Bridging the Gap Between Operations, Innovation: Jennifer Karpinsky, QSR Automations
Jennifer Karpinsky, Vice President of Business Development, QSR Automations was presented with the Top Women in Restaurant Technology Lifetime Achievement Award at MURTEC 2025 Experience Matters on March 11 in Las Vegas.
Jennifer Karpinsky, Vice President of Business Development, QSR Automations was presented with the Top Women in Restaurant Technology Lifetime Achievement Award at MURTEC 2025 Experience Matters.
Karpinsky has a deep connection to the restaurant industry. “I’ve always loved the restaurant industry—especially the people behind it,” she says.
Creating High-Performing Teams
Early in her career, she focused on training and operations, helping teams improve efficiency and deliver great guest experiences. At Bonefish Grill she served as National Service & Beverage Director of Training, Manager of Training Implementation, and, later, Director of Training. She was instrumental in developing and implementing innovative training and leadership development programs across 200+ restaurants nationwide. Her efforts included launching certified training programs, managing new product testing, and building award recognition systems for training teams—efforts that resulted in consistent onboarding, stronger leadership pipelines, and improved employee retention.
Karpinsky also led a team of 40+ regional training directors, oversaw software training for all restaurants, and spearheaded the development of blended learning courses for service staff. Her work elevated guest satisfaction, strengthened compliance with training processes, and helped coordinate the opening of more than 50 new restaurants.
As technology started playing a bigger role, she saw firsthand how the right tools could make life easier for restaurant teams. “That’s what drew me to restaurant technology—being able to help operators and their teams work smarter, not harder,” she said.
More than eight years ago she joined the team at QSR Automations. “Joining QSR Automations gave me the opportunity to combine my background in training and operations with solutions that truly make a difference.”
Since then, Karpinsky and her team have brought on an additional 44 POS integrations, effectively doubling QSR Automations’ POS integration portfolio.
In 2024 alone, Karpinsky assisted in bringing on two new strategic channel partners, seven new integration partners, six domestic channel partners, and five international channel partners.
“Jennifer’s dedication to expanding QSR Automations’ network and increasing the solutions that integrate with ConnectSmart® cannot be understated,” one colleagues shared. “She has helped onboard Curbit, FlyBuy, and Smart Bar USA in the last few years.”
A Passion for Practical Solutions
Karpinsky remains passionate about “technology that solves real problems for restaurant teams,” she says. “Whether it’s streamlining kitchen operations, improving communication between front- and back-of-house, or making the guest experience smoother, I love solutions that take the pressure off operators and staff. It’s not just about making things faster—it’s about creating better, more sustainable ways for restaurants to operate while keeping hospitality at the heart of it all.”
Paying it Forward
For Karpinsky, mentorship has been a cornerstone in her career. “I’ve been lucky to have incredible mentors who challenged me, helped me see new opportunities, and pushed me to grow. Now, I try to do the same for others—helping people navigate their careers, develop leadership skills, and build confidence. Seeing someone I’ve mentored succeed is one of the most rewarding parts of my job,” she says.
Smarter Automation Ahead
Looking ahead, Karpinsky is excited about how automation is evolving to support restaurant teams, not to replace team members. “AI and data-driven insights are getting more sophisticated, helping operators make smarter decisions while reducing stress on their teams. I also think we’ll see more seamless integrations between different technologies, making restaurant operations smoother from end to end. The future of restaurant tech isn’t just about speed—it’s about making life easier for operators, staff and guests.”
Looking back on her career to date, Karpinsky is most proud of the work she’s done in training and development. “Helping restaurant teams feel more confident and capable has always been important to me and seeing that translate into better operations and guest experiences is overwhelmingly fulfilling,” she says. “Training, development and working in operations reinforced by ability to adapt, grow and contribute in a new capacity, which has been incredibly rewarding.
“At QSR Automations, I love that I get to be part of a team that helps restaurants solve real challenges with technology. Being able to bridge the gap between operations and innovation is something I take a lot of pride in.”
The Top Women in Restaurant Technology Awards and Rising Star Awards, sponsored by Milagro, were presented at MURTEC on March 11. Nominations for the 2026 Top Women in Restaurant Technology and the Rising Star in Restaurant Technology will open December 1.