In this episode, Cijoy from GM Pilots shares why the biggest mistake organizations make isn't choosing the wrong technology; it's automating broken processes. From restaurant labor management to enterprise AI, he explains why understanding your operations has to come before implementing any tool.

We dive into:

• Why process should always come before technology.
• How AI can strengthen teams instead of replacing them.
• What separates companies that successfully adopt automation from those that struggle.
• How labor automation creates ripple effects across scheduling, inventory, costs, and the guest experience.
• Why every automation project should start with one simple question: What problem are we actually trying to solve?

Drawing on decades of experience in hospitality and automation, Cijoy shares practical examples, thoughtful perspectives, and a refreshing reminder that great technology should make people more effective, not less important.

Whether you're leading restaurant operations, finance, IT, or simply trying to make smarter technology decisions, this conversation will challenge the way you think about AI and automation and leave you with a practical framework for building systems that scale without sacrificing the human experience.

In this episode, we sit down with Chip Fritsch, Co-Founder and COO of HIA Software, to talk about one of the biggest challenges facing hospitality today: disconnected systems that make it nearly impossible to get a clear picture of your business.

With more than 30 years of experience spanning hotel operations, finance, and hospitality technology, Chip shares why so many hotels are still making decisions with yesterday's data and what it takes to build a smarter, more connected operation.

Together, we cover:

• Why disconnected hotel systems create more problems than they solve.
• The difference between looking at yesterday's reports and managing your business in real time.
• How clean, unified data is the foundation for AI, automation, and better decision-making.
• How hotels can build stronger processes and smarter systems without losing the "warm hug" of hospitality that keeps guests coming back.
• Why technology should empower your people—not create more work for them.
  
  

Whether you're a CFO, controller, hotel operator, or technology leader, this conversation is packed with practical insights on modernizing hotel finance and operations without sacrificing the guest experience.

Chip Fritsch is the Co-Founder and COO of HIA Software, a hospitality ERP platform built specifically for hotels. After years leading hotel operations himself, he set out to create technology that eliminates data silos, connects every department, and gives hotel teams the real-time visibility they need to make better decisions.

If you're ready to spend less time chasing data and more time driving results, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

Episode Presented by Factura.ai

In this episode, we sit down with Jake Schostak, founder and CEO of Catapult, a platform helping restaurant brands simplify online ordering, delivery management, and off-premise growth. Coming from a family deeply rooted in the restaurant industry and with years of experience helping operators navigate the evolving digital landscape, Jake has seen firsthand how delivery has transformed from a nice-to-have convenience into a critical part of restaurant growth.

Jake shares how the pandemic accelerated the adoption of online ordering, why many operators still struggle to make delivery profitable, and what separates brands that use delivery as a competitive advantage from those constantly battling operational chaos.

We break down:

• Why delivery isn't going away and what successful operators are doing differently
• The real financial impact of third-party delivery platforms
• How to avoid "tablet hell" and create a more seamless operation
• The role technology should play in supporting growth, not creating more complexity
• Why some brands focus on sales growth while ignoring profitability
• How to build a delivery strategy that strengthens your business instead of draining your margins
• What restaurant leaders should consider before expanding locations or adding new revenue channels
  

Jake also shares lessons from working with restaurant brands across the country and discusses how operators can balance convenience, profitability, and guest experience in an increasingly digital world.

Whether you're running a single location, managing multiple units, or planning your next phase of growth, this episode is packed with practical insights on making online ordering and delivery work for your business not against it.

Because delivery isn't the problem. The strategy behind it is.

About Jake

Jake Schostak is the Founder and CEO of Catapult, a restaurant technology company that helps operators manage online ordering and delivery channels more efficiently. A lifelong restaurant operator with deep industry roots, Jake is passionate about helping brands grow their off-premise business without sacrificing profitability, operational simplicity, or the guest experience. His work has helped restaurants nationwide navigate the complexities of modern delivery while building more sustainable growth strategies.

Episode presented by Factura.ai

With decades of experience helping hospitality brands improve operations and profitability, Herb shares why many restaurants still rely on "the binder," tribal knowledge, and manual processes that create unnecessary complexity and risk. From handwritten checks to disconnected systems, he explains how these outdated habits hold brands back from scaling efficiently.

Fair warning: if you've spent years in restaurant operations and have a little PTSD from printer jams, missing invoices, and that one mysterious binder everyone is afraid to touch, you've been warned. In fact, after this conversation, we briefly considered naming the episode "Trauma Bonding."

Drawing lessons from industries that have mastered consistency and process, Herb discusses how restaurants can adopt more discipline and automation without sacrificing the hospitality and culture that make them unique. We dive into everything from employee experience and predictive scheduling to the importance of building a thoughtful technology stack that supports growth instead of creating more chaos.

Whether you're operating a single location or managing dozens of units, this conversation offers practical insights on how to move beyond constant firefighting and build a business designed for long-term success.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why hotels and airlines prioritize operational discipline and what restaurants can learn from them.
• The hidden costs of relying on paper processes and tribal knowledge.
• How technology can improve both the employee and guest experience.
• Why scaling successfully requires systems, not heroics.
• How to preserve hospitality while embracing automation and standardization.

About Herb Taylor

Herb Taylor is a Managing Director at Eisner Advisory Group and a longtime restaurant operations leader with extensive experience helping hospitality organizations improve performance, streamline operations, and scale sustainably. His unique perspective combines decades of industry expertise with a passion for helping brands modernize without losing the heart of hospitality.

Special thanks to Factura.ai, the AI-powered accounts payable and intelligence platform for multi-unit operators, and Eisner Advisory Group, a leading business advisory and consulting firm, for supporting conversations that help hospitality leaders build stronger, more resilient businesses.

Connect with Herb Taylor:
Herb's LinkedIn

Learn more about Eisner Advisory Group

Mark Brousseau, a leading voice in AP transformation, reveals how outdated processes are costing businesses millions in late payments, fraud risk, and lost strategic value and shares how AI and holistic automation can turn AP from a pain point into a strategic powerhouse.

In this episode, Mark exposes the true state of AP today: 84% of an AP team’s day wasted on manual data entry, approvals stuck in endless email chains, and paper checks still being written long after the digital age passed us by. He dives deep into the hidden costs; late payment penalties, supplier distrust, and even fraud vulnerabilities, all driven by broken workflows and outdated data practices. You'll discover why traditional automation solutions often fall short and how AI-powered tools can seamlessly extract invoice data, eliminate manual errors, and provide real-time visibility.

We break down the critical steps to transforming your AP: conducting honest workflow assessments, setting meaningful KPIs like cost per invoice and early payment discount capture, and embracing a holistic, data-driven approach. Mark shares practical strategies to cut costs, scale operations without increasing headcount, and turn AP into a strategic data broker that fuels smarter business decisions.

Whether you’re in hospitality, retail, or manufacturing, this episode holds the secrets to not just surviving, but thriving, in today’s fast-changing economy.

If you've been hesitant about AI or overwhelmed by where to start, this episode is your game-changer. Mark’s insights will inspire you to rethink AP’s role, from mere transaction processing to an invaluable source of strategic intelligence, and show you how to leverage technology to reduce costs, prevent fraud, and build stronger vendor relationships. Plus, learn how to avoid the biggest pitfalls, like hoarding paper or relying on tribal knowledge that leaves your business vulnerable when key people leave.

Perfect for finance leaders, operations managers, and anyone serious about scaling smarter, this episode unlocks the potential of automation and data in AP not as a cost center, but as a catalyst for growth. Ready to ditch the chaos and harness the power of intelligent AP? Hit play and start your transformation today.[Mark Brousseau is an AP automation expert and industry advisor known for pioneering innovative solutions that solve real-world challenges across multiple industries.

Efficiency Benchmarking Quiz

Most people are overwhelmed by the AI buzz, mistaking superficial features for true innovation. Derek Henry, a CPA, fraud examiner, and AI educator with over 20 years of experience, reveals how AI is fundamentally reshaping industries, especially accounting, restaurants, and retail, by boosting efficiency, reducing errors, and creating new roles, not replacing them.

He shares insights on the buzzwords you need to understand: what makes AI truly impactful versus just trendy. If you're evaluating AI tools or thinking about integrating AI into your processes, this episode will give you the clarity needed to cut through the noise.

You'll discover:

• Why prompt engineering is the new career path and how to master it
• How AI thrives on quality data and why a strong foundational data layer is essential for meaningful results
• The practical ways AI is automating routine tasks in Excel, finance, and restaurant operations
• What makes agentic AI different, and how it can perform tasks beyond simple queries, like building reports and making decisions
• How to avoid common pitfalls—using AI as a bandaid rather than fixing root problems
• Why humans remain irreplaceable in hospitality: the importance of warmth, human connection, and excellent customer service in an AI-driven world
• Critical steps for restaurant operators and finance teams to start their AI journey without getting overwhelmed

This episode is perfect for finance professionals, restaurant owners, and managers eager to harness AI’s potential without the hype. Derek Henry’s insights will empower you to leverage AI responsibly, avoid hallucinations, and create new opportunities for your team, all while maintaining that essential human touch.

Derek Henry is a senior solutions consultant at OneStream, a CPA, certified fraud examiner, and AI educator known for making complex topics accessible. His passion for efficiency, accountability, and hospitality shines through as he explains how AI can serve as a powerful ally, if used with purpose and consciousness.

Don't miss out on the practical guidance that could redefine your approach to automation, data, and customer experience. Grab the knowledge to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving AI landscape.

Reference Tip: Here’s the link to a video of my favorite custom Excel hack: Watch here

Companies:

• ExcelEvate
• OneStream

Music Licensed Through Soundstripe
Code: EMVEXMFCJPAJJGFZ

In this episode, Factura.ai founder Brad shares an eye-opening look at how misunderstood automation and flawed workflows are quietly bleeding businesses dry and what they can do to plug the leak.

Brad, a seasoned expert in the accounting and hospitality industries, reveals how understanding multi-entity setups shaped the design of Factura.ai’s breakthrough AP automation system. He discusses the crucial role customer service plays not just as a value-add but as a core pillar for business success and how a hospitality mindset can revolutionize your approach to support.

This isn’t just theory Brad shares concrete examples from restaurants to multi-location businesses, illustrating how standardized processes and true automation can save time, reduce errors, and unlock hidden profit.

You'll discover: why many automation tools fall short of genuine efficiency, what ‘true automation’ really looks like, and how overcoming tribal knowledge can become your company's secret weapon. Brad emphasizes that the key to scaling - especially for emerging brands - is creating repeatable, scalable workflows that minimize manual work and errors, thus saving you millions in the long run.

Ultimately, ignoring these nuances means missed opportunities, cash leaks, and frustrated teams. This episode is essential listening if you're ready to move beyond superficial automation and build a truly efficient, customer-first operation.

Whether you're a restaurant chain, retail brand, or growing business, Brad’s insights will challenge your assumptions and show you how to unlock the real power of technology and service.

Brad is the founder of Factura.ai, a trailblazing AP automation platform specifically built for multi-location, multi-entity businesses. His expertise in accounting, combined with a passion for exceptional customer service, drives his mission: helping businesses eliminate inefficiencies and deliver better support.

If you're at the cusp of scaling your organization or want to learn how to turn complex workflows into simple, scalable processes, this episode is your blueprint for smarter growth and happier customers.

Takeaways

• Operational Influence
• Collaboration
• Technology Impact

Chapters

• 00:00 The Role of Finance in Multi-Unit Businesses
• 09:22 The Impact of Data on Decision Making
• 16:18 Collaboration Between Finance and Operations

Brad Schuchardt, founder of BTBK Accounting, reveals the crucial tipping points where restaurant finance systems break down and how you can stay ahead of the curve.

In this episode, you'll discover why manual processes like repetitive data entry and disconnected sales systems cause costly delays often behind by a month or even a year.

Brad explains how automating accounts payable, sales reporting, and multi-location management isn’t just a luxury but a necessity for growing restaurant brands. He shares real-world insights on the biggest hurdles that turn into chaos at the scaling phase, from volume overload to messy invoice lifecycles.

We break down the hidden costs of mismanaged data, misplaced expenses, incorrect period matching, and delayed insights, and show how tools like Factura.ai, Claude Cowork, Restaurant 365 and more can revolutionize your operations.

Brad emphasizes that the key to success lies in reliable, real-time data that empowers owners and operators to make swift, informed decisions, before they drown in outdated reports or manual errors.

Beyond the tactical, this episode explores the emotional stakes: the stress of financial disarray, missed opportunities, and the chance to leverage cutting-edge technology to free up your time and energy. Brad shares his industry-changing perspective on the future of restaurant finance, where automation and data storytelling will redefine what’s possible.

Perfect for restaurant owners, operators, and CFOs looking to avoid costly pitfalls and unlock growth. This episode is packed with actionable frameworks and practical strategies to streamline your finance function. If you’re serious about scaling without sacrificing accuracy or control, you can’t afford to miss this.

Brad Schuchardt is a CPA and founder of BTBK Accounting, a hyper-focused bookkeeping firm that specializes in restaurant industry finance. His expertise in helping multi-unit brands transition from chaos to clarity is a game-changer for anyone in the hospitality space.


Get ready to transform your restaurant’s financial future! Listen now and take the first step to smarter growth.

Takeaways

• Efficiency through AI
• Challenges of scaling
• Importance of customer service

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and Scaling Challenges
• 05:30 Pressure Points in AP and Finance
• 12:15 Staying Ahead with the Right Team and Tools
• 21:04 Rapid Fire Fun Questions