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MRLA Partners with Shifty to Strengthen the Hospitality Workforce
This September, the Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association (MRLA) announced an endorsed partnership with Shifty, a digital operations platform that's helping restaurants solve their most pressing challenge: employee turnover. The partnership comes on the heels of remarkable results achieved by Pita Way, a fast-casual Mediterranean brand that reduced turnover by 21% and cut training time by 40% using Shifty's platform.
“One of the biggest challenges facing our industry right now is retaining talent while maintaining consistent quality as teams change and businesses grow,” said Justin Winslow, President & CEO of the MRLA. “Shifty offers a modern and practical solution to help our members train faster and protect the integrity of their brand. We encourage every member to explore this tool and see the impact it can have on their operation.”
“One of the biggest challenges facing our industry right now is retaining talent while maintaining consistent quality as teams change and businesses grow,” said Justin Winslow, President & CEO of the MRLA. “Shifty offers a modern and practical solution to help our members train faster and protect the integrity of their brand. We encourage every member to explore this tool and see the impact it can have on their operation.”
The Growing Challenge
For restaurant operators across Michigan, high turnover rates continue to plague the industry, risking a constant and expensive cycle of retraining and rehiring. But disorganized training methods can also affect a restaurant’s ability to serve customers clearly and exceptionally.
Pita Way, a fast-casual Mediterrean brand based in Michigan, found itself facing these all-too-familiar predicaments as business boomed. With 44 locations across Michigan and beyond, Pita Way was growing rapidly and needed training that could keep up with its ambitious expansion plans.
"We can't have 50 to 60 restaurants and everybody's doing tomatoes a different way," explained Cindy, Director of Training at Pita Way. "We need Shifty because it's the source of truth that allows us to deliver consistent experiences and products to our guests."
A Digital Solution with Real Results
Pita Way's solution came through implementing Shifty's centralized operations platform, which Cindy describes as "like a Wikipedia for Pita Way. Everything our teams need to execute their jobs is in the palm of their hands."
Within six months of implementation, Pita Way achieved transformative results: turnover dropped from 73% to 52%, new-hire training became 40% faster, and managers saved an average of 8 hours per week through streamlined processes. New hires now reach competency in 5 days versus the previous standard of 9 days, while updates roll out across all locations in 24 hours compared to 4-5 days with traditional methods.
For restaurant operators across Michigan, high turnover rates continue to plague the industry, risking a constant and expensive cycle of retraining and rehiring. But disorganized training methods can also affect a restaurant’s ability to serve customers clearly and exceptionally.
Pita Way, a fast-casual Mediterrean brand based in Michigan, found itself facing these all-too-familiar predicaments as business boomed. With 44 locations across Michigan and beyond, Pita Way was growing rapidly and needed training that could keep up with its ambitious expansion plans.
"We can't have 50 to 60 restaurants and everybody's doing tomatoes a different way," explained Cindy, Director of Training at Pita Way. "We need Shifty because it's the source of truth that allows us to deliver consistent experiences and products to our guests."
A Digital Solution with Real Results
Pita Way's solution came through implementing Shifty's centralized operations platform, which Cindy describes as "like a Wikipedia for Pita Way. Everything our teams need to execute their jobs is in the palm of their hands."
Within six months of implementation, Pita Way achieved transformative results: turnover dropped from 73% to 52%, new-hire training became 40% faster, and managers saved an average of 8 hours per week through streamlined processes. New hires now reach competency in 5 days versus the previous standard of 9 days, while updates roll out across all locations in 24 hours compared to 4-5 days with traditional methods.
Scaling Success
With 56 locations planned for the future, Pita Way is using Shifty as the operational backbone of their expansion strategy. "Shifty is creating consistency and training across the board, it's our secret weapon," Cindy shared. Each new location is positioned to operate with the same efficiency, consistency, and staff retention as the original.
Beyond Numbers: Building Culture
As the leading resource and voice for Michigan’s hospitality industry, the MRLA recognizes that technology alone isn’t the answer – the heart of the hospitality industry is creating spaces where people want to stay and gather. The MRLA endorses the Shifty app as a platform that primarily supports teams and provides workers with the resources they need to succeed and show exquisite hospitality to every guest that walks through the door.
For one, Shifty's mobile-first platform provides teams with instant access to current processes, training materials, and expectations, eliminating the frustration of outdated procedures and inconsistent standards. Managers can also track progress, offering visibility into team readiness across multiple locations.
Shifty is also about making training fun. The platform's flashcards, in-app testing, and quiz functionality ensure staff competency while also boosting engagement.
Getting Started
MRLA members interested in learning more about Shifty can book a demo directly through the MRLA website. With proven results like Pita Way's 21% turnover reduction and 40% faster training, the platform offers a strategic advantage for restaurants looking to scale sustainably while maintaining quality and culture. MRLA members also receive a 10% discount on Shifty's monthly costs as part of this exclusive partnership.
Book a demo today to see how Shifty can work for you!
With 56 locations planned for the future, Pita Way is using Shifty as the operational backbone of their expansion strategy. "Shifty is creating consistency and training across the board, it's our secret weapon," Cindy shared. Each new location is positioned to operate with the same efficiency, consistency, and staff retention as the original.
Beyond Numbers: Building Culture
As the leading resource and voice for Michigan’s hospitality industry, the MRLA recognizes that technology alone isn’t the answer – the heart of the hospitality industry is creating spaces where people want to stay and gather. The MRLA endorses the Shifty app as a platform that primarily supports teams and provides workers with the resources they need to succeed and show exquisite hospitality to every guest that walks through the door.
For one, Shifty's mobile-first platform provides teams with instant access to current processes, training materials, and expectations, eliminating the frustration of outdated procedures and inconsistent standards. Managers can also track progress, offering visibility into team readiness across multiple locations.
Shifty is also about making training fun. The platform's flashcards, in-app testing, and quiz functionality ensure staff competency while also boosting engagement.
Getting Started
MRLA members interested in learning more about Shifty can book a demo directly through the MRLA website. With proven results like Pita Way's 21% turnover reduction and 40% faster training, the platform offers a strategic advantage for restaurants looking to scale sustainably while maintaining quality and culture. MRLA members also receive a 10% discount on Shifty's monthly costs as part of this exclusive partnership.
Book a demo today to see how Shifty can work for you!
