The restaurant industry has seen a significant shift in recent years, with technology playing a crucial role in streamlining operations and enhancing customer experiences. TouchBistro, a leading SaaS provider, stands at the forefront of this evolution. Founded in 2010, the Toronto-based company has empowered thousands of restaurants with its all-in-one POS and management system. This article delves into the inception of TouchBistro, the visionary leadership of its current CEO, Samir Zabaneh, and the company’s exciting future prospects.
A Simple Idea Sparks a Revolution
TouchBistro was born from a straightforward yet profound question: “Can technology make it easier for servers to take and place orders?” This query, posed to founder Alex Barrotti during a casual dinner, led to the creation of a mobile, easy-to-use POS system housed on an iPad. Since its official launch in 2011, TouchBistro has grown into a comprehensive restaurant management system, serving a wide range of clients, including restaurants, food trucks, and coffee shops.
Over the years, the company has expanded its offerings, integrating payment processing, online ordering, and reservation management into its platform. With more than 16,000 restaurants powered and 64,000 terminals deployed, TouchBistro has become a critical tool for restaurateurs worldwide.
Samir Zabaneh’s Vision for Growth
In 2021, Samir Zabaneh took the helm as Chairman and CEO of TouchBistro, bringing with him a wealth of experience in the payments industry. Under his leadership, the company has evolved from a simple POS solution into a full-fledged restaurant management system. Zabaneh’s focus on innovation has driven TouchBistro to continuously enhance its product offerings, from acquiring a premium reservations management platform to introducing a commission-free online ordering system during the COVID-19 pandemic.
His strategic vision has also led to the expansion of the company’s back-of-house technology, helping restaurateurs streamline operations and improve profitability. Zabaneh’s customer-first philosophy ensures that TouchBistro remains responsive to the needs of its clients, providing personalized solutions and round-the-clock support.
Shaping the Dining Experience
As the restaurant industry continues to face challenges, TouchBistro remains committed to staying ahead of the curve. With labor and cost pressures mounting, the company’s cloud-based technology offers flexibility and automation to ease the burden on restaurant operators. Zabaneh emphasizes the importance of turning first-time customers into regulars, and TouchBistro’s guest engagement technology plays a key role in achieving this. Looking ahead, the company plans to further invest in its ecosystem, with a focus on enhancing the guest experience and creating operational efficiencies.
With a recent CAD 150 million growth financing, TouchBistro is poised for continued innovation and expansion. TouchBistro’s journey from a simple idea to a leading restaurant management system is a testament to its dedication to the restaurant community. With Samir Zabaneh at the helm, the company is well-positioned to shape the future of dining, one restaurant at a time. As technology continues to redefine the industry, TouchBistro’s all-in-one platform ensures that restaurateurs can focus on what they do best—delighting their guests and growing their businesses.
To read more startup stories visit-