Technology that’s re-defining how we work

Following our time at the 2025 FoodService Australia – Food and Hospitality Week at Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, one thing became abundantly clear: clubs that are embracing integrated, intelligent hospitality technologies are not only adapting to industry change, they’re leading it.

Technology in hospitality is no longer limited to digital menus or app-based reservations. It has evolved into a central strategic asset, powering operations, enabling personalisation, and shaping how brands engage with customers and staff. As industry pressures mount, labour shortages, compliance demands, heightened guest expectations, tech is stepping up to meet them in smarter, more nuanced ways.

In this piece, we examine three standout technology platforms making waves in hospitality, not for novelty’s sake, but because they solve real business problems with practical, scalable solutions. Each illustrates how thoughtfully applied systems can create meaningful competitive advantages, both operationally and reputationally.

A person with blonde hair tied back, wearing a dark top and white pants, is smiling and looking at a smartphone while standing against a dark background.

ArtsPay: Payments That Power the Arts

The Concept
ArtsPay stands out for merging technology and cultural impact. At its core, it’s a payments platform, but one with a twist: 50% of its profits from transaction fees are channelled into Australia’s creative industries. For hospitality venues looking to align commercial decisions with social values, it’s an elegant, purpose-driven alternative to traditional providers.

The Technology
As a preferred partner with Clover, one of the world’s most widely used POS systems, ArtsPay delivers a highly capable tech suite. Clover’s hospitality-focused features include handheld, countertop, and self-serve POS devices, alongside integrations with key platforms such as Xero, Deputy, Doordash and Uber Eats. It also offers robust support for online ordering, table management, and real-time reporting.

A person paying with a contactless card using a mobile payment device at a table with a cup of coffee.

Image courtesy of ArtsPay

Importantly, the system is iOS-compatible and mobile-friendly, giving operators flexible control over service flows and customer interactions. For fast-paced environments, it balances power and usability.

The Business Case
With over 1,000 merchants onboard, including venues like Golden Age Cinema & Bar and major events like the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival, ArtsPay is more than an ethical choice, it’s a commercially viable one. The benefits extend beyond functionality:

Lower transaction fees compared to major banks
A values-aligned brand image that resonates with increasingly conscious consumers
Increased staff engagement, with team members proud to contribute to cultural sustainability

In an era where cultural funding is shrinking, ArtsPay offers hospitality a chance to play an active role in sustaining Australia’s creative future, without compromising operational excellence.

artspay.com

Operandio: Operational Control, Reimagined

The Concept
Phones remain a critical but often under-managed customer touchpoint in hospitality. During busy shifts or after hours, calls frequently go unanswered, resulting in lost bookings or poor guest impressions. Sadie AI, developed by Now Book It, addresses this with a 24/7 AI phone agent designed to handle inbound calls with fluency and empathy.

The Technology
Sadie is powered by natural language processing and hospitality-specific training, allowing it to respond to common queries and manage reservations with a level of nuance typically expected from experienced front-of-house staff. It integrates seamlessly with Now Book It’s booking system to create, modify, or cancel reservations in real time.

Capabilities include:

Real-time availability and booking confirmations
Menu and dietary information responses
Context-aware, intelligent dialogue handling
24/7 uptime, even during peak or unattended hours

The Business Case
For venues where phone service remains a key interaction point, Sadie reduces missed opportunities and operational disruption. Benefits include:

Increased booking capture rates, especially outside service hours
Reduced interruptions for staff during busy periods
Improved guest satisfaction through prompt, professional service
Optimised labour usage, less need for dedicated phone management

Sadie represents a compelling example of how AI can enhance, rather than replace, human hospitality. By handling routine enquiries and reservations, she frees up staff to focus on delivering standout in-person experiences.

nowbookit.com

Conclusion: Building Future-Ready Hospitality

What connects ArtsPay, Operandio, and Sadie AI is a shared focus on meaningful impact. These aren’t just flashy tools, they are systems designed to solve perennial hospitality challenges with clarity and purpose.

As the sector continues to adapt to the challenging business environment, the role of technology will only grow more critical. Operators who invest in platforms that align with both operational needs and brand values will be best placed to thrive.

At Future Food, we believe that strategic tech adoption should always serve a broader vision, whether that’s cultural contribution, operational excellence, or guest satisfaction. The tools exist. The opportunity is here. It’s now a question of making the right choices.

If you’d like support in assessing or implementing hospitality technology in your club, Future Food offers strategy-led consulting tailored to your operational goals. Reach out to discuss how we can help future-proof your venue.

Multiple digital screens displaying healthcare and job management software interfaces, including reports, job details, and task checklists.

Image courtesy of Operandio

The Concept
For multi-site operators and high-volume venues, day-to-day management is often fragmented, paper checklists, scattered spreadsheets, outdated SOPs. Operandio addresses this head-on, providing a centralised platform for operational execution, training, food safety and compliance.

The Technology
Operandio’s platform is designed to digitise every aspect of frontline operations. Its feature set includes:

IoT integrations for automated temperature tracking and food safety logging
A mobile-first Learning Management System (LMS) for onboarding and ongoing training
Task checklists tied to shifts, service standards, and audits
Centralised communication tools for policy updates and team-wide notifications
Corrective action workflows with tracking and reporting built in

It’s a comprehensive, real-time platform that provides clear oversight across locations and shifts. Operators can monitor compliance, initiate maintenance, push policy updates, and view trends without waiting for manual reporting.

The Business Case
Operandio simplifies complex operations, replacing manual tasks with automated systems that drive consistency and accountability. Key advantages include:

Increased food safety and compliance reliability
Faster, more effective staff onboarding and retention
Greater clarity and performance visibility across sites
Reduced risk of non-compliance, with built-in audit trails

For growing hospitality businesses, Operandio functions as both an operational backbone and a risk management tool. It allows leadership teams to scale with confidence, knowing their standards are being met site-wide.

Operandio.com

Sadie AI: Voice Technology for the Guest Experience

A woman with big curly hair smiling and talking on the phone, with a graphic interface showing a booking conversation for a dinner reservation.

Image courtesy of Now Book It

Maximise Your Project's Potential

Get in touch with our specialist club consultant Allan Forsdick.

Phone +61 (3) 9646 5177
Mobile +61 401 557 760
Email aforsdick@futurefood.com.au

“I can't thank Allan and Future Food enough for their work on this project. Super professional, they provided us with some incredible opportunities - each perfect for the role in their own way – but when it comes down to it, it's ALL about the Members, and the Club's legacy that we have been charged with nurturing. Even then Allan was there helping us right to the end. A class act.”

James Nixon, Club Secretary
Albert Park Yachting & Angling Club, Melbourne
“Future Food’s expertise in developing a tailored food and beverage strategy for Vikings Group has been instrumental in our success. Future Food has proven to be a valuable partner, dedicated to delivering exceptional service and results. Their commitment to understanding our unique requirements and delivering tailored solutions has made a significant difference in our business. I highly recommend Future Food to any organisation seeking to elevate their food and beverage offerings and drive sustainable growth.”

Ron Kent, General Manager
Vikings Group
”Team members responded really well to Allan's session on providing sensational service. He was able to provide clear, real examples of their service levels from the 'mystery shop' he previously conducted in our venue. The content of his presentation was excellent. Whilst it was tailored to suit our needs, he also weaved current customer expectations into the presentation, along with practical service anticipation tips.”

Ann-Marie O'Neill, HR Manager, Southport Sharks QLD
”Overall, it's a fantastic report with a constructive assessment on the current situation and some sound insight into the future. I know the board will love the document!”

Lyndon Broome, General Manager
Kedron-Wavell Services Club