Darioush Shahidi’s journey in the hospitality industry is one of dedication and passion. Starting his career in hotels at 16, he later transitioned to restaurant management before stepping into the role of Operations Manager at Lucia Restaurants in early 2019. Over four years, he has worked closely with the company’s directors, overseeing marketing, finances, operations, and spearheading numerous hires across the organization.
Today, Lucia Restaurants boasts five locations, with a sixth on the horizon. The Lucia brand, which debuted in York 14 years ago, has expanded to Harrogate and Beverley, while The Cut & Craft delights diners in York and Leeds, with plans to open in Manchester.
“In our lean operation, my role demands a hands-on approach. Our drive to expand has meant moving beyond the traditional 9-5, aiming to delegate responsibilities while staying deeply involved.”
Streamlining Operations with Dojo
In the fast-paced world of hospitality, time is a luxury that Darioush and his teams often found themselves short of. The adoption of Dojo’s integrated payment solutions across their restaurants has not only optimized their financial operations but also freed up invaluable time.
“Dojo has revolutionized how we handle transactions, significantly speeding up the payment process and enabling quicker table turnovers—a vital aspect in the bustling environment of our restaurants. This efficiency allows us to focus on delivering exceptional customer experiences, saving us approximately 10 hours a week collectively.”
Leveraging Real-time Data for Precision
The Dojo business app, combined with its seamless till system integration, has streamlined operations further, making transaction and revenue tracking effortless and significantly reducing the instances of payment discrepancies.
“Transitioning to Dojo has markedly reduced our weekly discrepancies from £60-£80 to virtually negligible amounts, a 90% reduction. This efficiency means we can swiftly address any potential issues without the lengthy resolution processes we previously faced.”
Enhancing Training with Dojo Go Epos Integration
Implementing Dojo has also transformed the training process for new staff, making it quicker and more efficient. The system’s intuitive design allows new hires to seamlessly handle transactions, with the ability to link transactions to employees, facilitating easier monitoring and quicker issue resolution.
“Dojo’s influence on our operations has been transformative, elevating our efficiency and operational effectiveness. Their responsiveness to feedback and commitment to innovation make them an indispensable partner in our growth journey. For us, Dojo is more than a payment provider; it’s a key to our continued success and efficiency.”
Darioush’s story with Lucia Restaurants highlights the profound impact that the right payment solutions can have on the efficiency and profitability of hospitality businesses. By embracing Dojo’s cutting-edge technology, the group has not only saved significant time and money but has also set a new standard for operational excellence in the industry.