Branded Media wraps live FSTEC podcast series with restaurant leaders

Branded Hospitality Media recorded Hospitality Hangout live at FSTEC 2026 in Grapevine, Texas, featuring executives from Bobby's Burgers, Bonchon, Church's Chicken and Displai. Episodes begin streaming Nov. 24 and spotlight how restaurant technology is reshaping operations and guest experience.

Why it matters: - The live series put restaurant operators and technology leaders in the same room at a major industry conference. - The conversations focused on the tools shaping how brands serve guests, run stores and plan for growth. - The recordings extend the reach of FSTEC discussions beyond the event floor.

What happened: - Branded Hospitality Media recorded Hospitality Hangout live from FSTEC 2026. - FSTEC 2026 ran Sept. 23-25 at the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center in Grapevine, Texas. - The activation was presented in partnership with Displai. - The on-site guests included Patric Knapp of Bobby's Burgers by Bobby Flay, Ashley Helkenn of Bonchon, Jeff Caplan of Church's Chicken and Tuan Ho of Displai. - The show floor was turned into a studio for the live recordings.

The details: - The format gave attendees a front-row view of conversations already happening across the restaurant industry. - Branded Media said the setup captured unscripted insight from operators, technology leaders and suppliers making decisions in real time. - Displai contributed to the series as a partner and added its perspective through Tuan Ho. - Displai provides AI-powered digital signage, self-service kiosks and visitor analytics for restaurants and other brick-and-mortar brands. - Episodes from FSTEC 2026 will be available starting Nov. 24 on Hospitality Hangout and other streaming platforms. - Branded Hospitality is a New York-based hospitality media and investment platform focused on restaurant and foodservice innovation. - Branded Hospitality Media produces podcasting, newsletters, events and digital content. - The company says its work is designed to turn visibility into measurable growth. - Branded Hospitality also points listeners to Branded Strategic for more information. - The release includes Branded Hospitality's social channels on LinkedIn and YouTube.

Between the lines: - The live format signals that restaurant media brands are treating conferences as content engines, not just networking venues. - Pairing operators with a technology partner suggests the industry conversation is shifting from product demos to practical execution. - The guest list spans burger, chicken and international chicken concepts, showing broad interest in technology across formats.

What's next: - Hospitality Hangout episodes from the FSTEC activation will roll out beginning Nov. 24. - The recordings should keep FSTEC's technology discussions in circulation after the conference ends. - Branded Hospitality is likely to keep using live activations to build content around major industry events.

The bottom line: - Branded Media used FSTEC 2026 to turn a conference stop into a distribution moment for restaurant technology conversations.