5&5’s Journey at FSTEC

In mid-September, I had the incredible opportunity to attend FSTEC in Dallas alongside some of my colleagues from 5&5. As a newcomer to both the company and the world of restaurant conferences, this was my first experience at what some would consider a key tradeshow of the year. With a complex industry overflowing with platforms, revolutionary solutions and evolving technologies, I viewed this trip as a chance to deepen my understanding and connect with influential players shaping the future of restaurant tech. The experience was nothing short of eye-opening and inspiring.

As the Partnerships lead at 5&5, my goal for attending was twofold: to meet in person the partners I’ve only interacted with virtually over the past six months, and to forge connections with vendors and fellow partnership leads. By the end of the conference, I was thrilled that I not only achieved those goals, but that I also gained valuable insights about where the industry is heading. Companies providing solutions for food service and hospitality are finding new ways to stay competitive, improving their products and services, while incorporating trends like AI, which was a hot topic coming out of the conference.

I prepared myself for a whirlwind three days filled with handshakes, quick conversations, and late-night networking fueled by an array of social events and happy hours. The event was indeed a whirlwind, but in the best possible way. First and foremost, it provided me with the chance to meet and get to know our CEO and several colleagues for the first time, while also offering an invaluable learning experience in event planning. Our team had spent weeks preparing to co-host an off-site dinner for 35+ and a larger Happy Hour event, and it was exciting to see it all come together and to be a part of it all.

Our dinner was held at Perry’s Steakhouse, which came highly recommended and absolutely did not disappoint. An intimate room provided the perfect backdrop to host several of our most valued clients as well as a few prospects attending the conference. (Shout out to our friends at Curbit & Kitchen Armor who co-hosted with us!).

Navigating the tradeshow floor, attending social events, and simply walking through the hotel led to countless introductions and deeper conversations than I could have anticipated. That’s not even counting the dozen meet-ups with partners I pre-scheduled ahead of time! What struck me most wasn’t just the volume of interactions, but the quality of those conversations. Each handshake and brief chat sparked new ideas, collaborations, and opportunities, reinforcing my/our commitment to fostering meaningful partnerships. This focus on intentional collaboration is core to our philosophy at 5&5 and one I am proud to foster, where we aim to create mutually beneficial relationships that enhance the value we bring to restaurant brands.

Though the 5&5 Team is still young and building momentum as a brand, we are driven by an ambitious mission: to empower restaurant brands to thrive in a digital future. Events like FSTEC are invaluable for keeping us informed about emerging trends, reconnecting with familiar faces, and building new relationships. Most importantly, they allow us to lay the groundwork for long-lasting connections with vendors and operators who play a crucial role in the industry’s evolution alongside the technologies we develop.

As I reflect on my first FSTEC experience, I am excited about the potential for collaboration and innovation within the restaurant tech space. My takeaways from this conference were so impactful, and I’m looking forward to taking that momentum from the conference to further strengthen our partnerships and contribute to the vibrant future of the industry.

See you at RLC in April 2025!