Reflecting on Ops Summit 2024: Insights, Connections, and the Future of Restaurant Excellence

Ops Summit 2024 was brimming with industry leaders, innovators, and operations experts, all sharing a common goal of operating excellently to grow confidently into 2025 and beyond. Held in Crunchtime’s home base of Boston (err.. BAH-STEN, depending on who you ask 🙂), this year’s summit featured packed sessions, insightful panels, countless opportunities to connect amongst the best minds in the industry, and last but not least, adorable penguins! But, first, a big THANK YOU to everyone involved in making Ops Summit 2024 a success as our largest event to date. Every single attendee makes this event what it is, and we're incredibly grateful for your time and participation.

New Features and New Faces
This year we had a few firsts at Ops Summit, including pre-conference training and partner sponsors. With many pre-conference sessions selling out, we were so inspired by the drive and eagerness to learn and grow. Our partner sponsors, Netsuite, MachineQ, and Tapcheck, were a such great addition and we truly look forward to continuing to work together to help our customers achieve ops excellence.

Unlocking the Power of AI-Driven Operations
Ops Summit kicked off with a keynote that underscored AI as a transformational asset in restaurant operations. Attendees explored how AI can drive efficiency, reduce costs, and improve guest experiences. It’s clear that AI will continue to be a cornerstone of industry success, and Crunchtime is here to empower brands to harness it effectively.

Connecting and Learning Through Peer Sessions
Ops Summit 2024 wasn’t just about learning from experts; it was about learning from each other. Peer roundtables gave attendees the chance to share real-world challenges and solutions in a small collaborative setting. These sessions were a powerful reminder of the collective strength within the restaurant industry and the value of community in driving innovation and problem-solving. We know that one of the best parts of attending conferences like this is learning from peers, which is why we prioritized customer presenters and panelists. We deeply appreciate their commitment and preparation in sharing expertise and insight. 

Celebrating the Spirit of Operational Excellence that Drives the Industry Forward
Our second annual Ops Excellence Awards highlighted remarkable leadership and innovation in operations. Nomination requirements included explaining how their organization has harnessed the power of Crunchtime solutions to manage profitability, deliver great customer experiences, and successfully grow their multi-unit operations. With so many phenomenal nominations, it was extremely difficult to narrow it down to our top finalists: BBQ Holdings, Inc., Five Guys Enterprises, Jersey Mike's Subs, and Triple T Hospitality Group, and the winner, SPB Hospitality, as voted on live by all attendees. 

Looking Ahead: The Future of Restaurant Operations
Attendees left with actionable insights, new connections, and renewed energy to tackle the challenges of tomorrow. Crunchtime’s commitment to supporting the industry’s best brands in building resilient, data-driven operations remains strong, and we’re excited to continue helping restaurants succeed on their journey toward operational excellence.

Thank you to everyone who joined us at Ops Summit 2024. We can’t wait to see what’s next. Until next year!

Attendees: stay tuned for an email with all event presentations.