Ben Leventhal on Bridging Old School Hospitality with New School Technology

#93.
In this episode, we explore how hospitality is evolving at the intersection of tradition and technology—through the lens of one of the industry’s most influential entrepreneurs. 

Ben Leventhal, Co-Founder of Eater and Resy and now Founder of Blackbird Labs, shares his journey from media to tech and the lessons he’s learned along the way. He reflects on the importance of brand identity, the power of storytelling, and the real challenges restaurants face in marketing, management, and scaling.

Ben also examines why traditional loyalty programs often fall short and how platforms like Blackbird are reimagining loyalty to strengthen guest relationships and return personalized hospitality to the spotlight. He discusses how feedback can be used to reinforce a brand and build lasting connections, positioning loyalty as a vital part of a restaurant’s identity.

A central theme is the inclusion of restaurant staff in the loyalty ecosystem—creating a more connected, empowered team and elevating the guest experience across the board.

Links and resources 📌

Visit meez: https://www.getmeez.com

Follow meez on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/getmeez

Follow Josh on instagram: @joshlsharkey

Follow Ben on Instagram: @benleventhal

Discover Blackbird: https://www.blackbird.xyz

Chapters:

00:00 The Magic of Hospitality
01:20 Innovating in the Restaurant Industry
03:30 The Birth of Eater
05:46 Passion for Restaurants
09:52 The Challenge of Handing Off Control
10:00 Scaling Rezzy
12:26 Finding the Right Problem to Solve
17:22 The Key to Startup Success
21:28 Learning from Past Experiences
23:31 Understanding Brand and Strategy
25:30 The Essence of Brand in Restaurants
28:37 Challenges of Loyalty Programs
30:54 Introducing Blackbird: A New Loyalty Approach
34:37 Blackbird Club: Enhancing Customer Experience
44:18 Blackbird Club Pro: Empowering Restaurant Workers