Wichita, Kan. – (May 5, 2025) – High Touch Technologies is excited to announce Tara Shaffer as its Vice President of Restaurant Technology Solutions. She previously served as the Vice President of Marketing & Communications at High Touch where she led the company’s award-winning rebrand and helped unify multiple business lines under one cohesive voice. In her new role, Shaffer will serve as the leader of Nigel, the company’s restaurant point-of-sale and enterprise management platform.
“After spending over 20 years of my career in Marketing and Communications, I was intrigued by the opportunity to do something new while remaining at High Touch,” said Shaffer. “I had been involved with Nigel already from the marketing side, including helping name and brand the platform several years ago. Taking more ownership and getting to shepherd the product into a new phase of growth was a very exciting prospect.”
A Vision For The Future
Shaffer’s marketing, business, and technology leadership uniquely positions her to elevate all aspects of Nigel, from product development and partnerships to sales, support, and go-to-market execution. As Nigel publicly launches into the market, near term goals revolve around growth and introducing the world to Nigel and it’s “operator first” mentality. Guided by a mentor-driven approach and creative mindset, Shaffer has already begun to work hand-in-hand with Nigel’s current restaurant partners to ensure the product is developed alongside industry experts.
“Great restaurants not only have great food, they have great service and great people” said Shaffer. “I think that’s one of the many reasons Nigel will resonate with the marketplace; we have a great product, but also incredible support, and a team who cares about the restaurant industry and the people working in it. Things change quickly in the restaurant industry and I aim for us to stay nimble. Nigel will be a partner who listens to our restaurants and lets their actual need light the way.”
About Nigel
Nigel is a modern, restaurant technology system featuring an integrated point-of-sale platform, kitchen display system, and enterprise management portal. It is the brainchild of two hard-working Midwest industry leaders, High Touch Technologies and Thrive Restaurant Group. With their combined 85 years of restaurant management and technology knowledge, they engineered Nigel to cater to the needs and profit margins of restaurants. Nigel currently operates in restaurants across nine U.S. states. Current clients include Famous Dave’s, HomeGrown, Carlos O’Kelly’s, and Elks Lodge.
Get to Know Tara
What is your favorite memory from/involving a restaurant?
Every year my Great Aunt and I celebrate our birthdays together with family at a hibachi restaurant. Our birthdays are only five days apart and the tradition dates back to my childhood.
If you could only eat cuisine from one part of the world for the rest of your life, which region would you chose?
I couldn’t go without steak and potatoes or biscuits and gravy… so American comfort food is #1. Mexican food is a close second.
What do restaurants mean to you?
Restaurants have always been a place to gather with people I care about. Family nights out, brunch with friends, date nights, some of the best times in life seem to involve food and hospitality. Some of those moments are loud, some are quiet, and some happen once in a blue moon and others each week. I think there is no more consistent avenue to enjoy time with the ones we love than over food.
What are your favorite hobbies?
I’m a big fan of musical theatre, so I love seeing musicals. I also perform locally on occasion. I enjoy reading, especially when I can be outside in the sun.
