Expedite's most popular
Top stories from the last year in restaurant tech
As Substack newsletters go, this one is pretty innocuous. There are no presidential-level scandals, overt money grabs, or haughty pronouncements of success. (I’m not linking the last two, but IYKYK.)
As of this week, I’ve sent over 550 editions of Expedite since 2020. Each edition lands in thousands of inboxes in 48 states1. Expedite is read in 114 countries. I am most proud that my readers remain incredibly engaged and loyal. That might not be the most-rewarded metric for a subscription business, but it is the most important.
Expedite’s most popular stories this year feature the restaurant tech industry’s heavy-hitters: Toast, Amex, OpenTable, DoorDash, Uber. They’re partnership stories, growth stories, and perhaps most importantly, technology stories, most with AI in a starring role.
That’s for good reason: AI could be the most transformative technology the hospitality industry has ever seen, changing the way chefs and restaurateurs and employees interact with in-restaurant tech and, most importantly, the diners seated in front of them.
I remain as excited for the future as ever. Here’s a look back at this year’s big hits:
Top post of 2025:
Toast + Resy (and Tock… and Amex)
The reinvigorated restaurant reservations war gets personal as point-of-sale provider Toast announces a linkup with American Express, tying reservations booked on Resy and Tock to in-restaurant transactions on Toast. The partnership has yet to be fully realized, but presents great opportunity for restaurants to offer data-informed and personalized hospitality and service in the moment.
#2:
OpenTable’s AI concierge wants to help
OpenTable got a new employee this summer: a conversational chatbot that answers questions on its website and app. July's concierge announcement was just the first step toward making OpenTable more conversational, relevant, and, frankly, exciting to diners looking for a table.
#3:
AI for good (staff training)
Artificial intelligence in the restaurant business has long promised better data analysis. Think: A solution to, “We have all this customer info, but we don’t know what to do with it.” Rachael Nemeth, co-founder and CEO of Opus Training explains one of my favorite product features to debut this year: feedback that converts immediately to actionable employee training.
And more:
Most liked (and my personal favorite):
I don’t chase likes and shares, but it is nice when the editions you love are also the editions I love!
Will you be my table captain?
A well-known fashion writer wanted to book a table at Lamar, a Copenhagen restaurant, during the city’s August fashion week. This question at booking turned her off completely. Is it too much? Or just right?
And a few more:
South Dakota and Alaska, I need you to show up.