We are excited to partner with Front Burner, aka FB Society, who has harnessed Stream's technology to solve complex order and menu management tasks at their creative restaurant concepts. FB Society are the innovators of some major restaurant hits: including Whiskey Cake Kitchen & Bar, Son of a Butcher, Sixty Vines, Haywire, Assembly Food Hall, Legacy Food Hall and more.
We sat down with Jonathan Sharp, Restaurant IT Systems Manager at FB Society, to learn more about the magic behind FB Society, why brand DNA is so important to their concepts, and how technology plays a key role in the future.
FB Society is known for creating innovative and guest-focused restaurant concepts. What inspires the development of each new brand, and how do you ensure they stay true to your vision?
At FB Society, our inspiration stems from a deep understanding of culinary trends, a passion for storytelling, and a commitment to delivering exceptional guest experiences. When we create a new brand, it always starts with a strong point of view and a desire to connect with guests in a way that feels meaningful and fresh.
Each concept is grounded in a clearly defined brand DNA—key Differentiators, Nuances, and Attitude that shape everything from the design and menu to how the team shows up. The DNA keeps us aligned and ensures the guest experience is always intentional and true to the brand. We look at:
- Authenticity: Crafting concepts that genuinely reflect the story and culture they represent.
- Quality: Maintaining high standards in food, service, and ambiance.
- Innovation: Continuously exploring new ideas to keep our offerings fresh and engaging.
- Guest-Centric Approach: Prioritizing the needs and preferences of our guests in every decision.
It’s that mix of creativity, discipline, and heart that keeps each brand both unique and aligned with our broader vision.
Scaling a multi-unit brand is no easy feat. How do you maintain consistency and quality across all locations while allowing each concept to feel unique? Additionally, as you've scaled, what have been some of the technical challenges, and what platforms/tools have helped alleviate those pain points?
Scaling with consistency starts by being clear on each brand’s DNA—what makes it distinct and how it should show up across every touchpoint. From there, it’s about building strong systems that support the culture. We focus heavily on people and process: investing in standardized training programs, creating robust operational procedures, and having regular feedback loops in place to ensure we’re delivering quality at every level. Even as we scale, we want every location to feel uniquely tied to its local community while staying true to the heart of the brand.
On the technical side, growing across multiple locations comes with its share of challenges. A few we’ve tackled include:
- Menu management across platforms – coordinating menu updates across various third-party delivery services.
- Order integration – streamlining orders from multiple channels into our POS systems.
To address these challenges, we've partnered with Stream, a platform that allows us to manage a single menu published to all our third-party providers with one click. Stream integrates seamlessly with our POS systems, enabling efficient menu management and order processing across multiple locations.
As the industry evolves, many restaurants are turning to technology to streamline operations. How has integrating solutions like Stream helped FB Society operate more efficiently while enhancing the guest experience?
Stream has been a game changer for us. It’s allowed us to simplify operations behind the scenes so our teams can focus more on the guest. One of the biggest wins is how it centralizes menu management so that we can update and publish changes across all locations and platforms from one place.
We’ve also been able to:
- Integrate directly with our POS, cutting out the need for multiple tablets and reducing order discrepancies.
- Real-time updates, enabling instant menu adjustments and real-time order management, ensuring accuracy and responsiveness to guest preferences.
The result? Faster service, more accurate orders, and a seamless experience for both the team and the guest.
Technology continues to shape the dining experience. How do you see tools like Stream helping you stay competitive and meet changing customer expectations.
Tools like Stream help us stay ahead by making it easier to move at the speed of our guests. Today’s customer expects convenience, personalization, and consistency and we need to stay agile to deliver on that. Stream gives us the ability to respond quickly to what’s happening in the market while still maintaining brand integrity.
Some of the biggest advantages include:
- Enhanced flexibility – We can roll out menu changes or promotions instantly across platforms to stay aligned with guest preferences.
- Smarter insights – real-time data enables us to understand guest behavior informing better strategic decisions.
- Increased reach – Seamless integration with third-party delivery expands access and visibility.
By leveraging tools like this, we’re able to keep the experience fresh, frictionless, and aligned with what our guests want most.
AI is obviously a hot topic in all industries, including hospitality. What are your thoughts on incorporating AI into FB Society?
AI is presenting some exciting possibilities in hospitality, and we’re leaning in where it makes sense. For us, it’s not about replacing the human touch—it’s about enhancing it. We’re exploring AI in ways that help us deliver more personalized, efficient, and thoughtful experiences for both our guests and our teams.
Some of the most promising areas include:
- Personalized guest experiences – Using data to offer smarter recommendations, targeted promotions, and more relevant touchpoints.
- Operational efficiency – Leveraging AI for things like inventory tracking, forecasting, and scheduling so our teams can work smarter.
- Customer service enhancements – Exploring tools like chatbots to handle reservations, FAQs, and guest feedback in real time.
At the end of the day, it’s about using AI to strengthen our connection with guests -- not replace it -- and continuing to innovate without losing the heart of hospitality.
Looking ahead, are there any new concepts, technology areas, or major initiatives you're excited about in the next year?
Absolutely—this next year is shaping up to be full of momentum. We’re continuing to lean into innovation across all areas of the business, and a few things I’m especially excited about include:
- Launching new concepts – We’re always dreaming up what’s next, and we have some incredible brands in the pipeline that will push culinary boundaries and deliver experiences that truly surprise and delight.
- Expanding tech integrations –We will be building on the success of tools like Stream while exploring new tools that make us more efficient and enhance the guest experience.
- Driving sustainability initiatives – We're being more intentional than ever about implementing environmentally responsible practices into operations.
These initiatives reflect our dedication to innovation, quality, and a guest-centric approach as we continue to grow and evolve in the dynamic hospitality landscape.
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If you are an existing Stream customer/partner or a newly interested restaurant/technology brand wanting to learn more about Stream's off-the-shelf and custom API solutions for your business, please email us at support@streamorders.com with the subject line What's New at Stream to be put in touch with one of our team members!
