Tech Takeaways:
✅ Use DAVO by Avalara to automate sales tax and avoid cash flow surprises
✅ Run your ops on Toast for a full-stack solution across POS and management
✅ Leverage Fixe to handle vendor payments and back-office chaos
✅ Communicate like a human—phone calls and personal touch still matter
✅ Keep learning—podcasts and content fuel entrepreneurial energy
When you walk into an Irv’s Burgers location, it feels like classic America — Route 66 vibes with smash burgers, hot dogs, and soda pop.
But behind the counter? That’s all 2025.
I traveled to Las Vegas and caught up with Lawrence Longo, the man behind Irv’s remarkable revival and expansion, at his location inside the Durango Hotel and Casino’s food hall.
Irv’s Burgers is going full throttle.
What started in 1946 as one of the first roadside burger joints has been rebuilt as a scalable, tech-forward concept—complete with digital payroll, automated sales tax, and vendor payments that run themselves.
With seven stores already open and an eighth launching on the Las Vegas Strip at Planet Hollywood, Lawrence’s vision is clear: an All-American burger stand in every neighborhood.
But rapid expansion comes with friction. That means he’s always looking for technological solutions to make the journey smoother.
From Retro Roots to Vegas Expansion
“Irv’s is a local institution,” Lawrence said about the classic Cali burger spot.
“But our goal is to create the All-American burger stand in every neighborhood in America.” That dream is quickly becoming a reality, with the eighth Irv’s opening soon at Planet Hollywood on the Las Vegas Strip.
With growth, however, comes complexity. “If you don’t save up for monthly sales tax, and you’ve got seven locations… it’s a big nut,” Lawrence explained. Many restaurateurs learn that the hard way.
No More Tax Surprises
To eliminate that stress, Lawrence uses Davo by Avalara—a powerful tool that automates daily sales tax collection and remittance.
“Davo makes paying sales tax easy,” he said. “It deducts the amount every day, so you don’t spend it on a new location or something.”
From Payroll to Vendor Pay—All in Sync
Lawrence runs his restaurants on Toast, a platform he’s taken full advantage of—from point of sale to payroll. It gives him end-to-end visibility and simplifies daily ops.
To keep vendor payments efficient and on time, Irv’s also relies on Fixe, a modern back-office automation platform.
“We use Fixe’s Automate tool to make sure all vendors are on time, paid well,” said Lawrence. “It’s been amazing.”
Communication and Learning
Even with a modern tech stack, Lawrence keeps leadership personal: “I still like using the good old-fashioned phone,” he admitted. “We do have group texts… I’m an old-school guy.”
On the digital side, his toolkit includes Toast Now, Uber Eats, Resy, Instagram, and Spotify—especially for catching up on entrepreneur podcasts like Restaurant Influencers and How I Built This with Guy Raz.
Want to follow along? Lawrence is active on Instagram at @BigShot, where he shares the behind-the-scenes of the Irv’s journey.
My AI Clone Is Answering The Phone At My BBQ Restaurant
DIGITAL HOSPITALITY — Maria Zhang, co-founder and CEO of Palona AI, is on a mission to humanize technology for restaurants. With experience from leading roles at Tinder, Instagram, and Meta, Zhang now focuses on hospitality.
Palona AI’s voice technology (like we’re using at Cali BBQ in San Diego) answers calls, takes orders, and even replicates the owner’s voice, ensuring every guest interaction feels personal. This means customers hear a warm, familiar voice every time they call, even during busy hours.
Zhang’s approach—combining cutting-edge AI with a deep respect for hospitality—helps restaurants scale service without losing their soul. Palona AI is more than tech; it’s a hospitality partner.
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