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Shifting Your Restaurant Training to Tech: Conversation with Beth Hussey of Shifty

In this enlightening episode of the Restaurant Technology Guys podcast, Beth Hussey, an experienced restaurateur, and founder of Shifty.inc shares her journey from being in the restaurant business for over 37 years to introducing technology into the industry. Beth created a unique way of training servers and bartenders, turning it into a tech platform called Shifty, and shares insights on restaurant employee retention, engagement, and training. She also discusses how Shifty evolves this training approach, enhancing it with valuable tools and a truly anonymous suggestion box feature for improvement. Listen in as Beth candidly talks about her experiences, the current state of the restaurant industry, and how technology can aid in improving restaurant operations.

00:01 Introduction and Guest Introduction
00:43 Beth's Journey into the Restaurant Business
03:05 Challenges of Training in the Restaurant Industry
03:34 The Impact of the Pandemic and the Birth of Shifty
08:20 The Unique Training Methodology of Shifty
14:45 The Power of Flashcards in Training
19:19 The Importance of Standards in Restaurant Training
21:36 The Importance of Proper Training in Restaurants
22:10 The Decline of Traditional Etiquette Knowledge
22:28 Introducing Shifty: A New Training Technology Platform
22:51 The Power of Flashcards in Learning
23:17 The Impact of Training on Restaurant Experience
23:52 Training for the Back of the House
24:46 The Evolution of Shifty and Its Impact on the Back of the House
26:32 The Importance of Employee Engagement and Retention
29:58 The Role of Managers in Employee Retention
34:06 The Cost of Employee Turnover and the Value of Retention
37:23 The Power of Employee Engagement with Shifty
39:13 The Story Behind the Name 'Shifty' 

Check them out at Shifty - Training app for Servers and Bartenders (shiftyinc.com)

Join Jeremy and CEO Troy Hooper where they talk about how Pepper Lunch came to be in Japan and its amazing growth in North America.  Be the first to hear about their goals and growth plans for the US market.  Check them out at Pepper Lunch - Sizzling Hot Plate Dining Experience (pepperlunchrestaurants.com)

Join Jeremy and Founder and CEO Alex Broeker where we talk about the problem of checking out in a restaurant and how if not done well it can ruin the entire hospitality experience.  Check them out at Union | Great Service Starts Here (getunion.com)

Join Jeremy and found of Cornbread Soul Adenah Bayoh where we talk about how Cornbread came to be, her journey to the states and how to use technology to your advantage. Check them out at Cornbread Soul | Best Soul Food Restaurant | Farm to Soul

In this episode of the Restaurant Technology Guys Podcast, we chat with Jim Little, the Director of Culinary from Black Angus Steakhouse. Jim shares his insights on how he runs the culinary and drink programs for over 40 locations across the US. He also talks about how he uses technology to streamline operations, enhance guest experience, and innovate new menu items. Tune in to hear Jim's tips and tricks on how to create a successful restaurant brand with delicious food and drinks.

Are you the owner of a restaurant looking for ways to maximize your tax benefits? If so, you won't want to miss this exclusive interview between Jeremy Julian from Restaurant Technology Guys and JT Pells, a CPA specializing in taxes for restaurants. Get the inside scoop on all things taxes, and leave with actionable tips that can help lower your business’s taxes! Check them out at https://jtpells.com/

If you're a fan of Hawaiian food, you might have heard of Mo Bettah's, a chain of restaurants that serves authentic island cuisine. Mo Bettah's has been growing rapidly in the past few years, thanks to its loyal customers and its partnership with Thanx, a digital loyalty platform. In this episode of RTG podcast, host Jeremy Julian talks to Katrina Guevera, the marketing director of Mo Bettah's, about how they have built their brand, expanded their locations, and increased their retention rate with Thanx. Here are some highlights from the interview:

- Katrina shares the story of how Mo Bettah's started as a small family business in Utah, inspired by the founders' childhood memories of Hawaii.
- She explains how Mo Bettah's differentiates itself from other Hawaiian restaurants by focusing on quality, freshness, and authenticity. She also reveals the secret behind their signature teriyaki sauce.
- She discusses how Mo Bettah's has grown from one location to 45locations across six states, and how they have adapted to different markets and customer preferences.
- She describes how Mo Bettah's has leveraged Thanx to create a personalized and rewarding loyalty program that drives repeat visits and referrals. She also gives some examples of how they use data and insights from Thanx to optimize their marketing campaigns and operations.
- She reveals some of the challenges and opportunities that Mo Bettah's faces in the post-pandemic era, and how they plan to continue their growth and innovation.

To listen to the full interview, click here. If you want to learn more about Mo Bettah's, visit their website or follow them on Instagram. And if you want to join their loyalty program and get a free drink on your next visit, sign up with Thanx here.

If you're looking for some inspiration and tips on how to grow your own franchise business, you won't want to miss this episode of RTG podcast. I had the pleasure of chatting with Robert Maynard, the founder and CEO of WonLifeBrands, a company that owns and operates several successful franchises, including Famous Toastry, a breakfast and brunch chain that has been featured in Forbes, Entrepreneur, and Inc. magazines.

Robert shared his journey from being a college dropout to becoming a franchise mogul, and how he overcame the challenges and risks along the way. He also revealed some of the secrets behind his franchising strategy, such as how to choose the right concept, location, and partners, how to create a strong brand identity and culture, and how to scale and optimize your operations. He also gave some advice on how to deal with the competition, the pandemic, and the changing consumer preferences.

This was a very insightful and motivating conversation, and I learned a lot from Robert's experience and wisdom. Whether you're already in the franchising business or thinking about getting into it, you'll find some valuable nuggets of information in this podcast. So tune in and enjoy!

Check out how to do digital menu boards right with CEO and Founder Marc Rosenberg.  Marc shared his insights on how digital signage, menu boards, kiosks, and other innovative solutions can enhance the customer experience, increase sales, and reduce costs. We also talked about some of the challenges and opportunities that restaurant owners and operators face in this fast-changing landscape. Tune in to hear their stories, tips, and advice on how to leverage technology to grow your business. Check them out at https://osmsolutions.com/

Sunny Street Café® is a family-owned and operated breakfast and lunch concept founded by Mike Stasko Sr. that opened its flagship restaurant in Columbus, Ohio. The restaurant began as Peaches in Bradenton, Florida, and was discovered by Mr. Stasko in 2006. He loved the idea of a home-style Americana restaurant and decided to purchase the franchise. Stasko moved the restaurant to Columbus, Ohio, and changed the name to Rise & Dine. After a few short years, Stasko rebranded for a final time, creating what is now known as Sunny Street Café. Above all else, Stasko wanted the opportunity to work with his family, and with his own restaurant, he was now able to do just that. Since opening their doors, family has been a key component to the way Sunny Street Café operates, as it has also become a staple in the communities it’s part of. To learn more about Sunny Street Café, visit https://sunnystreetcafe.com.