Craftable Announces New CEO and Strategic Leadership Expansion

David Cantu, Former CEO of Black Box Intelligence, Joins as CEO as Co-founder Samuel Zats Shifts Focus to Strategic Initiatives as Executive Chairman

DALLAS, Aug. 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Craftable, a leading hospitality technology platform, is proud to announce the appointment of David Cantu as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Cantu brings over 20 years of experience in hospitality and technology. Most recently, he served as CEO of Black Box Intelligence and co-founded HotSchedules, where he served as Chief Customer Officer (CCO). In his 21 years at HotSchedules, he played a pivotal role in driving growth and innovation, establishing the company as a leader in labor management solutions. With his deep expertise in hospitality technology and scaling businesses, Cantu is uniquely positioned to lead Craftable through its next phase of growth.

Samuel Zats, Craftable's co-founder and CEO, is stepping into a new role, focused on driving technology transformation and strategic innovation within the hospitality industry. Over the past decade, Sam has led Craftable's growth, partnering with industry pioneers and pushing the boundaries of what's possible in hospitality. In his new role, Sam will concentrate on expanding Craftable's AI capabilities, accelerating innovation, and shaping the future of the industry.

"This leadership extension is a purposeful expansion of Craftable's leadership team," said Sam Zats, Co-founder and outgoing CEO. "By bringing David on board, we are leveraging his extensive experience in scaling restaurant technology companies to deliver impact on the innovation already begun. Together, David and I are excited to forge a partnership that drives exponential growth and strengthens Craftable's position in the market. My focus will remain on advancing our impact – from markets to technological capabilities, particularly in AI, where we have an unparalleled opportunity to deliver transformative solutions that will shape the future generation of hospitality."

The leadership shift will also coincide with the unveiling of a new brand identity for Craftable. The refreshed brand embodies Craftable's commitment to innovation, curiosity, and a grounded, value-centric approach to helping hospitality operators optimize their profitability. As a company driven by both visionary thinking and care for its customers, Craftable is positioned to empower operators with smarter, AI-powered tools that drive better decisions and more efficient operations.

"As someone who's spent my career in the trenches of hospitality—from Outback Steakhouse to P.F. Chang's—I've seen firsthand the challenges operators face and the profound impact that technology can have in turning those challenges into opportunities," said David Cantu. "What impresses me most about Craftable is the incredible team and the work already done to transform stressful operations into seamless experiences. This is exactly what the industry needs, and I'm excited to partner with Sam and the entire team to take this to the next level. Together, we'll continue building on Craftable's mission to help hospitality businesses focus on their craft and create the memorable moments that keep guests coming back."

As Craftable continues its journey, the company remains focused on its mission to simplify restaurant & hotel operations and empower operators with the tools they need to thrive. With David's leadership and Sam's strategic vision, Craftable is poised to redefine the future of hospitality technology, creating lasting value for both customers and the industry.

About Craftable

Craftable is the leading cloud-based hospitality management solution for hotels, restaurants, resorts, bars, and casinos. Designed to streamline processes and drive maximum profitability, Craftable seamlessly connects purchasing, finance, and operations through AI-powered automation and integrated systems, delivering real-time insights for better decision making.

Founded in 2015 and headquartered in Dallas, Craftable has over 60 live POS integrations, 5,000 supplier connections, and serves more than 80,000 operators. The platform processes billions in annual transaction volume while helping customers save over $2 billion annually. Craftable partners with prominent hospitality leaders including Pyramid Global Hospitality, José Andrés Group, Marriott International, The Dinex Group, and Sage Hospitality. Discover how Craftable is transforming hospitality management at craftable.com.

SOURCE Craftable