MarginEdge

Running a restaurant can feel like a nonstop juggling act.

But what if you had a digital partner taking the paperwork off your plate? 

Meet MarginEdge, the restaurant management platform bringing automation and real-time data to simplify back-of-house operations. In this episode, Jena Dunay talks with Roy Phillips, Co-Founder of MarginEdge, as they dig into the startup’s origin story, culture rooted in hospitality, and vision to make running a restaurant more enjoyable and efficient.

What you’ll learn:

• How MarginEdge solves real restaurant challenges with software automation
• The founding story born from firsthand experience in hospitality
• Building a culture of transparency, ownership, and teamwork
• What Roy looks for in candidates : attitude matters most
• Growth goals and how they keep a connected remote-friendly team energized

MarginEdge highlights:

Founded: 2015, after a chance meeting over coffee
Team Size: 283 employees based across the U.S.
HQ: Arlington, Virginia
Work Model: Remote-friendly with regular in-person gatherings
Culture: Hospitality-driven, transparent, and leadership-focused
Perks: Twice-weekly team lunches, lively office cafe, and company events

To learn more about MarginEdge:

• Careers Page (They're hiring!)
• Linkedin Page
• Roy's Profile

Transcript

Jena Dunay: Hello friends and welcome back to another episode of Culture Uncovered where we go behind the scenes of the coolest companies to work for. Today I have the genuine pleasure to be with Roy Phillips, co-founder of MarginEdge. It’s always a great experience to hear co-founders' stories, because it really brings the company to life. Welcome, Roy.

Roy: Thanks, Jena. Super excited to be here.

Jena Dunay: Let’s start with the basics. What is MarginEdge and what do you do?

Roy: MarginEdge is a restaurant management software focusing on back-of-the-house operations. We remove the paperwork headache from restaurants so restaurateurs can focus on food and service. Our platform handles invoice processing, vendor payment automation, inventory management, predictive ordering, budgets, and reconciliations. We streamline operations so running a restaurant is more manageable.

Jena Dunay: Owning a restaurant sounds very complicated with many moving parts, and your product helps reduce the stress, which sounds very valuable.

Roy: Absolutely. We provide real-time decision-making insights instead of restaurants looking two or three weeks behind.

Jena Dunay: What’s the founding story? How did MarginEdge start?

Roy: I was a restaurant operator with Bloomin' Brands, which includes Outback, Bonefish, Carrabba’s, Fleming's. After years in Virginia and Maryland, I met Bo Davis, our CEO, who had built a platform to automate invoice management for his restaurants. I saw we needed a new company focused there, helping restaurateurs focus on their passion for food and service, not paperwork.

Jena Dunay: So it was a problem you knew well and solved for yourself, and realized others needed it too.

Roy: Exactly. We started in 2014 and incorporated in early 2015. We’re now approaching 11 years.

Jena Dunay: How many employees?

Roy: We have 283 employees in the U.S.

Jena Dunay: Would you say hospitality experience shaped your company culture?

Roy: Definitely. We run the company like a restaurant. We surround ourselves with great people, base decisions on quality, not money. We put great care into hiring people who are the right fit for us and vice versa.

Jena Dunay: What’s that ideal person like?

Roy: Someone with the hospitality gene, someone who naturally makes a place feel welcoming and warm. Hospitality starts with people. At MarginEdge, there are no ivory towers. We’re all on the same level, kind, hardworking, and driven.

Jena Dunay: Culture seems critical. Where is your team located?

Roy: We’re based in Arlington, VA, with close to 100 people locally and the rest spread across the U.S., covering almost every state.

Jena Dunay: What about remote work policy?

Roy: Initially local, but COVID accelerated remote hiring. We adapted creatively and continue to bring people together periodically for in-person meetups and all-hands gatherings.

Jena Dunay: What unique things define your culture beyond hiring smart people?

Roy: Extreme transparency is key. Monthly all-hands calls openly discuss successes and challenges. Our CEO, Bo, models this transparency, and all departments follow. It builds trust and removes fear. 

Jena Dunay: Why is transparency challenging for companies?

Roy: Many companies are secretive. Here, if a department can’t meet a deadline, we say so upfront. That level of ownership is part of why we’ve grown well. 

Jena Dunay: You mentioned leadership over management?

Roy: Yes, we hire leaders who want ownership, not people who need to be managed.

Jena Dunay: What makes a successful leader at MarginEdge?

Roy: First, surround yourself with the right people. I use the acronym ASK: Attitude, Skill, Knowledge. Attitude weighs most. Good attitude and willingness to help make all the difference.

Jena Dunay: What do you like to do for fun?

Roy: We bring lunch for the team twice a week and have a lively Slack channel about where people eat. If someone posts a restaurant not on our platform, it’s funny how the team reacts. We have over 11,000 clients using MarginEdge, but we feel like we’re just starting.

Jena Dunay: Tell us about growth goals and hiring.

Roy: We aim to double every year, focusing on immediate and future priorities such as AI. Sales and marketing teams are growing, and so is the dev team focused on AI. 

Jena Dunay: What departments exist?

Roy: Marketing, sales, development, client success, and more. We’re always hiring. If you don’t see a role listed but want to join, reach out directly.

Jena Dunay: How can candidates stand out?

Roy: Personalized outreach works. The hiring team reviews every LinkedIn message. A strong resume and cover letter still count. Keep it concise and relevant.

Jena Dunay: Where can listeners learn more?

Roy: Check out marginedge.com or LinkedIn. Also, our podcasts offer authentic client stories about the impact we make.

Jena Dunay: Thanks for joining, Roy. Listeners, check out the show notes for links and job opportunities. Reach out if you want to be part of the team.

Roy: Thanks, Jena.