Uncovering Finances: A Look at the Financial Aspects
Crushing Saturdays Y'all!
Week's over, and Branded wrapped up 2023 with a bang! And where else but at the Restaurant Finance & Development Conference (aka: "RFDC"), affectionately known as "the money show". This is the restaurant industry's premier financial event and Branded, as a recovering Wall Streeter, is all in for that.
Conferences and industry events have become crucial these days with work-from-home, increased flexibility, and video calls taking the place of in-person meetings. But, at RFDC, relationship building, networking, and business development are intentionally important. My team knows I love RFDC, and frankly, it's the only event I call "the money show".
The conference offers a unique opportunity for industry folks to engage in discussions around the capital markets and get a sense of expectations for the year ahead. As an early-stage investor, Branded uses these events to chat with later-stage players about our growing portfolio companies.
My overall takeaway? Cautious optimism, with specific enthusiasm for QSR and Fast Casual concepts.
On the Las Vegas trip, we had a Frank Sinatra-themed dinner at the roaring 20s-inspired club, Delilah. The modern-day super club had vintage aesthetics, lavish chandeliers, plush interiors, and nostalgic touches, with dinner turning into dancing. female entertainers and a multi-piece band took center stage! As a side note, it was a reminder that the industry is fragmented, with the Delilah concept being full-service and high-end, while QSR and Fast Casual joints serve a different class of patron.
And, on the topic of fragmentation, the discussions around technology and innovation companies (defined as Software as a Service and Hardware + IoT) showed that investors are flocking to technology, driving multiples to exorbitant levels. Regardless of the reason, Branded's view is that the journey with hardware will require a deeper investment and a longer return on investment.
For readers interested in learning more about Branded's portfolio companies, investment strategies, and future opportunities, feel free to explore becoming part of our Access Hospitality Network.
For the full scoop, check out Lauren's podcast episode where she shares her journey as a trailblazing restaurateur, revealing her secrets to success, including fostering team engagement, embracing ambiguity without all the answers, and decoding communication preferences in the era of chatbots. Give it a listen on Spotify, Apple, Amazon, iHeart, or your favorite listening platform!
Now, let's give a shout-out to some of our favorite innovation companies:
- PourMyBeer continues to dominate with its self-pour solution. The system checks all the boxes for restaurant operators, offering a rapid ROI for 80% of operators in year 1.
- Minnow Pod's food delivery management solution solves the problems food delivery creates for property managers, improving building security, enhancing the tenant experience, and reducing liability for foodborne illness.
- Bite, a kiosk solution company, has created Bite Lift, a proprietary algorithm that helps restaurants maximize order size and throughput, especially during peak times, increasing check averages by 20% or more.
- Agot.ai's Retina Platform uses AI and computer vision to address accuracy, food waste, and speed of service in the restaurant industry, using a single system for the back of house, front of house, and drive-thru.
Each of these companies addresses pain points, challenges, or represents an opportunity to create and capture value for operators.
Innovation, Innovation, Innovation!
As always, remember, it takes a village!
See you next week!
-Jimmy & JuliaBranded Hospitality [email protected] & [email protected] Park Ave South, 4th Fl | New York, NY 10003
Branded Hospitality Ventures is an investment and advisory platform at the intersection of food service, technology, innovation, and capital. As experienced hospitality owners and operators, Branded brings value to its portfolio companies through investment, strategic counsel, and deep industry expertise and connections.
Learn more about Branded here: Branded At-A-Glance November 23
Enrichment Data
Overall
Branded Hospitality Ventures is recognized as a leading investment and solutions platform in the restaurant industry, focusing on innovative technologies that benefit operators. While specific emerging companies beyond its portfolio are not detailed in the search results, Branded's investment strategy suggests an emphasis on transformative technologies. Here are some insights into emerging trends and notable companies in the industry:
Emerging Trends and Notable Companies
Portfolio Companies
- Chowly: This company is a leader in third-party delivery and POS integration, which is crucial for restaurants managing multiple delivery platforms.
Other Innovative Technologies
- SevenRooms: Acquired by DoorDash, this company offers guest experience and customer relationship management (CRM) tools, enhancing operational capabilities for restaurants.
- Clover Hospitality: Launched by Clover, this platform provides omnicommerce capabilities, enabling restaurants to build their online presence and diversify revenue streams.
Emerging Trends
- Digital Payment Solutions: Solutions like checkless payments, developed by Clover in collaboration with Union Square Hospitality Group, enhance the dining experience by eliminating the need for a physical bill.
- Integration Technologies: Solutions that integrate third-party delivery with POS systems, such as Chowly, are crucial for streamlining restaurant operations.
These technologies and companies are transforming the restaurant industry by improving operational efficiency, enhancing customer experiences, and providing innovative solutions for operators.
- Branded Hospitality Ventures, an investment and advisory platform, operates at the junction of food service, technology, innovation, and capital.
- As experienced hospitality owners and operators, Branded offers investment, strategic counsel, and deep industry expertise to its portfolio companies.
- The focus of Branded's investments revolves around innovative technologies that benefit operators.
- Chowly, a company that leads in third-party delivery and POS integration, is one of Branded's portfolio companies.
- SevenRooms, a guest experience and customer relationship management (CRM) tool, is another notable company that enhances operational capabilities for restaurants.
- Clover Hospitality, launched by Clover, provides omnicommerce capabilities, helping restaurants build their online presence and diversify revenue streams.
- Digital payment solutions, such as checkless payments developed by Clover in collaboration with Union Square Hospitality Group, are emerging trends enhancing the dining experience.
- Integration technologies that streamline restaurant operations by integrating third-party delivery with POS systems are also key trends in the industry.
- Innovation in the hospitality industry extends to food service, delivery services, food safety, the guest experience, and various other sectors.
- The hospitality industry is fragmented, with some concepts being full-service and high-end, while others cater to a different class of patron, like Quick Service Restaurants (QSR) and Fast Casual joints.
- Technology and innovation companies, including Software as a Service (SaaS) and Hardware + Internet of Things (IoT), are drawing investor attention and driving multiples to high levels.
- Branded believes that the journey with hardware will require a deeper investment and a longer return on investment.
- For readers interested in exploring Branded's portfolio companies, investment strategies, and future opportunities, joining the Access Hospitality Network is available.
- Lauren's podcast shares insights into Branded's journey as a trailblazing restaurateur, revealing secrets to success and discussing topics such as team engagement, communication preferences, and fostering personal growth.
