as the most promising tech start-ups in the restaurant industry showcase their solutions to a panel of expert judges in a high-energy session where innovation and opportunity take center stage.
 

• 5:40 p.m. – AI Essentials: What Every Restaurant Needs to Know | Tim Tang, Product Marketing Director, Hughes
  Understand AI’s potential—from improving operations and marketing to safeguarding against cybersecurity threats.

Join us for a collaborative breakfast session where we’ll brainstorm the next wave of RTN workgroups and industry technology standards. We’ll explore key challenges and emerging trends, and your ideas and insights will help shape the future of RTN’s initiatives.
 

Kick off your day with a data-driven interactive session packed with insights from HT’s 2025 Restaurant Technology Study. We’ll share key findings, trends, and predictions and engage in dynamic discussions with peers and experts, exploring how these insights can power your business.
 

This special closing session features insights from MURTEC’s award winners as they share their journeys, challenges, and the strategies that have driven their success. This will be an engaging dose of inspiration and key takeaways to take back home!