Digital Hospitality Shawn P. Walchef

Matt Wampler's journey to becoming the co-founder and CEO of ClearCOGS stemmed from a personal pain point in his restaurant career. Recognizing the lack of resources for obtaining essential answers, he envisioned ClearCOGS as a solution to translate overlooked data into actionable insights. 



And now ClearCOGS has a huge announcement!



Wampler's mission is clear: empower restaurant operators by providing them with a playbook for success. By leveraging modern technology and data science, ClearCOGS aims to simplify the complexities of managing metrics and spreadsheets, allowing operators to focus more on serving guests and empowering their teams. 



"How do we provide that playbook, that daily cheat sheet, with the numbers that you need so that if you follow it, you've got a profitable, smoothly running business?" expresses Wampler to host Shawn Walchef of Cali BBQ Media.



Wampler's disdain for traditional sales calls led to a pivotal "aha" moment for ClearCOGS on social media. By openly sharing their services and inviting interested parties to connect, Wampler discovered a more organic and effective approach to acquisition. The power of social media, as Wampler highlights, lies in the ability to communicate the value proposition without the need for intrusive sales calls. 



“We just put it out there in the world what we were doing,” reflects Wampler. “It was that aha moment. Like, you mean to tell me that instead of these horrible sales calls, I can just say, this is what we're doing, and if it's for you, we'd love to talk?”



ClearCOGS + Toast Integration



 In a significant announcement, Wampler and ClearCOGS have created a simple integration with Toast POS, a move aimed at “democratizing” AI for the restaurant industry. 



“Just click enable, and you're going to start receiving some incredibly helpful reports daily, weekly to help you run a smoother, more profitable operation.” says Wampler of the integration. 



Wampler emphasizes the company's commitment to making this AI solution accessible to all, offering a freemium version of the product, as well. 



“We want to get as many successful restaurants on Toast using this, understanding it, and we'll lead them to the future, where eventually, you're getting all your decision management done with a company like Clearcogs.”



Episode Links




Episode Links



ClearCOGS Online - https://www.clearcogs.com/



Matt Wampler Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/matthew.wampler/



ClearCOGS Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/clearcogs/



ClearCOGS LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/clearcogs/



Matt Wampler LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewjwampler/





https://youtu.be/vLGRUNeBFqs




Interview Takeaways



ClearCOGS Mission: Providing a Playbook for Success - The idea of ClearCOGS was born from Matt Wampler’s pain point. As he progressed through his restaurant career, he realized there were things he simply didn’t know and there was not a resource to obtain the answers he needed. That struggle created the foundation for ClearCOGS mission.



A Life Changing  "Aha" Moment on Social Media - Matt Wampler, like most of us, hates sales calls. Luckily, he was able to find a new avenue for acquisition by sharing ClearCOGS services and offering to meet with anyone interested. To his surprise, he began book appointments almost immediately.



New Toast Integration - Big Announcement for Matt Wampler and ClearCOGS!! The company will now offer an integration with Toast POS. The integration will provide customers with the opportunity to receive helpful reports and information with the simple click of a button!



Cali BBQ Media



Sponsors:DAVO: www.davosalestax.com/influencersMarqii: https://www.marqii.com/



Digital Hospitality is an interview-based video podcast hosted by business owner Shawn P. Walchef (@shawnpwalchef) and produced by his Cali BBQ Media company sponsored by DAVO Sales Tax (@davosalestax) and

An Inclusive Dining Experience



Ernie Carrillo, the founder of Joe & Ernie's Pizzeria, is crafting an inclusive dining experience that caters to everyone's tastes and dietary needs. From vegan options to gluten-free delights, Carrillo's commitment to quality and diversity sets his pizzeria apart in Southern California's vibrant culinary scene.



“I think pizza is that type of thing where everyone should enjoy it.” expressed Carrillo to host Shawn Walchef. “Our business model is, we try to cater to everyone.” 



A Slice for Everyone



At Joe & Ernie's Pizzeria, Carrillo's mission is clear: to ensure every customer finds a slice they love.



Catering to dietary needs is a part of Carrillo’s practice of consistent, premium hospitality. He believes that exceptional customer service is the cornerstone of Joe & Ernie's success. 



For Carrillo, "We all have jobs because of the customer.” said Carrillo. “I really stress customer service. Every time someone comes in, they should be greeted, and you should be giving them their best attitudes.”



The Importance of Customer Service



With such a high level of customer service, high volume days are inevitable. Carrillo's strategic approach to managing these times involve meticulous preparation and setting clear expectations for customers. Being over-prepared, from extra cheese to pre-folded boxes, to meet the demands of peak periods are just a few things done to increase the opportunities for success. 



"You learn to be prepared.” reflected Carrillo on lessons learned. “Every year, we get busier. But you learn." 

Solomon Choi, the CEO of Jabba Brands, believes in the power of giving more to ask for more. 



Reflecting on his early career, Choi made a bold decision for his family business early in his career, which ultimately paid off. By providing greater service, Choi was able to raise prices confidently, recognizing the value of catering to a captive audience. 



"Ask for more by giving them more," says Choi to host Shawn Walchef of Cali BBQ Media and co-host Avi Goren of Marqii. “I think that's a great, you know, symbiotic relationship with the customer. Everybody wins.” 



Transitioning from running restaurants to becoming an investor, Choi applies that same strategic approach to startups. As an investor and advisor, Choi emphasizes the importance of identifying overlooked or undervalued aspects that can drive success.



“Being on the side of an investor advisor for other startups, that is one of the things I look for is I'm like, what's your edge? What do you have that can be your, either competitive advantage or against something that is either being overlooked or undervalued?” emphasizes Choi.



At the core of Choi's philosophy lies the hospitality mindset, where the customer always comes first. Despite the advancements in technology, Choi believes that hospitality begins and ends with doing what's best for the customer. For him, success in business stems from a genuine desire to serve guests and create meaningful experiences that resonate with their needs.



“I think the first thing is to really just have this mindset of: do you truly want to do what's best for the guests?” remarks Choi. “If somebody came in and your menu item, for instance, didn't accommodate their needs: their dietary needs, their religion, whatever it may be. Wouldn't you try, if you were there, wouldn't you, as the owner, like, try to accommodate them if you could?”



By prioritizing customer-centric approaches and identifying unique business advantages, Choi continues to drive innovation and growth within the industry. As businesses navigate evolving landscapes, Choi's insights serve as a guiding light, inspiring entrepreneurs to embrace hospitality as a cornerstone of success and to seize strategic opportunities for growth and expansion.



“I think if you were at the heart of every person who's in hospitality for the right reasons, that answer is an overwhelming yes. There's no if, and. or buts.”

Christine Schindler, the Co-Founder and CEO of Pathspot, is spearheading a transformative movement in the restaurant industry by digitizing back-of-house operations. 



Pathspot's mission is clear: to enhance efficiency and safety in restaurant environments by consolidating various operational and safety procedures into a single, streamlined platform. 



“Pathspot is a system for operational and safety tools, both hardware and software, totally digitizing the back of house.” said Schindler to host Shawn Walchef of Cali BBQ Media



One of the core principles driving Pathspot's innovation is the focus on collecting and leveraging the right data for optimal operational efficiency. By integrating with different ecosystem components and leveraging data insights, Pathspot ensures that its solutions are tailored to meet the specific needs of its clients. 



“We're really working to create the right data throughputs... pulling in data to our system that helps make our solutions even more effective.” explained Schindler.



As Pathspot continues to evolve, Schindler, the Forbes 30 under 30 honoree, remains committed to exploring new solutions and pushing the boundaries of innovation. This relentless pursuit of improvement is not just about finding solutions but empowering restaurant teams to innovate and overcome challenges, ultimately driving a paradigm shift in how restaurants operate in the digital age.



“Every time you get to the next level, add in additional aspects, digitize something else... there's always more to discover.” 



—



“Every business needs a media company.” -Shawn Walchef



Engage with Cali BBQ Media today for all media inquiries

Aligning Behavior and Goals



In the pursuit of success, according to author, speaker, and entrepreneur David Meltzer, the crucial element lies in aligning one's behavior with the goals one aspires to achieve. He highlights the key factors to bridge this gap—wisdom, mentorship, faith, and, most importantly, humility.



"Behavior that's aligned with where you want to be, or better, creates a distance between you and what you want or better." Meltzer shares with host Shawn Walchef of Cali BBQ Media, where he has been a frequent guest. "We don't know what we don't know.”



Quality Over Quantity



Meltzer's philosophy extends beyond individual success to the concept of community and networking. In the age of social media, where follower count often defines success. For him, the essence lies not in the quantity of people within one's community but in the quality they bring.



"My neighborhood, my community, regardless of its size, is a community of people, a neighborhood of people that for a lifetime will buy from each other and sell for each other."



Going the Extra Mile



Another dimension of Meltzer's approach involves distinguishing between "empty milers" and "extra milers" in the quest for guidance and collaboration. Meltzer ensures that those seeking his expertise are "empty milers," individuals committed to putting in the necessary effort and dedication.



“When people ask me, Dave, I want to start a podcast, I'm like, terrific, get ten in the can. At least I put them into the top 1%. And I also see whether they're an empty miler or an extra miler.”



In times of economic challenge, he notes that "empty milers" tend to thrive, benefiting from their dedication and understanding of the essential principles.



“I want to resonate with people that I can help and know people that I can help. Because my neighborhood, my community, regardless of its size, is a community of people, a neighborhood of people that for a lifetime will buy from each other and sell for each other.”

Finding time for thought leadership can be a challenge. However, for Zach Goldstein, the CEO of Thanx, the responsibility to share knowledge and uplift the industry is paramount. Goldstein acknowledges the industry's lag in becoming data-driven and sees thought leadership, even if its ROI is not immediately visible, as a means to assist operators.  He believes that amplifying best practices and sharing insights is part of his mission and leadership obligation.



Goldstein also emphasizes the significance of data in the restaurant industry. He challenges restaurant operators to measure the returns on their strategies, particularly on loyalty programs. According to Goldstein, understanding the positive outcomes and optimizing efforts accordingly is crucial. He advocates for a data-driven approach to marketing, where identifying successful initiatives leads to informed decision-making and sustained growth in same-store sales over time.



For Goldstein, loyalty programs, when executed thoughtfully, align seamlessly with the essence of hospitality. The key, he says, lies in enhancing the customer experience rather than just offering discounts. Loyalty, according to Goldstein, should focus on elements like convenience and personalization which well aid in recognizing customers, making digital experiences easy, and saving customers time are vital aspects of driving loyalty without merely relying on value exchanges.