Fixing the Most Awkward Moment in Dining

Shawn Walchef sits down with Christine de Wendel, Co-Founder & CEO US of sunday, to explore why payment is one of the most overlooked moments in hospitality. Christine shares how the frustration of settling a check inspired sunday’s creation during COVID and how a simple QR-based payment experience evolved into a powerful tool for guest engagement and insight. The conversation touches on table turns, tipping, Google reviews, point of sale integrations, and the differences between European and US dining culture. At its core, the discussion is about removing friction, designing technology that fades into the background, and using digital tools to make restaurants feel more human.

Interview Takeaways:

• Lived Experience Shaping Better Hospitality – Christine de Wendel’s perspective on hospitality comes from working alongside restaurant operators during moments of peak pressure, especially during COVID. Seeing how a simple act like paying the check could disrupt an otherwise great meal shaped her belief that technology should protect the guest experience, not interrupt it. sunday was built around the idea that hospitality moments matter most at the edges of a meal, not just during service.
• Payment as a Guest Experience, Not a Transaction – sunday reframes payment from an operational afterthought into a core part of hospitality. By allowing guests to pay quickly, securely, and on their own terms, the platform removes waiting, awkward interruptions, and friction at the table. That simplicity improves table turns, increases tips, and creates a smoother flow for both guests and staff without changing how restaurants deliver service.
• Data That Strengthens Human Connection – By owning the payment moment, sunday gives restaurants insight they rarely had before, especially in full service environments without reservations. Guest data, Google reviews, and engagement signals are captured at the moment satisfaction is highest. Instead of replacing human connection, that data helps operators recognize regulars, improve performance, and design experiences that keep guests coming back.

Episode Links:

• Christine de Wendel LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christine-de-wendel
• Sunday app: https://sundayapp.com/
• Sunday LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sundaytech/
• Big Momma Restaurant Group: https://www.bigmammagroup.com/
• Big Momma IG: https://www.instagram.com/bigmamma.uk/

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