Restaurant technology executive Erin Levzow joins Matt Wampler for an in-depth conversation exploring how artificial intelligence is transforming quick-service restaurants, the critical importance of customer data management, and breaking barriers for women in hospitality technology leadership.
Key Discussion Topics:
AI Implementation in QSR Drive-Throughs Erin discusses the current state of voice AI technology in restaurant drive-throughs, noting that while it’s improving significantly from 3-4 years ago, challenges remain with speed and dialect recognition. The conversation explores real-world experiences at chains like Taco Bell and Del Taco, examining why seamless AI integration matters for both customer experience and operational efficiency. Key benefits include consistent upselling, multilingual capabilities, and detailed tracking of employee keystrokes and throughput metrics.
Restaurant Data Architecture & Technology Consolidation Erin advocates for building technology ecosystems from the inside out, starting with customer data at the center rather than accumulating disparate vendor solutions. She emphasizes that restaurants must define what customer insights drive revenue, average ticket, and frequency before selecting technology partners. The discussion covers how POS systems, loyalty platforms, kitchen display systems, and digital menu boards should work together cohesively.
The Evolution of Restaurant Marketing Leadership Erin predicted 20 years ago that future CMOs would require strong data backgrounds, and now believes CEOs will increasingly emerge from chief marketing officer and chief technology officer roles. She introduces the concept of “emotional technology” – leaders who balance left-brain analytics with right-brain storytelling and creative strategy.
Women in Restaurant Technology: The Bite Size and Bossy Podcast Erin co-founded Bite Size and Bossy with Tammy Billings after realizing there were virtually no women-hosted podcasts in the restaurant and hospitality technology space. The unstructured interview format focuses on authentic conversations about career journeys, work-life integration, and the reality that women cannot “do it all alone.” The podcast became one of the fastest-growing in the industry, with PR companies reaching out just two weeks after launch.
Breaking Down Gender Barriers in Hospitality Leadership The conversation addresses the stark statistic that women aged 40-52 face the highest suicide rates among any age and gender group, largely due to societal pressure to balance career, family, and self-care without adequate support. Erin shares her experience as the youngest person and only woman at the executive table early in her Vegas career, and advocates for authenticity over conforming to male-dominated corporate cultures. She emphasizes that while previous generations of women had to “bulldoze through” to maintain their seats, today’s leaders should focus on raising hands confidently and building supportive tribes.
Practical Guidance for Restaurant Technology Adoption Topics covered include navigating vendor partnerships, avoiding tech stack bloat, understanding when to consolidate versus specialize, implementing closed-loop AI systems for data security, and measuring LTO performance through consistent voice AI upselling.
Featured Insights:
- Why Walmart’s self-checkout strategy parallels voice AI adoption in drive-throughs
- How AI eliminates the “parking cars” problem by automatically tracking throughput gaming
- Why men raise their hands at 60% confidence while women wait until 100% certainty
- The importance of “preparing to be spontaneous” in business risk-taking
Industry Leaders Mentioned: Taco Bell voice AI implementation, Del Taco drive-through technology rollout, McDonald’s AI greeting systems, Culver’s first female CEO, Tao Group founder Kim Russin (26-year hospitality veteran), Diane Hendrickson (Wisconsin’s only female billionaire), Wisconsin Restaurant Association Women’s Hospitality Event
Target Audience: QSR executives, restaurant technology decision-makers, hospitality marketers, women in foodservice leadership, franchise operators evaluating AI solutions, CMOs and CTOs in fast-casual diningn, payment innovation, data-driven decision making, and the strategic technology choices shaping the future of the restaurant industry.
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