For today’s restaurant brands, staying ahead of the curve on technology and online ordering trends is crucial for success. We recently sat down with Vishal Agarwal, Founder & CEO of Checkmate, to discuss the company's innovative approach to restaurant tech solutions and his insights on industry trends. 

Here are the key takeaways restaurant leaders can learn from.

The Power of Free Trials in Enterprise Solutions

One of Checkmate's core principles is allowing potential customers to test solutions through trials or pilots. This approach has been instrumental in winning business, even with some of the largest enterprise brands in the industry.

"We don't want to win more customers on the basis of reputation alone," Vishal explains. "Each enterprise brand is different, and franchisee requirements vary. We want to customize our solution to their specific needs, and the best way to do that is to let them test it in their own stores and environments."

This customer-centric approach helps instill confidence in Checkmate’s solutions and a commitment to meeting each restaurant’s unique needs.

Technology + Service = Better Digital Outcomes

Technology alone isn't enough in the enterprise space. Checkmate's formula for success focuses on combining customizable technology with hands-on service to create a more holistic solution. Vishal has seen this lead to better outcomes across the board time and again.

"Restaurant brands are looking for solutions to their problems, not just technology," Vishal states. "We have to customize our technology with adequate service levels to meet their specific requirements."

This solutions-oriented mindset has helped Checkmate build strong partnerships with major brands like Inspire Brands, Popeyes, and Wendy’s, who appreciate the company's ability to listen, understand, and solve complex problems.

The Debate on Tech Stack Consolidation

As the industry grapples with whether to consolidate or diversify their tech stacks, Vishal offers a nuanced perspective:

"There's always infinite space between zero and one," he explains. "Instead of choosing between using one all-encompassing solution or multiple best-in-class solutions, many operators are finding a middle ground."

This approach allows brands to maintain some flexibility and negotiating power while still benefiting from more integrated solutions.

The Future of Voice AI in Restaurants

With Checkmate's recent acquisition of VoiceBite, the company is positioning itself at the forefront of voice AI technology in the restaurant industry. Vishal sees two primary applications:

• Phone ordering AI: Enabling AI agents to take orders when customers call restaurants.
• Drive-thru AI: Allowing AI to handle orders via drive-thru speaker boxes.

While voice AI technology has been around for a few years, widespread adoption has been slow due to high deployment costs and long implementation cycles. Checkmate aims to change this by reducing deployment times, minimizing the hardware requirements, and leveraging its existing integrations with over 50 different POS systems to accelerate the launch of AI solutions.

"We're going to make sure that a customer can test it out and we can prove the ROI for them before they adopt it at a larger scale," Vishal explains. This approach could significantly accelerate the adoption of voice AI across the restaurant industry.

Key Takeaways for Restaurant Brand Leaders

• Consider solutions that offer trials or pilots to ensure they meet your specific needs before committing.
• Look for partners who combine custom technology with hands-on service and a solutions-oriented mindset.
• Evaluate your tech stack strategy, considering a balanced approach between consolidation and diversification.
• Stay informed about emerging technologies like voice AI and look for opportunities to test with minimal upfront investment.

By embracing these insights and staying open to new solutions, restaurant leaders can position themselves for success in an increasingly digital-first industry.