Grub Burger Bar has chosen Newgentek as their Outsourced IT Partner and AV Integrator

Grub Burger Bar has chosen Newgentek as their new outsourced IT Partner and AV Integrator.  With this partnership, Newgentek plans to take a consultative approach to deliver best-in-class help desk support, while utilizing years of expertise in the restaurant industry to standardize Grub’s IT and AV infrastructure across the Grub Burger brand.

Grub Burger Bar (founded by Jimmy Loup and started in College Station, Texas, in 2012) is an elevated, fast-casual restaurant with a scratch kitchen. Grub offers burgers, bowls, sandwiches, wings and a full bar at every location.  They have 23 locations across the U.S. and have continued expansion plans.  Newgentek will not only be providing their current locations with help desk support, but will also be installing their complete IT and Audio Visual stack at future locations.

Chon Nguyen, Founder of Newgentek, commented on the new partnership.  “I’ve worked with Grub Burger Bar for almost four years.  They were an early customer of my software company Fusionprep, which is a digital kitchen solution and recipe management tool. It’s been exciting to watch Grub’s seasoned restaurant professionals grow the brand with a commitment to Extraordinary food and hospitality. They have an incredible culture and have been an absolute pleasure to work with from a vendor’s perspective. I look forward to the expanded partnership and providing world-class IT and infrastructure services to their operators so they can focus on providing excellent hospitality to their customers”

“We are excited that Grub Burger Bar has selected Newgentek as their technology solutions provider.  Our focus is to provide a consultative approach to technology through excellent customer service, while allowing Grub to focus on their clients’ restaurant experience” said Jared Lederhandler, President of Newgentek

Jimmy Loup, Founder & CEO of Grub Burger Bar providing the following comment.  “I am excited to partner with a technology company that understands the fast-paced and rough environment in which our Operators work every day.  Newgentek's knowledge of restaurants and their willingness to proactively search for solutions that improve customer experience and reduce complexity for our front-line employees was the deciding factor in moving forward with them.  Grub is eager to see our companies grow together.”

About Grub Burger Bar:

Grub Burger Bar is a scratch kitchen offering eclectic burgers, bowls, sandwiches, wings and a full bar. Grub aims to provide an extraordinary experience to each and every guest, from the menu offerings to the service provided. Community involvement and philanthropy are integral parts of the brand’s foundation. Grub Burger Bar currently has locations in Texas, California, Georgia, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, Delaware and Florida. Visit grubburgerbar.com for more information.

Why Connectivity Matters

Why Connectivity Matters

In this new age of technology, the Internet of Things (or IoT for short… this is just the term used for portable devices that can connect to wireless internet) opens up a world of possibilities for large and small businesses alike. Everyone expects to be connected everywhere they go.  Think about it. The last time you went into a coffee shop, restaurant, retail store, airport… and let’s say you were in a black hole of cell service, and for some reason, the establishment either didn’t have Wifi, or it wasn’t working. You feel lost. Maybe panicked. Connectivity is important to customers now, and will continue to be important as new technologies come on the market.

Most devices that are manufactured today have the capability of connecting to the internet wirelessly and transmitting data that adds tremendous value to consumers and businesses. Whether you are sending transaction data or you’re fulfilling reservations on restaurant service platforms such as OpenTable, internet connectivity has streamlined operations not only for small restaurants and retail stores but also multi-unit brands.

This tells us one thing: new IoT ecosystems can only run at the speed that there is connectivity. Many times, connectivity is an afterthought for operators, only to realize that their wireless infrastructure doesn’t support their needs.  This can mean costly retrofitting and downtime.

More businesses are moving towards creating an environment from the start that will support the use of handhelds and tablets to automate day-to-day tasks.

Starting with Reliable Connectivity

When moving daily manual tasks to a digital workflow, connectivity is the foundation on which these systems are built. This starts with an enterprise-grade infrastructure that will be robust for not only your employees to have access to applications that will make their job easier, but also for your customers as well. This includes your data cabling, firewall/security appliances, and wireless infrastructure.

A reliable and high performing system shouldn’t be installed by just anyone. Having a reliable system where dozens if not hundreds of users are going to be connecting to your network means having professionals that can do a needs assessment and determine if your current infrastructure is adequate. Only then can you assess how much hardware, bandwidth, and ongoing service will be necessary to sustain internet traffic.  Starting with a solid infrastructure is key.

What happens when there is an outage?

Having a reliable network means more than just having a strong signal and enough bandwidth. Outages happen, and if the local area network goes down for whatever reason, you need to have internet backup in order to stay connected.

Whether it is an outage caused by the cable company or your equipment suddenly malfunctions, we know your business can’t afford to have an internet outage. Too many internal processes are tied to cloud connectivity, and this means a real hit to the bottom line if your store loses connectivity.

Downtime is a concern across all business types, but there is no need to worry if you plan correctly by implementing a redundant connectivity system.If connectivity is tightly tied to the bottom line of your business, a 4G failover system is a way to ensure you can sleep well at night.  When in doubt, cellular data saves the day.

Implement the Right Systems Today

Multi-unit restaurant and retail operators want to be working on how they can improve the overall restaurant experience and offer a better product.   Connectivity issues should be the least of their worries.

That’s why it’s important for operators to think seriously when considering connectivity within their locations. How important is reliable connectivity to the overall operations of the business? What will you do in a worst-case scenario when these systems fail?

We help our customers assess their technology needs from the start and plan for growth.  From the first location, to the hundredth location, we are always thinking about strategy and acting as a true technology consultant.  Newgentek takes pride in the fact that we get to know your individual business goals first, before we make recommendations on the technology you need.  We aren’t just an AV company. We aren’t just an IT company. We are a partner every step of the way.

Nebraska Mini Mart Partners with Newgentek to Provide Unique Sound Experience

Newgentek is happy to have worked with The Proper House on their newest concept, Nebraska Mini Mart, in designing and installing a state-of-the-art IT and AV solution!  We look forward to working with them in the near future!

Photo Credit: Skyler June Photography

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Tampa restaurant group The Proper House, has partnered with local systems integration company, Newgentek, on their newest concept, Nebraska Mini Mart.  Newgentek’s installation of high-tech audio will provide Nebraska Mini Mart customers with a unique sound experience and in turn will become Newgentek’s Restaurant Showroom, showcasing best-in-class audio products with a thoughtful design for outdoor sound.

Ferrell Alvarez, Executive Chef and Partner at Nebraska Mini Mart, commented on the partnership with Newgentek.  “When deciding on who our AV partner would be on this project, it became a no-brainer that Newgentek was the best fit for us.  Their design and ideals were in line with ours, and once they started to take on the project, and we saw their workmanship, quality of product and customer service, it reinsured our decision.  They completed their scope ahead of time and went above and beyond our expectations.  Moving forward with other concepts, there’s no doubt that we will be choosing Newgentek to handle all of our audio visual needs.”

“We are very excited to have Nebraska Mini Mart as our restaurant showroom in Tampa and are thankful for the partnership.  We have extensive experience in the hospitality industry, and this was a great opportunity to show off what we can do,” said Chon Nguyen, Founder and CEO of Newgentek.

Nebraska Mini Mart is located on over an acre and a half of land, with bocce ball and shuffleboard courts and both indoor and outdoor seating. The menu offers a refined approach to casual favorites.

 

Project Design Overview:

The design for Nebraska Mini Mart began with ten JBL Control Series Landscape speakers positioned on the open lawn area to be unobtrusive and blend well with the landscaping.  The JBL Control series speakers allow for a wide sound radius to maximize coverage.

Underneath the stadium seating, Newgentek installed two JBL Control Series 88M landscape speakers.  These were chosen for the depth of sound, which allows these speakers to carry the lower frequencies for the surrounding perimeter.

In the dining room and on the outside of the building, Newgentek installed five JBL Control Series Surface Mount speakers.  The sleek design and full frequency range were primary reasons for selecting this speaker.  These speakers provide the mid- and high-level range of audio for optimal clarity.

For audio control, Newgentek has partnered with BSS, a division of Harman, to provide ease of use and control of multiple audio functions.  The installed microphone system will allow for Nebraska Mini Mart to utilize an outside musician for specific events.  A BSS controller was installed to allow the local restaurant team to easily select between sources of audio, zone coverage and volume from one interface.

About The Proper House:

The Proper House now has two restaurants in the Bay area, with a third set to open before the end of the year.  Their first concept, Rooster & the Till, was recently named the #1 Best Restaurant in Tampa by the Tampa Bay Times.  Rooster & the Till and Nebraska Mini Mart are both located in Seminole Heights.  Gallito, a modern taqueria, will be their next restaurant and part of the Sparkman Wharf project in Channelside.

 

About Newgentek:

Newgentek is a full service systems integrator focused on being a strategic partner providing turnkey solutions for our clients.  Our Restaurant and Retail division serves multi-unit operators and our Unified Communications division serves corporate and enterprise clients.  Our goal in both divisions is to turn customers’ infrastructure, network, point of sale, and audio visual requirements of any complexity into manageable, easy to use solutions through our industry leading workplace transformation process.

For more information, please contact:

Megan Nguyen

Vice President, Sales & Marketing

megan.nguyen@newgentek.com

813.283.0684

Our Recap of the 2018 National Restaurant Association Show in Chicago!

What exactly is the National Restaurant Association (NRA)?  The NRA is a restaurant industry business association in the United States, representing more than 380,000 restaurant locations.  The association was founded in 1919 and is headquartered in Washington, DC.

On Saturday, May 19th, NRA kicked off its 99th Annual Show in Chicago which ran through Tuesday, May 22nd.  Many folks, including myself, wondered why the NRA show is in Chicago - that answer is easy. To start, Chicago is home to 7,300 restaurants, which ranks in the Top 10 Cities in America.  With 22 of the 7,300 restaurants ranked as Michelin starred restaurants, it's not hard to find top quality eating experiences.

Now back to the show…50,000 folks from around the United States attend the show to meet with 1,800 exhibitors representing equipment and products related to the Food and Beverage sector, furnishings, decorations, paper, plastic supplies, services, tableware, food itself and our personal favorite - technology.

In short order, the restaurant industry has evolved at a rapid clip to incorporate technology kiosks for ordering, interactive signage for menus, digital kitchen solutions, pay ahead technology and now the ability to incorporate robots into automating the process.

Gwen Brannon, Director of Guest Insights and Analytics at The Coca-Cola Company shared with operators during a panel session that “People are tethered to digital devices”.  We all see technology in today's society taking our industry to new heights.

There were a few key manufacturer partners that stood out with new technology offerings - here are a few of those partners:

PAR Point-of-Sale:

Par’s point-of-sale technology, referred to as Brink, is a cloud-based software that easily adapts to support the evolving needs of customers.  As a cloud-based POS software solution, Brink does not require a back-office computer, and all your data is safe, secure and accessible in the cloud.  There are no upfront licensing fees, and upgrades are included and performed automatically. To recap, here are the four main reasons Brink POS is a leader in our industry:

• Automatic Upgrades
• Secured Data
• Accessible Anywhere
• Fault Tolerant

For more info on Brink, click here.

BrightSign:

BrightSign state-of-the-art technology is found around the world, powering digital signage in every vertical market.  BrightSign hardware is known for ultimate reliability and an extremely robust operating system purpose-built for digital signage.  BrightSign uses a simple process from content creation to publishing - the six step process is as follows:

• Concept
• Content
• Software
• BrightSign OS
• Media Players
• Digital Signage

For more info on BrightSign, click here.

FusionPrep:

FusionPrep is a digital kitchen solution that will revolutionize your kitchen.  FusionPrep offers the following services as a part of their offering:

• Keep track of receipts and builds
• Simplify your prep process
• Fast label printing
• Simple reporting interface

For more info on FusionPrep, click here.

In addition to the specific manufacturers mentioned above, the NRA show has a dedicated Technology Innovation Hub which offered exhibitors the ability to view, test and meet with ~100 manufacturers in the technology vertical market.  During the Signature ‘18 Keynote speech, Dawn Sweeney, President & CEO of the National Restaurant Association, recognizes the need to incorporate technology into the new age restaurants across the country.

We at Newgentek are counting down the days until next year’s NRA Show - it’s scheduled to occur May 18th-21st, 2019 back at McCormick Place in Chicago.  Newgentek will be present at the show and hope to see and meet with many current and prospective clients!

Until then...Bon Appetit!

Considering Technology in the Site-Selection Process

If you’re a multi-site operator in the throes of opening a new restaurant or retail location, technology is likely not the first consideration weighing on your mind. In today’s cloud-driven business environment and with consumers increasingly demanding WiFi connectivity from the businesses they frequent, the digital infrastructure of a potential site for a hospitality business matters more than ever before. While assessing a location for compatibility with your business requires careful planning, a strategic partnership with the right vendor can make the process painless. Here are some tips for assessing site infrastructure:

• Survey Potential Locations

Begin evaluating the infrastructure of a location of interest for your new site during the earliest stages of site selection. Plan for your technology with an eye toward future growth, much as you would when choosing the size of the location. To avoid costly roadblocks to future technology initiatives, savvy operators rely on an experienced partner to conduct a site-survey to evaluate available internet service providers (ISP’s).

• Consider Bandwidth Needs

Ideally, you want to choose a location with multiple ISP’s capable of delivering the bandwidth and telecom services needed to keep complex technical systems running without a hiccup. As you adopt VOIP phones or cloud-based technology, this data connection serves as the backbone of your operation – speed and reliability are critical.

• Rethink Guest WiFi

A recent University of South Florida study determined that 70% of patrons prefer restaurants or retail locations with WiFi hotspots. The study also noted a correlation between offering WiFi and a customer’s probability of becoming a loyal customer. Even if you don’t provide WiFi for customers today, select an ISP that can scale up your bandwidth in the future as your needs grow.    

• Include IT and Development

Share the results of this survey with your IT or third-party development team to ensure the ISP meets current and future requirements. Looping in your tech team helps avoid expensive and unexpected retrofitting costs as you roll out future technology solutions. Keep in mind that most modern point-of-sale systems, especially those with built-in loyalty program management, require a reliable high-speed connection.

• Plan for Redundancy

Operators of multi-unit businesses with a high-volume of transactions should pay careful attention to redundancy and continuity plans. According to the independent technology research organization, Standish Group, every minute of POS downtime costs retailers an average of $4,700. Fortunately, modern cellular networks mean the cost of redundancy is usually affordable, even for small and mid-size operations. When conducting site surveys, we test for cellular connectivity to ensure the integrity of contingency options. Deploying redundant 4G cellular failover solutions keeps your business processing credit transactions, gift cards, and loyalty programs in the event of a network outage with the primary ISP.

The easiest way to simplify the site-selection process is to develop a detailed list of requirements, which should include network availability, bandwidth and cellular connectivity. Planning for your technology growth up-front enables you to avoid significant or costly roadblocks when it comes time to implement new technology solutions in the future. Opening a new restaurant or retail location is complex enough. That’s why it’s important to find a partner who understands the unique challenges of multi-unit brands and can help you plan for the future.

Contact us today to learn how we can help you plan and execute your IT infrastructure and technology goals.

Designing a Fail-Proof Business - Redundancy and Business Continuity

Although we live in an age where access to the internet is becoming easier and more reliable, it is never guaranteed that our internet connectivity technology will always work perfectly. Operating a business with multiple sites, whether restaurant or retail, it is one of the critical functions that you need to do business and provide a seamless experience for your customer.  Whether it be that ice storm that sweeps through the country, or your cable provider isn’t quite doing their job, you can probably expect your internet access to fail at some point in your restaurant’s lifetime. Planning ahead and having a business continuity plan is extremely important.

When something unexpected happens, if you don’t have a strategy in place to back up your current network, your operations could be in complete disarray. What does it look like when your staff’s handhelds or your point-of-sale systems suddenly don’t have that ubiquitous connectivity that they are used to? Imagine writing down credit card numbers manually on a pad for each customer order. Imagine no music for the customers and just an echo of voices flooding through your establishment. Imagine having to keep track of table vacancies and logging shifts manually.

It would be a disaster.  But luckily there are ways to support your operational systems and keep them up and running when your local network shuts down.

Running Your Business Offline

The first step is making sure as many of your critical applications are able to run offline as possible. If your company is streaming music for your customers, you may be at the mercy of the amount of bandwidth available to your network. You are also very dependant on network reliability, and we all know that some of the most reliable enterprise-grade WiFi systems go down from time to time.

But music streaming apps today have made it much easier to compile playlists for offline listening. Top music streaming applications like My Instore Radio, Spotify, Google Play, and Apple Music not only offer the ability to download custom-made playlists within seconds, but also have thousands of pre-organized playlists for you to tailor to whatever crowd you are bringing to your store or restaurant.  Having an offline music application is also one way to ensure your customers have the same experience every time.

So, as a multi-unit operator, taking inventory of the applications that you can run offline is your first step in your business continuity plan.

A Backup Plan - Have a Redundant Network

So you have moved most of your business applications offline. Great! But the reality is that you will still need internet access for some of your most critical store-operating functions in times when your main network isn’t accessible. What is a restaurant operator to do when your business is at peak operating hours, and your network goes down?  How will you run credit cards, gift and loyalty cards and keep business running smoothly?

This is where choosing the right solution for failover connectivity is crucial to your bottom line. Having a failover system implemented that automates the switch from your main network to a 4G network will not only give you 100% reliability, but it also gives you peace of mind when it comes to having stable access to the internet. It will also save you tens of thousands of dollars in revenue in the long run.  Losing sales because your internet is down isn’t an option in today’s world of intense competition.

Partner with an Experienced Vendor

The only thing left to do is to implement these systems. We work with companies like Cradlepoint that develop solutions which integrate seamlessly with your network infrastructure. We project plan, design and implement these solutions nationally for our multi-unit customers, always keeping in mind what their business goals are and how we can make life easier for them.

As a multi-unit restaurant or retail operator, there is enough stress with the nature of the business. Added stress due to unforeseen network outages can and should be avoided with a clear redundancy and business continuity plan. In order to ensure success with every store opening and with the restaurant technology and retail technology available today, are you using all of the tools that are at your disposal to have fail-proof systems? Planning ahead for worst case scenarios is how businesses keep a competitive edge and succeed, allowing your business to grow with no setbacks.