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Propelling consumers towards conversion: Three ways location data transforms media spend
Propelling consumers towards conversion: Three ways location data transforms media spend
Location data offers the most honest version of who we are. In a world of complex social media constructs and fake…
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Joe Henson shared thisProud to be partnering with Vitality Bowls to power their guest experience program systemwide. Real-time feedback. POS-integrated surveys. Location-level benchmarking. The brands winning in today's environment are the ones that turn guest signals into operational action, quickly, efficiently and at scale. Excited to see what this team does with the rich information. #RestaurantIndustry #GuestExperience #CustomerExperience #RestaurantTech
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Joe Henson shared thisBrinker's focus on their guest and overall mission is one of the reason Brinker International was awarded the 2026 Black Box Intelligence Brand of the Year award - https://lnkd.in/gTYKhxUv Checkout the other winners of the Black Box Intelligence™ Best Practices Award winners and nominees here: https://lnkd.in/g_AraQUnJoe Henson shared this“Marketing brings them in, and Ops brings them back.” 👏 That’s the simple formula Kevin Hochman shared with Business Insider. And it’s exactly what’s fueling Chili's momentum today: culturally relevant marketing, paired with an everyday focus on operational fundamentals that continues to improve the Guest experience. https://lnkd.in/gAcf78dMChili's CEO says its comeback comes down to 2 simple principlesChili's CEO says its comeback comes down to 2 simple principles
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Joe Henson shared thisIn a market where Q1 restaurant traffic is already down -1.8%, rising fuel costs are a massive variable. But the impact is far from even - there are clear segments that are benefiting and those that are more heavily impacted. Our Black Box Intelligence™ team analyzed the data, and the insights are clear: As gas prices peak, delivery sales drop across the board—with one major exception: QSR Delivery. Our latest data from the Restaurant Performance Network identifies $3.50 per gallon as the historical tipping point. Once we cross that line, we don't just see a traffic drop; we see a massive "trade-down" effect. The Reality: Casual & Family Dining are facing the steepest headwinds as discretionary income tightens. * QSR & Fast Casual: Directly capturing that displaced volume. * Fine Dining: Remaining largely insulated. Whether you are playing offense in Limited-Service or defense in Full-Service, you cannot manage what you don’t measure. Don’t fly blind in a volatile economy. Reach out to Black Box Intelligence™ today to see how our 400+ brand benchmarks can give you the context you need to win the trade-down. You can also DM me to see how our AI Restaurant Performance Platform can help you bridge the gap between "market trends" and "your results." Read more: https://lnkd.in/gq9f28Jf #Hospitality #Strategy #MacroEconomics #BlackBoxIntelligence #AI #RestaurantOperator #BusinessIntelligence #BBI #RestaurantIndustry #DataAnalytics #ConsumerBehavior #GasPricesWhat BBI Data Tells Us About: How High Gas Prices Affect the Restaurant IndustryWhat BBI Data Tells Us About: How High Gas Prices Affect the Restaurant Industry
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Joe Henson shared thisWhen top-tier outlets like the Financial Times and The Wall Street Journal need to understand the health of the restaurant industry, they look to Black Box Intelligence™ Recent headlines point to a softening in sales and traffic across the U.S. But the real question for any leadership team is not "What is the restaurant industry doing?"; it’s "Is it the market, or is it me?"; how do you compare to your competitors, where do you fall in your segment, are you winning big or barely winning... In this environment, "good enough" data doesn't cut it. To drive successful strategic decisions, you need the full context; both inside and outside your organization. At Black Box Intelligence, we provide the largest, most reliable source of financial, workforce, and guest data in the industry. We don't just show you the trends; we show you where you stand within them. You need the full context of the BBI Restaurant Performance Network to avoid operating with blind spots. We help 400+ brands and 120k+ locations move past the "why" and get straight to the "what’s next." Are you leading with confidence or guessing? Let's get you the data you need to win. New articles in the comment #RestaurantIndustry #DataAnalytics #Hospitality #BlackBoxIntelligence
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Joe Henson shared this🛡️2026 People Outlook: Stability is the New Growth Strategy 🛡️ Black Box Intelligence™ recently hosted an exclusive, client-only roundtable with HR and People leaders from top Restaurant industry brands. While the specific discussion remains confidential, the emerging themes are critical for every operator navigating the current labor market. 1. The General Manager "Anchor" ⚓ Stability starts at the top. The roundtable highlighted something we see in the data everyday: The tenure of the General Manager is the single strongest predictor of hourly crew retention. One leader noted that a unit "wobbles" for months until a leader stabilizes, often taking 2.5+ years in a specific unit to reach peak retention and performance efficiency. 2. The "Human Firewall" vs. Modern Scams 🕵️♂️ The threat landscape has shifted from cash scams to social engineering. Leaders reported a rise in sophisticated "Fake CEO" text campaigns and AI-doctored food photos used to claim refunds. The consensus? The threat is real, but the defense is working. Panelists noted that successful scams are occurring less frequently than in the past, but as tactics evolve, training must be continuous to maintain that success. 3. The "Build vs. Buy" Reality 🏗️ The data on management hiring is stark. Participants shared that external management hires often have significantly higher failure rates (up to 60% in the first 90 days) compared to internal promotions. The winning strategy for 2026 isn't just recruiting—it’s rigorous internal development and certification paths to stop the churn cycle before it starts. 4. Data Tells You What, Peers Tell You How 🤝 While software, data and benchmarks provide the visibility to know where you stand, the "how" comes from community. The true value of the network isn't just the data—it's the closed-door collaboration where competitors become problem-solvers, sharing tactical playbooks on everything from compliance to culture. The Bottom Line: The theme for 2026 is Retention as a Defense Strategy. Success will come from protecting your people—both from external threats (scams) and internal instability (turnover)—by building strong, tenured leadership pipelines from within. If you’re a client of Black Box Intelligence products, send me a message to get added to the invite list. These sessions are free and open to all BBI customers—a great way to share insights and learn together! 🙌 You can also sign up to be included in the Best Practices Club here: https://lnkd.in/g2dNY_Zt Look at my previous post to read about the BBI Best Practices Club discussion with Restaurant Finance leaders that was focused on the 2026 Outlook: The Era of Aggressive Pricing is Over #RestaurantIndustry #RestaurantHR #WorkforceRetention #HospitalityLeadership #BlackBoxIntelligence
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Joe Henson posted this🚀 2026 Outlook: The Era of Aggressive Pricing is Over Black Box Intelligence™ recently hosted an exclusive roundtable with finance leaders from top industry brands to discuss their strategies for 2026. While the data remains confidential, the emerging themes are critical for everyone in the industry. 1. The Pricing Power Pivot 📉 The days of relying on price increases to manage margins are behind us. The consensus for 2026 is moderation—targeting increases at or slightly below inflation (2-3%). Some brands are even budgeting for a decrease in average ticket to drive transaction volume, banking on efficiency to protect the bottom line. 2. The Third-Party Delivery "Tug-of-War" 🛵 Delivery is here to stay, but the economics are under scrutiny. Operators are balancing higher menu prices to cover commissions against the risk of conversion drop-off. It’s a game of pennies and percentages as brands test lowering markups to drive volume. 3. Geographic "Choppiness" 🗺️ Performance isn't uniform across the US. California faces labor and pricing challenges, while Florida sees volatility from weather and shifting patterns. For expansion, brand recognition doesn't automatically travel—site selection and hyper-local marketing are key. 4. Value vs. Discounting 💡 There’s a clear distinction between "value" and "discounting." Leaders are avoiding deep discounts and leaning into value propositions like bundling and LTOs to drive frequency without eroding brand equity. 5. The World Cup Wildcard ⚽ Brands are preparing for the 2026 World Cup but treating it as "upside" rather than a budget pillar. It’s a massive marketing opportunity, but financial reliance is cautious. The Bottom Line: The theme for 2026 is Getting the House in Order. Success will come from focusing on guest experience, operational consistency, and surgical pricing strategies. #Finance #RestaurantIndustry #2026Outlook #Strategy #Leadership #BlackBoxIntelligence
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Joe Henson shared thisA huge thank you to the incredible team behind the next generation of Black Box Intelligence™ Financial Intelligence launch, and to all the clients who participated in our pre-release preview and provided amazing feedback. Our clients rely on BBI for critical insights used in earnings calls, financial reports, and daily decision-making. We're the only company to combine guest feedback (social reviews & consumer experience surveys) with financial sales/traffic performance data to pinpoint exactly which locations need attention. This powerful integration answers the essential question: "Is it me or the market?" Join the 400+ restaurant brands already working with Black Box Intelligence! #BlackBoxIntelligence #FinanicalIntelligence #ProductLaunch #DataAnalyticsJoe Henson shared this🚀 Today We are Launching NextGen Financial Intelligence This is a major step forward for us and Restaurant Performance Intelligence. What this means: Our gold-standard benchmarks are now paired with a gold-standard analytics platform—built to get you to the why quicker, faster, and easier. What’s included: • Sleek, modern UI that moves at the speed of your questions • New metrics + daily reporting for sharper, timely decisions • Highly configurable setup to surface the insights that drive growth • Your finance co-pilot for smarter, more efficient performance Why this is a big deal • Built on Gold Standard Restaurant Benchmarks: Built on the BBI Restaurant Performance Network, you get the most reliable financial insight available. • Daily granularity = faster action: Move from monthly/weekly rollups to day-level views that expose trend breaks and anomalies early. • Custom benchmarks: Compare against segments, DMAs, or your own tailored peer sets to define “good” on your terms. This is Restaurant Performance Intelligence reimagined. See NextGen Financial Intelligence in action: Join our Live Webinar Preview Demo on Nov 12 to see it in action. Link in comments....
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Joe Henson shared thisThe BBI team will be sharing a lot of great information in this session. People are at the heart of everything we do - best to keep a pulse on the industry and how you stack up!Joe Henson shared thisLAST CALL - join us on WEDNESDAY for the definitive breakdown of restaurant workforce trends for 2025. We’ll cover: - Staffing & Turnover – how hiring and retention trends are shifting - Compensation – pay benchmarks at every level, from hourly to executive - Benefits – which perks employees value most in today’s market - Training Programs – where brands are investing in skills and retention - Demographic Composition – a closer look at the evolving restaurant workforce Link to register in the comments below.
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1mo
Congrats, they are lucky to have you!!
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Joe Henson liked thisJoe Henson liked thisIt’s been a few months since I made it to an industry event, so it was very good to be back at The National Restaurant, Pub & Bar Show yesterday! Great atmosphere, lots of familiar faces and plenty of positive energy. I also made a conscious effort this year to actually stop and listen to the speakers, rather than spend the whole day rushing around the floor and taking calls between conversations. A few things that stuck with me: Jessica Symes at Gourmet Coffee Bar & Kitchen: Know your customer, understand their relationship with the brand, keep the familiarity they love but still give them reasons to stay interested. And above all, protect quality across the estate. Sara McKennedy at Coco di Mama: A really interesting look at growing a multi-channel brand, particularly how much innovation and product risk you can take across retail versus your own stores, and where AI is already helping drive efficiencies. Thomas Campbell-Rawlinson at BP Wild Bean Cafe: Technology should enable teams and help deliver consistency, but the value to the guest still comes from skilled people & great baristas! Lots of different conversations, but one thing that came through strongly was the balance between efficiency and experience. There’s clearly huge opportunity in technology and AI, but the best examples weren’t about replacing the human element - they were about giving teams more consistency, better information and more time to focus on the things guests actually notice. 👏 Gutted I’m not there again today. Another very well-run event! Next stop: Hospitality Tech Expo on 29th September. And finally, despite Darren Jackson now being off on his exciting new venture at Surreal, after years of being event sidekicks we still somehow managed to turn up in matching outfits, to everyone's amusement! 🤣 (Swipe to see!) Tom A. Mitch Cook Roderick Schneider Jeremiah Siemianow Jocelyn de Goey CBII Amie Campbell Sam McIvor Imran Hunt Victoria Searl Sally Margetts James Flett Will Kenney Ewan Phillips
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Joe Henson liked thisJoe Henson liked thisBBI is heading to The National Restaurant, Pub & Bar Show 🇬🇧 Our own Jessica Orton will be at the show this Wednesday and Thursday, connecting with restaurant, pub and hospitality leaders from across the UK. Jess is part of BBI’s UK team, working with hospitality brands to get more from their guest feedback and better understand what’s driving the guest experience through Guest Intelligence and survey solutions. Heading to the show? Keep an eye out for Jess and come say hello 👋 Want to make sure you catch her? Book some time here: https://qrco.de/bh10j9 #NRPBS #Hospitality #GuestExperience #GuestIntelligence
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Joe Henson liked thisJoe Henson liked thisAnnual Wow Bao Team outing to see the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field Events. Was a beautiful day, lots of laughs and team building. Unfortunately the W did not fly for the Cubs, but continues to fly here at Wow Bao daily! Brandon Tammaro Deena Ellis Courtney Morton Megan Dodson Nolan Twardy Mary Beth Rodriguez Jerry Reyes Christopher Willumsen Megan Roller David Mintz Abby Rhea
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Joe Henson liked thisJoe Henson liked thisExcited to be heading to Atlanta next week for the QSR Evolution Conference! I’m looking forward to catching up with restaurant leaders and sharing what we're seeing at Black Box Intelligence— from sales and traffic trends to workforce shifts, and what they mean for operators. If you’ll be there, send me a message. I’d love to connect!
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Joe Henson liked thisJoe Henson liked thisThe strongest brands know what to protect and where to push. Fall at Denny's gives us the opportunity to do both. This week, we're welcoming back our Pumpkin Pecan Pancake Slam, a seasonal favorite Guests look forward to each year. Alongside it, we're introducing savory new dishes, Caramel Apple drinks, and our new Cloud Frappes. The Cloud Frappes add something playful to the Denny's experience. They can make a morning meal feel complete or turn a late-night stop into more of a treat. And for our Rewards members, we're celebrating Diner Days now through September 7. For the next week, our biggest fans will receive exclusive offers, giving them a reason to slide into a booth each day for something new. A menu can be developed in a test kitchen; it becomes a Denny's experience one booth at a time. I'm proud of our franchise owners and restaurant teams who bring every dish, every drink, and every guest moment to life. Familiar enough to feel like Denny's—new enough to make Guests curious. That's how an iconic brand moves forward.
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Joe Henson liked thisJoe Henson liked thisHappening this morning at QSR Evolution �� Victor Fernandez takes the stage at 10:30 AM for a first look inside BBI’s 2026 Total Rewards Survey. He’ll unpack what the latest data tells us about the restaurant labor market — including the compensation and workforce trends restaurant leaders should have on their radar heading into 2027. If you’re in Atlanta, join us at 10:30 AM for Inside the 2026 Restaurant Labor Market: First Look at Black Box Intelligence Total Rewards Survey. #QSREvolution #RestaurantIndustry #RestaurantWorkforce
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Joe Henson liked thisJoe Henson liked thisBy now, you’ve probably read dozens of posts about the Prosper Forum. Why? Because it was that impactful, insightful, and honestly, fun! I’ve always believed that a great conference is one that educates, connects, and most importantly, inspires you. Prosper Forum always delivers on all three and excels at doing so. The speakers and panels are fantastic, the networking opportunities priceless, and the human connections that the event fosters are what bring it all together. I got to meet many new people, have meaningful conversations with them, and reconnect with friends I’ve known for the last 20 years. I had the great pleasure and honor of representing Black Box Intelligence™ by putting all of our data together and delivering insights on what the best companies are doing to set themselves apart. It was great to get to share the stage with my friend and colleague Amy Valentine, who shared the vision of what’s next for Black Box. And as a bonus, I got to spend time with some of my teammates I don’t get to see often and get together as a group. As an all-remote organization, this is often a challenge and one of the things I miss the most about our in-office days. It was a treat to spend time with Philip May, MBA, Emma Pearce, and Jason Sabin. Lastly, I want to thank and congratulate David Jobe, Luke Kircher, Hattie Hill, and James Fripp for what you have built together. Black Box Intelligence couldn’t be happier helping build that Better Table with you all, as well as the amazing crew you have put together. Jeremiah Wynn, Huck Kircher, James Rogers, and the rest of the Prosper Company team, thank you for all you do and congratulations on delivering on another flawless and inspiring event.
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Joe Henson liked thisJoe Henson liked thisStill reflecting on an incredible few days at #ProsperForum2026. Last year, I had the privilege of being part of the 2025 Prosper Accelerator, and this year I returned as an Accelerator alum. One of the things I value most about Prosper is the intentional focus on developing emerging leaders. Prosper has a way of making you stop and think about the kind of leader you want to be. I left inspired by the leaders I heard from, challenged by the conversations I had, and motivated to keep becoming a better version of the leader I want to be. I was also incredibly proud to represent Black Box Intelligence™ on stage alongside my colleague Victor Fernandez, who shared our latest industry research and insights. I had the opportunity to introduce the next evolution of NextGen Guest Intelligence, launching this fall. It was exciting to share what we’ve been building with so many leaders who understand firsthand how important turning guest feedback into operational action is to the restaurant business. And, as always, the BEST part of Prosper is the people. Customers, partners, longtime friends, new friends, and an industry full of people who genuinely care about making restaurants better. Grateful to the Prosper Company team for creating a community that invests in both the future of our industry and the people who will lead it. Proud to be part of it. ❤️ #ProsperForum #ProsperAccelerator #RestaurantIndustry #Leadership #BlackBoxIntelligence David Jobe Hattie Hill Luke Kircher Huck Kircher James Rogers Meredith James Emma Pearce Jason Sabin Philip May, MBA Victor Fernandez Jamie Griffin Melissa Doolin-Koehne Arlene Estrada Petokas, SPHR Fasika Melaku Carin Stutz Sara Jamshidi Tammy K. Billings, MBA Lance Trenary David Cantu Mark Simpson Bridget McCall Robin Blanchette Sarah Lockyer Sara Harding-Telatko Ashley Helkenn Emily Williams Knight, Ed.D., CAE James H. Pogue, Ph.D Megan Lynberg Caitlin Geraghty Root Shawn Boyer and many more!
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Joe Henson liked thisJoe Henson liked thisExcited to share some big news! I have joined Infotech as Chief Revenue Officer. After years leading revenue teams in construction technology, I have learned to be thoughtful about what comes next. Infotech checked every box. A company with 40+ years of trust in the infrastructure space with a clear ambition to build something bigger: Unified Civil Intelligence. Connecting the full project lifecycle — plan, estimate, bid, build — through a single ecosystem is more than just a vision. It's happening, and I'm excited to be part of it. My job is to take a strong foundation, evolve it, sharpen how we go to market, and make sure our customers feel the difference. A revenue team wins by making the people around them better. That's the work. Looking forward to getting after it!
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