Shows
The Pre-ShiftAI is here, but your story is your superpower | Shawn Walchef, Cali BBQ | 064The restaurant industry is at a crossroads, with two powerful forces shaping its future. On one hand, there's the explosive growth of AI and automation, a major topic at the recent National Restaurant Association Show. On the other, there's the timeless need for genuine human connection. This episode explores both.First, D.J. considers the impact of AI on restaurant operations. Then, he dives into a conversation with Shawn Walchef, the founder of Cali BBQ and Cali BBQ Media, who champions the power of storytelling as a restaurant's ultimate competitive advantage. Shawn provides a practical guide for...
2025-06-1833 min
Digital HospitalityRising Tides Live: The Restaurant Labor PlaybookIn this episode of Rising Tides Live, the conversation focuses on how restaurant operators can better manage their teams and labor costs in today’s challenging environment. Guest Jordan Boesch, CEO of 7shifts, joins host Shawn Walchef and the Rising Tides community to explore key lessons from The Restaurant Labor Playbook, a new guide created to […]
2025-05-061h 00
Closed MondayThe Don of Digital Hospitality Shawn Walchef, Founder - Cali BBQ MediaSince opening Cali BBQ 12 years ago, his family-run restaurant and media business in San Diego has generated more than $30 million in sales. As a restaurateur who opened during the Great Recession, Shawn Walchef learned to use digital tools and big ideas to stay in business. During the Pandemic, Shawn and his Cali BBQ Media team have developed a scalable plan that is three times more profitable than the traditional full-service restaurant model. Cali BBQ is working on a plan to repurpose 60 percent of their dining room into a commissary kitchen to service the additional “friendly” ghost kitchens they plan to a...
2023-05-1229 min
RESTAURANT STRATEGYTelling Your Story is the ONLY Way to Thrive#232 - Telling Your Story is the ONLY Way to Thrive
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This week's episode is brought to you by: 7SHIFTS
7shifts is the team management platform for...
2023-04-2739 min
Food & Beverage Magazine Live!Shawn Walchef of Cali BBQCali BBQ Media is building the Amazon of Restaurants.With a rapidly expanding footprint physically and digitally, influential restaurant owner and digital media proponent Shawn P. Walchef #ShawnPWalchef thinks BIG when it comes to future-proof growth and exploring new ideas for his Cali BBQ Media company. #CaliBBQThe BIG idea is simple: Build the Amazon of Restaurants in San Diego using barbecue in the same way Jeff Bezos used books when he started Amazon in 1994.“Restaurants can no longer discriminate how guests eat by forcing them to travel to their br...
2022-03-1624 minDigital HospitalityHow to Lead with Transparency and Communication | Jordan Boesch (7shifts CEO) | DH0977shifts CEO Jordan Boesch faced every peer’s nightmare in the spring of 2020 when he had to relieve dozens of beloved team members of their duties. Everybody wants the dollar signs and status associated with being a CEO. But nobody wants to be a chief executive officer when it’s time to furlough 40 employees. “We […]
2021-06-0358 min
Best ServedClubhouse #6: The Restaurant Employee JourneyOn our sixth episode from the Clubhouse app, we talk to a panel of F&B industry professionals about the employee life cycle, from hiring and onboarding to training and retention. We speak to Jordan Boesch of 7shifts, Irene Li of Mei Mei, Shawn Walchef of Cali BBQ, Jeanie Chunn of High Roads Restaurants, Jesus Gutierrez of Chamba App, and Samantha Strom of Quarterlife Crisis. The conversation focused on the ways that businesses could be doing more to help their employees and attract new employees through the same methods.
Speakers:
Jordan Boesch...
2021-04-201h 07
The Pre-ShiftEmbracing Digital Hospitality at Cali BBQ | Shawn Walchef, Founder | 003This 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 2023. The information presented may no longer be up-to-date and may differ from the viewpoints and insights currently shared on The Pre-Shift Podcast.In this episode of the Pre-Shift, D.J. interviews Sean Walchef of Cali Comfort BBQ and Digital Hospitality Podcast. Sean shares insights about their journey, including the decision to open a ghost kitchen in Downtown San Diego, emphasizing a community-focused approach. He discusses the advantages of ghost kitchens for expansion...
2021-04-0516 min
Restaurant Unstoppable with Eric Cacciatore769: Kyle Inserra on Real Estate, Scaling, Partners, and Equity.Kyle Inserra is a graduate of The French Culinary Institute where he graduated with honors. After working at notable restaurants such as Marco & Pepe and Anthony David's he moved to St. John, USVI, where he became the executive chef for a privately-owned restaurant group. On his return to the northeast, he opened the restaurants Polpettina and, where he was eventually forced out by his partners. Today he's the Co-Founder of La La Taqueria and is a Commercial Real Estate Advisor with a focus on brand growth and execution of real estate strategies for emerging restaurants. In addition, he's the host o...
2020-12-211h 44Restaurant Unstoppable with Eric Cacciatore765: WORKSHOP Media First/Restaurant Second Shawn WalchefOver the last 12 years Shawn Walchef’s restaurant, Cali Comfort BBQ, and media business has generated over twenty five million dollars in sales in San Diego, California without ever adding another single location. His greatest location curse became his greatest gift as it forced him to focus on all things digital just to stay in business. Currently his team has developed a plan to scale with a new bbq media model that is three times more profitable than his first business. Check out Episode 675: The Power of getting Involved in Your Community with Shawn Walchef Che...
2020-12-031h 29