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The Pre-Shift

The Pre-Shift

Hosted by 7shifts

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Episodes

82

Latest episode

Aug 2026

Language

EN

About the show

Great teams make great restaurants. On The Pre-Shift , restaurant operators and industry experts dive into what it takes to build great restaurant teams. We explore their stories, the strategies they use, and valuable lessons on running restaurant teams. Hosted by D. J. Costantino. Presented by 7shifts.

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60 recent
August 12, 202640 min

The compliance rules that multi-units get wrong with Felice Ekelman, JD | 075

Getting workplace law advice after you get a complaint is like fixing a schedule after the shift's over. In this episode of The Pre-Shift Podcast, we sit down with Felice Ekelman, a principal at Jackson Lewis who leads the firm's restaurant industry group, to talk about the compliance mistakes that catch multi-unit operators off guard. Felice walks through why state and local rules don't travel with you from one location to the next, what "audit-proof" really looks like on paper and on the floor, and what the no-tax-on-tips provision means. Whether you're running two locations or twenty, her approach to hiring, classification, and training offers practical steps for operators looking to reduce risk as they grow.Key TakeawaysCall Early, Not After: Hear why the operators who end up needing a workplace lawyer are usually the ones who consult one before opening.Not All State Rules Are Alike: Discover why assuming your California playbook works in New York (or vice versa) is one of the most common mistakes multi-unit operators make, and why highly regulated states like California, New York, Illinois, and Massachusetts require their own separate approach to wage transparency, scheduling notice, and break penalties.What "Audit-Proof" Actually Means: Learn the checklist Felice runs with clients: an updated handbook, the right posters, compliant I-9s, matching time and pay records, and clocked meal breaks instead of automatic deductions.The Title Never Decides the Case: Understand why calling someone a manager, a sous chef, or a shift lead doesn't determine whether they belong in the tip pool or qualify for overtime exemption. What matters is what the person actually does on shift, not their title.Transparency Builds Trust in the Tip Pool: Hear why the biggest tip pool problems come from staff not understanding who's in the pool and how much they're getting, and why showing the math every shift cuts down on disputes.Training Is Where the Real Risk Sits: Discover why Felice sees management training on EEO, wage and hour rules, accommodations, and consistent discipline as one of the highest-value investments an operator can make, since most legal exposure comes from a manager's split-second call.What New Rules Require From Your Payroll Provider: Learn why tax only applies to a portion of overtime pay, and why your payroll provider needs to be told, specifically, to separate that line item since it won't happen automatically.ResourcesMore about Felice https://www.jacksonlewis.com/people/felice-b-ekelmanContact Felice at Felice.Ekelman@jacksonlewis.comChapters00:00 Meet Felice Ekelman00:55 Call Your Lawyer Early02:55 Multi-Unit State Law Traps04:27 Staying Ahead of Changes07:34 California Compliance Minefield09:22 Audit Proof Your Operation13:49 Misclassification and Accommodations16:07 Hourly vs Salary Exemptions19:16 Tip Pool Rules and 80/2023:41 Training Managers for Compliance28:20 Insurance and Prevention Mindset29:16 No Tax on Tips: What to Do33:17 Contractors and Noncompetes36:44 Top Priorities: Pay and I-9s38:31 Key TakeawaysSend us Fan Mail📲 Connect with usEmail usFollow on LinkedInMore 7shiftsSpotify | Apple Podcasts | Google PodcastsSubscribe to Food Runner, our Monthly Restaurant Newsletter7shifts on YouTubeFollow us on TikTokRead the 7shifts BlogAbout Us7shifts is a restaurant platform that helps operators and managers hire, train, schedule, pay and retain their restaurant teams. With an easy-to-use platform and industry-specific solutions, 7shifts saves time, reduces errors, and helps keep costs in check for over 55,000 restaurants.

July 8, 2026Episode 7441 min

Scaling self-pour tap walls: Inside Oak & Stone's expansion | 074

Growing from one restaurant to nine teaches you that what worked at one location might not work at another. In this episode of The Pre-Shift Podcast, we sit down with Sam Aguilar, Brand President of Oak & Stone Restaurants, to discuss what it actually takes to scale a multi-unit concept without losing your culture along the way. Sam shares how Oak & Stone built a communication system that cascades from his weekly one-on-ones all the way down to the pre-shift, plus why he tracks two labor metrics. Whether you're opening your second location or your ninth, Sam's approach to scheduling, people development, and labor productivity offers practical takeaways for restaurants looking to grow.Key TakeawaysTwo Numbers, Not One: Hear why Sam tracks checks per labor hour alongside sales per labor hour — and how rising prices can dilute what's really happening on the floor.The Hardest Jump Isn't Zero to One: Discover why going from one location to two was Sam's toughest stretch, and why the processes that worked for a single-unit operator had to be rebuilt from scratch.A Cascade That Doesn't Break: Learn how Sam's communication flows from his weekly one-on-ones down through area leads, GMs, and managers, ending in a daily pre-shift built around exactly three things.Systems Over Memory: Find out why Sam pushes leaders toward PAR-based ordering and documented standards instead of letting critical knowledge live in one person's head.The Tap Guide Role: Understand how Oak & Stone staffs and measures the person responsible for guiding guests through a 50-tap self-pour wall, and how that role became a real career path.Feedback Is a Gift, Even for Your Best People: Hear Sam's case for spending five minutes and a cup of coffee recognizing high performers, who often get overlooked simply because they're not the ones causing problems.Hiring Is Everything: Discover why Sam calls people selection the single most important decision a growing operator makes, since it creates almost every problem and solves almost every problem down the line.ResourcesConnect with Sam Aguilar on LinkedIn 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-aguilar-75b05667/Oak & Stone 🍺 https://oakandstone.com/Chapters00:00 Meet Sam Aguilar00:51 Career Path to President02:02 Oak and Stone Growth Story04:01 Hardest Jump One to Two07:51 Scheduling for New Volume09:39 Leading Multi Unit Teams10:34 Meeting Waterfall Culture14:00 Systems Not Tribal Knowledge15:54 Labor Metrics That Matter18:15 Tap Guide Self Pour Wall21:32 Scaling Past Seven Units25:45 Developing Leaders Internally31:39 Texas Expansion Playbook34:58 Franchising and Partner Fit36:18 Advice and Favorite Menu Items40:27 Key Takeaways and WrapSend us Fan Mail📲 Connect with usEmail usFollow on LinkedInMore 7shiftsSpotify | Apple Podcasts | Google PodcastsSubscribe to Food Runner, our Monthly Restaurant Newsletter7shifts on YouTubeFollow us on TikTokRead the 7shifts BlogAbout Us7shifts is a restaurant platform that helps operators and managers hire, train, schedule, pay and retain their restaurant teams. With an easy-to-use platform and industry-specific solutions, 7shifts saves time, reduces errors, and helps keep costs in check for over 55,000 restaurants.

June 3, 2026Episode 7328 min

Letting go of the day-to-day: Tom Schmidt's journey from busser to leader | 073

The Pre-Shift Podcast is back!Tom Schmidt, co-owner of Salt + Smoke BBQ, talks with host D.J. about shifting from hands-on restaurant work to leading an eight-location, 550+ employee business, a transition he says truly began around the fourth location and felt like a “phantom limb” loss of how he measured success. He explains how delegating to partners and leaders—especially co-owner Haley, a director of operations, and later hospitality, HR, finance, and catering roles—enabled growth while preserving culture and “magic,” in part by creating advancement paths for ambitious managers and chefs.Schmidt describes systematizing communication through agenda-driven meetings and cascading updates to stores, and relying on 7shifts Manager Log Books and Shift Feedback to surface real issues and protect culture. He also discusses saying no to new concepts, using forecasting and KPI-based bonuses tied to food, liquor, and labor costs, and shares the ongoing challenge of producing signature cheddar-and-bacon popovers.Key TakeawaysThe Desk Shift Nobody Talks About: Hear Tom's candid account of what it  feels like to trade the floor for a desk — why operators retreat to what they're good at, and why that instinct can stall your growth.The 4-Location Wall: Discover why the jump from one to four restaurants demands a completely different version of you as a leader.Building a Team That Outgrows You: Learn how Tom and co-owner Haley Riley turned retention risk into a growth strategy by creating new leadership roles that gave a path to their best people.Getting Out of Your Own Head: Find out how they cascade decisions from a Wednesday corporate meeting all the way to weekend front-of-house staff — and why Tom credits structured meetings (despite hating them) with keeping eight locations aligned.The Feedback Loop That Builds Trust: Hear how 7shifts' shift feedback tool gives every one of their 550 employees a direct line to the top — and why Tom refuses to filter what comes back.Telling the Story Through Briskets: Understand how Tom connects labor and food cost numbers to something tangible — like seventeen lost briskets a week — to help managers act on the data in front of them.Resources MentionedSalt + Smoke: https://www.saltandsmokebbq.com/Send us Fan Mail📲 Connect with usEmail usFollow on LinkedInMore 7shiftsSpotify | Apple Podcasts | Google PodcastsSubscribe to Food Runner, our Monthly Restaurant Newsletter7shifts on YouTubeFollow us on TikTokRead the 7shifts BlogAbout Us7shifts is a restaurant platform that helps operators and managers hire, train, schedule, pay and retain their restaurant teams. With an easy-to-use platform and industry-specific solutions, 7shifts saves time, reduces errors, and helps keep costs in check for over 55,000 restaurants.

November 5, 202524 min

The QUESO Framework: how Condado Tacos built a culture-first restaurant empire | 072

How do you grow from a single taco joint to a 50+ location brand without losing the soul of your company? For Joe Kahn and Chris Artinian of Condado Tacos, the answer is simple: QUESO. In this episode, Founder Joe Kahn and CEO Chris Artinian share the origin story of Condado Tacos, built on the principle of creating a restaurant where people would want to work forever. They detail their unique "QUESO" framework—Quality, Unique, Empowered, Service, and Opportunity—that serves as the lens for every business decision. From making tough calls on ingredient quality to fostering a pipeline of internal talent (with 66% of promotions from within), they provide a masterclass in scaling a people-first culture in the face of rapid expansion.Key TakeawaysCulture as a Foundation: Learn how Condado Tacos was founded with the mission to correct the "injustice" of the restaurant industry by creating a respectful and opportunity-rich environment.Codifying Your Values: Discover the "QUESO" (Quality, Unique, Empowered, Service, Opportunity) framework and how it provides a clear guide for decision-making across the organization.Values-Driven Decisions: Hear real-world examples of how their values led them to absorb costs rather than compromise on quality, mirroring the famous "In-N-Out" philosophy.Scaling Culture: Understand the challenges of maintaining a strong culture during rapid growth and the strategies they use, including a focus on internal promotion and robust communication.Hiring for Heart: Find out what Condado looks for in new hires, prioritizing friendliness, integrity, and a desire to make a difference above all else.Resources MentionedCondado Tacos: https://condadotacos.com/Feeding America: https://www.feedingamerica.org/Send us Fan Mail📲 Connect with usEmail usFollow on LinkedInMore 7shiftsSpotify | Apple Podcasts | Google PodcastsSubscribe to Food Runner, our Monthly Restaurant Newsletter7shifts on YouTubeFollow us on TikTokRead the 7shifts BlogAbout Us7shifts is a restaurant platform that helps operators and managers hire, train, schedule, pay and retain their restaurant teams. With an easy-to-use platform and industry-specific solutions, 7shifts saves time, reduces errors, and helps keep costs in check for over 55,000 restaurants.

October 22, 202523 min

How to get your team to actually care about the numbers with Ji Hye Kim | 071

In an industry struggling with retention and wage disparity, how can operators build a business that is both profitable and truly equitable? In this episode, we talk to Ji Hye Kim, the celebrated chef-owner of Miss Kim and a leading advocate for One Fair Wage. She shares the innovative and practical systems she uses to foster a transparent and engaged team culture. From daily "Best Next Time" conversations that empower staff voices to "Gross Games" that make open-book finance an exciting team sport, Ji Hye offers a blueprint for a new kind of restaurant management. She details the evolution of her compensation model—from no-tip to a base pay plus tip-share system—and explains how it has eliminated the front-of-house/back-of-house divide, creating a unified and motivated team.Key TakeawaysSimple Tools for Engagement: Learn about "Best Next Time," a simple post-shift framework to encourage open, constructive, and action-oriented feedback from the entire team.Making Open-Book Finance Fun: Discover how "Gross Games" transforms the abstract concept of sales numbers into a fun, daily competition that connects the team's effort directly to the restaurant's performance.A Fair Compensation Model: Ji Hye breaks down her base pay plus tip-share model, which ensures all staff earn well above minimum wage and fosters collaboration between the kitchen and dining room.Transparency Builds Trust: Understand why creating a simple, easy-to-understand pay structure is crucial for building trust and ensuring everyone feels valued.Retention Through Empowerment: Hear Ji Hye’s philosophy on retention—that creating a safe, empowering environment where personal goals are discussed is key to making restaurant jobs a viable long-term career.Resources MentionedMiss Kim Restaurant: https://www.misskimannarbor.com/Zingerman's Community of Businesses: https://www.zingermanscommunity.com/One Fair Wage: https://onefairwage.site/Send us Fan Mail📲 Connect with usEmail usFollow on LinkedInMore 7shiftsSpotify | Apple Podcasts | Google PodcastsSubscribe to Food Runner, our Monthly Restaurant Newsletter7shifts on YouTubeFollow us on TikTokRead the 7shifts BlogAbout Us7shifts is a restaurant platform that helps operators and managers hire, train, schedule, pay and retain their restaurant teams. With an easy-to-use platform and industry-specific solutions, 7shifts saves time, reduces errors, and helps keep costs in check for over 55,000 restaurants.

October 8, 202520 min

Anthony Valletta on tech, training, and tearing up the traditional pay model | 070

What if your dishwasher earned the same as your most tenured line cook? At bartaco, that’s not a hypothetical—it’s the reality. In this episode, we sit down with Anthony Valletta, President of bartaco, to discuss the innovative strategies fueling their nationwide growth. Anthony pulls back the curtain on their revolutionary compensation structure, where every hourly employee receives the same base wage and an equal share of tips, eliminating pay disparity between the front and back of house. He explains how this model has not only provided a true living wage but also fostered unprecedented teamwork and a self-managing labor force. We also dive into bartaco's philosophy on technology as a tool to enhance hospitality and their unique leadership academy that invests in developing the whole person, not just the employee.Key TakeawaysTech as an Enabler: Learn bartaco's philosophy on using technology to handle transactional tasks, giving staff more time to engage with guests and enhance the human element of hospitality.A Radical Pay Structure: Discover how bartaco implemented a system where every hourly employee—FOH and BOH—earns the exact same base wage and receives an equal percentage of tips.The Unintended Benefits of Equal Pay: Hear how the equal-pay model has led to remarkable teamwork and a culture where the team holds each other accountable, creating a self-managing labor model.Developing People, Not Just Managers: Explore the "bartaco Leadership Academy," a program that provides executive-level coaching on life skills to every salaried employee, leading to profound personal and professional growth.Career Pathing That Works: Understand their "edible carrots" approach to career development, which provides clear, accessible, and attainable steps for advancement within the company.Resources Mentionedbartaco: https://bartaco.com/Send us Fan Mail📲 Connect with usEmail usFollow on LinkedInMore 7shiftsSpotify | Apple Podcasts | Google PodcastsSubscribe to Food Runner, our Monthly Restaurant Newsletter7shifts on YouTubeFollow us on TikTokRead the 7shifts BlogAbout Us7shifts is a restaurant platform that helps operators and managers hire, train, schedule, pay and retain their restaurant teams. With an easy-to-use platform and industry-specific solutions, 7shifts saves time, reduces errors, and helps keep costs in check for over 55,000 restaurants.

September 24, 20255 min

Where are you on the restaurant tech journey? | 069

Do you ever wonder if your restaurant's technology is ahead of the curve, just keeping pace, or falling behind the competition? In a tough environment where 44% of restaurants are missing their labor targets, knowing where you stand is the first step to getting ahead.In this special solo episode, host D.J. Costantino walks you through the four distinct stages of a restaurant's digital journey: from "Analog" paper-and-pen operations to a fully "Optimized" and integrated tech stack. Discover where your restaurant fits in this framework and get a clear, practical roadmap for what comes next.In this episode, you'll discover:How to identify your restaurant's current stage of tech maturity, from Analog to Optimized.Why 44% of restaurants are missing labor targets and how real-time data can give you back control.The direct link between modern tools, a positive employee experience, and improving your team's retention rate.How automating manual tasks can free up hours of your time to work on your business, not just in it.Send us Fan Mail📲 Connect with usEmail usFollow on LinkedInMore 7shiftsSpotify | Apple Podcasts | Google PodcastsSubscribe to Food Runner, our Monthly Restaurant Newsletter7shifts on YouTubeFollow us on TikTokRead the 7shifts BlogAbout Us7shifts is a restaurant platform that helps operators and managers hire, train, schedule, pay and retain their restaurant teams. With an easy-to-use platform and industry-specific solutions, 7shifts saves time, reduces errors, and helps keep costs in check for over 55,000 restaurants.

September 10, 202529 min

The WOWorks growth playbook for repeatable systems and unified tech | 068

How do you take six distinct fast-casual brands and scale them under a single, efficient operational umbrella? In this episode, we sit down with Lauriena Borstein, Chief Operating Officer, and Kyle Mark, Chief Information Officer of WOWorks—the restaurant group behind Saladworks, Frutta Bowls, and Garbanzo, among others.They share the "One WOW Way," their philosophy for unifying operations, technology, and communication across their entire portfolio. Lauriena details how creating repeatable systems while maintaining flexibility is the key to scaling, and why franchisee profitability is their non-negotiable north star metric. Kyle explains the monumental task of consolidating disparate systems into a single tech stack and how proving the ROI—like a 30-35% increase in digital sales—is crucial for getting franchisee buy-in. This conversation is a masterclass in managing growth, the c between operations and technology, and why a strong culture is built on communication.Key takeawaysBuilding repeatable systems. Scaling any brand requires creating consistent, repeatable systems with flexibility for local execution.The "one WOW way" is A core philosophy for shared services like tech and supply chain, which creates efficiency across a multi-brand portfolio.Franchisee profitability is #1. Franchisee profitability is the primary metric for success, as no initiative is scalable if it isn't profitable.Unify your tech stack for growth. A single tech stack (POS, online ordering, loyalty) simplifies operations, reduces training, and unifies data analysis.Communicate, communicate, communicate. Build a strong culture with a consistent communication cadence, ensuring franchisees hear a unified message from all leadership.Don't be afraid to fail fast. Growth-minded operators must try new things and be willing to fail fast, dropping what doesn't work to move on quickly.ResourcesLearn more about WOWorks and their family of brands: Connect with the guests on LinkedIn:Kyle MarkLauriena BorsteinSend us Fan Mail📲 Connect with usEmail usFollow on LinkedInMore 7shiftsSpotify | Apple Podcasts | Google PodcastsSubscribe to Food Runner, our Monthly Restaurant Newsletter7shifts on YouTubeFollow us on TikTokRead the 7shifts BlogAbout Us7shifts is a restaurant platform that helps operators and managers hire, train, schedule, pay and retain their restaurant teams. With an easy-to-use platform and industry-specific solutions, 7shifts saves time, reduces errors, and helps keep costs in check for over 55,000 restaurants.

August 13, 2025Episode 6725 min

Franchising isn't an exit strategy—it's a full-time job with Shawn Saraga | 067

What does it truly take to turn a successful restaurant into a scalable franchise? In this episode, D.J. sits down with Shawn Saraga, a franchise development expert who has been involved in opening nearly 1,000 franchise locations. Shawn shares his journey from nightclub DJ to franchise guru and dives deep into the realities of restaurant expansion. He explains why franchising is not an exit strategy but an entirely new business that requires immense dedication. Listeners will learn the critical systems and benchmarks a restaurant must have in place before franchising, the "devil in the details" of standardizing your secret sauce, and, most importantly, the non-teachable personality trait to look for in a potential franchisee: persistence.Key TakeawaysProve the Model First: Before you even consider franchising, you need a replicable model. This means having at least two or three successful locations to prove the concept works beyond your direct, daily involvement.Franchising is a New Job, Not an Exit: Thinking of franchising as a way to step back is a mistake. It’s an entirely new, full-time role focused on recruiting, real estate, operations, and support. You are no longer just an operator; you are a "king maker."Systemize Your Intangibles: The "little things" that make your restaurant special—like your networking style or community involvement—must be documented and turned into a trainable system for your franchisees to follow.Location is Non-Negotiable: As Shawn says, "50 feet from great is not great." You cannot afford to compromise on real estate. Diligent, multi-day scouting and research of a location is critical before signing a long-term lease.Hire for Persistence: You can teach someone how to make your food, but you can't teach them the grit to get through the hard days. Persistence is the single most important personality trait of a successful franchisee.ResourcesThe Franchise Academy: Learn more about Shawn and his consulting services at thefranchiseacademy.ca.Upcoming Book: Keep an eye out for Shawn's book, How to Choose the Right Franchise for You, releasing in early 2026.Send us Fan Mail📲 Connect with usEmail usFollow on LinkedInMore 7shiftsSpotify | Apple Podcasts | Google PodcastsSubscribe to Food Runner, our Monthly Restaurant Newsletter7shifts on YouTubeFollow us on TikTokRead the 7shifts BlogAbout Us7shifts is a restaurant platform that helps operators and managers hire, train, schedule, pay and retain their restaurant teams. With an easy-to-use platform and industry-specific solutions, 7shifts saves time, reduces errors, and helps keep costs in check for over 55,000 restaurants.

July 23, 2025Episode 6631 min

What do restaurant investors really want? unlocking the financial trifecta with Garrett Mills | 066

What does it truly take to grow a restaurant concept from a single unit to a multi-location brand? In this episode, we're joined by Garrett Mills, Partner at Uncommon Brands, for a deep dive into the world of restaurant growth and investment. Garrett shares his unique journey and unpacks the key financial and qualitative factors his firm evaluates when partnering with emerging brands. From the importance of a strong employee culture to the challenges of letting go of control, this conversation is packed with actionable advice for any operator looking to scale their business and build a lasting brand.Key TakeawaysThe Financial Trifecta: When evaluating a business, focus on three key ratios: sales-to-investment, store-level margin, and cash-on-cash returns. Achieving strength in at least two of these areas is crucial for attracting investment and ensuring sustainable growth. Embrace the GM-Driven Model: To scale effectively, founders must transition from being hands-on in every detail to empowering their general managers. This requires building trust and creating systems that allow unit-level leaders to take ownership of their stores. Culture Drives Experience: Your employees are the ones driving the guest experience. Investing in a strong employee culture is fundamental to creating a restaurant experience that keeps customers returning. Technology Should Inform Decisions: The most valuable technology partners provide clear information that helps you make better, faster decisions, especially around food and labor costs. The goal is to get GMs out of the back office and onto the floor with guests and staff. Growth Isn't Easy: The path to scaling a restaurant is a grind. Surround yourself with experienced advisors and be prepared to overcome significant challenges along the way. ResourcesUncommon BrandsUncommon Brands on LinkedIn7shiftsSend us Fan Mail📲 Connect with usEmail usFollow on LinkedInMore 7shiftsSpotify | Apple Podcasts | Google PodcastsSubscribe to Food Runner, our Monthly Restaurant Newsletter7shifts on YouTubeFollow us on TikTokRead the 7shifts BlogAbout Us7shifts is a restaurant platform that helps operators and managers hire, train, schedule, pay and retain their restaurant teams. With an easy-to-use platform and industry-specific solutions, 7shifts saves time, reduces errors, and helps keep costs in check for over 55,000 restaurants.

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