- Savneet Singh, President and CEO of PAR Technology, transformed the company from the brink of bankruptcy in 2018 to a $2 billion success story, leading its revival in the restaurant tech space.
- Savneet’s leadership drove PAR’s rapid growth, with software revenues soaring from $10 million to over $200 million by focusing on culture—speed, ownership, focus, and winning together.
- PAR Technology helps over 100,000 restaurants thrive in the fast-changing digital world by blending innovative tech with a human touch.
“When everything’s on the line, you don’t wait for things to happen—you make them happen.”
That’s the mindset Savneet Singh brings to the table as President and CEO of PAR Technology. When he stepped in, PAR was weeks away from bankruptcy.
Fast forward a few years, and the company has made an incredible turnaround, becoming a billion-dollar leader in restaurant technology. It wasn’t luck, but rather a culture built around speed, ownership, and a shared sense of purpose that fueled this revival.
Savneet’s journey is full of unexpected turns—he didn’t start in tech. In fact, he once thought he’d make a career out of playing tennis. When that dream didn’t work out, he shifted gears and found himself drawn to the world of finance and entrepreneurship. What he learned from those experiences has shaped the way he leads PAR today, with a focus on pushing boundaries and embracing the grit required to rebuild a business from the ground up.
In the following story, you’ll get a peek into how Savneet has steered PAR through its most challenging times, why he thinks technology is the key to helping restaurants thrive in today’s world, and how he keeps both his team and himself motivated to take on what’s next. The road to success is never straightforward, and Savneet’s story is proof that sometimes the most rewarding paths are the ones you didn’t plan.
MR: Savneet, could you share more about what led you to entrepreneurship?
Savneet: I grew up in Upstate NY, and for a long time, I thought I’d become a professional tennis player. When that didn’t pan out, I ended up at Cornell for my undergrad. To pay for school, I started trading sports cards, and along the way, I discovered Warren Buffett’s investment philosophy, which sparked my interest in finance. After a few years working in finance, I realized entrepreneurship was my true passion.
Since then, I’ve either started new ventures or taken on struggling businesses to turn them around. Entrepreneurship, for me, is about innovation and rebuilding—finding ways to make things work, even when it seems impossible.
MR: PAR Technology has an interesting history. Can you share some of the key milestones and turning points that have led the company to its current success?
Savneet: Absolutely. PAR Technology has a unique story. We started as a defense contractor but shifted gears in the late 1970s when the founders created the first Point-of-Sale (POS) device. McDonald’s adopted the technology, and we went public in the 1980s.
Unfortunately, we hit a rough patch after that, with a period of stagnation lasting almost 30 years. But things turned around dramatically in recent years. Just a few years ago, we were on the brink of bankruptcy. Today, we’re a $2 billion company growing rapidly while delivering strong returns for investors. Our software revenues have increased from less than $10 million to over $200 million, and most importantly, our employee Net Promoter Score (NPS) is near its all-time high.
What made the difference? It wasn’t just our strategy or technology. It was our culture. Our mission is simple: to enable personalized experiences that connect people to the brands, meals, and moments they love. We live by four core values: Speed, Ownership, Focus, and Winning Together. These values have been instrumental in our comeback.
MR: Today, the restaurant industry is managing a combination of dine-in service, online orders, and a growing pile of technology. How can technology help restaurants navigate this complex landscape and deliver a great guest experience?
Savneet Singh: That’s a great question. Restaurants are definitely in a tough spot. They need to keep offering a fantastic in-person dining experience while simultaneously figuring out how to be an Amazon for takeout and delivery.
The problem is that many restaurants are operating in the same way they have for years. Imagine Amazon trying to run a five-star restaurant in the back of their warehouse! It just wouldn’t work.
Things have gotten even more complex with the explosion of software solutions. The average restaurant uses 15-25 different programs now, and that number is only going up. Now, imagine being the CIO of a restaurant chain, juggling 25 different software platforms to create a seamless guest experience. It’s almost impossible to get everything right, and when something goes wrong, it often turns into a blame game.
What restaurants need is a unified approach, one that simplifies operations while enhancing the guest experience. The only way to achieve that is through technology—technology that brings in digital orders as customers shift toward new and creative ways to interact with restaurants. At the same time, you need technology within the restaurant to streamline and automate processes so that front-line staff can focus on delivering exceptional service.
It’s a tricky balance, but technology can solve this. The key is to find solutions that enhance, not disrupt, the customer’s experience with the brand. The tech should be invisible, working seamlessly in the background to deliver on the restaurant’s promise.
MR: Tell us more about your core offerings. What are their key features and applications, and how do they address these challenges?
Savneet: Our offerings fall into two main categories. The first bucket includes solutions for the restaurant operators—things like point-of-sale systems, back-office software, and payments. These tools help restaurants manage their day-to-day operations and streamline the internal processes we talked about earlier.
The second bucket focuses on guest engagement, where we provide solutions like loyalty software and online ordering platforms. These tools help restaurants not only attract but also retain customers by creating a seamless experience, whether someone’s dining in or ordering through their phone.
By addressing both the operational and customer-facing challenges, we help restaurants thrive in this increasingly complex environment.
MR: How does your approach to hiring reflect your company’s values and long-term vision?
Savneet: We hire for culture and aptitude, not experts. We’re looking for ambitious individuals who are committed to building something significant, with the discipline to understand that reaching the top requires hard work.
While expertise is helpful, we seek those who are self-motivated, aligned with our vision, and capable of working independently. We struggle with people who need constant guidance; instead, we thrive with those who take ownership and find ways to accomplish what seems impossible. I’m continually inspired by many of our team members who embody this mindset.
MR: You’ve mentioned that business is fundamentally about solving people’s problems. Could you elaborate on how this philosophy shapes your leadership?
Savneet: I firmly believe that every business problem is, at its core, a people problem. If you can address the human element, you’ll likely solve the business issue. In my nearly 20-year career, I’ve experienced highs and lows—going from success to near bankruptcy, losing a parent, and dealing with health crises.
The key to getting through it all is recognizing that they will never stop. The real challenge is developing the mental strength to deal with problems rationally, and understanding that today’s issue doesn’t define your future. That’s the mindset that leads to success.
MR: In today’s fast-evolving restaurant industry, what innovations are you most excited about?
Savneet: We’re focused on helping restaurants not just survive but thrive in the digital era. Right now, that means delivering moments of surprise and delight to our customers while staying open to innovative ideas for the future.
One area we’re really fascinated by is the data coming out of restaurants. We’re working on packaging that data into a platform and applying some of the new AI tools that have emerged. I believe mastering data will be key for the future of the industry.
MR: How do you maintain a healthy work-life balance, especially with such a demanding role?
Savneet: I think achieving a perfect work-life balance is impossible. Some weeks, there’s no balance at all, and other weeks, I might have more time for myself. For me, it’s not about striking a balance but about feeling like I’m thriving at work and home. To do that, I focus on the things that matter and prioritize them.
Just as I’m dedicated to our employees and customers, I make sure to spend quality time with my wife, children, and family. I leave little room for anything else, because, in the end, I’d rather have a close family and a few great friends than hundreds of casual acquaintances.
MR: What advice would you give to young entrepreneurs looking to make their mark?
Savneet: Read Teddy Roosevelt’s quote “The Man in the Arena” and live by it. Life is incredibly short, and if you don’t step up, take risks, and dive into the arena, you’ll end up wondering “what if” on your deathbed. Don’t succumb to external expectations or social pressures—follow your own path, trust your instincts, and take that leap.
Quote
“Life is so damn short, and if you don’t raise your hand, jump in the arena, and take that risk, you’ll be sitting on your deathbed wondering—What if?”
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