The Operator Reality Check: A Q&A on Tech, Labour, and Margin

In the run-up to RC Show 2026, one thing is clear: operators aren’t short on ideas—they’re short on time, margin, and bandwidth. Costs are rising, labour remains tight, and guest expectations keep shifting. In that environment, innovation can’t be hype. It has to show up as practical relief: fewer manual tasks, clearer visibility, and systems that help lean teams run smarter—without losing the human hospitality guests come for.

That’s why the MENU team is excited to share this Q&A with TouchBistro CEO Samir Zabaneh. As Presenting Sponsor: Tech & Innovation at this year’s Show, TouchBistro is championing the tools—and the mindset—that help independent restaurants stay resilient, adaptable, and ready for what’s next. In the conversation below, Zabaneh shares how operators can treat tech as a true partner, what to look for when evaluating new solutions, and what attendees can expect at the TouchBistro booth (#5215) at RC Show.

A modern kitchen workspace featuring a tablet, laptop, and desktop monitor displaying food management software, surrounded by fresh vegetables including tomatoes and peppers, and a small bell.

MENU Magazine: Canadian operators aren’t just busy—they’re exhausted. With rising costs, chronic labour shortages, and constantly shifting guest expectations, many feel they’re running on fumes. In that context, technology can feel like one more expense, one more system to learn, one more thing on the list. From your perspective, how should independent operators rethink the role of technology—not as another burden, but as a practical tool that reduces overwhelm and helps them stay future-ready?

Samir Zabaneh: Canadian operators should look at technology as a practical partner that does the heavy lifting, especially for administrative tasks and backend processes. When you’re already stretched thin by rising food and labour costs, compounded by evolving guest expectations, the right tech can ease the strain and help future-proof the business.

Our 2026 Canadian State of Restaurants Report shows that operators who embrace tech, from modern POS systems and automation to labour forecasting and online ordering, are saving time, improving operational visibility, and boosting resilience even in a tough economic climate. Nearly half of surveyed operators report meaningful time savings from automation, while sentiment around AI and integrated solutions remains overwhelmingly positive as a way to streamline work, cut manual tasks, and make lean teams more productive without sacrificing the human hospitality that defines independent restaurants.

MM: What can attendees expect when they visit the TouchBistro booth at RC Show 2026? Are there any problems or pain points in terms of tech evaluation/adoption you are able to address on the spot?

SZ: RC show attendees can expect a complete walk through of the integrated TouchBistro Product Suite with the full product offering on display, including front of house, back of house, and guest engagement solutions. The TouchBistro team will be available to demo the range of products we offer, such as our robust Inventory Management solution and our KDS. Whether operators are seeking a solution to turn tables quicker, simplify labor management, control food costs, or even drive repeat business, our goal is to help set operators up for success and thrive in 2026 and beyond.

MM: TouchBistro chose to sponsor the Technology category at RC Show this year. Why is this category such an important fit for your brand, and what message do you hope to send to the industry through that sponsorship?

SZ: Restaurants aren’t generic businesses. They operate in fast-paced, high-pressure environments with razor-thin margins, complex workflows, and constant change – and effective technology that stays on the cutting edge is essential to helping to sustain these businesses. Purpose-built restaurant tech is about solving real, day-to-day problems operators face, from managing labour and food costs to keeping service running smoothly during the busiest moments. When technology is designed for the industry, it fits naturally into how restaurants already work, reduces friction instead of creating it, and gives operators clearer insights and more control.

By sponsoring the Technology category at this year’s RC show, TouchBistro is showing that tech is an essential tool to help independent operators stay resilient, adaptable, and focused on what matters most — great food, great service, and sustainable growth.

MM: If you were giving operators one piece of advice as they evaluate new technologies in 2026, what should they be prioritizing to ensure long-term impact—not just short-term fixes?

SZ: If I were giving operators one piece of advice in 2026, it would be to prioritize technologies that integrate seamlessly into their operations and provide actionable insights, rather than chasing short-term fixes. The TouchBistro 2026 Canadian State of Restaurants Report highlighted that operators who invest strategically into tech tools that automate routine tasks, provide real-time visibility, and support guest engagement are the ones seeing measurable time savings and stronger margins, even in a challenging environment.

Operators who focus on solutions that reduce manual work, improve decision-making, and scale with the business can turn technology into a long-term partner for efficiency and growth.

MM: Looking ahead, what does innovation mean to TouchBistro? How are you preparing your customers—and your own platform—for the next phase of hospitality’s evolution?

SZ: At TouchBistro, innovation means building technology that evolves alongside the restaurant industry, and anticipating the challenges operators face before they become roadblocks. Looking ahead, we’re focused on equipping our customers with tools that not only streamline day-to-day operations like POS, labour management, and inventory forecasting, but also help them adapt to emerging trends. That means continuously integrating new capabilities in a way that’s seamless, intuitive, and actionable, so operators can spend less time wrestling with systems and more time delivering exceptional hospitality. Ultimately, our mission is to make sure TouchBistro remains a trusted partner on that journey.