SmartSense Adds QSR Veterans to Board as Food Safety Tech Demand Rises
Event summary
- SmartSense by Digi added Eric Phernambucq (VP of Operations Innovation at Jack in the Box) and JP Thomas (VP of Operations Services at honeygrow) to its Board of Advisors on July 21, 2026.
- Both advisors bring over two decades of restaurant industry experience focusing on operational efficiency and food safety.
- SmartSense positions these hires as critical to addressing rising food safety skepticism and complex compliance standards in 2026.
The big picture
SmartSense’s move to add seasoned QSR operators to its advisory board underscores the growing importance of food safety and operational efficiency in an industry grappling with heightened regulatory scrutiny. As restaurant chains increasingly rely on IoT solutions to manage compliance, SmartSense is positioning itself as a strategic partner for scaling brands like Jack in the Box and honeygrow.
What we're watching
- Customer Alignment
- How SmartSense leverages QSR expertise to refine its IoT solutions for food safety and compliance.
- Market Differentiation
- Whether these appointments help SmartSense stand out in an increasingly competitive restaurant tech space.
- Regulatory Preparedness
- The pace at which SmartSense integrates evolving compliance standards into its product roadmap.