Innovator in Action: How Rachel Quintana is Reinventing Restaurant IT at Bar Louie
Rachel Quintana, Director of IT at Bar Louie, was honored with the Top Women in Restaurant Technology – Innovator Award at MURTEC 2025: Experience Matters.
Working Together to Advance the Industry:
A decade ago, Quintana entered the restaurant technology field as a field tech for Lettuce Entertain You. “What truly inspired me were the people I worked with and the guidance of my mentor,” she says. “The fast-paced environment, and the balance of being both reactive and proactive, was energizing.”
Today, as Director of IT at Bar Louie, Quintana oversees enterprise IT systems, ensuring performance, user experience, and infrastructure align with the brand’s strategic goals.
An Indispensable Asset
Her colleagues say her ability to identify challenges, implement innovative solutions, and drive measurable results have made her an indispensable asset to Bar Louie. Quintana’s overhaul of the IT helpdesk and network infrastructure has streamlined operations and boosted both employee and guest experiences. Her innovative thinking and team-centric leadership have helped position Bar Louie at the forefront of technology-driven hospitality.
The Fixer
Quintana still loves solving problems. “I’ll always have a deep passion for the break/fix side of tech—that’s where my love for tech truly began,” she recalls. “There’s something incredibly rewarding about getting out in the field and fixing something with your own hands.”
These days she focuses on maintaining the networking and infrastructure that support Bar Louie. “Our bars depend on their network infrastructure every day, and knowing our team is working hard to resolve any issues brings me a sense of pride… It’s a great feeling knowing our IT team is always there for support.”
She believes that excellent help desk support is essential: “When a ticket is opened, it’s our job to guide, solve, or explain. That commitment to helping others is something we’re truly passionate about.”
Tech Wins
One of Quintana’s biggest recent achievements was a complete upgrade of Bar Louie’s network infrastructure. The initiative included replacing outdated hardware with cutting-edge systems, improving uptime by 20% and reducing issue resolution times by 40%.
She also introduced new tools for real-time visibility, accelerating troubleshooting and increasing team adaptability across all locations.
Leveraging AI
To further enhance support, Quintana reimagined the IT helpdesk with AI-driven solutions. For the restaurants, AI chatbots are reducing labor strain and improving response times. Real-time chat and automation features now allow for faster responses and improved ticket resolution—down by 35%. Bar teams report greater satisfaction and are able to focus more on guest service.
She also implemented AI for proactive monitoring, helping the IT team detect and resolve issues before they affect operations—especially valuable during peak hours.
The Power of Mentorship
Mentorship has played a pivotal role in Quintana’s journey. “I’ve had the same mentor for over nine years. She’s been with me through job transitions, life changes—you name it. I wouldn’t be the woman or leader I am today without her.”
Now, Quintana pays it forward by mentoring her own team. She’s committed to fostering innovation and professional development, encouraging mentees to think big. “My goal is to help them envision their future—whether it’s with us or somewhere else. I want to see them succeed.”
Looking Ahead
Quintana sees AI and automation continuing to transform the restaurant industry. “We’re already using AI for scheduling and labor optimization. But what excites me most is the potential for personalization—anticipating guest preferences and optimize service based on guest behavior.”
Looking over her career to date, she’s also proud of her role in opening numerous restaurants. “Each new location brings a new challenge, and helping operations navigate those is incredibly rewarding,” she says.
Her current project? Leading a full-scale infrastructure and connectivity services overhaul across every Bar Louie location. “This project will impact our entire brand—and being able to equip our bars with cutting-edge technology to ensure better uptime and provide more opportunities to enhance our tech stack is a major achievement.”
Receiving the Innovator Award was the icing on the cake: “It validates the effort and hard work I’ve put in over the years. It’s a symbol of growth—both personally and professionally,” she says.
About the Top Women Awards
After a call for nominations, Top Women in Restaurant Technology Award winners were chosen by Hospitality Technology magazine editors and members of its Research Advisory Board. The winners were announced and honored during an awards program, sponsored by Milagro, at the 30th annual MURTEC (Multi-Unit Restaurant Technology Conference), in Las Vegas. HT will begin accepting nominations for the 2026 Top Women in Restaurant Technology Awards and 2026 Rising Stars in Restaurant Technology in December.