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Great teams make great restaurants. On The Pre-Shift, restaurant operators and industry experts dive into building great restaurant teams. We explore their stories, their strategies, and valuable lessons on running restaurant teams. Hosted by D.J. Costantino. Presented by 7shifts.

Mike Bausch, a certified master pizzaiolo and the brains behind Andolini's Worldwide joins DJ Costantino on the Pre Shift Podcast.

In this episode, Mike shares his journey from aspiring Marine Corps officer to leading a 12-restaurant empire in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Recognized nationwide for their exceptional pizza, Andolini's success is attributed to a commitment to quality and a no-half-measures philosophy. Mike outlines his leadership and staff training techniques, explaining why he avoids the term 'family' in favor of a more professional 'team' dynamic. He also discusses his transition into becoming a mentor and educator for the restaurant industry through his Unsliced Restaurant System. Mike offers insights on cross-training staff, maintaining low attrition rates, and the importance of structured employee evaluations. The episode is packed with practical advice and actionable takeaways for building and sustaining a high-performing restaurant team.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Pre-Shift Podcast

00:23 Meet Mike Bausch: The Pizza Mastermind

01:19 Mike's Journey: From Marine Corps to Pizza Empire

03:04 The Turning Point: Mentorship and Mastery

06:39 Expanding the Brand: Beyond Pizza

09:42 Building a High-Performing Team

15:55 Balancing Structure and Flexibility in Training

16:42 Maintaining Low Attrition Rates

18:34 Employee Feedback and Evaluation Process

21:03 Team Building and Andomania

23:12 Mike Bausch: Mentor and Educator

24:59 The Unsliced Course and Restaurant Systems

26:15 Engaging with the Restaurant Community

31:49 Future Plans and Exciting Developments

32:22 Conclusion and Farewell

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Credits
Host & Producer: D. J. Costantino
Producer: Samantha Fung
Editor: Fina Charleston

About 7shifts
7shifts is a scheduling, payroll, and employee retention app designed to help restaurants thrive. With an easy-to-use app and industry-specific solutions, 7shifts saves time, reduces errors, and helps keep costs in check for more than 50,000 restaurants.