Briton Smetzer Email Address

Director of Device Management and Device Analytics and Cardtronics Division

Fuzzy's Taco Shop is a true Cinderella story. The original store, on Berry Street in Fort Worth, Texas, was put up for sale by the founder in 2003 after only two years of operation. The father-son combination of Alan and Chuck Bush, with a combined 20 years experience in the restaurant industry, recognized the diamond in the rough and purchased the struggling restaurant, quickly reopening the doors with great ambition. After building and maintaining sales for several years, the time was right for expansion. But instead of rushing to open more restaurants, Chuck and Alan chose a slower, hands-on approach to running the business| this concept paid off with profitable numbers to back their approach. By overseeing daily operations with a high level of support, they have been able to meet all financial obligations and build profits at a comfortable rate, while adhering to the Fuzzy's promise: To focus our full attention on promptly and efficiently providing our guests with generous helpings of uniquely flavorful foods at a fair price. Like the entire Fuzzy's concept, the mission statement is simple - keep the promise every day. Fuzzy's Taco Shop's corporate-owned and franchise locations are now serving fresh, handmade Baja-style Mexican food in 54 stores across 11 states, with many more to open soon. All of our restaurants offer indoor and patio seating, and our food specialties include fish tacos, burritos, nachos, queso, and ice-cold beer. The atmosphere at Fuzzy's is bright, fun, and energetic - perfect for gathering with friends and family to watch a game, enjoy a beer or margarita, or just hang out. The future looks bright for Fuzzy's!

Briton Smetzer’s first job ever was as a cashier for Jack in The Box. His first technology endeavor was tearing apart his dad’s Tandy PC as a toddler. Since then, he now brings over 20 years of technology experience in hospitality, construction, and finance to his role as Vice President of IT at Salata. Most recently, Briton served as Global Director of ATM management and analytics (Payments & Network Division) at NCR Corporation where his teams were responsible for the management and analytics for the world’s largest fleet of ATMs in retail and financial institutions across North America, Europe, and Australia. Briton’s most recent restaurant technology experience was his role as Vice President of IT Operations for the Fuzzy’s Taco Shops franchise (7 years) where he played a vital role in the success and growth of what is now a nationally recognized franchise. The technology stack was a big part of what enabled Fuzzy’s Taco Shop to grow so quickly. The stack included a proprietary technology ecosystem which Briton built entirely in-house, plus a few key vendors that have committed to conform to Fuzzy’s Taco Shop framework, rather than the other way around. Cradlepoint, NCR, OLO, Sage, ADP, and Punchh were a few of the vendors that successfully integrated with Fuzzy’s Taco Shop technology framework proving the value of strategic partnerships where the franchise comes first. Briton believes that owning the technology profile is a core factor in creating competitive advantage. Technology should be outsourced where it makes sense, but it’s important to maintain a stack that’s unique to the brand. Technology can be a key differentiator, so long as everyone else isn’t offloading to the same stack. Entrepreneurship is rooted in Briton's business philosophy and believes that the problem with most companies is their common attitude of "because that's the way it's always been around here." This sort of thinking is indoctrinated into their social/corporate policy and a culture becomes entrenched. Briton graduated Summa Cum Laude from Texas State University with a BBA in management and entrepreneurship where he started an e-commerce business and founded the nation’s first entrepreneurship fraternity. His forward thinking and experience in entrepreneurship, management and technology gives him a unique and collection of skills and competencies that fit right in with the Salata family.