Episode #43: Stella Dennig, Co-Owner/GM of Daytrip

The Pre-Shift

English - April 04, 2024 12:00 - 31 minutes - 21.8 MB
Management Business restaurant management restaurants hospitality management hospitality food & beverage Homepage Download Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed

Previous Episode: Chad Mackay, CEO of Fire and Vine Hospitality

Next Episode: Episode #44: Chris Britt, COO of Epic Restaurants

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In this episode of the Pre-Shift podcast, host DJ dives deep into the intricacies of managing successful restaurant teams with Stella Denig, co-owner and GM of Daytrip Restaurant in Oakland, California. Stella shares insights on building a restaurant prioritizing pay equity, equitable compensation, and a strong internal culture. She discusses their unique business model, the challenges of introducing equitable systems, and the importance of legislative change in the industry. Stella also touches on the role of collective thinking in their operations and the exciting personal and professional changes coming up for her and Daytrip. This episode is a must-listen for anyone eager to learn about innovative practices in the hospitality industry.

00:00 Introduction to the Pre-Shift Podcast

00:12 Meet Stella Denig from Daytrip Restaurant

01:02 The Journey to Opening Daytrip

02:20 Innovative Business Model and Pay Equity

04:14 Service Charge and Employee Compensation

09:51 Open Pay and Hiring Practices

14:08 Collective Thinking and Team Culture

25:19 Advice for Aspiring Restaurateurs

29:19 Exciting Future Plans for Daytrip

30:52 Conclusion and Contact Information

Guest Bio
Stella Dennig (she/her) is the Co-Owner/GM of Daytrip, a fermentation-driven party of a restaurant in Oakland, CA. Core to Daytrip’s mission is to push toward a more equitable future for this industry and at the center of that, its workforce. Daytrip has been written up for its employment practices by publications like Bon Appetit, The New York Times, and the SF Chronicle. Daytrip was a Bon Appetit top 10 Best New Restaurant in America in 2023 and Co-Owner/Chef Finn Stern was a James Beard Semifinalist in 2024.

Resources

Daytrip RAISE 10 Best New Restaurants in America 2022 | Bon Appetit

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

About 7shifts
7shifts is the complete team management platform for restaurants. 7shifts provides tools that help restaurateurs make more profitable decisions, improve team retention, and get operations in order. 7shifts is made for everyone — from FOH to BOH — and is trusted by over 40,000 restaurants and 1 million restaurant pros.