Dive into the fascinating career journey of Wade Allen, a tech-savvy leader who transitioned from the digital world into the restaurant industry. In this episode of the TechBytes podcast, powered by the IFBTA, host Rob Grimes sits down with Wade to uncover his unconventional path to becoming the President of Costa Vida, a growing Mexican fast-casual restaurant brand.
Wade’s story begins not in restaurants, but in the early days of the internet boom. Armed with just a book on HTML, he taught himself web development and built a successful website company. This led him to roles in the grocery and retail sectors, where he honed his digital expertise. It was a serendipitous connection that brought Wade to restaurant giant Brinker International in 2014. Tasked with leading digital transformation as the VP of Digital Marketing, Wade quickly proved his ability to bridge the gap between technology and operations, which led to an unexpected promotion to CIO where he tackled a major data breach, among other challenges.
Wade’s tech prowess and business acumen continued to shine and he was soon tapped to lead innovation at Brinker where he explored cutting-edge solutions like delivery drones, showcasing his forward-thinking approach. The conversation then shifts to Wade’s current position as President of Costa Vida. He shares insights on the unique challenges and advantages of leading technology strategy for a growing, multi-unit restaurant brand versus a large enterprise. Wade emphasizes the importance of balancing operational know-how with a technology-forward mindset and how this dual expertise positioned him for success. Throughout the discussion, Wade offers invaluable advice for IT professionals aspiring to leadership roles, underscoring the need to deeply understand the business beyond just the technology. His journey serves as an inspiring example of how tech-savvy individuals can thrive in the dynamic restaurant industry.
Don’t miss this insightful conversation that explores the evolving intersection of technology and hospitality. Tune in to hear Wade’s unique perspective and gain inspiration for your own career path.
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