The Pre-Shift
Episodes
An Update on The Pre-Shift Podcast
05 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The Pre-Shift Podcast is taking a hiatus.This podcast launched in 2021, and we’re so grateful to our listeners. We’ll continue to talk about hospi...
The QUESO Framework: how Condado Tacos built a culture-first restaurant empire | 072
05 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 T...
How to get your team to actually care about the numbers with Ji Hye Kim | 071
22 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In an industry struggling with retention and wage disparity, how can operators build a business that is both profitable and truly equitable? In this e...
Anthony Valletta on tech, training, and tearing up the traditional pay model | 070
08 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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,...
Where are you on the restaurant tech journey? | 069
24 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 enviro...
The WOWorks growth playbook for repeatable systems and unified tech | 068
10 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 Lauri...
Franchising isn't an exit strategy—it's a full-time job with Shawn Saraga | 067
13 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 deve...
What do restaurant investors really want? unlocking the financial trifecta with Garrett Mills | 066
23 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
The franchise playbook: A CEO’s guide to restaurant expansion with Troy Hooper | 065
02 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What does it take to grow a restaurant from a single location to a global phenomenon? In this episode, D.J. sits down with Troy Hooper, CEO of Hot Pal...
AI is here, but your story is your superpower | Shawn Walchef, Cali BBQ | 064
18 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The restaurant industry is at a crossroads, with two powerful forces shaping its future. On one hand, there's the explosive growth of AI and auto...
Can restaurants survive without traditional tipping? | Katie Button (Reupload) | 063
29 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The restaurant industry has long struggled with the divide between front and back-of-house compensation. In this archive episode of The Pre-Shift Podc...
The people-first culture that drives just 17% turnover at Brasa with Michel Falcon (Reupload) | 062
14 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Building a company culture worth celebrating takes more than just words. In this archive episode of The Pre-Shift Podcast, we revisit our conversation...
Winning the restaurant hiring game in 2025 with Alice Cheng | 061
29 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Finding and keeping great restaurant staff is harder than ever in 2025. In this episode of The Pre-Shift Podcast, we talk with Alice Cheng, Founder an...
Building skills beyond the kitchen with Justin Khanna | 060
15 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Want to build a restaurant career that doesn't leave you burnt out? In this episode of The Pre-Shift Podcast, we chat with Justin Khanna, a chef ...
AI marketing strategies that boost restaurant revenue with Josh Kopel | 059
01 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
AI is changing the restaurant marketing game in ways that can save you time while boosting your revenue. In this episode of The Pre-Shift Podcast, I c...
Stop fixing light bulbs and start delegating with Avery Ward | 058
19 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Breaking free from being the "superhero" operator can transform your restaurant's future. In this episode of The Pre-Shift Podcast, we ...
Navigating Tariff Uncertainty for Canadian Restaurants with Jay Ashton | 057
04 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Uncertainty seems to be the only certainty in today's restaurant industry. In this episode of The Pre-Shift Podcast, we sit down with Jay Ashton,...
Growing careers (and franchises) at Jeremiah's Italian Ice | 056
18 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
For many 16-year-olds, a first job is just a way to make some extra side cash—nothing more than a temporary gig. But for Julianna Blackhurst, a part...
The end of boring training for restaurants with Arrow Up | 055
04 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What if mandatory training didn’t have to be boring? With creative storytelling and an irreverent approach, ARROW UP Training makes engaging, effect...
Insights for serving up restaurant excellence with Square | James Schonzeit, Square, Eric Cacciatore, Restaurant Unstoppable | 054
17 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Great teams make great restaurants. On The Pre-Shift, restaurant operators and industry experts dive into building great restaurant teams. We explore ...
Building an a kitchen OS | Josh Sharkey, CEO of meez | 053
25 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Great teams make great restaurants. On The Pre-Shift, restaurant operators and industry experts dive into building great restaurant teams. We explore ...
The small town soul behind Pizza Ranch | Ross Groeneweg, Pizza Ranch | 052
28 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Great teams make great restaurants. On The Pre-Shift, restaurant operators and industry experts dive into building great restaurant teams. We explore ...
Mastering the art of pizza and business | Mike Bausch, Andolini's | 051
15 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Great teams make great restaurants. On The Pre-Shift, restaurant operators and industry experts dive into building great restaurant teams. We explore ...
Building Chicago's Thattu | Margaret Pak, Chef/Owner | 050
31 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Great teams make great restaurants. On The Pre-Shift, restaurant operators and industry experts dive into building great restaurant teams. We explore ...
Fostering community and belonging in the restaurant biz | Ellen Yin, Founder of High Street Hospitality | 049
10 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Great teams make great restaurants. On The Pre-Shift, restaurant operators and industry experts dive into building great restaurant teams. We explore ...
Rethinking Server Pay: The Commission Model Revolution with Zach Feinstein
26 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Traditional tipping is broken, but there's a better way to pay your restaurant staff. In this episode of The Pre-Shift Podcast, we talk with Zach...
Leadership lessons from Felipe's Taqueria | Pike Howard, CEO | 047
11 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Great teams make great restaurants. On The Pre-Shift, restaurant operators and industry experts dive into what it takes to build great restaurant team...
The fight for psychological safety in food service | Hassel Aviles, Director of Not 9 to 5 | 046
21 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The Pre-Shift Podcast presented by 7shifts is a deep dive into what it takes to run great restaurant teams. Host DJ Costantino covers the restaurant ...
Tacos, tequila, and teamwork at Agave & Rye | Chris Britt, COO of Epic Brands | 045
24 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The Pre-Shift Podcast presented by 7shifts is a deep dive into what it takes to run great restaurant teams. Host DJ Costantino covers the restaurant ...
Making pay transparency work in restaurants | Stella Dennig, Co-Owner/GM of Daytrip | 044
04 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Pre-Shift podcast, host DJ dives deep into the intricacies of managing successful restaurant teams with Stella Denig, co-owner ...
How commission-based pay for servers transformed this restaurant | Chad Mackay, CEO of Fire and Vine Hospitality | 043
05 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The Pre-Shift Podcast presented by 7shifts is a deep dive into what it takes to run great restaurant teams. Host DJ Costantino covers the restaurant ...
How restaurants exist beyond four walls | Irene Shiang Li, Cofounder of Prepshift & Mei Mei Dumplings | 042
31 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The Pre-Shift Podcast presented by 7shifts is a deep dive into what it takes to run great restaurant teams. Host DJ Costantino covers the restaurant ...
Can open-book finance work for restaurants? | Ji Hye Kim, Chef/Owner at Miss Kim | 041
11 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The Pre-Shift Podcast presented by 7shifts is a deep dive into what it takes to run great restaurant teams. Host D.J. Costantino covers the restauran...
How Lula Cafe stays ahead, 25 years in | Jason Hammel, Chef and Owner of Lula Cafe | 040
30 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The Pre-Shift Podcast presented by 7shifts breaks down everything you’ve ever wanted to know about running a restaurant better. Conversations with s...
Practical steps for a better staff experience | Kwini Reed, Poppy & Seed | 039
14 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The Pre-Shift Podcast presented by 7shifts breaks down everything you’ve ever wanted to know about running a restaurant better. Conversations with s...
The QUESO code at Condado Tacos | Joe Kahn and Chris Artinian | 038
24 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The Pre-Shift Podcast presented by 7shifts breaks down everything you’ve ever wanted to know about running a restaurant better. Conversations with s...
How Brasa redefines employee experience | Michel Falcon, Founder & CEO of Brasa Peruvian Kitchen | 037
10 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The Pre-Shift Podcast presented by 7shifts breaks down everything you’ve ever wanted to know about running a restaurant better. Conversations with s...
Managing Michelin-star restaurant teams | Ron Hsu, Owner of Lazy Betty, Humble Pie, and Juniper Cafe
27 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The Pre-Shift Podcast presented by 7shifts breaks down everything you’ve ever wanted to know about running a restaurant better. Conversations with s...
Fine dining to fried chicken success | Eric Huang, Chef/Owner of Peking House | 035
12 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The Pre-Shift Podcast presented by 7shifts breaks down everything you’ve ever wanted to know about running a restaurant better. Conversations with s...
Conquering the front and back of house divide with equal pay scales | Katie Button, CEO / Co-Founder of KB Restaurants | 034
29 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The Pre-Shift Podcast presented by 7shifts breaks down everything you’ve ever wanted to know about running a restaurant better. Conversations with s...
Family matters in the restaurant business | Eric Scheffer, Scheffer Group | 033
10 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The Pre-Shift Podcast presented by 7shifts breaks down everything you’ve ever wanted to know about running a restaurant better. Conversations with s...
The dynamic culture of care that drives 7leaves | Newton Hoang, 7leaves | 032
24 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The Pre-Shift Podcast presented by 7shifts (formerly The Restaurant Growth Podcast) breaks down everything you’ve ever wanted to know about running ...
Crafting careers in restaurants | Kelly Phillips, Destination Unknown Restaurants | 031
08 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The Pre-Shift Podcast presented by 7shifts breaks down everything you’ve ever wanted to know about running a restaurant better. Conversations with s...
Inside Bartaco's game-changing growth strategies | Anthony Valletta, President of bartaco | 030
25 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The Pre-Shift Podcast presented by 7shifts breaks down everything you’ve ever wanted to know about running a restaurant better. Conversations with s...
Creating culture that attracts and retains | Danny Meyer + Jordan Boesch | 029
30 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This episode was originally published as part of the Restaurant Growth Podcast. It has been rebranded as part of The Pre-Shift Podcast as of January 2...
How do you know when things need to change? | Adam Lamb, Chef Life | 028
16 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This episode was originally published as part of the Restaurant Growth Podcast. It has been rebranded as part of The Pre-Shift Podcast as of January 2...
How Chris Smith scaled Zunzi's with kickass culture | Chris Smith, Zunzi's | 027
02 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This episode was originally published as part of the Restaurant Growth Podcast. It has been rebranded as part of The Pre-Shift Podcast as of January 2...
The journey of Amelie Kang and dry pot cuisine | Amelie Kang, MáLà Project NYC | 026
20 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This episode was originally published as part of the Restaurant Growth Podcast. It has been rebranded as part of The Pre-Shift Podcast as of January 2...
A roadmap for repeat customers | Matt Plapp, America's Best Restaurants | 025
05 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This episode was originally published as part of the Restaurant Growth Podcast. It has been rebranded as part of The Pre-Shift Podcast as of January 2...
Inside the tech that drives Carl's Jr. & Hardees | Phil Crawford, CKE Restaurants | 022
06 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This episode was originally published as part of the Restaurant Growth Podcast. It has been rebranded as part of The Pre-Shift Podcast as of January 2...
Franchise dreams and bus tub discoveries | Mijo Alanis, Beyond Juicery | 021
24 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This episode was originally published as part of the Restaurant Growth Podcast. As of January 2023, it has been rebranded as part of The Pre-Shift Pod...
The restaurant trends that defined 2022 | Danny Klein, Food News Media | 020
10 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This episode was originally published as part of the Restaurant Growth Podcast. It has been rebranded as part of The Pre-Shift Podcast as of January 2...
Finding grounded certainty in restaurants | Brandon Poole, BrandGabs | 019
03 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Brandon Poole spent his career building national restaurant brands at restaurants like Pita Pit, and now he’s using what he’s learned to help busi...
How to work *on* your restaurant—not *in* it | Monte Silva, Restaurant Coach | 018
19 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This episode was originally published as part of the Restaurant Growth Podcast. It has been rebranded as part of The Pre-Shift Podcast as of January 2...
Unlocking restaurant prosperity | David Scott Peters | 017
05 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This episode was originally published as part of the Restaurant Growth Podcast. It has been rebranded as part of The Pre-Shift Podcast as of January 2...
A new way to look at restaurant labor costs | Jim Taylor, BenchmarkSixty | 016
28 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This episode was originally published as part of the Restaurant Growth Podcast. It has been rebranded as part of The Pre-Shift Podcast as of January 2...
Expansion Insights for Restaurateurs | Lauren Fernandez, Founder of Full Course | 015
14 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This episode was originally published as part of the Restaurant Growth Podcast. It has been rebranded as part of The Pre-Shift Podcast as of January 2...
Vertical Kitchens, Digital Dining at ClusterTruck | Charles Wright, VP of Ops | 014
07 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This episode was originally published as part of the Restaurant Growth Podcast. It has been rebranded as part of The Pre-Shift Podcast as of January 2...
How &Pizza Thrives with Unique Employee Benefits | Andy Hooper, President &pizza | 013
23 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This episode was originally published as part of the Restaurant Growth Podcast. It has been rebranded as part of The Pre-Shift Podcast as of January 2...
Restaurant Growth Podcast Trailer
17 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The Restaurant Growth Podcast by 7shifts brings together restaurant leaders from all corners of our industry: full-service, quick-service, tech, and e...
Why retention beats recruitment every time | Dan Simpson, CEO of Taziki's Mediterranean Grill | 012
15 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This episode was originally published as part of the Restaurant Growth Podcast. It has been rebranded as part of The Pre-Shift Podcast as of January 2...
The restaurant marketing flywheel | Chip Klose, Founder of Restaurant Strategy | 011
29 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This episode was originally published as part of the Restaurant Growth Podcast. It has been rebranded as part of The Pre-Shift Podcast as of January 2...
Where restaurants are leaving money on the table | Josh Kopel, Full Comp | 010
25 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This episode was originally published as part of the Restaurant Growth Podcast. It has been rebranded as part of The Pre-Shift Podcast as of January 2...
Delivering the Digital Restaurant | Carl Orsbourn & Meredith Sandland | 009
17 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This episode was originally published as part of the Restaurant Growth Podcast. It has been rebranded as part of The Pre-Shift Podcast as of January 2...
Training through texts for a deskless industry | Rachael Nemeth, Co-founder and CEO of Opus | 008
06 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This episode was originally published as part of the Restaurant Growth Podcast. It has been rebranded as part of The Pre-Shift Podcast as of January 2...
Fireside chat featuring Danny Meyer | 007
15 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This episode was originally published as part of the Restaurant Growth Podcast. It has been rebranded as part of The Pre-Shift Podcast as of January 2...
Crafting core values for restaurant success | Kelly McCutcheon, Hopdoddy Burger Bar | 006
09 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This episode was originally published as part of the Restaurant Growth Podcast. It has been rebranded as part of The Pre-Shift Podcast as of January 2...
Restaurant Task Management: How to Communicate Tasks to Staff (Blog Audio #8)
28 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Now that guests are coming back into your restaurant, it means there are more tables to clean, more guests to attend to, and more side work to complet...
Restaurant Utility Costs: Ultimate Guide (Blog Audio #7)
28 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Opening a restaurant is a big challenge that requires a huge investment of time and money. But the challenges don’t stop there—once open you have ...
You're a restaurant manager—now what? | Ken McGarrie, Author | 005
04 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This episode was originally published as part of the Restaurant Growth Podcast. It has been rebranded as part of The Pre-Shift Podcast as of January 2...
Six Red Flags in Restaurant Hiring Processes | Jensen Cummings, Best Served Creative | 004
29 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This episode was originally published as part of the Restaurant Growth Podcast. It has been rebranded as part of The Pre-Shift Podcast as of January 2...
Embracing Digital Hospitality at Cali BBQ | Shawn Walchef, Founder | 003
05 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This episode was originally published as part of the Restaurant Growth Podcast. It has been rebranded as part of The Pre-Shift Podcast as of January 2...
How to Schedule Employees Effectively (Blog Audio #6)
10 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Not sure how to schedule employees effectively? We got you covered.Effective employee scheduling is simple in theory: Create optimal work schedules, s...
Eric Cacciatore’s Journey in Podcasting and Hospitality | 002
24 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This episode was originally published as part of the Restaurant Growth Podcast. It has been rebranded as part of The Pre-Shift Podcast as of January 2...
Future-proofing restaurants with tech | Preston Junger, 7shifts | 001
11 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this inaugural episode of the 7shifts Podcast, hosts Dew and DJ speak with Preston Junger, head of US operations and VP of sales at 7shifts and for...
How to Conduct a Restaurant Feasibility Study (Blog Audio #5)
01 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we’ll define a feasibility study, outline the sections restaurant feasibility should have, and identify the best practices you shou...
Restaurant Job Interview Questions & Answers (Blog Audio #4)
16 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
A restaurant interview can take many forms – a group interview, an open interview, or a scheduled one-on-one interview, to name a few. No matter the...
Essential Restaurant Management Skills (Blog Audio #3)
16 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
How do you start moving up? What are the restaurant management skills you need to succeed and how do you acquire them? Is it difficult to get the righ...
How to Create a Restaurant Staff Training Manual (Blog Audio #2)
23 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of 7shifts Audio Series we are going to explore how to create a comprehensive restaurant staff training manual. It will be everyone’...
Simple Restaurant Marketing Plan for 2023 (Blog Audio Series #1)
01 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of 7shifts Audio Series we explore how restaurants can create a new, upgraded marketing plan and gain a competitive edge in 2021. As w...