EZ-Chow Founder, Mo Sloan, started the Louisville based custom Point-of-Sale digital ordering integration solutions company in June of 2013 with the goal of putting our customers and partners first.
Mo has spent over 25 years in application architecture and development working for some of the best Fortune 500 companies. It is from these experiences that EZ-Chow has been able to create fully integrated solutions that are first-in-class that do put experiences and the customers needs first. If our partners are successful, then EZ-Chow is successful.
As we look to the future, it is important to understand who makes up the talented team at EZ-Chow…let’s learn more about Mo Sloan.
Q: Tell us about your background – what led you to Computer Science?
I started writing computer programs when I was about 7 or 8. My mother and father put me into computer programming classes one summer, and I have enjoyed programming ever since. My first computer was a Commodore Vic 20 and my parents bought me computer programming books from Waldenbooks and B. Dalton bookstores – just to show you my old age.
Q: How has your career evolved over the years?
Early in my career I was focused on the traditional corporate path, adding value to an organization (for the organization’s benefit) and also enhancing my own skill set (for my benefit). Nonetheless, I realized I could make a difference and add even more value by working directly with merchants in the restaurant and hospitality space to solve their specific problems and help their respective organization’s grow. I want the culture at EZC to be one of exceptional service, service to organizations who provide great service to their customers.
Q: One piece of advice for others just starting their career?
Immerse yourself into what you do, learn as much as you can, not only hear, but listen to people for whom you write software. Understand their perspective and focus on solving THEIR problems.
Q: Who are some mentors or people that you respect that have helped your career?
Ryan Bridgeman – President of Manna Inc
Mike Davis – Founder and Former CEO of Appriss
Garrett French – Founder and CEO of Citation Labs
Brian Nutt – Former Founder and CEO of Codigo
Roy Haller – Director at Humana Inc.
Q: What led you to found EZ Chow?
I reached out to a local pizzeria in 2015 and asked about online ordering. They needed a solution that integrated with their POS (point-of-sale), from my experiences as an architect at Papa John’s International – I knew exactly why and how to accomplish this task and solve this problem for them. I then realized that other similar merchants needed the same problem solved, and thus EZ-Chow was born.
Q: What challenges have you faced as a business owner?
The biggest challenge we have faced is the impact of COVID. Prior to COVID, orders originating from Digital Channels were only a relatively small portion of the total order volume. During and after COVID, digital orders (regardless of channel) have increased in the overall order and revenue mix for a restaurant. Ensuring that we help facilitate our merchant partners’ digital ordering channels to maximize their revenue is paramount to us. Balancing customization and scalability have also been a big challenge. Because of this, we will be excited to launch a version of our platform that will allow a merchant to control one or any of their location’s multi-channel digital ordering options (web/mobile, self-ordering kiosk, tableside ordering, voice ordering, drive through, etc.) with a single click (WYSIWYG) capability.
Q: What excites you about the business you are in?
I’m excited about the role technology will continue to play in the future of restaurants and hospitality organizations. How EZ-Chow can add technology that enhances the guest experience, rather than just simply replacing humans to save on the bottom line.
Q: How do you stay on top of technology and trends?
I stay on top of technology and trends by subscribing to content which is focused on technology and the impact it has on the restaurant, hospitality, and service industries. I also focus on the operational aspect for these same businesses, as technology can drive operational enhancements and efficiencies. We want to help facilitate for our merchants the ability to not just be a pizza, fish, chicken, hamburger, etc. “spot”, but rather a “small tech company” that sells X, where X is chicken, fish, pizza, hamburger or whatever they offer well.
Q: What one piece of technology have you really enjoyed creating?
Our single platform merchant centric tool that allows merchants to manage and control their own respective digital ordering channels.
Q: How do you see the restaurant and hospitality industries changing over the next few years?
I see the restaurant and hospitality industry changing by leveraging technology to improve the guest experience NOT distract or reduce the experience, however. Technology which automates certain tasks, but continues to offer personalization will win out, since the restaurant and hospitality sector is all about how you feel and are treated as a guest.
Q: Why is EZ-Chow a business that brands should partner with?
EZ-Chow is a business that merchants should consider partnering with because our goal is to serve our merchant partners and their customers. We are about our merchant partner’s first, not us. If our partners are successful, we will be too.
Connect with Mo Sloan and EZ-Chow on LinkedIn.
EZ-Chow has solutions such as Online Ordering Solutions and Self-Ordering Kiosk Solutions that integrate into your existing POS systems. To learn how EZ-Chow can help you with these initiatives and more, get started by contacting us here.
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