EMERGING December Festive Issue

How can your restaurant stand out from the competition and provide a quality experience to your customers? The answer lies in “Customer Intelligence.”

Customer Intelligence provides organized and precise data, which can help you categorize your customer base according to their needs and priorities.

Customer intelligence offers the means to acquire new customers while keeping the old ones happy and coming back again and again.

Partner with Emerging Concepts to gain insight and data to better serve your customers!

Insights for the food and entertainment industry

Acutely uses experience and data science to generate real-time, evidencebased observations that reduce risk and maximize revenues across the food, entertainment and retail industries. Our Data Scientists work as your in-house Business Intelligence Data Partner. We utilize big data and client specific POSdata to glean actionable insights to increase your revenue.

Market Optimization for Growth

What is your Growth Plan for new sites in the next 3 Years?

Where should you open your next location, and how many units will maximize your sales in a market or nationally?

We identify where to open the most profitable locations.

• How many new units you should open in a City, State, or Nationally without cannibalizing yourself?

• What locations should you open first, based on the highest profitability and lowest risk?

• Where can you open sites that out position your competition?

Customer Analysis

Who are your Customers and Why?

Before you open a new location or start a marketing campaign, you need to understand your current VIP and Core customers. This knowledge will help you mitigate downside risks and maximize your revenue potential.

• What makes your current location(s) successful?

• Who are your VIP, Core, and Infrequent customers?

• What are your VIP demographics? Where do they work, live, and spend? What are their dining frequency, transportation preferences, driving paths, and buying habits?

What Differentiates Us?

We coordinate the execution of your business strategies in real estate, supply chain, data science, finance, and labor, providing you with an unprecedented value from one platform. By continuously benchmarking your growth, we identify problems and opportunities sooner to ensure you hit your short and long-term goals.

• Turnkey Solution with Data Science and Site Selection

• Data Science backed strategy based on your key business growth drivers

• Industry-leading proprietary POS and Mobile data sets

• Team of top data scientists, data engineers, analysts, real estate experts, creatives, and business professionals focused on your success.

Mathew Focht

CEO

Mathew has a passion for helping best in class restaurant and entertainment operators onto growing as recognized national leader in their category. Mathew has served hundreds of restaurant–entertainment owners and developers of lifestyle and mix-use centers. Mathew is founder of EMERGING, EMERGING Concepts, EMERGING Capital Partners, and cofounder of Consolidated Concepts, Acutely, and FB Insights. Mathew has helped exciting concepts expand nationally by focusing on real estate, capital, operations, and reducing operating cost.

Mathew has worked with following restaurants and entertainment concepts; Silverspot Cinema, Puttshack, Flight Club, Blue Sushi, Federales, Pour House, City Works, Doc B’s, The PUB, Levity Live, Improv Comedy Club, AZN, TAPS, Flip Side, 3 Palms, Blue Lemon, Adobe Gilas, Bar Louie, Concepts America, Devons Seafood, Houlihans, Cheesecake Factory, Brio, Bravo, McCormick & Schmick, Blue Martini, Hyde Park Steakhouse, BICE, Lucky Strike, Houstons, and many other restaurant and entertainment concepts.

Prior, Mathew was Principal of Sierra Advisors and Vice President of RKF Retail Property Advisors providing comprehensive leasing, marketing, and consulting services to owners and developers of malls, lifestyle centers,

and mixed-use projects. Responsible for securing national expansion sites for over a dozen top restaurant and entertainment emerging chains and executing leasing for the restaurant tenant mix for hundreds of thousands of square feet around the U.S. Prior to RKF, Mathew was with Pyramid Companies and Steiner & Associates where he was responsible for restaurant leasing and development the firm’s superior-regional malls and mixed-use lifestyle projects.

Mathew earned a Masters of Business Administration in Finance and Real Estate and a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Cincinnati. He is a member of International Council of Shopping Centers, Urban Land Institute, and National Restaurant.

Mathew has helped exciting concepts expand nationally by focusing on real estate, capital, operations, and reducing operating cost.

EMERGING CONCEPTS

Flight Club Opens in Las Vegas

VEGAS,

LAS

Nevada. Flight Club, a London-based social darts concept opened its doors in Las Vegas at the Grand Canal Shoppes inside the Venetian Resort on the Las Vegas Strip.

BY MARISA UPSON

“State of Play Hospitality is thrilled to be opening our largest Flight Club location to date on the Las Vegas Strip,” Alan Cichon, President US of State of Play Hospitality tells Fox5 News Las Vegas. “A completely new concept to hit the market, Flight Club Las Vegas will offer unique fun and surprises at every turn, and we can’t wait to show Las Vegas what Social Darts is all about this November.”

In addition to private areas for groups to compete against each other in a darts competition, the venue will also feature a

life-sized carousel bar. According to Flight Club, serving as the centerpiece of the venue, the carousel bar will feature 27 seats. The company said the Las Vegas location will be its fourth and largest spot in the United States.

Flight Club has developed the technology for social darts and combines the classic British pub with fairground fun. Headed by CEO, Toby Harris and President, Alan Cichon.

For real estate inquiries, Robert Johnson rjohnson@emergingconcepts.com

THE MAGIC CITY WHERE YOU

Get your game face ready, Miami! We're bringing good vibes to the Brickell City Centre. Puttshack is an upscale, tech-infused mini golf experience pairing modern technology with crazy courses and cool vibes for an experience that you won't find anywhere else.

All that winning (or losing) will work up an appetite too - our passionate chefs & bartenders will tantalize your taste buds with flavors from around the globe. So, get your game face ready for a perfect outing of friendly competition, drinks and dining.

THE GAME

We’re tech-infused mini golf, which means we’ve thrown out the paper and pencils and replaced them with a super fun new scoring system. Our balls track your gameplay and you can earn (or lose) points based on how you play. This isn’t just a new way to play mini golf, it’s the only way!

THE EXPERIENCE

The right choice whenever there's a choice – date night, next-level game night and a great night out. Plus, every night you're in the mood for one (or two – hey, who's counting) really good drinks at your new favorite bar. We're all about the vibe. So, pull up while we turn down the lights, turn up the tunes, and let the good times roll.

THE FOOD & DRINK

Pre game or post game– we've got you covered. Here at Puttshack, we invite you to join us for a culinary journey of global flavors, both deeply inspired by and celebrating the wonderfully diverse cultures, ingredients, and recipes (traditional and modern) from all around the world.

DYNAMIC MARKET

Puttshack: Boston Seaport opened in November

As many of you know, today’s restaurant guest is looking for an experience. Some entrepreneurs have taken the demand for dining entertainment and notched it up a bit, providing unrivaled restaurant dining experiences that include activities centered around high-tech sports, games, competition, and upscale food and drinks. Puttshack is one such brand – a leader in the competitive socializing market.

BY MARISA UPSON

A New Location in Boston Seaport Puttshack, the world’s first and only upscale tech-infused mini golf experience featuring craft cockt ails, local beers, and dishes inspired by flavors from around the world, opened another U.S. location this month located in the heart of Boston’s bustling Seaport neighborhood.

Puttshack Boston will expand across twofloor levels, covering more than 26,000 square feet. This new location will feature four highly engaging and competitive ninehole mini golf courses, accentuated by floorto-ceiling windows with expansive views of the waterfront and a high-energy, upscale nightclub vibe featuring local DJs.

The Social Environment

A leading concept in the emerging and growing market of competitive socializing, founded by the creators of TopGolf, Fight Club, and AceBounce, Puttshack combines its patented Trackaball™ technology with a first-class, immersive social environment to elevate the game of mini golf into a cuttingedge, high-energy experience with worldclass cuisine.

While the game may draw many guests in, the food helps make them brand ambassadors. A few of their delectable offerings include wood-fired Thai octopus, Mediterranean lamb skewers, Korean bao buns, and shitake mushroom potstickers. As you can see, their brand is strong on global

influences, a continuing trend in today’s restaurants.

Today, it’s expanding at a rapid pace and using data analytics to do it. EMERGING Concepts, their national representative, helps them scope out the best sites based on extensive data and then hit the ground running. Puttshack completed a growth capital round of $60 million led by Promethean Investments in 2021. In addition, the brand recently received $150 million in growth capital from BlackRock, funding significant expansion in the U.S.

It’s clear that Puttshack is a leading concept in the expanding market of competitive socializing.

F1 Arcade is an immersive state-of-the-art F1 racing simulation experience gamified for a mass audience!

The first-of-its-kind, F1 Arcade launched this November in London bringing the excitement and adrenaline-laced emotions from the racing circuit to the city.

FOOD AND DRINK F1 SIMULATOR

The London Venture from Adam Breeden Features Realistic F1 Simulators Alongside Food and Drink

Afirst-of-its-kind Premium F1 Experiential Venue, F1 Arcade, launched in London this month. The themed venue will feature 60 motion F1 simulators and give fans the opportunity to live out their racing dreams while enjoying best-in-class food and drink offerings.

Using bespoke racing simulators uniquely developed by a leading simulator design

company, F1 fans will be fully immersed through motion and audio-visual effects. His most ambitious project to date, Adam Breeden, the pioneer of competitive socializing and the man behind London’s most popular entertainment venues, including Flight Club, Puttshack, Hijingo, Ace Bounce, and All Star Lanes, has added all the glamor of a Grand Prix Weekend to the fold.

Real Estate Solutions for the industry’s restauranttopand entertainment concepts

We are an extension of the operator’s team, evaluating the real estate opportunities across the country. As real estate experts we negotiate with developers and landlords on our client’s behalf to most efficiently and effectively maximize returns and minimize risk.

Concept Strategy

The process of formulating a strategy with short and long term goals between investment, real estate, and operations.

Customer Intelligence

Capturing relevant data and information to develop market positioning and complete picture of customers.

Strategic Expansion

Helping clients to grow with confidence, brilliance, and the pursuit of a perfect deal.

Lease Negotiations

The process of formulating a strategy with short and long term goals between investment, real estate, and operations.

Predictive Analytics

Analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of current sites to optimize site selection with data science.

Unsurpassed Team of Partners

Leading CEOs in the Restaurant and Restaurant Technology (ResTech) industry founded the EMERGING Fund. MORE INFORMATION

How to Increase Your Restaurant Profits Without Raising Prices

BY MARISA UPSON

When the time emerged to open doors and welcome our longawaited customers, we found that the dwindling labor pool preferred to swim elsewhere.

Rising food and labor costs left us rethinking our menu strategy, and reducing our offerings while increasing our prices to

maintain profit. As a result, restaurant prices continued on an upward trajectory and currently show an 8% increase over the past year.

Our guests understood, to a point. But that point may be about to break. With inflation holding steady, our clients are starting to edge back a bit, looking for value in this tenuous time.

We’ve had quite a year or two. We came out of unprecedented closures and social distancing only to be greeted by a disrupted supply chain that led to changing menu items at a moment’s notice.

F&B INSIGHTS FOOD COST MENU ENGINEERING STAFF EDUCATION

Technomic recently reported on restaurants’ steady price increases and consumers’ reactions. As they see it, the tipping point has been reached, with traffic slowing and customers unlikely to accept continued price hikes. According to Technomic’s research on consumer price sensitivity, the average price for an entrée at quick-service restaurants is about eight cents higher than the price point customers consider too expensive. This is a scenario that holds for other restaurant categories as well.

In March 2022, traffic started dropping off, with July seeing -4.4%, the lowest yearover-year traffic decline in 2022. According to NPD, rising prices have had the greatest impact on lower-income households and those with kids. This translates to the need to take a good look at your value and how you compare to your surrounding competitors.

Surveying Your Surroundings

At EMERGING, we partner with leading restaurants and entertainment concepts, supporting them in their expansion plans, supply chain disruptions, and labor shortages. As you know, it’s been a busy few years trying to stay ahead of the next landslide.

As inflation, labor, and supply chain issues continued, our clients came to us with the question on everyone’s mind, how much can we raise our prices without affecting our traffic? They wanted to find that fine line— charging enough to maintain profit margins without driving their brand-loyal customers away, impacting sales and repeat business.

To help with that rising dilemma, we developed F&B Insights. One of the segments in this division gives our clients the ability to raise profits with AI-driven menu pricing. We continually keep track

of and record changing restaurant menu prices across the nation so that our clients can price particular items based on the venues near them, an approach that ensures they don’t affect demand.

Alternatives to Price Hikes

David Portalatin, the NPD food industry advisor, stated, “This is when operators need to demonstrate their value to consumers struggling with inflation and be solutions-oriented to help consumers meet needs across life stages.”

So, how can you increase needed revenue without menu price hikes? One approach is increasing the average check size without raising core menu prices. This approach requires a knowledgeable and well-trained staff capable of upselling and cross-selling by making recommendations that enhance your customers’ experience while increasing the average check size. Upselling encourages guests to try a highend product, while cross-selling entails suggesting adding something to their order, such as an appetizer, dessert, or side dish.

One hands-on training tool that’s easy to implement is Tipzyy, an innovative web app that trains servers about brands and beverages and promotes high-margin products. It integrates with the POS system, enabling you to keep track of sales, run contests, and reward the leaders who earn cash rewards through Venmo and PayPal.

Other methods for increasing revenue include reviewing your portion sizes and recipes. Take stock of how much food is thrown away and what’s left on your customers’ plates. This gives you an idea of what items you can make small changes to that will go unnoticed by your guests. And, as always, make sure you’re rewarding your loyal customers.

DATA SCIENCE

Introducing F&B Insights

Why partner with F&B Insights?

Monetize your sales data to create a new revenue stream. Data is the world’s most valuable resource and you’re sitting on tons of it. F&B Insights is the only platform that helps you sell your monthly sales data to suppliers who want to know how their brand performs in your venue.

Raise profits with AIdriven menu pricing

Leverage nationwide market intelligence to see how venues near you price particular items so you can raising pricing with confidence and without affecting demand.

Maximize revenue with brand education and competitions

Partner with suppliers to maximize staff education and contests that boost sales. Keep your staff engaged with cash reward incentives.

Stop leaving money on the table.

F&B Insights helps bars, restaurants and hotels streamline partnerships with suppliers, monetize sales data and identify pricing opportunities to maximize their monthly profit.

Monetize your sales data to create a new revenue stream. Data is the world’s most valuable resource and you’re sitting on tons of it. F&B Insights is the only platform that helps you sell your monthly sales data to suppliers who want to know how their brand performs in your venue.

EMERGING CAPITAL PARTNERS RESTUARANT CONCEPT

The Latest Advancements in Restaurant Reservation Management

According to one survey, 73% of diners said that restaurant technology improved their experience. That comes as some surprise to those of us who remember the customer pushback when restaurants first started integrating AI and robotic technology.

BY MARISA UPSON

That, however, was pre-pandemic, a world apart from its descendant. Today, technology in the restaurant industry is growing exponentially, and one item on the rapid growth rate trajectory is table reservation tech.

Let’s explore the benefits and the brands taking this technology to the next level.

The Benefits of Restaurant Table Reservation Technology

Restaurant reservation software allows diners to reserve a table online and lets owners or managers know when new reservations are made or existing ones are canceled. This offering enhances the guest experience by allowing customers to choose a specific table or leave special instructions.

Restaurants can oversee capacity by setting limits and gaining access to guests’ information. Some platforms allow VIP guests exclusive access during peak periods. Others provide mobile text

messaging when a customer’s table is ready. Managers receive occupancy alerts before the restaurant exceeds capacity, reducing irritated guests and overworked staff.

Some reservation platforms integrate with a restaurant’s POS system. Others come with built-in customer relationship management programs, helping restaurants organize and centralize their customers’ information, enabling data analytics. This critical information helps personalize each guest’s service while assisting operators in customizing their marketing strategy.

According to one study, about 70% of restaurant customers don’t return. Personalizing their experience can go a long way in turning one-time guests into repeat customers. It’s well known that increasing your repeat customers by just 5% can increase profits by a minimum of 25%.

The guest experience is about unique and delicious food, good service, and a personalized approach. So it’s no wonder that 19% of adult diners want to pick out their table when making a dinner reservation, according to the National Restaurant Association.

This brings us to the latest restaurant reservation technology—a brand that provides the opportunity to increase profits and the customer experience while allowing guests to pick out their tables in a virtual setting.

The Immersive 3D Experience

At EMERGING, we partner with brands on the leading edge of technology in the restaurant industry. One of those brands is Tablz. This technology-focused company offers diners the opportunity to select and upgrade their table via an online virtual dining room experience. It also allows

restaurants to charge more for preferred tables.

When you think about it, almost all businesses in the hospitality, entertainment, and travel sectors charge more for better seating or a better experience, from airlines to hotels, sporting events, concerts, plays, car rentals, and vacation homes. And that’s Tablz main goal, to change the future of restaurant dining by treating it as real estate where patrons pay more for the “best seats in the house” during peak hours.

Not only does this offer increased income based on table choices, but it also provides an incentive for diners to enjoy your establishment during off-hours, maintaining more consistent capacity limits.

Restaurants can get on Tablz in about 48 hours. First, they spend about one hour at your restaurant when the dining room is service ready and empty to produce the 3D mapping. Then, you’ll work with their concierge to pick out your best tables and set the pricing based on the time and day.

This immersive 3D system incorporates into your existing reservation management system, website’s reservation page, and social media. Guests virtually walk through your dining room, picking out their perfect table based on location, minimum seating, and ambiance, enhancing their experience.

At EMERGING, we’re excited to partner with a brand that’s on the cutting edge of restaurant technology and a forerunner on the path many restaurants are considering traveling.

If there’s anything we learned from a brutal pandemic, it’s the importance of multiple revenue streams. Maybe it is time to consider treating your restaurant like the real estate investment it is.

An immersive 3D booking experience like no other.

Good service is invisible. An immaculate dining room is not.

Tablz is redefining the future of dining, by enabling diners to select and upgrade to the table of their choosing.

Tablz works with every system.

Really, every reservation management system! Incredible restaurants are enhancing their guest experience by leveraging Tablz with their existing reservation system. And no, Tablz is not a second system you have to manage. Tablz works in conjunction with your existing setup.

Not all dining rooms are created equal.

But each has valuable real estate. Whether you're a fine dining restaurant, sports bar or a neighbourhood go-to, diners are willing to pay for their preferred table.

Restaurants need a pricing revolution.

Every other fixed capacity industry in the world has had one. Combining premium seating with dynamic pricing, every industry in the world has used revenue management to transform their industries to improve their customer experience and increase their profitability.

Why haven’t we?

Every seat offers a unique value.

And as a guest, where you sit matters. Fortunately, Tablz is a discreet and voluntary opt-in for guests to upgrade to the table that best meets their preferences during the reservation booking process.

Transact in new ways and maximise profitability.

Turn More. Earn More. Period. Maximize profit on each table by charging a premium during peak hours, while incentivising guests to dine earlier, ensuring all of your tables stay full as often as possible.

A paradigm shift in brand engagement.

Out with the old, in with the new. Generate more positive customer reviews, blow up social media and become a hotspot that people flock to. Tablz is a disrupter in restaurant industry technology.

Learn More About EMERGING

CONTACT US

www.tablz.com

5 Restaurant Technology Trends to Watch For in 2023

BY MIKE WALTMAN

According to a 2022 study, 72% of restaurants plan to increase their tech budget in the coming year. The potential for growth and efficiency feels more accessible than ever. However, restaurant professionals who fail to stay current with the latest innovations risk investing inefficiently and falling behind competitors.

Moving into 2023, we see tech companies increasing the efficiency of existing services and encouraging the adoption of groundbreaking technologies. So, whether you’re looking to streamline operations or set yourself apart from other restaurants, it pays to keep an eye on what’s happening in the world of restaurant tech. Let’s look at 5 tech trends that can help innovate the customer experience, lighten your workload, and increase profit in 2023.

AI-Generated Menu Pricing

As expenses climb due to rising inflation and supply chain constraints, restaurants are turning to AI-generated menu pricing to expand revenue opportunities. By leveraging information from competitors’ menus to identify opportunities to raise prices, F&B Insights helps restaurants maximize profits with their AI menu pricing software, FB Menu. This groundbreaking innovation in menu pricing is more valuable than ever amidst the growing cost of food, supplies, rent, and

incentives for securing labor. According to a report by the National Restaurant Association, diners should expect to pay 9% more at full-service restaurants than they did in 2021. During this nationwide price hike, tracking the market price of specific menu items is necessary for any efficient operation.

Keeping track of competitor pricing was a tedious and time-consuming process before AI-assisted menu pricing software. F&B Insights streamlines this process by providing instant access to menu item prices from thousands of local and nationwide restaurants within a single, easy-to-navigate

The recent boom in restaurant technology presents an exciting but challenging opportunity.

platform. In addition, FB Menu allows managers and owners to receive pricing alerts whenever a competitor changes their menu prices. Seasoned restaurant professionals understand that increasing the gross profit margin of each dish on your menu without affecting customer traffic requires walking a fine line. Keep an eye out as FB Menu makes it easier to find that balance and boost profits in 2023.

Augmented Reality Menus

A 2021 Global Deloitte Digital study reports that 75% of people worldwide will use augmented reality (AR) frequently by 2025. Within the hospitality industry, restaurants are adopting digital menus with interactive 3D images of real-to-life dishes to provide customers with more appetizing and engaging menus.

56% of consumers say they have more confidence in the quality of a product presented by AR. This confidence can go a long way to boosting customer satisfaction and improving brand perception. Additionally, adopting AR menus may lead to increased conversions. An Oxford study in partnership with Q-Real, an AR tech company, found that participants were 41.2% more likely to order dessert when presented with the option on an augmented reality menu compared to 18% on a control menu.

POS and Payroll Management Software

Managing payroll is one of the more tedious and frustrating parts of running a restaurant. In a recent restaurant tech report, 44% of restaurants say that dealing with payroll is the most difficult aspect of labor management, ranking higher than all other tasks. So it’s no surprise that more restaurants are turning towards payroll management software to streamline their operations.

Restaurant tech companies like Toast are capitalizing on this increased demand for payroll solutions by providing in-house payroll services. Other providers, such as Touch Bistro and Upserve, offer integration with payroll service providers like Quickbooks. However, integration compatibility within legacy POS systems lags behind the

demand for dynamic payroll management solutions. Restaurants can expect wider compatibility offerings and more efficient services moving into 2023.

Kitchen Display Systems

In the same way printed tickets revolutionized communication between the front and back of the house, kitchen display systems (KDS) are accelerating the ease and efficiency of order fulfillment. According to a report polling common restaurant complaints, 62% of diners say they can’t stand when they receive the wrong order, and 51% complain about slow service. By utilizing digital displays for enhanced visibility and item organization, kitchen staff can handle higher order volumes with increased speed and accuracy.

Restaurants implementing KDS stand to increase sales by serving more dishes during peak hours. They’re also likely to decrease food waste resulting from incorrect orders, which reduces expenses and simultaneously enhances brand perception.

Waitlist Management Systems

No one likes waiting for a table. In a 2022 survey, 73% of diners stated they wouldn’t wait more than 30 minutes for a table. Restaurants that understand the value of managing wait times are turning to waitlist management systems to streamline how they seat tables. The result is a more efficient seating process that decreases customer wait times and boosts revenue by increasing seating potential. Additionally, waitlist management software tracks wait times during specific hours and days so restaurants can provide customers with more accurate wait estimates, and managers can staff shifts more efficiently.

Final Thoughts

Effectively harnessing the power of data is the foundation of our most important technologies. EMERGING through its data division empowers innovations in data science so restaurants can streamline their real estate, finance, labor, and supply chain operations. Check out how our team of experts can help identify goals and develop solutions that will transform how you do business.

Interview with Gabriella Littleton from Tablz

BY MARISA UPSON

Let’s see what she had to say about this latest restaurant technology and how it’s changing the way restaurants manage their “table” inventory and their guests’ reservations.

The Beginning

The CEO behind this fascinating technology is Frazer Nagy. Littleton reports, “Frazer is a multifounder in the tech space, creating a previous company called Transparent Kitchen. This company, which Nagy sold in 2020, dealt with the providence of ingredients and farm-to-table restaurants. It was a very visual, photographybased, data-driven company, connecting chefs who source sustainably with diners making conscious food choices.

“From there, he started rethinking the restaurant industry as COVID-19 took its toll. He completed a regression analysis at a university in 2014, studying revenue management with all the external data for a restaurant. This included the restaurant’s profit margin given the weather, events taking place, and holidays—looking at external forces and how they affected the restaurant’s profit.

“Nagy realized that no one does that for the restaurant industry. No one looks at how external events affect their business. For instance, on this day, there was a slight drizzle, and it was 45°F

when historically it’s sunny and 65°F. This change in weather explained why there were these many cancellations at this restaurant at 7 p.m. So, he started thinking about creating a revenue management tool for restaurants that don’t just predict demand at a given restaurant, but could also make restaurants money by telling them the precise value of their seats at any given time.”

Tablz is Born

Dynamic pricing is at the core of the success behind Tablz and how it helps restaurants develop another much-needed revenue stream. Littleton shared how every other fixed capacity industry in the world uses revenue management and dynamic pricing to improve the customer experience and increase profits.

“Other experience-based industries successfully deploy both revenue management and dynamic pricing. For example, airlines charge different prices from the back of the plane to the economy and first class. Paying more for a better seat is an expected requirement in the airline industry. We also see this markup in other experience-based industries, like court-side seats at a basketball game or VIP tickets to Lollapalooza. With any of these experiences, there’s always been a function to upgrade.

When you think about it, the value of a table at 5 p.m. on Monday is significantly different than the value of sitting at that same table on Saturday at

I recently had the pleasure of speaking with Gabriella Littleton, the partnerships lead at Tablz. This exciting startup is changing the face of restaurant and guest management, applying dynamic pricing in the only manner feasible for the restaurant industry—per-table charges based on time, day, and location.

7:30 p.m. And yet, restaurants don’t apply dynamic pricing. We can’t change the cost of the food items, so how do you capture the different values? If you can’t change prices, you can charge a fee for the table as real estate. Some want to sit in a booth, while others want to sit at a table. Some guests particularly like to sit at a round table. So, these consumer preferences are already built into where people prefer to sit in a restaurant. Now, you start incorporating the different times of day as well as the busiest days and find that this is the best way to apply revenue management in the restaurant industry.”

3D Mapping Technology

If you look at the Tablz website, you’ll see incredible 3D videos of different restaurants. These give guests a complete and accurate view of dining areas, enabling them to pick out the table they prefer. According to Littleton, their cofounder applied his know-how in photography to help create a tool that brings dynamic pricing to restaurants in a visual manner.

“They started 3D Scanning Dining Room technology to allow guests to pick the tables they wanted to sit at. Every week, partners all over America and Canada are 3D Scanning their dining rooms, and guests are paying for the table they

want to sit at. These guests book their tables online and pay from $12-$100.

“Not only do tables monetize the most in-demand real estate in a restaurant, but it’s also a powerful guest management tool that creates an experience for customers who can visualize the dining room before they book their dinner. Guests often choose different tables for different occasions. For example, they may choose one table for a business dinner and a different one if they are getting engaged or going out with their elderly parents. They might be with someone who is in a wheelchair, so they can’t fit in a booth, or with young kids who need a high chair. There are so many reasons why people want to be able to pay to choose their exact table, and they’re not able to until now.

“For the operator, it doesn’t disrupt service or require an extra tablet or website to utilize the Tablz booking system. The best part for restaurants is that the onboarding process only takes an hour of the operator’s time and the booking aspect works directly with all reservation management systems. Income derived from this approach is pure profit that comes from guests paying for the real estate that exists within the restaurant. Tablz is based on revenue share, which means there are no monthly or upfront fees.”

The Operator’s Experience with Tablz I was curious about what an operator could expect from the onboarding process. Littleton shared this, “The restaurant is 3D scanned by an independent photographer. It takes about 60 minutes to shoot an entire restaurant, and all that we ask is that the restaurant is photo ready and empty. Then, we review the scan with the restaurant operator and pick out the tables they want to put on the platform, helping them determine the cost of the table based on the day, time, and location. Then, it’s embedded on their website, and they go live.”

In the spring of 2022, Littleton spoke with EMERGING, and a partnership was born. We’re excited to be a part of this technology-driven company that is sure to change the guest experience.

EMERGING Fund Technology disrupting operations and accelerating concept innovation.

Unsurpassed Team of Partners

Founder/Co-Founder of Flight Club, Puttshack, F1 Arcade, Hijingo

Founder/CEO of FB Society, Rock Fish, Twin Peaks, Velvet Taco, Whiskey Cake

Founder/CEO of Flagship Restaurant Group, Blue Sushi Sake Grill, Anthem, Palma, Plank Seafood Provisions, Blatt Beer & Table, Ghost Donkey

Founder/CEO of FamilyMeal, Pippy Sips, RealFood

Marketing & Product Executive Grubhub, Zynga, Netflix, Grubhub, Tapingo

Adam Breeden

Peter Venti

Randy DeWitt

Padma Rao

Nick Hogan

EMERGING Fund

Leading Technology founders of The EMERGING Fund

Sterling Douglass Co-Founder/CEO of Chowly

Bhavuk Kaul Co-Founder/Former CEO of Plate IQ

Damian Mogavero Founder/Former CEO of Avero

Taylor Katzman Founder/CEO of Provi

Rom Krupp Founder CEO of OneDine, Marketing Vitals

6 Ways to Create a Restaurant Experience

We know you’ve heard this phrase many times before, but it bears repeating: today’s restaurant guest is looking for an experience. Generation Y, also known as the Millennials, surpasses Baby Boomers and is three times the size of Generation X. This population has gained the status of economic leaders, and they can make or break a restaurant.

BY MARISA UPSON

So, what can you do to appeal to this generation? The number one consideration is creating a unique dining experience. They also appreciate an emotional connection to the food they eat, which revolves around a concept and food items with a backstory.

Guests remember your restaurant because of the memories you help them make. They’ll be talking about your restaurant long after they leave if they genuinely enjoyed a fantastic meal and the experience.

According to a TouchBistro survey, 42% of Millennials are influenced by a restaurant’s entertainment offerings when choosing where to eat. So, let’s explore how you can create a restaurant experience that brings new customers in the door and converts them into loyal guests.

1. Live Music: The above survey found that almost half of the surveyed diners (44%) found live music a compelling attraction. Consider surveying your existing customers to find the type of music they most enjoy.

2. Locally Sourced Food: Just under 50% reported that locally sourced food impacts their restaurant choices.

3. Sustainability: Along the same lines, consumer trends increasingly lean toward eco-friendly restaurants. This includes how animals are raised, sustainably harvested fish, and produce grown by regenerative agricultural measures.

4. Wine & Craft Beer Tasting: Pairing good food with wine, craft beer, or signature cocktails is still a popular event. Consider bringing in a guest sommelier who can entertain guests with the many brand’s backstories.

5. Themed Events: Hosting a themed event offers a unique experience for staff and customers alike. Create the appropriate atmosphere so that when people walk into your establishment, they feel like they’ve been transported to another world, or at least another country. You can go all out with a dinner theater or murder mystery or simply transport your guests to places like the beautiful island of Bora Bora with enticing images and beverages, French Polynesian cuisine, and a laid-back island atmosphere.

6. Community: Creating a space where friends, family, and strangers can easily connect and share stories is at the heart of experiential dining. Think of icebreakers or a common goal that brings people together.

Eatertainment is a relatively new arrival on the restaurant scene and proving massively profitable. While we can’t all be the next Top Golf, Flight Club, or Puttshack, we can create memorable entertainment events.

When creating an experiential atmosphere, consider all of the senses: taste, smell, touch, sight, and sound. Even with all the other activities, the food needs to be the most compelling aspect. If it indulges all the senses in a manner that leaves a positive and lasting impression, you can be sure that the new guests you enticed into your doors will be coming back for more.

The 6 Best Cities for New Restaurants

BY MARISA UPSON

But, as anyone who’s ever expanded will share, what works in one location doesn’t necessarily work in another. There are several criteria to consider.

At EMERGING, our real estate and data science divisions work together to develop a growth plan for new sites and determine the best locations based on the highest profitability and lowest risk. While every concept’s “best location” differs widely, we thought we’d share some of the hot spots around the nation, the cities that restaurants are flocking to in search of the next big breakout.

How did these cities make our list? First, they needed a solid reputation as one of the next

We know it’s rare for a small town to make a popular location for restaurant expansion. It is, however, one of the fastestgrowing cities in the state. Additionally, not only did Bozeman make Food & Wine’s Best Food Cities list, but it also ranked third in WalletHub’s Best Small Cities to Start a Business. Moreover, it has all the hallmarks of a town destined for food fame, and restauranteurs have heeded the call. In the past year, over 12 restaurants have opened their doors in this college town known for its panoramic mountain views.

Boise, Idaho

Also called the City of Trees, Boise is known for its abundance of outdoor activities and millions of miles of wilderness. Boise came in number five on WalletHub’s Best Cities to Start a Business and made Food & Wines’ new culinary capital list. Restaurants enriching the dining scene include The Lively, where chef Edward Higgins enhances local ingredients, like Idaho ruby trout with vermouth butter crust.

Charlotte, North Carolina

Charlotte is currently the thirdfastest growing city in the U.S., making it a hot spot for foodies and those that serve them. Food & Wine reported on several food projects transforming the Charlotte landscape, including the Optimist Hall, a once textile mill turned into a food hall. The town came in 13th in WalletHub’s analysis and 3rd in Policygenius’s look into the best cities for new businesses. It made the grade partly due to a low cost of living, an educated workforce, and above-average business survival rates. One of the popular spots in town is Noble Smoke, a restaurant with a beer garden and 2,000 square feet dedicated to a smokehouse.

Orlando, Florida

The population of the OrlandoKissimmee-Sanford metro area is projected to grow from over 2.7 million in 2022 to over 4.8 million by 2060, making it the 15th fastest growing metro area in the

U.S. This home of the Walt Disney World Resort made WalletHub’s number one spot in the best place to open a business.

Because it’s a global destination that welcomes over 72 million guests every year, it remains a top spot for new restaurants.

It’s also home to 16 restaurant headquarters, including Darden Restaurants and Ruth’s Chris Steak House.

St. George, Utah

The second small town to make the list came in second in WalletHub’s analysis, surpassed only by Washington, UT. The U.S. Census Bureau reported that St. George, Utah experienced over 5% growth from July 2020-2021, growing to over 191,000 people and making it the top county in numeric growth. What draws people there? For many, it’s the quality of life and economic opportunity. For restaurants, it’s developing a reputation as the new foodies’ paradise, attracting restaurants like Cliffside and Red Fort Cuisine of India.

So, how do you determine where to open your next location? It’s usually best to distance yourself emotionally and take a close look at the restaurants per capita and an in-depth look at the population in the area and how the demographics compare to your successful operation.

Becoming a multi-location concept

The decision to open a second, third, or twentieth restaurant is never an easy one, but it is becoming a popular one!

Over the past five years, multi-location restaurants in the United States have grown by 3.5 percent to reach a predicted revenue of $144 billion in 2019.

It takes a lot of planning to ensure a painless execution of a grand opening. If you want to grow and expand your restaurant concept, but don’t know where to start, have no fear.

From the first thought about opening a new restaurant to opening day and beyond, we're here to help!

Biscuit Belly

They've thrown the rule book out the kitchen window and built a new kind of brunch concept from scratch. From their craveable culinary innovations to their in-demand, fast-casual business model, they've boldly gone where no brunch franchise has gone before.

Inspired by traditional Southern fare, renowned Executive Chef Tavis Rockwell developed their menu of comfort food favorites topped with out-of-this-world flavor combinations.

Vegetarian and glutenfree options rarely seen in Southern cooking welcome a new wave of hungry guests.

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Data Science

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03 Real Estate Solutions

We are an extension of the operator’s team, evaluating the real estate opportunities across the country.

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EMERGING Fund

Founders,

02 Supply Chain

Buying power, category specialists and broadline / negotiation expertise to multiunit restaurants.

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FB Insights monetizes POS data, optimizes menu pricing, and increases revenue through menu education.

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A proprietary technology that is revolutionary for hiring.