Shawn Walchef of Cali BBQ Media talks Toast and Digital Hospitality | Summary and Q&A
TL;DR
This content explores how embracing technology and digital hospitality can drive the success of a restaurant business, featuring an interview with restaurant owner Shawn Walchef.
Key Insights
- 🥺 Embracing technology and digital hospitality can lead to transformative growth and success for restaurant businesses.
- 😨 Overcoming fear and comfort with legacy systems is crucial for business owners to adapt to changing technology trends.
- 😷 Building a culture of curiosity, involvement, and asking for help can empower restaurant teams and drive innovation.
- ❓ Sharing stories and experiences with other restaurant owners fosters collaboration and growth within the industry.
- 😤 Genuine hospitality and humility are traits that cannot be coached, and hiring individuals who possess these qualities can contribute to a positive and successful team dynamic.
- 🎁 The journey to success is a marathon, not a sprint, and it requires appreciating each day and being present in the moment.
- ☄️ Success often comes from perseverance and the willingness to learn from mistakes and setbacks.
Transcript
Welcome. We're changing it up a little bit here with Entrepreneur magazine sponsored by Toast. I'm now the host, and who I'll be interviewing today is someone that you all know very near and dear is not an acquaintance, but a close friend of mine. Shawn Walchef himself, owner and operator of Cali BBQ since 2008 2008. Awesome. There we go. I'm Will ... Read More
Questions & Answers
Q: How did Shawn Walchef and his team approach the challenge of transitioning from a legacy system to a more technologically advanced solution like Toast?
Walchef explains that fear initially held them back, as they were comfortable with their current system. However, the realization that online ordering was essential for growth and survival pushed them to make the switch to Toast.
Q: How does Toast's integration with other technology solutions benefit Cali BBQ?
Walchef highlights that Toast's ability to integrate with various best-in-class technology solutions allows them to create a cohesive digital ecosystem that streamlines their operations and enhances the customer experience.
Q: Why does Walchef believe it is important for restaurant owners to be open and vulnerable in sharing their stories and experiences?
Walchef believes that sharing stories and experiences allows restaurant owners to learn from one another and move their businesses forward. It fosters a sense of community and collaboration in an industry that often lacks these connections.
Q: How does Walchef create a culture of humility and hospitality within his restaurant team?
Walchef focuses on hiring individuals who exhibit genuine hospitality and humility. During open interviews, he looks for candidates who are polite, kind, and attentive to others. He believes that these traits cannot be coached, but rather are inherent qualities.
Summary & Key Takeaways
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Shawn Walchef discusses his journey of embracing technology in his restaurant business, Cali BBQ, and the transformative impact it had on his operations and growth.
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He shares how fear and comfort with legacy systems held him back initially, but the COVID-19 pandemic served as a catalyst for change.
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Walchef emphasizes the importance of being curious, getting involved, and asking for help in order to create a culture of digital hospitality and drive success.