texas border operations
Written by Roberto Hugo Gonzalez / Texas Border Business
FALL, Texas — The Far Economic Development Corporation (Far EDC), in partnership with the UTRGV Entrepreneurship and Commercialization Center (ECC) and Bob Lozano of Restro Tech, launched the Trade & Technology Initiative during the Technology & Trade Sessions held at the Far Global Business Hub on June 22, 2026.
The event brought together executives, entrepreneurs, restaurateurs, logistics experts, and community leaders to discuss artificial intelligence, automation, and emerging technologies in the restaurant industry. The program included roundtable presentations by F&P Group and Restro Tech.
In an interview at the event, F&P Group CEO Bob Lozano talked about how his company uses artificial intelligence in its operations. Lozano said F&P Group operates Dairy Queen, Schlotzsky and Cinnabon stores and owns and operates more than 50 restaurants.
“I think today will be primarily a technology conference,” Lozano said. “So we started something called restauranttech, where we explore all aspects of restaurant technology and also build products with AI to help manage companies.”
Lozano said his company uses technology to improve efficiency and support business operations. “We’re just one operator trying to do a good job, but we own and operate over 50 restaurants and we’re just trying to find a better way to do it,” he said. “Today, we’ll be able to share how we’re doing that and encourage people to use more technology in their businesses.”
When asked how artificial intelligence can benefit companies with multiple locations, Lozano said the technology can support employees and improve productivity. “AI is a great way to empower employees,” he said. He gave examples ranging from communication tasks to data management, saying that AI can cut down on processes that previously took hours to complete.
“We’re looking at things in different aspects of our business right now. What used to take hours is actually down to minutes, seconds,” Lozano said. He added: “It is so powerful that users need to verify the results and apply the technology responsibly.”
Lozano said artificial intelligence will perform better as it has access to more information and is developed for a specific purpose. “The information and data you give, the AI, is going to react to you differently,” he said. “The more data the AI has, the better it works and the more it is built for specific tasks.”
He also said that artificial intelligence tools are becoming increasingly accessible to businesses of all sizes. “I think what people don’t fully understand is that AI is available to everyone,” Lozano says. He explained that businesses can start using AI tools without necessarily purchasing specialized products and can apply them to existing business functions.
Mr. Lozano spoke about the future of technology and emphasized the importance of responsible use. “Simplify it, use it for what you do every day, and learn how to do what you’re already doing better,” he said.
Victor Perez, president and CEO of Farr Economic Development Corporation, said the Trade & Tech initiative aims to connect companies with resources, industry expertise and practical examples of how technology can support growth and competitiveness.
Lozano encouraged business owners to learn more about AI applications through Restro Tech, which shares information about how technology is used in areas such as accounting, financial management, and sales reporting. “If you understand your business and know what you’re doing, you’ll only perform better,” he said.
The June 22 session marked the launch of Pharr EDC’s Trade & Tech initiative, which aims to connect businesses with information, resources, and discussions focused on the use of technology across multiple industries.
See related articles:
