GoTab

Because I edit and publish GoTab's Behind the Tab podcast, I get to listen to each episode several times. It’s honestly one of my favorite parts of the week — a chance to learn how operators are solving problems, improving guest experiences, and building better businesses. This week’s episode with Jim Matthes of Aloma Cinema and Grill (part one; part two drops next week) was an especially good one. It’s refreshing to hear from an operator who spends so much time thinking about optimization — not just for guests, but for staff too. The conversation around mobile ordering, labor reallocation, and hospitality inside a dine-in theater was packed with smart operational insights. On a personal note, I love going to the movies, so I immediately found myself comparing Jim’s approach to a recent experience I had at a major dine-in cinema that shall remain nameless. (Same letters as Aloma. Different name.) The difference between operators who thoughtfully design experiences and those who just layer on technology is impossible to miss. Really enjoyed this one. At Aloma Cinema and Grill, Jim and his team, including GoTab partner Donald Wilczynski have studied every workflow. They've analyzed every small optimization they can make to remove friction so their teams can focus more on doing what's right for their guests and their staff. A few of the things that stood out: - How QR ordering inside a dark theater actually improved service and guest satisfaction - Why reallocating labor can be more powerful (and profitable) than reducing labor - How team-based service and shared tips changed employee culture - The operational realities of serving hundreds of guests during a movie without disrupting the experience - Why entertainment venues need to become true “third spaces” to keep people coming back There’s a lot here for dine-in theaters, breweries, food halls, entertainment venues, and really anyone trying to balance speed, staffing, and hospitality in high-volume environments. Great operators are always refining. Always testing. Always optimizing. Jim is a masterclass in that mindset. I've added a link in the comments where you can learn more and listen to the podcast. Adam Howe

Big news for #hospitality operators. We just launched our integration with GoTab and it’s exactly what the industry has been missing. #GuestWiFi is not just a utility, it’s a revenue generating marketing channel. With GoZone WiFi + GoTab , operators can: ✔ Capture guest data at WiFi login ✔Activate that data through targeted email + SMS campaigns ✔ Better connect ordering behavior with marketing engagement ✔ Gain clearer visibility into marketing performance This isn’t another “nice-to-have” integration. It’s about making fragmented systems work better together, moving toward a more connected, revenue driving ecosystem, without adding complexity or ripping out existing infrastructure. Because here’s the reality. Most venues already have WiFi, but very few are using it to drive #revenue. That changes with this #partnership. #LetsGo

Some final thoughts from the floor at the 2026 Craft Brewers Conference. Feeling grateful to represent GoTab for the third straight year and continuing to grow my connections in the brewing industry that began almost 20 years ago. Can’t for San Antonio.

Had the opportunity to spend time in Minnesota the incredible Malcolm Yards for the The Future of Food Halls Conference—and it was time very well spent. Thanks to Dustin Hicks and Altaf B. for joining me. Big thanks to GoTab, PourMyBeer, and Tripleseat for such a thoughtful and engaging experience. From operations and technology to guest experience and design, the conversations were real, practical, and incredibly relevant. So glad to be able to attend before we officially break ground and gain incredible knowledge and insights from the industry experts. Food halls continue to evolve—and what stood out most is how intentional the best concepts are becoming. It’s not just about great vendors anymore… it’s about creating an experience people want to come back to again and again (my new favorite word.... DWELL TIME). Left with a lot of ideas, a few confirmations, and (of course) a longer to-do list. Now… time to bring some of that inspiration back home. #visitbrookfield #FoodHalls #Hospitality #ExperientialRetail #CommunityDriven #BrookfieldPublicMarket