Insights for serving up restaurant excellence with Square | James Schonzeit, Square, Eric Cacciatore, Restaurant Unstoppable | 054

Great teams make great restaurants. On The Pre-Shift, restaurant operators and industry experts dive into building great restaurant teams. We explore their stories, strategies, and valuable lessons on running restaurant teams. Hosted by D.J. Costantino. Presented by 7shifts.In this episode, 'Restaurant Unstoppable' host Eric Cacciatorre teams up with industry experts James Schonzeit from Square and D.J. Costantino from 7shifts to tackle the pressing challenges of staffing and technology in the restaurant world.Through a series of insightful discussions, they cover key topics such as hiring and retaining staff, leveraging technology for better operations, and balancing tech with genuine hospitality. The conversation offers practical advice, highlighting how flexible scheduling, proper training, and effective management practices can improve staff retention and satisfaction. They explore the use of kiosks and other tech tools to streamline processes and enhance customer interactions without losing the essence of hospitality. Additionally, the episode underscores the value of actionable strategies, like gradual tech integration, to boost profitability and team engagement. Real-life examples and survey insights provide a roadmap for restaurant owners and managers to navigate modern challenges and thrive in an evolving industry.00:00 Introduction and Housekeeping00:57 Meet the Hosts01:53 Technical Difficulties and Introductions04:47 Discussion on Restaurant Technology05:49 Staffing Challenges in the Restaurant Industry06:31 Survey Insights on Employee Retention12:59 The Role of Technology in Employee Management14:26 Customer Experience and Technology28:08 Discussing Final Trends28:40 Employee Training and Technology30:08 Empowering Staff Through Continuous Training30:49 Leveraging Technology for Efficiency31:36 Balancing Technology and Human Interaction37:58 Addressing Staff Engagement and Retention38:09 Q&A Session38:47 Strategies for Improving Margins48:27 Innovative Solutions for Staff Engagement58:38 Closing RemarksSend 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 scheduling, payroll, and employee retention app designed to help restaurants thrive. With an easy-to-use app and industry-specific solutions, 7shifts saves time, reduces errors, and helps keep costs in check for over 50,000 restaurants.