Revolutionizing Restaurant Operations with Jordan Boesch of 7Shifts

Canada's Restaurant Guy, Jay Ashton

Listen & Watch...

Welcome to another exciting episode of "The Late Night Restaurant Show," Not A Podcast... where we dive deep into the stories and innovations shaping the restaurant industry. In this episode, we are thrilled to have Jordan Boesch, CEO and co-founder of 7Shifts, as our guest. Hosted by Jay Ashton and co-hosted by Shereen Qumsieh, this episode explores the remarkable journey of 7Shifts and its profound impact on restaurant operations.

The story of 7Shifts began in the most relatable way possible through personal frustration. Jordan Boesch's father, a Quiznos franchisee, struggled with the complexities of staff scheduling. Watching his father's stress, Jordan, a budding programmer and gamer, created a rudimentary tool to simplify the scheduling process. This initial project, which allowed staff to access schedules online, laid the foundation for what would become 7Shifts.

Jordan's journey took him from Ottawa to Regina, and eventually to the tech hub of San Francisco. Here, in the heart of the Bay Area, 7Shifts began to take shape as a focused solution for the restaurant industry. The company joined Boost, a tech accelerator providing invaluable support and resources. This experience solidified Jordan's vision of creating a labour management solution tailored specifically for restaurants.

One of the key factors behind 7Shifts' success has been its ability to integrate seamlessly with other restaurant technologies. Jordan and his team recognized early on the importance of collaboration and integration. They partnered with point-of-sale systems like Toast and TouchBistro, creating a comprehensive ecosystem that streamlines restaurant operations. Today, 7Shifts boasts an impressive roster of over 50 integration partners, ensuring that their solution fits seamlessly into various restaurant workflows.

A Culture of Radical Candor and Simplicity

7Shifts' success is not just about technology; it's also about culture. Jordan emphasized the importance of a values-driven culture, focusing on behaviours rather than abstract values. The company's core behaviours include radical candour, embracing new challenges, acting like owners, making every experience an 11, and solving with simplicity. These behaviours are embedded in every aspect of the company's operations, from hiring to daily interactions.

At its core, 7Shifts aims to empower restaurant operators by saving them time and money. The software simplifies scheduling, time clock management, communication, and even payroll processing. By providing visibility into labour costs and enabling efficient scheduling, 7Shifts helps restaurants reduce administrative burdens and optimize their operations. This has proven to be a game-changer, especially for small and independent operators who often juggle multiple roles.

The Future of Restaurant Technology

Looking ahead, Jordan is excited about the future of 7Shifts and the broader restaurant technology landscape. The company is continually innovating to address new challenges and opportunities. One area of focus is leveraging data to improve hiring and retention in the restaurant industry. By analyzing employee engagement and performance metrics, 7Shifts aims to help operators make informed hiring decisions and retain top talent.

"Watching my dad struggle with scheduling and managing staff at his Quiznos locations was painful. It was a perfect mix of timing where I was learning to code, and I decided to build something small to help him. That’s where the idea for 7Shifts began."

A Heartfelt Connection to the Industry

Throughout the episode, Jordan's passion for the restaurant industry shines through. He speaks about the joy of solving real problems for operators and the satisfaction of seeing the positive impact of 7Shifts on their businesses. This genuine connection to the industry is what drives Jordan and his team to continue innovating and delivering exceptional value to their customers.

As the episode wraps up, it's clear that 7Shifts is more than just a software company. It's a partner to thousands of restaurants, helping them navigate the complexities of labour management with ease. Jordan Boesch's journey from a frustrated observer to a pioneering entrepreneur is a testament to the power of innovation and dedication. We look forward to seeing how 7Shifts continues to shape the future of the restaurant industry.

"We focus on behaviors rather than abstract values. Our core behaviours include being radically candid, embracing new challenges, acting like owners, making every experience an 11, and solving with simplicity. It's about creating a culture where these behaviours are championed and reflected in everything we do."

Don't miss this insightful episode of "The Late Night Restaurant Show." Tune in to learn more about the revolutionary impact of 7Shifts and get inspired by Jordan Boesch's story.