461: Using technology to combat the labor shortage with Derin Alemli

461: Using technology to combat the labor shortage with Derin Alemli

Author: Inspiring interviews with todays most successful restaurateurs 2-days a wee April 6, 2018 Duration: 1:01:27

 

In this episode with Derin Alemli, we discuss:

  • Being true to yourself.
  • Studying the consumer market.
  • Retaining the human element in a technology driven restaurant.  
  • Using catering to scale into a brick and mortar.  
  • Using ingredients that can be integrated across multiple menu items.
  • The lean startup methodology. 
  • Starting with a "minimal viable product".
  • Keeping your menu simple, yet interesting.
  • How to sell a vision.
  • Using SBA loans to validate the vision and find more funding. 
  • What to consider when finding a location. 
  • What the flow of a high-tech, low-touch company looks likes.
  • Why Derin decided to go with proprietary technology. 

Graduate of the University of Central Florida and the University of Chicago, Derin Alemli is a cereal entrepreneur. His first entrepreneurial success, DownBeats, set Derin up to tackle his newest entrepreneurial venture Square Roots Kitchen, a fast casual restaurant using technology to give customers the ultimate meal customization experience. Their theory is that an automated restaurant, if done right, can give consumers an easier and more personalized experience that's fast while allowing to operate with minimal staff members.

Show notes…

Favorite Success Quote or Mantra.

"Be true to thy own self."

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Contact Info

@DerinAlemli

@SquareRootsKitchen

www.squarerootskitchen.com

Thanks for Listening!

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Huge thanks to Derin Alemli for joining me for another awesome episode. Until next time!

 

Restaurant Unstoppable is a free podcast. One of the ways I'm able to make it free is by earning a commission when sharing certain products with you. I've made it a core value to only share tools, resources, and services my guest mentors have recommend, first. If you're finding value in my podcast, please use my links!

Eric Cacciatore sits down with the people who actually run the show in the world of food service. Restaurant Unstoppable with Eric Cacciatore is built on conversations with established restaurateurs and seasoned professionals who have navigated the intense realities of the industry. Twice a week, these interviews dig past the surface, focusing on the tangible details of leadership, team management, and effective marketing that separate a thriving venue from a struggling one. You’ll hear firsthand accounts of what worked, what didn’t, and the often-overlooked decisions that shape a restaurant's path. This podcast serves as a direct line to collective experience, whether you're dreaming of your first opening or steering a multi-location group. The dialogue is practical, centered on the daily grind and long-term strategy needed to build something lasting. For anyone invested in the business of hospitality, these regular episodes compile a vital resource, turning shared insights into actionable knowledge for your own journey.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 1000

Restaurant Unstoppable with Eric Cacciatore
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