Inside the AI Shift Happening in Independent Restaurants

Sterling Douglas returns to Hospitality Hangout to break down how AI is rapidly reshaping the restaurant industry and why operators are adopting technology faster than ever before. As the CEO of Chowly, Sterling shares how the platform has evolved from third-party marketplace integrations into a full-suite solution powering everything outside the four walls of the restaurant, including marketing, websites, and digital guest interactions. The conversation dives into how AI is quietly becoming embedded in restaurant operations, the shift from SEO to generative search, and why independent operators may now have a real advantage over large enterprise brands. Sterling also discusses the launch of his podcast focused on AI in restaurants, the changing tech stack, and what the next wave of innovation looks like for operators trying to grow in a digital-first world. Episode Credits:Produced by: Branded Hospitality MediaHosted by: Michael Schatzberg, Jimmy FrischlingProducer: Julie ZuckerCreative Director: Adam LevineShow Runner: Drewe RaimiPost Production: Three Cheers Creativewww.thehospitalityhangout.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.