Unmistakable Recognition: That's What I Call Instant Identification
In a modern twist, the expression "I know it when I see it" was resurrected during a recent event at the National Restaurant Association Show in Chicago. The phrase was initially coined by U.S. Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart in 1964, during the case Jacobellis v. Ohio, to describe his difficulty in defining hard-core pornography or what is "obscenity." While the statement underscored the challenge the Court faced in defining obscenity, it is not, in fact, a legal standard for determining obscene material.
Fast forward to 2025, the phrase was referenced by a representative from Branded in response to a question about how the company could prove helpful to a large company operating in the restaurant industry. The statement reflects the intuitive and often ineffable nature of true insight, which is difficult to codify but can be recognized through experience, pattern recognition, judgment, and, as the speaker's father would say, common sense.
Branded, an operator-centric investment and solutions platform, is exclusively focused on the hospitality and foodservice industry. The company prides itself on working with tech, supply, and service providers who are on the side of helping operators win. Among Branded's friends and collaborators is Danny Klein, the Editorial Director at QSR and FSR, who observed the company's commitment to logical tech, rather than theoretical tech, during his visit at the National Restaurant Show in 2025.
Indeed, every industry has its own workflow, processes, and operations, as well as its unique ecosystem of people and dynamics. The hospitality and foodservice industry, in particular, is full of tourists, who often lack the understanding of the industry's workings. Despite this, Branded believes that technology and innovation must address the challenges and opportunities that are most important to operators, which can only be understood by fully engaging and listening to the operators themselves.
In conclusion, the phrase "I know it when I see it" encapsulates the intuitive and subjective nature of true insight, a trait shared by Branded as they strive to help their partners navigate emerging restaurants and technologies to achieve success in the industry they love.
- Branded's podcast, specifically focused on the hospitality and foodservice industry, offers listeners insights into leadership strategies, lifestyle management, education-and-self-development, entertainment, and general-news, helping portfolio companies make informed decisions for their growth.
- By fostering strategic relationships with tech, supply, and service providers that cater to the unique needs of operators, Branded elevates their portfolio companies, helping them lead in the competitive lifestyle segment of the foodservice industry.
- In their commitment to empower operators in the hospitality and foodservice industry, Branded balances the provision of technology solutions with a deep understanding of their needs, bridging the gap between innovation and practical, real-world applications, much like a seasoned leader who shapes both their personal lifestyle and portfolio companies' overall vision.
