by
Fran Worrall
Mar 1, 2024

2024 Hospitality Upgrade Tech Rock Star - ROGER FRANKE

In HU’s fifth annual ‘Technology Rock Stars’ special feature, we showcase 10 technology leaders who have distinguished themselves as hospitality’s best and brightest. Selected by a panel of hotel and gaming consultants and insiders, these men and women not only are driving change within their organizations but also are at the forefront of innovation in the industry. Our profiles provide an in-depth look at their accomplishments and highlight their predictions for technology’s future. We also share some fun facts about our leaders—ranging from favorite travel destinations to best advice for young people. We hope you enjoy this special report.

2024 Hospitality Upgrade Tech Rock Star - ROGER FRANKE

by
Fran Worrall
Mar 1, 2024
Feature Article
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In HU’s fifth annual ‘Technology Rock Stars’ special feature, we showcase 10 technology leaders who have distinguished themselves as hospitality’s best and brightest. Selected by a panel of hotel and gaming consultants and insiders, these men and women not only are driving change within their organizations but also are at the forefront of innovation in the industry. Our profiles provide an in-depth look at their accomplishments and highlight their predictions for technology’s future. We also share some fun facts about our leaders—ranging from favorite travel destinations to best advice for young people. We hope you enjoy this special report.

ROGER FRANKE

VICE PRESIDENT & CIO, ARAMARK DESTINATIONS

Roger Franke is vice president and chief information officer for Aramark Destinations, which delivers hospitality programs to more than 150 national and state parks, resorts, conference centers and cultural attractions, including Gettysburg National Military Park, Grand Canyon National Park, Lake Tahoe Basin National Forest, Pikes Peak and Yosemite National Park. His responsibilities include technology planning for mergers and acquisitions, hardware and software deployments, setting and directing IT policy, and establishing IT and telecom goals and strategies. He joined Aramark’s sports and entertainment group in 2000 after holding senior technology positions at Boyd Gaming, MGM Resorts and Caesars Entertainment. Eight years ago, he moved into his current role.

Last year, Aramark acquired 12 unique outdoor destination properties from ForeverResorts. The biggest challenge for Franke and his team was implementing the company’s standard technology—from reservations and back office to retail and F&B—throughout the locations. Although the project was demanding, they completed it in only five months.

Additionally, a few years ago, Franke began the push to get viable Wi-Fi to every Aramark Destinations location. “It has been a huge challenge, as most of our properties are located in wilderness settings,” he said. Although the project is ongoing, he and his team have made tremendous progress. In December 2023, they brought improved guest Wi-Fi to Yosemite Valley, a wide glacier-carved area in the western Sierra Nevada mountain range in Yosemite National Park, one of the country’s most remote locales. "I’m committed to bringing technology to these parks, because they are so underserved.”

As for the future, Franke will continue the drive for more bandwidth, which will enable AramarkDestinations to deliver a number of modern technology solutions to the properties it serves. He specifically wants to add more mobile and self-help applications, so that guests can purchase tour tickets from a kiosk, for example, or check out at a food and beverage establishment. Food lockers are also a focus. The devices, designed to store food at a certain temperature, are accessible to delivery drivers and customers and facilitate the transfer of meals from restaurants to consumers. “They are revolutionizing the way people pick up take-out orders and are very popular in our park locations.”

Additionally, Franke is working on introducing automation and robotics across the enterprise.“Machines can do a lot to mitigate labor shortages and achieve better employee and guest experiences,” he concluded. “The bottom line for me is leveraging technology in every way possible to increase efficiency, minimize costs, reduce staff workload and streamline the guest journey.”

ROGER’S INDUSTRY PREDICTIONS:

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE WILL TRANSFORM THE INDUSTRY.
"This isn’t a flash in the pan. It’s here to stay.

ROBOTICS WILL BECOME MORE MAINSTREAM.
“Robots can be very efficient. The problem is the bandwidth they consume, especially in remote locations,” he said.

AUTOMATION WILL BE USED THROUGHOUT THE INDUSTRY

“Technologies like self-check-out and Amazon’s Just Walk Out can boost efficiency and improve guest satisfaction, and these solutions will continue to proliferate.”

ROGER’S BEST:

  • Family: Married with two adult children and a dog.
  • Hobbies: Cooking, barbequing and do-it-yourself projects. “I recently built a workbench for my son’s new home.”
  • Go-To Periodical or Website: Gizmodo, a design, technology, science and science fiction website. “It covers a wide range of topics and is a fun read.”
  • Book: The Five Levels of Leadership by John C. Maxwell. “It’s both educational and humbling and is a great resource for individuals and organizations.”
  • Music: Classic rock. “A favorite group is Van Halen.”
  • Travel Destination: U.S. national and state parks. “Some of the most beautiful places on earth are in our own back yard.”
  • Advice to Young People: “Don’t be afraid to take chances. Not much happens when you stay with the status quo.”
  • Dinner With: Jesus Christ. “No other figure in recorded history has more documented about their life on this planet.”

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