Show Notes
In this episode of the Restaurant AI Podcast, hosts Matt Wampler, Co-Founder and CEO of ClearCOGS, and Erin Levzow, an award-winning marketing innovator whose career spans brands like Wingstop, Del Taco, and the Museum of Ice Cream, dive deep into how AI and data are redefining restaurant marketing.
From her start in Las Vegas casinos to leading marketing for national restaurant brands, Erin shares how hospitality’s most competitive environments taught her to think like a technologist. She explains how restaurants can move beyond segmentation to true one-to-one marketing, where every guest interaction is informed by behavior, timing, and intent.
The discussion unpacks the rise of AI-powered multivariable testing, the importance of storytelling and emotional intelligence in modern marketing, and how women in leadership bring fresh perspective to brand strategy. Erin and Matt also explore the ethics of automation, the future of voice AI in drive-thrus, and why every modern CMO must be part data scientist, part storyteller.
Throughout, Erin emphasizes one key message: technology will keep changing but continuous learning, authenticity, and empathy will always drive the most meaningful connections between brands and guests.
Episode Links:
Listen to Bite-Sized & Bossy: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bite-sized-bossy/id1780866645
Connect with Matt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewjwampler
Visit ClearCOGS: https://www.clearcogs.com
00:00 Intro
01:30 Welcome, Erin Levzow!
02:00 Marketing - Then and now
07:55 The future of marketing
09:50 Marketing as a franchisee
12:17 Maximizing the capabilities of restaurant marketing
14:20 Personalization
15:39 AI in restaurant marketing
17:32 AI for multivariable testing
20:26 Know the story you’re telling
23:35 Women in marketing
24:55 The new generation of marketers
26:22 The Mecca of marketing
29:38 “The jam study”
32:00 The danger of turning AI loose
37:40 AI's impact on the restaurant industry
42:00 AI's Role in Marketing and Customer Interaction
47:20 Tech consolidation
50:55 Data-focused approach and future-thinking
52:20 Byte-Sized & Bossy podcast
1:01:00 Advice for aspiring female executives
1:03:35 Authenticity in the workplace
1:08:34 Why aren't there more women founders?
1:10:30 Manifesting confidence
1:12:50 Take the risk
1:16:14 Outro
Show notes and full episode: https://www.clearcogs.com/podcasts/data-ai-and-women-leading-change-restaurant-technology-done-right/
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