When I found out I was named one of the recipients of the 2025 Restaurant Innovators Awards by 7shifts, I felt something deeper than just pride.

I felt responsibility.

Responsibility to not let the spotlight stop with me. To turn it outward, toward the people and teams who are doing real, meaningful work to make hospitality stronger.

This list of 60 honorees isn’t just an awards list. It’s a glimpse of where our industry is going, and who’s leading the way.

Some of the names you’ll know. Most you won’t. That’s exactly the point.

Great teams make great restaurants. Read the news on 7shifts.com

This List Tells a Bigger Story

The people recognized in the Restaurant Innovators Awards come from independent coffee shops, college dining halls, QSRs, breweries, neighborhood pizza joints, and full‑service restaurants.

They’re chefs, owners, shift leaders, team trainers, culture drivers, spreadsheet wizards, and guest experience architects. They’re people who solve problems with whatever they’ve got — often before anyone even notices there’s a problem.

What unites them is not a title. It’s a mindset.

These are the people who make restaurants worth staying in.

Being included in the Industry Voice category — alongside creators and leaders I deeply respect — is something I don’t take lightly.

At Cali BBQ, we’ve spent years blending hospitality and media. Telling stories. Sharing lessons. Building in public. That work is core to who we are — and I’m proud that 7shifts sees the value in that.

But if you read this newsletter regularly, you know I believe in something deeper than recognition: I believe in amplification.

So I want to use this moment to amplify everyone else on this list.

Because these aren’t just award winners. They’re the blueprint. If you want to see what the next decade of hospitality looks like, read their names.

Don’t look for who has the biggest following. Look for who’s building the kind of culture, consistency, and care that this industry needs more of.

This awards list isn’t a victory lap. It’s a call to action.

If you run a restaurant, lead a team, or support this industry in any way — let this be your prompt:

* Who on your team is your own “Ops Innovator”?

* Who’s your “Unsung Hero”?

* Who deserves to be recognized, even if no one’s given them a trophy yet?

Make your own list. Celebrate your people. Tell their stories.

I’m proud to be on this list. But I’m even prouder to be part of this industry at a time when people like this are rising.

So scroll down. Read their names. Look up their restaurants. And if you’re nearby — go visit. Eat. Say thanks. Tell them you saw their name and wanted to see what made them great.

That’s how we build the future. Together.

— Shawn

WINNERS LIST: 2025 Restaurant Innovators

The Ops Innovator

* Weston Berchtold — Eli’s Coffee Shop

* Malyn Bartolome — Pochi Bubble Tea Cafe

* Jon McBride — The Factory

* Dan Lin — Nawa

* KynnDra Harrison — Bahama Buck’s

* Josh Bishop — Fork & Fire Smokehouse + Taproom

* Jason Frankot — Black Sheep Coffee Cafe

* Arielle Mathisen — Central Social Hall

The Industry Voice

* Shawn Walchef — Cali BBQ Media

* Irene Li — Prepshift

* Justin Khanna — JustinKhanna.com

* Josh Kopel — JoshKopel.com

The Tip-Top Service Star

* Aaron Benkman — Pounders Restaurant

* Sheila — Miss Marie Sault Lock Tours

* Julia Kramer — Brasa Premium Rotisserie

* Taylor Ouellette — Replay Brewing

* Nikki Frost — The Casual Pint

* Nitish Singh — Prestige Prince George Lodge

* Sarah Marsden — The Factory

* Ryan Wiedeman — Halftime Pizza

* UVSS Catering and Conferences Team — UVSS Catering & Conferences

* Tehya Johnson — Tailgaters Sports Bar & Grill

* Madi Royale — Pure Green Fulton Market

The Unsung Hero (Back-of-House)

* Sandy Adams — The Casual Pint

* Emma Robison — Eli’s Coffee Shop

* Jason Willis — SSA Group

* Nick Zocco — Urban Hill

* Raymund Pada — XIX Nineteen

The Best Boss Ever

* Brittany Rupert — The Human Bean

* Chris Gurrie — Vue Rooftop – Iowa City

* Jessie Love — Grain & Grog

* Jake Lonie — Fernie Taphouse

* Jason Leeds — Chelsea Hospitality Group

* Antonette Palacios — V Pizza

* Haley Armitage — Eli’s Coffee Shop

* Nick Lalli — Vittoria

* Dakotah Pompura — Jeremiah’s Italian Ice

* Brandon O’Donnell — Mad Dogs & Englishmen

* Megan Yaffey — Pure Green

* Dave Garcia — Halftime Pizza

The Culture Catalyst

* Kelsey Roeder — Saluhall SF

* Keith Priestley — Georgian Bowl

* Yahaira Jimenez — Turner’s Cut

* Ashley Jones — XIX Nineteen

* Sarah Ballard — Bedford Village Inn

* Kaydance Zgarba — All ’bout That Cheese

* Isabelle Koma — Golfplay

* Lydia Pfister — Eli’s Coffee Shop

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