J Goldin isn’t your typical tech guy. As Systems Director at Riot Hospitality Group, he plays a key role in how the company delivers memorable experiences across a growing portfolio of nightlife venues. Behind the scenes, Goldin is focused on one thing: making sure the systems run smoothly and the details are handled.
“If it plugs into a wall for power, gas, or internet, it falls under my umbrella,” he says.
Managing Tip Payouts
He first came on board through his work in audio design, helping shape the energy and sound of the spaces. Over time, his responsibilities expanded to include everything from IT to business systems and infrastructure. As the company grew, so did the need for better tools to keep operations tight. One of the biggest challenges was managing tip payouts, which were often complex, time-consuming, and handled manually.
Enter Kickfin. “Kickfin became part of the operation around 2020,” Goldin said. “Initially, it was about getting away from cash. We didn’t want staff leaving late at night with large amounts of money, and there were compliance concerns as well.” At the time, Riot was still calculating tips manually in spreadsheets and using Kickfin strictly for digital payouts. As the business grew, the need for a more automated solution became clear. When it came time to find a better system, Goldin and his team knew they couldn’t go back to spreadsheets. That’s when Kickfin introduced a new tip calculator, built to handle the complexity of Riot’s unique tipping structure.
90 Day Promise
Facing what he called “an existential crisis,” Goldin turned back to Kickfin—and the timing couldn’t have been better. Kickfin led by CEO Justin Roberts, committed to building the functionality Riot needed within 90 days.
“They hit it in 83,” Goldin says. “And not just barely, they nailed it.”
Kickfin’s new calculator was built with the flexibility to handle Riot’s uniquely complex tipping models. Every detail, from roles to rule exceptions, was accounted for. “Kevin, one of their lead engineers, now knows our tip structure better than anyone outside our company,” Goldin jokes. “And that’s not an exaggeration.”
The Impact
The impact was immediate. Tip payouts that once took up to 90 minutes now take less than five. Managers get time back, labor is streamlined, and trust across the team is higher than ever. “It’s hard to quantify the cultural lift you get when tech actually makes your life easier—but it’s real,” Goldin says.
More than the product, it’s the partnership that impressed him most. “With Kickfin, it’s not just that the tech works—it’s that the people show up. Every promise they made, they delivered.”
More Time With Guests, Fewer Headaches
For an industry where energy is fast and stakes are high, reliability is everything. And as Riot opens new venues, Kickfin remains central to Goldin’s strategy.
“If I could have every partner in my tech stack be as responsive and dialed-in as Kickfin, I’d be in an incredible place,” he says.
Asked what drives him to keep improving the back end of an industry built on front-facing experiences, Goldin keeps it simple: “Technology should give our operators more time on the floor, more time with guests, and fewer headaches. That’s the whole point.”
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