9.23.2025
The quick-service and fast-casual restaurant landscape is in the midst of a digital transformation. Cloud-based POS systems, next-gen loyalty programs, and tighter integrations with delivery providers are table stakes for competing in an era where convenience and consistency drive guest loyalty. For multi-brand operators, the stakes are even higher: technology has to scale across concepts without losing the individual character that defines each brand.
That challenge sits squarely on the desk of Jimmy Dang, Senior Vice President of IT at Sun Holdings, which operates more than 1,000 locations across Taco Bueno, Arby’s, Burger King, Popeyes and other well-known brands. With a career that started in the trenches of POS and back-office systems, Dang has built a reputation for translating technical complexity into real-world impact at the store level. Today, he’s guiding Sun Holdings through one of its most ambitious digital overhauls yet, beginning with a full technology refresh at Taco Bueno.
In this Spotlight Interview, Dang explains how Sun Holdings balances standardization with brand individuality, what it takes to unify data streams into a single source of truth and why successful change management often comes down to empowering managers and crew with tools they can trust.
Can you share a bit about your professional background and what led you to your current role as Senior Vice President of IT at Sun Holdings?
I began my career working hands-on with POS and back-office systems, where I learned how even small technical changes could have a big impact in a busy restaurant. Over time, I moved into leadership roles guiding larger programs, from infrastructure upgrades to systemwide rollouts.
At Sun Holdings, I’ve had the opportunity to lead technology initiatives across different brands, including Taco Bueno. Those experiences taught me how to balance the needs of the business with the day-to-day realities inside the restaurant.
Sun Holdings operates a wide-ranging portfolio across QSR and fast casual. How do you balance common technology standards with the need for brand-specific solutions?
We know that not every brand operates the same way, so the goal is to set core standards that create consistency where it matters most, like POS and infrastructure. From there, we leave room for each brand to use the tools that best suit its guests, such as loyalty or digital ordering. For example, customers expect a different experience from Taco Bueno versus an Arby’s.
This approach gives us efficiency in training and support while still protecting each brand’s identity. It’s what allows us to scale while making sure the technology feels authentic to the concept.
Taco Bueno recently selected PAR Technology as its unified technology partner. What challenges were you looking to solve with this decision and how is the transition going so far? Which factors were most important in choosing a single technology partner and what tipped the balance in PAR’s favor?
Our POS was well past its prime, and we needed a solution that could handle integrations and support our growth. We went through an RFP and reviewed several providers, but PAR stood out because their platform connects cleanly with partners we already rely on. The rollout is moving quickly, and our goal is to have every store live before the holidays this winter.
PAR brought not only enterprise-grade technology, but also a team and a vision for the future. For us, the combination of reliable tools and long-term support gives Taco Bueno the foundation we need to scale confidently.
How are you approaching the challenge of unifying data streams from POS, delivery marketplaces, loyalty platforms and labor systems into a reliable source of truth?
Our priority is to bring all of that information together so managers can actually use the data and information to make more well informed, strategic decisions. With PAR at the center, we can tie in delivery data, loyalty tools, and labor reporting without having to piece it together manually. As a result, managers can focus on daily operations. It also gives someone like a general manager a clear picture of what’s happening in real time across every location.
For operators, the benefit is speed. Instead of waiting for reconciled reports, they can act on accurate information right away, whether that means adjusting staffing based on traffic or setting a promotion based on goods expiring soon.
Loyalty programs are evolving quickly. What is your vision for next-generation loyalty at Taco Bueno and across the Sun Holdings portfolio?
We see loyalty as an extension of the guest experience, not just a discount program. With our current provider, we’re building something that feels more personal by recognizing how guests interact with Taco Bueno and rewarding them in ways that matter. That could mean special offers like early access to new menu items.
The value goes beyond recognition. A stronger loyalty program gives us insights that help us shape promotions and run operations more effectively. When the program reflects what guests actually want, it supports repeat visits and helps us deliver consistency across every location.
How do you approach the challenges of integrating with third-party delivery providers while maintaining menu accuracy, pricing consistency, and customer trust?
Delivery is a major part of how guests experience Taco Bueno, so accuracy has to be guaranteed. By connecting PAR’s solution to our existing platforms, we can keep menus and pricing aligned across platforms like DoorDash. That reduces errors and ensures guests get exactly what they expect when ordering through a third-party.
We also stay close to guest feedback. If something isn’t right, we work to fix it quickly. Strong integrations between our tech vendors, supported by active monitoring, allow us to protect consistency and maintain trust no matter how guests choose to order.
How are you upgrading your restaurant network infrastructure to support cloud POS, AI applications, and reliable connectivity across so many locations?
Network reliability has to come first, because without it the rest of the technology doesn’t matter. We’re working to upgrade connectivity at every store so cloud-based systems like PAR POS run quickly and consistently. Managers and crew should always be able to trust that transactions will be fast and stable, even during the busiest shifts.
We’re also thinking ahead. As we evaluate AI and other advanced tools, the network foundation has to be ready before those capabilities are introduced. Building that groundwork now gives us flexibility to add new applications when they pack the most punch for the employee and guest experience.
How do you test new technologies before rolling them out systemwide and what criteria do you use to decide whether to scale?
We always start with a small group of stores. Testing in real operating conditions gives us better insight than any demo can. Managers and crew share what works and what doesn’t, and that feedback shapes how we move forward.
When deciding whether to scale, the questions are straightforward. Does it make the team’s job easier? Does it improve the guest experience? Can it perform consistently across every location? If the answer is yes, then it’s worth expanding.
What have been the biggest lessons in change management when introducing new digital tools to restaurant managers and crew members?
Technology only works if people feel supported while using it. Managers and crew need training that’s clear and tools that fit naturally into a busy shift. When the experience is simple and useful, adoption happens much faster.
Rolling out PAR across Taco Bueno has reinforced this. By reducing downtime, simplifying training and creating consistency across every store, we make it easier for teams to focus on guests. That support builds confidence and helps change take hold.
Looking ahead over the next 12 to 18 months, what single capability or innovation would unlock the most value for Taco Bueno and Sun Holdings?
Our priority is completing the rollout of PAR across all 140 Taco Bueno locations by the winter holiday season. Once every store is on the same platform, we gain consistency in how we train, operate, and serve guests. It also eliminates the limits of our old system to clear the path for growth.
With that foundation in place, we’ll be ready to move faster on what comes next. That includes strengthening loyalty and testing new applications like AI when they make sense for the brands we manage. The real value comes from knowing the technology is stable and built to support our future.
