Life At Toast

Embracing a Hospitality Mindset: From Hotels to Restaurant Tech

Tue, 24 May 2022 16:00:00 +0000

Terrance M.
Sr. Technical Talent Acquisition Partner

I’ve been a Toaster for just over 2.5 years. I first joined as an Operations Manager and have since transitioned into my current role as a Technical Recruiter. My educational background and career started in hotels; Being so close to restaurants, the company’s mission to enrich the food experience for all quickly resonated with me. We’re more than just another tech company; we’re a true extension of the industry we serve.

Toast is committed to career development for all Toasters. Because of our internal mobility (what we call ‘doughbility’), I felt supported in navigating a career pivot into recruiting last year.

Recruiting is a rewarding experience. I get to help my candidates find a role and manager they connect with, and I help my business groups innovate as we grow in a competitive labor market. In my conversations with prospective Toasters, it’s clear what they want: work that they’re passionate about, flexibility to handle the unpredictable demands of life, and an environment where they feel welcomed and can grow professionally. For me, Toast delivers on all three.

In my view, what makes Toast special is our culture of seeking out and acting on feedback and the focus we have on building an organization that accurately reflects the communities we serve. Diversity isn’t just a “nice to have” for Toast, It’s critical to our success.

One of our core values that speak highly to me is to Embrace a Hospitality Mindset. As Toasters, we’re incredibly passionate about our customers and the experiences we create. It doesn’t matter if our work impacts a job seeker, a restaurant, or an internal team. Like in the hotel industry, empathy & collaboration play prominent roles in how we operate.

“As Toasters, we’re incredibly

passionate about our customers

and the experiences we create.”

At the end of the year, I’ll be ending my time as a member of our DEI council, or CAFE [Council of Advocates For Equity]. In this work, I collaborate with our DEI team, executive sponsors, and other Toasters across the organization to help drive our company culture and business strategy towards a more equitable and inclusive experience for everyone.

One of the many hallmarks that I am most proud of in our work is re-establishing our community for Black Toasters, Pumpernickel & Rye. P&R was established as a safe space to celebrate our wins and find support as we navigate our careers in a fast-growing company. As a recruiter, I know how intimidating the job search process can be. When working with candidates interested in learning more about the Toast Communities, such as P&R, I connect them to community members. Not only does this give them a space to ask questions outside of the interview process, but it also helps them create a network ahead of their first day.

The mission and product offering of Toast got me excited to join. Our culture of transparency, collaboration, and professional growth are what keep me here. The progress we’re making in democratizing technology for restaurants of all shapes and sizes motivates me to find amazing people to join our company... It helps that we’re obsessed with anything related to food too.

If you’re interested in joining our mission to enrich the food experience for all, check out our rolls* here!

Congratulations to the 2022 Founders Awards winners

Tue, 24 May 2022 16:00:00 +0000

Kate C.
Program Manager, Employee Experience

Annually, we announce winners of our Founders Awards, which recognize Toasters who showcase themselves as a founder of a team or community while building an amazing culture.

Toast’s senior leadership team submits nominations and then those nominations are given to our President and Founders.

To be nominated for a Founders Award, a Toaster must be a “founder,” by creating something tangible here at Toast, and the nominator must demonstrate their impact and how that Toaster has showcased the way they live out Toast values throughout the year.

Toast.org’s A Toast to the Earth

Wed, 25 May 2022 16:00:00 +0000

Amy S.-B.
VP of Social Impact

In my role as Vice President of Social Impact, I oversee Toast.org and our efforts to solve critical issues in the food ecosystem that impact people and planet. Our goal with Toast.org is to deploy our people, products and philanthropic capital to create a healthier, more sustainable and equitable world.

Naturally during Earth Month in April, our focus was on the intersection of food and the environment. Within the food system (the production, processing, distribution and consumption of food), there are significant opportunities for improvement that would lead to the necessary reductions of carbon emissions required to stabilize the climate and prevent the worst effects of climate change.

For example, an estimated 30% of the world’s food is lost or wasted. Not only is that food not going to those in need, but it is also contributing to our changing climate representing roughly 6% of human-generated greenhouse gasses (the equivalent of 32.6M cars.)

Solutions to the issue of food waste range from prevention to rescue to responsible recycling of the extra food, and there are many areas where Toast can help. For example, we support organizations like Lovin’ Spoonfuls and Food Link and their work rescuing and distributing fresh food to those who need it most.

But our opportunity for impact isn’t just outside the four walls of Toast. It’s imperative that we manage and reduce the impacts of our own business on the environment as well. Toward that end, we are currently conducting our first greenhouse gas audit to understand the major drivers of our own carbon footprint (for example, electricity used in our offices and air travel) and to inform reduction strategies, like increasing our use of renewable energy.

It’s an exciting time for all of us to think about how we bring the innovative and purpose-driven spirit of Toast to bear to build a healthier, more sustainable and equitable world - where the food system isn’t contributing to the overall degradation of the environment and where everyone has a chance to thrive and create opportunity for themselves.

Toward this end, Toast.org hosted A Toast to the Earth, a month-long event centered around Earth Day and Earth Month, providing opportunities for Toasters to contribute to solutions. Toasters were able to apply for our Employee Grants Challenge, giving them a chance to introduce new organizations to Toast.org and to pitch their favorite environmental nonprofit to senior leaders on Earth Day. Toasters also joined their local chapters in volunteer events around the world. They also attended education sessions on composting, food waste, the marine environment and the future of food. We even had a category in our bi-annual Hackathon called “Hack-EARTH-on” where Toasters could come together to come up with ideas on how our products can create a more sustainable world.

Empowering restaurants as an Account Executive

Thu, 09 Jun 2022 16:00:00 +0000

Stacee G.
Sr. Territory Account Executive

I started my journey here at Toast a little over 2.5 years ago. I became a Toaster because of the culture, career opportunities, and ability to create my own schedule. Coming from a corporate based job where I had to overwork, over promise, and over deliver was exhausting. Toast for me was the breath of fresh air that I didn't know I needed. Being a single mom and having a team that not only supports me, but allows me to make sure my crouton* (Toast’s punny name for children) comes first, is truly humbling.

I have been in two markets now as an Account Executive. Being able to say that I truly empower the restaurant community to not only delight their guests, do what they love, and thrive at the same time is so rewarding. For example, one of my recent experiences was during this pandemic where our industry really struggled- no question about it. Toast allowed me to go out locally and help those Mom & Pop restaurants transition their mindset to be able to stay open- and to flourish. I constantly continue to help them adapt to the new ways of service by showing how Toast is a foundation for all of their needs for technology and as a partner.

Having my own specific territory where I can own my own business essentially is one thing; having an entire family of Toasters and creating many mentor- like relationships is an entirely new kind of experience that I am grateful for everyday. We really define what a sense of community is in the workplace. I am part of several groups where Toasters come together throughout all the different departments and form friendships that let us feel right at home. Also, having such a great team of developers that share what they have in the works and getting personally excited for those restaurateurs that I know will benefit from this is amazing!

As a field sales representative the recognition that I receive along with the promotions are solely based around my performance- which is refreshing in itself. I was recently promoted to a Senior Account Executive. I have recently purchased a new home for me and my son and even made it into our elite Presidents Club and Top Performers Trip, an all expenses paid trip to Maui…. I’ll report back and let you know how it goes!

Growing a family while growing a career

Thu, 09 Jun 2022 16:00:00 +0000

Kerri D.
Sr. Talent Acquisition Partner

Being pregnant is no easy feat... but being 8 months pregnant, while also trying to grow your career, AND navigating a new company is a whole other story. Between the doctors appointments, symptoms that change weekly, body aches, lack of sleep, cravings, all while trying to balance your personal and professional life – it’s a lot. I am extremely fortunate to say that I work in a place where, without question, I can always put my health and family’s wellbeing first. Unlike many women in the workforce, I can do what I need to grow and support my family, without any hesitation, feelings of guilt, or added stress. When I’m asked how work has been throughout my pregnancy, I’m filled with overwhelming joy by the quality of life I’ve had and the support I’ve felt from the start. Based on my experience so far and what I’ve seen from coworkers who are parents, I know I can be a fully present mother-to-be while also furthering my career growth and aspirations. I don’t have to choose one or the other, and I recognize that not all moms and working parents have this. I’m so grateful that I can enjoy this special time in my life, while knowing my Toast team is cheering for me.

This is my first child, and I will admit to being nervous about a lot of things: the birthing experience, acclimating to life after, and possibly never sleeping again. One thing I'm not worried about? My job. I have an incredible team, and my manager could not be more supportive. I was worried to tell her when I first found out I was pregnant. I had only been at the company for three months, and although she had been nothing but supportive and encouraging up to that point, I was still eager to see her reaction. As soon as I told her, all of those feelings melted away- she was so excited for me, and I even could see her tearing up. My team has been amazing in helping me prepare for my time away, and they encourage me to enjoy and embrace this next chapter in my life. Sometimes you hear about soon-to-be moms over preparing for their parental leave by working themselves tirelessly to over deliver before they go out on leave, but my manager already has made sure they had support in place, so I won’t feel an ounce of that guilt while I’m on leave.

There are a lot of working parents at Toast and within the Talent Acquisition team. I appreciate how many of them lead by example by not only being vocal about taking the time we need but also when they share their own stories of time off they spend with their families. I can’t wait to continue to gain advice from them and start sharing some of my own *crouton* moments (*croutons* = Toasters’ kids).

With everything I have to look forward to in this next phase of my life, I am also super excited to announce that I was recently promoted to Senior Talent Acquisition Partner at Toast! This promotion hit differently for me. Overwhelming feelings of gratitude and pride to work somewhere that, no matter what stage of life you are in, acknowledges hard work and values its employees. Oh, and did I mention the 16 week paid leave (for birthing and non-birthing Toasters based in the US), additional time with short-term disability benefits as the birthing parent, and flexible PTO?

Toaster Spotlight: Randy, Sr. Software Engineer Team Lead

Tue, 28 Jun 2022 16:00:00 +0000

Kate C.
Program Manager, Employee Experience

Randy is a Senior Software Engineer Team Lead, who started at Toast in 2016. He recently wrapped up his sabbatical, which allows Toasters to take up to four weeks off – with full pay and benefits – after reaching their fifth employment anniversary. Meet Randy Song, our Toaster Spotlight of the Month.

Can you describe your day-to-day work?

I work in Payments Digital Channels at Toast, creating application programming interfaces (APIs) so that anyone can accept digital payments. I coordinate with other engineering teams, prioritizing their needs with improvements my team is trying to make. I teach my teammates how our code base works, I review their code, help plan different projects and then, you know, in my spare time I'll write some code.

What do you like to do when you’re not working?

I really like cooking. I enjoy food more than I enjoy cooking, but it’s a vehicle for eating. I like to rock climb, but I have not been doing a good job rock climbing recently, so I need to get back in the habit of it. I used to do a lot of running, another thing I want to get back into, it’s hard in the winter. I play a lot of video games, sometimes too much. I enjoy snowboarding as well.

You started working at a restaurant during your time at Toast, correct?

From 2017 to 2020, I worked one weekend a month at an udon shop. So the reason I decided to work there was because I was at Toast, at a restaurant point of sale company. I wanted to understand what our customers have to deal with day-to-day. I really love the food, that was half the reason I went, I just wanted to learn how to make the noodles.

What did you learn from it?

At that restaurant, every morning, we would state our goals for the day, and at the end of the day, you would reflect. “Did I accomplish my goals? Why didn't I? What can I do instead?” And you find all these little micro improvements that you can make around the kitchen.

And I started to go into my daily work at Toast thinking, “How can I be more effective at my job? What can I learn, whether it be how I communicate with coworkers, whether it be how I structure my documents, whether it be how I write my code or how I do my pull request reviews?” Just thinking about what little things I can change that can help improve my work.

How’d you spend your sabbatical?

On the weekends, I went on a snowboarding trip with some friends to Killington, Vermont and another in Utah, and that was my first snowboarding experience outside of the East Coast. And then my girlfriend and I went to visit one of her friends in Texas. During the week, I worked on a coding project I’ve been wanting to get to for a while, around organic content reviews of products.

Built In Honors Toast in Its 2022 LGBTQIA+ Advocacy Awards

Thu, 09 Jun 2022 16:00:00 +0000

Toast Careers

Built In announced this week that Toast was selected as a winner of its 2022 LGBTQIA+ Advocacy Awards which recognizes employers who excel in creating an inclusive workplace for its LGBTQIA+ employees. This awards program was open to U.S.-based companies with a perks + benefits package that supports the unique needs of LGBTQIA+ employees; documented strategies to provide an inclusive environment for LGBTQIA+ employees; and dedicated hiring tactics to attract LGBTQIA+ talent.

At Toast, the mission of our diversity, equity, and inclusion philosophy is to bake inclusive principles into our practices, equity into our design, embrace unique identities and leverage the strength of diversity to achieve the best results. Our ultimate goal is to invite and maintain an inclusive and equitable culture that fosters and celebrates diversity and has sustained business impact.

Here’s how we strive to create an inclusive workplace for our employees:

More inclusive health care (i.e. gender-affirming medicine)
Fertility and family-forming benefits (i.e. adoption, surrogacy)
Mental health benefits for employees and their families
Financial wellness benefits
Employee resource groups (also known as Toast communities)
Partnering with external organizations such as Out & Equal for their programs on LGBTQ workplace equality
Participating in benchmarking surveys such as the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Corporate Equality Index to continue to improve our commitment to improving corporate policies and practices related to LGBTQIA+ workplace equality

We are proud of the community we’ve built here at Toast, and we look forward to seeing how we continue to elevate the experience for all employees.

“The winners of our LGBTQIA+ Advocacy Awards Program represent standard bearers for DEI, moving the tech industry closer to the human-centered future of work all people deserve,” says Sheridan Orr, Chief Marketing Officer, Built In. “These companies remind us that change is predicated on sustained and substantive action, not just words. We look forward to seeing how they continue to foster DEI for employees in the LGBTQIA+ community and, by extension, for all employees in tech.”

Read about the winners here.

ABOUT BUILT IN’S LGBTQIA+ ADVOCACY AWARDS

Built In’s 2022 LGBTQIA+ Advocacy Awards Program recognizes employers who excel in creating inclusive workplaces for their LGBTQIA+ employees. A judges’ panel, composed of tech leaders who are advocates for LGBTQIA+ inclusion, selected 25 winners. To be nominated, participants must have met eligibility requirements: a perks + benefits package that supports the unique needs of LGBTQIA+ employees; documented strategies to provide an inclusive environment for LGBTQIA+ employees; and dedicated hiring tactics to attract LGBTQIA+ talent.

Driven with Purpose: How our configuration centers ensure our customers thrive

Wed, 06 Jul 2022 16:00:00 +0000

Jake E.
Sr. Manager, Employee Experience

A couple of months ago, I had the inspiring opportunity to visit the team at the configuration center in Woburn, Massachusetts. As a new Toaster, I had a general idea of what the Hardware Operations team does, but it wasn’t until this visit that I got to directly see the impact they have on our customers’ experience.

Before a customer can go live, our Woburn and Reno Toasters are the key element in making sure operations run smoothly. They manage the inventory of Toast devices, configure our hardware before it goes out and handle any upgrades or repairs needed from customers. They make sure our customers get the right products – and on time.

Toasters in our configuration centers act on the needs of the business and drive their work with purpose each and every day. Below are a few ways this team makes an impact at Toast.

The Operational Excellence team is a new group within the Hardware Operations team that focuses on developing the overall hardware operations strategy to sustain growth and scale. Along with providing general production support, this team works to implement new processes and systems to increase productivity and efficiency within the configuration centers.

The Hardware Customer Operations team resolves issues and acts as hardware and order fulfillment experts to help the Customer Success and Hardware Operations shipping team work harmoniously. This team works as one to answer incoming questions from multiple channels, including Slack, Salesforce chatter, and email.

“One of the things I love about Hardware Operations is the ongoing collaborative efforts of Woburn and Reno in keeping the bar high. I also love the dedicated efforts our teams show with ensuring our customers are getting the right product and on time. They even take an added step with eating at their restaurants, asking them how Toast is working out for them, and offering any assistance with their hardware.” -Shy D., Operations Success Manager

There is so much to celebrate from these teams who continue to set the bar for hospitality and drive their work with purpose at Toast. And I’m lucky to have had the opportunity to meet some of the Toasters behind the work. As Toasters, when we work together to touch every aspect of the customer journey, our teams are better together, our customers can operate more efficiently, and we all thrive – a huge thank you to the configuration center Toasters that are making that happen.

Meet the Toasters behind the work

Tim M.

Inventory Team Lead, Woburn

“Tim started his career at Toast on the production team in May of 2017 while hardware operations was still very much in its infancy. Over the past four and a half years, he has helped the Woburn configuration center elevate their processes, always using his wealth of knowledge to help the team solve a problem. Over the past six months, Tim has been the driving force behind inventory control here in Woburn. He has worked diligently in revamping our inventory layout, developing improved signage, and creatively building solutions, all while performing daily cycle counts. Aside from all the accomplishments he is also a wonderful teammate and mentor to those around him.” - Alexis O., Sr. Manager, Warehouse Operations

Elizabeth P.

Shipping Team Lead, Reno

“Elizabeth came to Toast entering back into the workforce after being a stay-at-home mom for the past 10 years. By the end of her first week, the Reno leadership team quickly noticed Elizabeth’s natural ability of being self-driven and wanting to learn everything about Toast. In the course of a year, Elizabeth went from being a contractor to working her way up into becoming a team lead for the Reno Shipping Department. Her infectious positive attitude has allowed her team to thrive by pushing out customer orders and ensuring all rush install orders are always shipped out on time. As Elizabeth stated ‘If you do what you love you will never work a day in your life. I never quite understood this quote until I got the privilege of working for Toast!’” - Shy D., Operations Success Manager

4 Tips to uplevel your self reflection and performance conversations

Mon, 11 Jul 2022 16:00:00 +0000

Kylie D.
Organizational Success Manager

At Toast, our culture of recognition not only provides opportunities for employees to celebrate their victories, but it also encourages open conversations that help us all grow. We believe that feedback is a gift, and work hard to ensure our performance conversations reflect that.

Every six months, we take the time to reflect on the amazing contributions employees have made during the past half of the year and identify areas of focus for the future. We do this through a performance review process that involves self reflections, manager reflections, and performance conversations with your manager.

Whether you’re currently a Toaster, or watching our career site just waiting for the perfect roll* to pop up, check out these tips for making the most of your performance review:

1. Celebrate your accomplishments.

Taking time to reflect often starts with celebrating what went well this first half of the year. When writing your reflection, identify key areas you’ve made the most meaningful impact. What went really well for you? How did you do with your personal and team goals? Think through how you might connect your impact to your company’s broader mission to showcase your accomplishments.

2. Be candid in where you have the opportunity to grow.

Upon reflecting on what went well, also identify where you have an opportunity to grow. Regarding your contributions to the first half of the year, is there a skill, ability, or competence you can take to the next level? Think through an upcoming project or initiative where you might give this skill a try. Include that in your reflection to document where you’re at and where you want to be.

3. Remember your reflection is just a taste of what you want to talk about with your manager.

We understand how busy you are, and we want this to be straightforward and stress free – this is just one of many opportunities to stop and reflect. Focus on a couple of bullet points and use them to guide your performance conversation with your manager.

4. Be clear about what additional support you need to thrive.

While we believe learning and development are continuous throughout your journey at Toast, performance conversations also provide a great opportunity to identify where you might need more support. As you reflect on what went well and what you can improve upon, talk with your manager on how they can help support you in reaching your goals. Identify what types of support could help take you to the next level in the second half of the year.

At Toast, our goal is to help Toasters do the best work of their careers by ensuring role and goal clarity, getting you the feedback you need to grow, engaging you in your work and experience, and allowing you to see your own potential and growth trajectory.

Toasting to our new office on St. Stephen’s Green

Fri, 15 Jul 2022 16:00:00 +0000

Paige M.
Employer Brand Program Manager

This week, Toasters from around the globe came together to celebrate the opening of our new office in Dublin!

After opening our first international office in 2017, it quickly became clear that Dublin was a perfect match for Toast. Thanks to the rich food culture and innovative tech community, our Dublin team of trailblazers expand Toast’s reach, tackle new challenges, and empower restaurants around the globe every day.

"Toast originally chose to invest in Ireland largely for its concentration of high level technical capability,” reflected Robert M., Senior Vice President of Engineering at Toast.

“Over the last several years, we’ve come to reap so many more benefits from our strategic investment here–ease of collaboration with other Toast teams, Irish hospitality, and more. We look forward to more fruitful days to come for Toast in Ireland."

In addition to the technological advances that have come out of Dublin, we are also incredibly proud of the inclusive, driven culture that we’ve fostered in Ireland. In 2022, we became a certified Great Place to Work in Ireland. Additionally, we were named to the Best Workplaces in Ireland and the Best Workplaces in Tech lists. These accolades are all thanks to our dedicated team of passionate Toasters, who live out our mission every day through their work, their community, and their commitment to giving back.

Cara K., Associate Director of Program Management, is a local community chair through Toast.org, our philanthropic arm. Through this work, Cara organizes and hosts volunteer efforts across Ireland to help give back to the local communities and bring Toasters together.

“One of the things I really love about Toast is the fact that we give back,” Cara said. “Toast to the Earth, [our month-long global volunteer campaign], was all about helping with initiatives that support the environment and sustainability. All of this was really just to get us all back together to give back. It’s something I really love about Toast- it makes it a really special place to be, and a great place to work.”

Now it’s time to say goodbye to our beloved Ballast Street office, and settle into our new space on St. Stephen’s Green. This office will include collaboration spaces, top of the line technology to connect with employees across the globe, community gathering areas for celebrations, and unique features that tie back to the restaurant community. We are committed to providing Toasters with all of the resources they need to thrive!

In recent years, the future of work has certainly evolved. Many Toasters have chosen to forgo the traditional in-person working model in exchange for more flexibility. These days, Toast offers various working styles that encourage an ideal work/life balance for employees- whether that’s fully in-office, hybrid, or fully remote.

Amanda H., Senior Director of Engineering at Toast, spoke with The Irish Times about Toast’s philosophy on empowering employees to do their best work from anywhere.

“As a leadership team, we strive to enable our employees to reach their career goals and empower them to do so through resources, programmes and open lines of communication,” says Amanda. “We also recognise and celebrate that each member of our team is unique and has different needs when it comes to work/life balance and we encourage our team to find and adopt the blend that works best for them.”

Regardless of where you do your best work, we’re excited to continue our adventure in Dublin. Interested in joining a global team that’s revolutionizing the restaurant industry? Check out our open roles!

Toaster Spotlight: Olivia S., Customer Care Specialist

Wed, 20 Jul 2022 16:00:00 +0000

At Toast, our customers are at the heart of everything we do. We recognize that a lot of work goes into running a restaurant, so our products and services aim to simplify and streamline those processes. That way, we can get customers back to focusing on what they love- curating delicious food, delighting their guests, and creating meaningful experiences.

We wouldn’t be able to provide this world-class customer service experience without the dedicated and passionate members of our Customer Care team. This team solves technical issues, answers questions, and provides support, all while embracing a hospitality mindset and prioritizing the customer needs. Learn more about life as a Customer Care Specialist below!

What kind of work do you do?

I help customers troubleshoot their devices and other help related to hardware. I was trained on Toast while working at a restaurant in Omaha, so I know what customers are looking at, and I know where everything’s located.

In Care, we strive to provide the best experience possible for our customers. If we can't solve an issue right away, we always circle back to the customer. We research the problem, and then follow up as soon as we can. Another really important part of this is taking detailed case notes while working with customers. That way, if they call again, the next agent can read the case notes and catch up quickly.

What is the most rewarding part of your work?

The best part of the job is my team. I really like the people I work with on the night shift. When it's slow in the evening before our shifts are over, we'll hang out on Zoom and work on casework and ask each other questions. I like being recognized for all the hard work we do, because it's definitely not an easy job.

What skills do you need for this role?

The top three skills I think you need to be successful in this role are time management, patience, and the ability to multitask.

What is something you wish more people better understood about your role?

Customer Care agents are the front line a lot, so they're typically the first person to help our customers through various needs. We help move issues to where they need to go to get things taken care of for our customers the right way.

What Toast value resonates with you the most and why?

“One team” is my favorite Toast value. In particular, the nighttime team I work with is really cool and I love everybody on it. Even when I ask other agents that aren't on my team questions, I always get really good feedback and everyone's more than willing to help me.

Celebrating National Intern Day

Thu, 28 Jul 2022 16:00:00 +0000

Taylor B.

Campus Recruiting Program Manager

It's National Intern Day! Today celebrates interns’ invaluable contributions to the workforce and recognizes the world’s future leaders.

My work includes managing our global programs for early career professionals and those returning to the workforce. This gives me many opportunities to engage with emerging professionals regularly, and to help them develop their career paths. Their refreshing energy and perspectives keep me energized!

Interns motivate all of us by challenging us to think from fresh perspectives. They’re on a mission to accomplish ambitious goals, and as they navigate new spaces, they push us to join their quests. This keeps us sharp and ever evolving.

At Toast, we run the gamut – we have internships, co-ops, returnships, externships, and an MBA/JD program! Collectively, they are shaping their careers while helping grow Toast in every facet of our business.

We also have interns continuing to shape their careers and Toast, years after their internship, by returning as a full-time employee. When Sam L. came to Toast in 2018, they joined us as a co-op, and in 2020, they returned as a full time Toaster! Today, they’re a Marketing Operations Manager on our Demand Generation team.

“In a previous life I wanted to be a restaurateur but ultimately put that dream down for sake of stability,” they said. “But being able to directly support that industry, to support my could’ve-been self, is a fulfilling opportunity. And doesn’t hurt that some of the best people I’ve ever worked with are all here with me.”

A breakdown of the career-shaping opportunities at Toast:

Internships are 10-12 weeks of summer work experience for students looking into the industry.

Co-ops are semester-long internships that are attached to students’ academic careers that last four to six months.

Returnships are 16-week internships for those who have been out of the job market for at least 2 years, typically due to caretaking responsibilities, and have at least 5 years of relevant industry experience.

Externships are temporary job training programs that allow students to experience the workplace through shadowing or volunteering for a short amount of time.

MBA/JD internships are for students currently enrolled in an MBA program.

The Toast Intern Experience

The student experience isn’t solely focused around the traditional work students and returnees are doing. They also attend customer panels, go out into the field to Toast restaurants, and participate in professional development and social activities.

Before the pandemic, those based in Boston would have more in-person experiences, like going to a Red Sox game or bowling, but now in a heavily remote environment, we’ve switched gears to hosting virtual experiences throughout our programs. This is a great way to bond with fellow interns and have fun!

Growing the Team

The goal ultimately is to give these students and early career professionals the opportunity to learn more about the industry, explore career paths, and determine where they see their careers developing. In order to do that, we have to continue to be creative and innovative, and give early career individuals hands-on experiences.

“I remember feeling like a trusted member of the team because I was handed some meaty projects,” Sam said. “I wasn’t showing up and standing in front of the copy machine and stapler all day. I was brought in to metric reviews and brainstorming sessions and actively asked for my input.”

Here are five ways you can help your current – or future – intern thrive at Toast.

Remind yourself that they are an intern/co-op -- while we want to provide them impactful projects and opportunities, they will need clear guidance and support throughout
Encourage curiosity and question-asking
Help them network with members of the team and other Toasters
Encourage them to take part in different programs across the business to enrich their experience
Be thoughtful and prepared

Check out this advice from former interns to current interns:

Eva B., Software Engineer

"I decided to come back because I truly had the best experience at Toast. The company, the people, and their values are unmatched by any other working experience I've had. It is a very collaborative and encouraging community that I was eager to come back to. My best advice to future interns would be to fully immerse yourself in the experience. Attend all the events, participate in meetings and ask lots of questions!"

Samantha V., Senior Project Specialist, Total Rewards

"I would tell future Toast interns to think big and find out what type of work makes you happy to get out of bed in the morning. Once you figure that out, you can work with our fabulous talent acquisition team to try to find your dream job right here at Toast."

Maegan W., Software Engineer II

"Of all my internship experiences, Toast made me feel the most valued to the team. I was fully integrated into day-to-day work and at no point felt unsupported by my immediate coworkers. My advice to future Toast interns would be to not hesitate to ask all sorts of questions about what you're working on, what other people are working on, everything - the sky is the limit! Learn as much as you can while you're here and meet as many people as you can!"

Do you know a student who is a Toaster in-the-baking? Check out our careers site for open positions this fall!

Enhancing our work spaces for collaboration

Thu, 07 Jul 2022 16:00:00 +0000

Beth C.

VP of Global Real Estate and Workplace Experience

This is part one of a series that highlights the different ways we work and can collaborate together. As we continue to think about the Future of Work and what that looks like at Toast, we’re exploring new ways to deliver an extraordinary experience to all Toasters, no matter who you are and where you work. In this blog, we will focus on our physical offices. Stay tuned for more posts highlighting the Toasters in our various work designations.

Much has changed about how companies and employees approach productivity since so many of us began working remotely in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Individually and as a company, we reimagined how we work together and how we stay connected as one team.

Connecting all employees and facilitating a seamless experience is one of our biggest goals this year. We recognize that each Toaster may work differently, depending on what’s best for them, what’s best for their team, or what’s best for the company. Globally, our ingredients are in-office, remote, hybrid, and field Toasters, choosing where and how they help us deliver on our mission. We all show up to work from a different perspective, and we’re trying to figure out how to weave that together into a consistent, inclusive experience for all Toasters.

Two years later, after almost settling into a new normal working aesthetic, Toasters are returning to our offices to do their jobs and I love how our offices can remain a through line to bring people together physically and further facilitate community, connection, and a shared sense of belonging.

And to further my thought on how we all bring different perspectives, I believe now is one of the most exciting times to be in real estate and workplace experience.

As VP of Global Real Estate and Workplace Experience, I lead a team whose goal is to create Toast spaces that encourage the exchange of ideas, promote our culture, foster learning development, and support our customers. Earlier this year we opened a San Francisco office and last month, a Nashville Configuration Center. We moved to a new location in Dublin and will be moving to a new location in Omaha (opening August 2022). We’re also doing a lot of experiments in the Boston space, expounded upon below.

At Toast we are driven by mission and purpose. We want those shared values to be represented in how we engage in our workplaces. everything we do in our workplaces. In every Toast office – whether in the U.S., Ireland, or India – we celebrate customers, we celebrate our values, we celebrate each other.

When our offices were initially designed and scoped, things were a lot different than they are now. Everyone was working in person but now we are imagining a new office model that won’t be a sea of desks filling the space.

Since our offices have reopened, we’ve noticed, Toasters don’t come in to sit at a desk. They come to attend off sites, or a team sprint, or to socialize with their teams and connect with a Toast community.

Below is more information about the in office experiments we are conducting to test what works best for the future of work and the future of Toast.

IN-OFFICE EXPERIMENTS:

Reservable offices: a lamp, side chair, sit to stand desk.
Ideation kits: we've got brainstorming kits that we have distributed throughout the office so brainstorming sprints, jam sessions, and getting their design thinking and their creative juices going.
Customer spaces: we have heard from our sales and our marketing team that it would be really great if we could come in and DEMO our products together so that we can activate them and have customers come in and learn about our products and help in the sales and marketing process.

We want our offices to be experience centers, a destination, where people don’t say, “I have to go there,” they say, “I get to go there.”

Reflections from the National Restaurant Association Show

Mon, 25 Jul 2022 19:16:40 +0000

Sam S.

Technical Account Manager - Enterprise

It goes without saying that the National Restaurant Association Show this year was special. After years of not traveling and seeing customers in person, I was reminded of the hope and passion that still fuels the restaurant industry, and this event showed me it still burns brighter than ever. Everyone from industry start-ups to industry titans came together to showcase their innovations for the restaurant community. Toast most certainly did not disappoint.

Toasters from all across the U.S. converged in Chicago alongside restaurant operators from all across the world. Toast had representation from Sales, Marketing, Restaurant Success, and Customer Care, all showcasing how we work #bettertogether to drive innovation, and bring our mission to life.

In Toast’s main booth, our new 3.0 POS design, with an emphasis on dark mode, was on full display. Our second booth focused on the QSR experience that received raving feedback. We also showcased the new features for FSRs with the ability to pinch-zoom on the table map to see critical details such as total time spent at the table, number of guests, and server information. Customers who stopped by the booth shared that it was great to see our products in action, compared to a Zoom demo.

At the event, we had the opportunity to meet with current Toast customers, where stories were told, connections were made, and laughs were had. But, most importantly, as a Technical Account Manager in the enterprise space, I left with new memories and new friends in this growing community.

In the end, the months of planning by our fabulous events team were all worthwhile. Many current and future customers cycled through our booths for demos and swag or to say hi to the person they usually communicate with on the other end of the computer screen. Their passion and hopefulness for the future reminded me why I love being a Toaster. Amazing experiences like the National Restaurant Association Show are vital to help our current and future customers do what they love, and thrive.

About the National Restaurant Association Show

The National Restaurant Association Restaurant Show is one of the largest annual gatherings of foodservice professionals. The show brings together the people, ideas, products, solutions, and information that make up the entire domestic and international industry spectrum. It is a pinnacle event in our industry.

From networking opportunities to panels with top industry leaders, the restaurant community experienced the latest industry-leading innovations from Toast in action. This year, the Toast team brought the ‘Built for You’ brand campaign to life, using product launch messaging throughout the pre, during, and post show experience, and leveraged the momentum from the show to drive traffic back to campaign resources to drive Marketing funnel acceleration.

Toast is on the rise in Omaha!

Fri, 05 Aug 2022 16:00:00 +0000

Paige M.

Employer Brand Program Manager

We are excited to share the inside scoop on our new office in Omaha! Toast first joined the Omaha community in 2017. Since then, we have been warmly welcomed by the local community and energized by the city’s expansive food scene.

"I witnessed a tech ecosystem that was somewhat undiscovered and a hidden gem," Chris Comparato, Toast CEO, said of his first visit to the city during site selection trips in 2016.

Our presence in Omaha consists of Toasters across the business- from customer care, to sales, to human resources and recruiting. These employees embody the Toast values and serve our customers with heart every day. Their dedication to empowering the restaurant community has helped Toast provide a world-class customer experience and live out our mission.

Now, we are looking forward to bringing that same passionate and innovative energy to our new home in Aksarben- “Nebraska” spelled backwards. Aksarben Village is the perfect place for Toast to settle, in large part to the many Toast customers in the area and the lively community. Toasters will be able to enjoy various dining options, family-friendly activities, and unique entertainment options- like the summer farmer’s market.

“This project has been a lot of fun to work on,” said Adrienne C., Workplace Experience Manager in Omaha. “I had the opportunity to work with new contractors and was lucky to have the amazing team blazing the way with fresh ideas for space and desk setup. The space curation of the Omaha office is unique and I am proud of what we put together. It is incredibly rewarding to bring ideas to fruition.”

In addition to these community benefits, our new office space will also enhance the employee experience. Our new space includes an open-floor concept, encouraging inclusion and collaboration, as well as spaces dedicated to wellness and relaxation. Toasters can unwind in our game room or grab a snack in the marketplace. Creating a space where Toasters feel engaged and welcomed is pivotal to the Toast employee experience.

“The Workplace Experience team here at Toast has been absolutely amazing. They do so much to make Toast an inclusive and safe work space,” shared Bash H., Segmented Support Manager. “I find myself excited for the days I come in.”

We welcomed Toasters to the new space during a week-long celebration, complete with executive speakers, conversations with customers, and volunteer opportunities. Employees will be able to come together to celebrate and explore our newest space.

There were also special surprises throughout the week, including the opening of the Toast Community Garden. The Toast Community Garden is a place where Toasters and community volunteers will plant, grow and harvest food to be distributed to those in need and will do so in a sustainable and local way, in partnership with an incredible partner, Omaha Permaculture.

Toasters around the world are regularly invited to volunteer events in their local communities. This is a cornerstone of the Toast employee experience, and something we’ve all come to deeply value.

"As a Toaster I believe in serving our customers, communities, and the planet. Toast Volunteer opportunities empower our collective inspiration and abilities to make a world of difference," said Andy M., Performance and Awards Manager on our Omaha Customer Success team.

Are you looking to join an electric team that’s revolutionizing the restaurant industry? Check out our open roles in Omaha here!

Out & Equal: Fostering an Inclusive Community at Toast

Fri, 12 Aug 2022 16:00:00 +0000

Michael P.

Director of Employee Engagement and Experience

As I round out my second year in my current role, and approach five years at Toast, I wanted to take time to reflect on how Toast has always pushed me to think differently. This started in how we approach building incredible experiences for our customers, and more recently has been directly focused on creating an extraordinary experience for our Toasters. How can I, and my team, find new ways to ensure Toasters feel they can be their authentic selves? How can we make sure they are realizing that this can be a place that they can do the best work of their careers? And, where my passion truly falls, how can I help them foster a deep connection to our mission?

Our mission is to empower the restaurant community to delight their guests,
do what they love, and thrive.

Growing Leaders

In April, I represented Toast at the Out & Equal Conference through our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) partnership with the Out & Equal organization. As part of Toast’s commitment to DEI, we partner with a range of organizations like Out & Equal to build an inclusive and equitable environment where our values drive behaviors and advocacy, embracing diversity and strengthening the sense of belonging for everyone. This gave me a chance to dig deep, be vulnerable, and lean into different aspects of my identity. I’m so grateful to Toast for helping me to grow in this way, and finding opportunities to infuse my learnings into the larger Toast culture.

The leadership forum was designed to bring LGBTQ+ leaders from across the world together to think about how we help create opportunities for advocacy and mentorship in everything we do. As excited as I was about this opportunity, I was really nervous as I headed to the event. I have been out and proud for roughly 12 years now. I came out when I was 20 years old, and even though it has always been who I am, it’s just one part of my full identity. Admittedly, I have never spent a ton of time immersed into the LGBTQ+ community.

Typically, when you are looking at leadership development it's in your function, or for situational leadership or how you develop your teams, or how you think about creating programs for scale, but this was about leadership development in the sense of being an LGBTQ+ leader and what that means for your community. This event provided me with a new perspective, and will allow me to approach leadership with a different lens moving forward.

The importance of belonging

We talk a lot about belonging at Toast, and the importance of having a strong sense of belonging in the communities you are a part of. However, I'll tell you now, that was not the case upon arrival at the conference. I felt like a fish out of water. But rather than run, it drove me to think about why, and use the three days to find that space for myself.

Throughout the event, we focused on authentic leadership- what that means, and how you bring that to life. I would think, “Should I be doing more? Should I be doing something differently? Should it be more of my identity?” A lot of reflection happened on the first day. One of the first questions asked at the conference was, “Where have you seen yourself in another leader?”

I could comfortably say, or maybe uncomfortably, I've never seen myself in another leader, in regards to the LGBTQ+ community. I shared that for me it was my current manager as they’ve given me the opportunity to see how to present yourself in an authentic way, be vulnerable and really bring your whole self to play - in any situation.

But when I thought about it from the LGBTQ+ perspective and how I see someone represented in how I identify myself, as a leader, I never have. That stuck with me and pushed me to think about how I can do more in my role to be that representation for others.

Our gifts fuel our purpose

A quote was shared that read, “The meaning of life is to find your gift and the purpose of life is to give it away.”

We shared our coming out stories which brought us to storytelling. I love being a storyteller. It is so fun, and it's something that I've been told is one of my superpowers. During the event I discovered how I came to develop my storytelling ability, and it was a tough realization. Growing up closeted, not able to be who you truly want to be – because even 12 years ago that was very different – you have to be prepared to tell a story in a moments notice so that someone doesn’t tell one for you. And while this was a harsh thing to come to reality with, it connected so many dots for me. In my current role when I’m telling stories and diving into how we think about our narrative, I pull some of those skills from conversations and situations that shaped me as I grew up.

We also talked a lot about how to “supersize” your superpowers. For me, as an example, we talked about me being a storyteller - but once we unpacked it - it was truly that I enjoyed being an amplifier.

I like being able to give a platform to people to showcase the amazing things they're doing on a regular basis so they can see and understand their impact and continue to drive their passions forward, inspiring others in the work they're doing while simply being themselves.

At Toast, we have built such an amazing community of individuals who all bring their own superpower to the table to help us to deliver on our mission.

If we can use our platforms to help lift each other up, tell each other's stories and even provide a bit more confidence in the work you’re doing - then that's a win for me. I would have to say, that’s my why.

Keep an open mind

There was a big thing I noticed at the event, people were talking a lot about their decisions to come out at work. And that hit me in a big way.

The LGBTQ+ community has gone through so much over the past several decades and continues to make strides like a lot of minority groups have. We continue to have our ups and downs and each one of us struggle in that. I also believe that sometimes there are specific assumptions made about how someone may present themselves. It could be their religion, color of their skin, whatever their identity might be - but remembering that everyone has their own story, their own struggle will help us all thrive in a new way, together.

So, sometimes it may look or seem like someone’s got it figured out, but maybe they're struggling to come out at work or come out in general. While having a conversation they may say, “oh my partner” and just leave it there. The simplicity of that is so important, but not everyone feels comfortable to be able to do that and that's what is so hard for me to hear. It's heartbreaking, to be honest.

Useful takeaways

One of my core takeaways: How can I continue to utilize my platform in order to make a difference here at Toast? We have a very open community, and we continue to strive to maintain that openness, and I hope most, if not all, Toasters feel comfortable enough to always be who they are.

But if they don't, I would love to have a conversation, and help figure out how we can help achieve that as well as help people feel more comfortable in who they are being in this company and being authentic in this business.

My other takeaway: What else can I do as an LGBTQ+ leader to be that leader someone may think of when they are asked the questions we were asked? How do I become their answer?

And finally, if you’re nervous about attending one of these conferences, lean into that feeling and know you're not the only one who feels that way. But you were asked to go for a reason. You’re there to continue your journey. Get excited about it.

3 Tips for Writing Impactful OKRs

Wed, 17 Aug 2022 16:00:00 +0000

Sam D.

Chief of Staff, CIO

Summer is a time for resetting and recharging: Toasters are enjoying summer vacations and our flexible PTO, teams are planning their work for the next quarter, and everyone at the organization is setting goals for the second half of the year. As we embark upon the next few months ahead, it’s important that we take time to set impactful goals that continue to set us up to execute and deliver on our mission.

During a recent company-wide meeting, we discussed the importance of durable, efficient growth. At Toast, we’re constantly striving to ensure that Toasters across every level understand how their everyday work ties to our broader company goals and helps us deliver on this durable, efficient growth at scale. We can accomplish this by managing results through an Objective and Key Result (OKR) process. OKRs and how we manage them may look different for each team, but ultimately, this should create alignment, transparency, focus and motivation.

As you plan out your OKRs for the rest of the year, use the tips below to increase your impact and tie your work back to our company goals.

1. Understand the difference between Objectives and Key Results.

Before diving into goal setting, it’s important to understand the OKR framework that we use in order to set goals. Objectives are the ‘what’ we want to accomplish and where we aspire to go – they break up big missions into actionable goals and milestones. Key results are the ‘how’ we’ll achieve our objectives’ – they’re the benchmarks through which you’ll track progress.

Great objectives are clear on the intent and direction of what you want to accomplish, while key results answer the question: “Did we achieve our objective?”

2. Use strong, action-driven verbs in your key results.

Key results should capture exactly how you’ll accomplish your objectives. They should be:

Measurable and quantifiable - key results should be measurable with one metric to track (Think: how are we going to prove progress/success?)
Objectively gradable - Numbers quantifying an end state or outcome, not action items or opinions
Actionable - The team should be able to take clear, measurable steps to achieve the key results through a defined set of initiatives
Challenging (not business as usual) - They should be the best possible results ora stretch goal to move the needle on performance and build momentum
Collectively they answer “Did we achieve the objective?” - For each objective, provide 3-5 specific, measurable quarterly outcomes that taken together verify you’ve met the objective

3. Focus on the impact you want to make individually, within your team, and for the organization.

At Toast, we all play a role in delivering on our mission. We are all responsible for mixing our individual ingredients to drive the restaurant industry forward – and our goal setting should reflect that ambition. Toast’s approach to OKRs connects the overall company goals to departmental objectives and key results, and then to individual team members’ key results. Your goals should capture concrete milestones and focus on the impact you can deliver to guide your personal growth, team growth, and Toast growth.

A couple of recommendations to bring OKRs to life with your team and to connect your impact to the broader Toast mission:

Intake - Develop processes to quickly identify and prioritize goals.

Align - Create cross-functional checkpoints to align and commit for a set period of time

Monitor - Monitor progress and run “sprints” to course correct when a Key Result is off track

Communicate - Identify how you will communicate OKRs within your team. Best practices include reviewing in team meetings, 1:1s, career conversations, performance reviews, etc.

We are each a piece of the Toast puzzle, and when brought together, we bring to life the story of Toast. By coming together and setting impactful goals across the organization, we are able to grow both personally and professionally, allowing Toasters to make an impact on our mission, helping both the restaurant industry and Toaster community thrive.

Better Together: How Mentorship Sets the Sales Team Up for Success

Tue, 16 Aug 2022 16:00:00 +0000

Jordan F.

Onboarding Sales Enablement Manager

When I started as an account executive in 2018 and became a mentee, it helped me learn the day to day of the position, systems, and daily tools. Shadowing meetings and understanding the best way to organize were at the top of my list. Then when I became a mentor, I was able to help others ramp faster based on my learning curve and help them understand what to expect while holding an open space to troubleshoot and grow. Now as an onboarding sales enablement manager, I get to help take our mentee/mentor relationships to the next level to ensure we’re doing all we can to best support our sales team members grow their skills and thrive at Toast.

The Sales Mentor Program is a four month program for account executives that starts in their third week at Toast, after they have participated in Family Meal (our company wide onboarding experience) and Sales Bootcamp. Bootcamp is a two week sales training program provided by our Onboarding Sales Enablement team which is followed by support from the coaching team for the remainder of the ramping period. Prior to Bootcamp, district managers will match their new reps with a tenured, successful rep on their team or region to provide support. The mentor will drive the outcomes by building on strength, expertise, sharing career stories and key lessons learned while being a role model and asking for feedback. During our monthly “Mentoring the Mentor” sessions, we review the weekly one-on-one requirements, give additional resources and guidelines, hear from current and past mentors, and give updates on ramping reps’ goals. Mentors and mentees regularly continue their relationship past the four month period.

We continue to refine how we enhance the experience from this program but some of the key benefits we’ve found after launching this program are:

Reducing the feeling of isolation in a remote environment
Assisting in setting and achieving goals
Formalizing connections that allow for social learning throughout the org

Another major benefit is that there is a financial bonus incentive for the new hire and the mentor. The bonus is tied to the mentee’s performance during this ramping period of this program. This ties right in to our #OneTeam value at Toast.

Hear more about the value of this program from a few of our Sales team members:

“Being a mentee helped not only build up my knowledge of the system and processes, but also my confidence in representing the system. My mentor's tenure with the company was such an amazing benefit. Any situation I ran into she has worked through before and is able to offer guidance.”

Margaret H.

Territory Account Executive

“My mentor helped me navigate obstacles while working remotely. This was integral in my success. My mentor also taught me how adhering to a process and finding success come with time and consistency.”

Zoravar G.

Territory Account Executive

“Being a mentor has helped get a different point of view of the sales process. It has also helped me learn how to approach my coaching conversations differently based on personalities or goals.”

Juan M.

Team Lead - Field Sales

“Being a mentor has broadened my perspective that my communication and influence creates ripple effects across time and more individuals than just my mentee. I learned more about myself and what it really means to coach someone to reach their aspirations.”

Michelle C.

Regional Vice President

“As a mentor, I can always be there to lend a hand or be a shoulder for the newer reps going through exactly what I went through in the beginning. I truly believe I am able to help them become more successful by handing down the tricks of the trade that I have learned throughout my time here.”

Stacee G.

Senior Account Executive

From Woburn to Nashville- Toast is on a roll!

Fri, 19 Aug 2022 16:00:00 +0000

Paige M.

Employer Brand Program Manager

Opportunities to learn and grow come to life in many different forms at Toast. We love giving Toasters the chance to innovate on projects, build up their skill sets, and tackle new challenges. Recently, a group of Toasters had the unique opportunity to thrive by bringing the toastiness they’ve grown to love into a brand new space.

Hear more about these Toasters who made the move from our Woburn Configuration Center in Massachusetts down to our newest configuration center in Nashville, Tennessee, and how this opportunity is shaping their Toast experience.

Change can be challenging, especially when you’re building something completely new, but our “Always Be Hungry” value helps motivate Toasters to continuously look for moments to grow. Joshua B., Product Manager, was born and raised in Massachusetts, so he was excited to embark on this new adventure.

“When I heard that Toast was opening a new configuration center down in Nashville, it was an opportunity I couldn’t turn down,” Joshua B shared. “I was at a point in my life where I wanted to change up what I was doing- to have a fresh start. I saw this journey as the perfect moment to be able to stretch my wings and create new memories, in not just a different city, but a whole other region!”

Aside from the excitement of exploring a new part of the country, this move would also provide unparalleled career opportunities to these Toasters to lead a major project and help build a solid foundation for future employees.

“I love to learn new things and challenge myself to go beyond,” Nisha K, Shipping Lead, said. “This new Configuration Center in Nashville is implementing a new warehouse management system, so I’m excited to learn it and be part of the process.”

Toast is dedicated to providing employees with the support and resources they need, so that everyone is set up to succeed. While this is always a priority, it becomes extra important when we’re presenting Toasters with new and exciting opportunities, such as this one.

“This move has helped me to be more vocal and recognize my potential,” Nisha said. “Toast has supported me in my professional growth since the day I started.”

“This journey allows me to spread Toast’s culture, while simultaneously growing my own career,” Filander agreed. “Toast has made sure I am confident and have all the resources I need available to me to be successful.”

“Toast has always supported me in my goals, and they have truly made me feel valued,” Joshua added. “They made sure I was prepared for the move, they helped with it, and they have continued to make sure that I am doing well down here.”

Although the team is excited to foster a unique culture in Nashville, there are many aspects they’re hoping to bring with them from Woburn.

“When I think about transitioning from Woburn to Nashville, I want to make sure we keep that hospitality feeling. From the first day I started, it felt as though I had been there since the start,” said Filander L., Inventory Receiving Specialist.

Joshua added a similar perspective. “The community and culture of not just Woburn, but Toast as a whole, is truly unique. I always like to say that we have a work hard, play hard mentality. Our configuration centers are very different from your typical warehouse. The employee experience is held highly here at Toast. We come into work, we make a game plan for the day, and we execute said game plan to the fullest. While we are kicking butt throughout the day, we may take a 15 minute break to challenge each other in an intense game of ping pong! We have a respectful environment that brings in people from all walks of life, and we aim to make everyone feel welcome here!”

Congratulations, Nisha, Joshua, and Filander on this exciting next step in your Toast journey! We are grateful for your commitment to our mission, and excited to see the great things you accomplish!

Does this sound like a place where you could thrive? Check out our open positions!

Tips from Toasters: Wellbeing for working parents

Mon, 22 Aug 2022 16:00:00 +0000

Bria F.

Content Writer, Employee Experience

We spoke with Toast Parents, who shared advice and lessons learned that they use to navigate parenting, especially while working throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. If you are a parent, work closely with someone who is, have caretaking responsibilities, or are planning for parenthood, we encourage you to read through our tips from Toasters.

Alejandra D., Customer Care Specialist, Employee Cloud

Crouton: Jayden, 7

Something that has really helped me, especially as I co-parent, is to find a routine that works for you and your crouton. To keep my son busy, we have a time slot for everything and he has a timer in his room that helps him know when it’s time for a new task. Also, look through all the benefits your employer offers. Toast has amazing benefits and one thing for sure that I have noticed is that they truly care about mental health. I took it for granted and that really could have come in handy at the beginning for sure. That and just have open communication with your lead. My team leads are all so patient.

Brandon K., Restaurant Success Manager II

Crouton: Sunshine, 9 mos.

Having come from the operations side of some of the busiest restaurants in the country, my work/life balance instantly became better when I joined Toast simply based on the overall work hours, but the continued support and encouragement from superiors to take PTO, take mental health days, and promote boundaries with your customers has been amazing. Most importantly, seeing superiors lead by example and share their own out of work experiences while with their families has really promoted a family first atmosphere.

Ashley J., Tax Onboarding Specialist 1

Croutons: Gabrian, 16; Keanu, 4; Kensington, 3

Spend time focusing on the things you can control instead of what you can’t. Feeling overwhelmed is completely normal. Just remember to take time for yourself (even if it’s taking a quick walk, a shower, or taking snacks and hiding from your kids while you enjoy them!)

Aryca P., Director of Talent Sourcing

Crouton: Westlyn, 15 mos

Starting a family after a ~20-year career was a big mindshift. I joined Toast shortly after welcoming our daughter and had to focus on two new jobs (new company, new mom). My approach has been to be transparent, vulnerable, share what’s working and where I need to invest more. I have been overwhelmingly surprised by not only supportive co-workers/communities, but the high engagement of teams genuinely interested in crouton milestones.

Arrie B., Customer Education Specialist

Croutons: Owen, 14, Mason 9
Appreciate the time because it passes quickly. I feel like my boys were just babies a year ago, but now they’re nine and 14. Now they're back in school full time and I miss my little co-workers. Every day when my boys get off the bus, I take time for them and they tell me about their day. I’ve planned my time off around my boys vacation, so I could spend time with them. I wasn't able to do that before but I’m able to do that now. Taking that moment and taking lots of pictures I think has been very important to me as well. Creating memories, even if it's not the ideal of what we wanted it to be.

BEST PRACTICE TIPS:

Get familiar with your employer’s caregiver benefits
Be transparent with your manager or team
Create a schedule for you and your croutons
Working with your manager to plan ahead for parental leave and returning to work
Take a walk/snack/silence break when needed
Enjoy time with your family
Take pictures
Be gracious with yourself
Share and seek support with your colleagues

Toasting Around the World

Wed, 12 Apr 2023 16:00:00 +0000

Shivam R.

Senior Software Engineer

As a software engineer at Toast, I knew I would always have the opportunity to think creatively and build innovative solutions. Although I was confident I would be able to grow with Toast, I never would have imagined how far it would take me.

Prior to joining Toast, I worked in India for two years, before moving to Ireland for my Masters degree. After completing my program, I accepted a software engineering position at Toast in their Dublin office. In my role, I worked and led the Identity and Access Management team that focused on authentication, authorization, and user workflows. This team covers everything related to user workflows, authentication and authorization of internal users, applications, customers, and our customers’ guests. It has a tremendous impact, as it ensures our customers have a seamless, easy experience with logging in, other account related flows, and all checks revolving around whether they have access to perform necessary operations.

I greatly enjoyed my time in the Dublin office, but recently, I was offered the adventure of a lifetime: helping to build out our office location in Bangalore.

In my new role, I will be focusing on Enterprise reporting and analytics, where we make sure our customers have all the data they need, in an easy to understand format, to help them make informed decisions. Not only will this experience give me the opportunity to continue making an impact through my work, but I’ll also have the chance to bring the inclusive, innovative culture I loved so much in Dublin to the Bangalore office.

I chose to join Toast because of the impact it has, and the huge potential to affect such a positive change in the world. We work together as one team in everything we do, and empower the restaurant community in the US (and now slowly but steadily spreading across the globe!) to excel. We are using the latest technologies and working with some of the greatest minds in the business, which has amplified my technical growth in so many ways.

After being a Toaster for 3 years, I’m still excited about all of the great things we do, and the ways we work together. I'm eager to bring that spirit to the Bangalore office. At Toast, we’re building great products and providing innovative solutions, all while thriving in an environment which takes care of every individual and treats every individual with respect. I want to do my best to make sure the new location is full of the exuberance and excitement that I always felt in the Dublin office.

If you’re looking for a role where you can grow immensely, see the impact of your work, and learn from incredible teammates, check out our open positions! This is just the start of our journey in India, and I can’t wait to see where it takes us.

How to Kickoff Your Job Search

Thu, 01 Sep 2022 16:00:00 +0000

Colleen G.

Director, Early Career Talent

Every time I chat with a student about kicking off the job search process I have flashbacks to when I did it for the first time. Whether it was searching for internships or a full time job, I had constant messages from my parents asking if I found anything yet. I would explain to them that I didn’t want to take any job; I wanted to find one that I actually liked. They would quickly respond with: “No one likes their first job out of college. The top priority is securing a job.”

Job security is incredibly important, but so is feeling fulfilled in your work! Whether you’re looking for your very first internship, a new full time job, or something in between, I have three tips to make sure your job search is a little less stressful and a lot more rewarding.

Establish your core values

Everybody has a list of things that really matter to them. This is true in every aspect of life and it’s especially important when it comes to finding a fulfilling career. Before you ever tackle looking for jobs you need to do some reflecting on what matters most to you. This could range from a variety of things. Is collaboration in your work important to you? Maybe remote flexibility is top of your list.

My big three are:

Company culture -- does the company practice what they preach when it comes to inclusivity?
Growth potential -- does this company invest in their employee growth?
Autonomy -- will I be given the freedom to problem solve the way I see fit?

I know how important these are to me now but I definitely wish I focused more on them when I started my search all those years ago.

Create a list

Now that you have established your core values you can narrow down your search to companies that meet your standards.

Pro Tip #1: Websites like Glassdoor and Comparably are great places to search for companies. When you find a company that matches your needs, add it to a list. From there you can add interesting job postings that come up at each company and keep track of when you apply to specific openings.

Pro Tip #2: Don’t apply to every position a company posts- narrow it down to the ones that are the most interesting to you and only apply to one position at a time. Having this list and building on it as your search goes on will keep you from getting overwhelmed and lost in the shuffle of the job search.

Build up your LinkedIn

LinkedIn might not be the most interesting social media platform out there, but it is the most important one when it comes to your job search!

You just set up a list of companies that match your values and a list of jobs at those companies that piqued your interest. From here you can find those companies on LinkedIn and add them to your network. Don’t be afraid to send requests to people who are currently working in the department you’re interested in -- it’s a great way to see the growth trajectory of the role, understand the skills you’d build up on that team, and maybe even give you the opportunity to chat with someone in the role.

Also, you can add some recruiters to your network that work for the company.

Pro Tip #3: It is okay to message a recruiter about being interested in a specific job within their company, but understand that recruiters get dozens of messages a week, making it impossible to chat with everyone! Most recruiters don’t take informational calls but receiving a message that says you applied to a specific position and you’re excited about the opportunity shows that you have done your research and you're committed to the role.

There you have it: my top three tips for kicking off your job search. This is a really exciting time in your life. Don’t let the stress of it all overwhelm you. Instead, put your priorities first, keep yourself organized and network, network, network. Happy job hunting!

Meet the Leader: Lou Orfanos, SVP, GM of Commerce

Fri, 02 Sep 2022 16:00:00 +0000

Bria F.

Content Writer, Employee Experience

Lou Orfanos is excited to help design the future of restaurants.

Born and raised in Boston, he grew up visiting his grandmother at the local pizza shop where she worked. He loved helping her make the dough to prepare orders for customers. Aside from sharpening his sous chef skills, Lou also learned how restaurants operate by watching the owner of the pizza shop run his business.

Lou eventually went on to follow in his grandmother's footsteps by working in restaurants himself. He then began building a career in tech, which included roles in marketing, business development, product management, and product.

He’s also taught at Harvard Business School and advised startups. Those interests, along with a desire to drive impact across a company, led him to Toast.

In May 2022, he joined Toast as the SVP and GM of Commerce in our Research & Development organization. Lou leads Toast’s commerce line of business, where he works to ensure that our platform is resilient, pressure-tested, and always innovating.

You grew up in the Greek immigrant community and around restaurants in Boston. How has that experience impacted your decision to join Toast?

In the 1970s and 80s, there was a wave of Greek immigrant entrepreneurs to the Boston area who opened pizza stores and dry cleaners. My family didn't directly own any of these, but all of their friends did.

I can remember watching my grandmother work and hearing how stressed the owner was. Running a restaurant was tough and a big grind. Then at some point, I started working in restaurants and it gave me a lot of empathy for the folks that are in restaurants, and it’s really good to be able to help again.

You’ve jumped into a lot of projects since you’ve joined Toast. What type of work do you do day-to-day?

I lead the commerce line of business — basically the operations of a restaurant. We’re trying to figure out how to have a high quality product, innovate with product, and make sure we can help restaurants do the basics and operate how they want.

We’re also trying to piece together priorities and sequencing of how our new initiatives come to life. My role is to decide: How do we sequence? How do we prioritize? How do we make decisions on whether to work on one thing or another? Then, how do we inspire the teams to go after a big bold vision for it?

In what ways do you think about scaling monetization within our platform of products?

The key to this as we scale is to keep it simple. You have to think about it from the customer perspective and imagine them visualizing all the things you're trying to get them to purchase. Sometimes, it’s just too complicated. So, if we can keep that part simple, that's great.

The other side of that is the low friction, which means that you have to let them buy the way they want to buy. Some folks are going to want to work with sales teams, and others are happy to do it within a no-touch, e-commerce process. I think as we scale, we have to set up multiple avenues for purchase that are really aligned with what customers want, in an effort to reduce decision fatigue.

How do you see product, engineering, and design working together when building products?

The way these three teams work together and make decisions should be concentric circles of overlap. The product person owns the problem set that's out there. They can help prioritize the problems we need to solve. The design person owns bringing that problem to life and figuring out the best way to solve it, and determining what the experience will be. Engineering has sort of a technical complement to that, which is: “Why don't we make this happen in a scalable way, and do it the right way?”

Each role, when they're at their best, can flex and do parts of the other role. The teams should be able to rely on each other and stand in for one another. At Toast, we also have a strong program management team. They function like train conductors who operationalize processes and keep everyone on track.

How has your work prior to Toast helped you hit the ground running?

I've worked in similar technology companies before, and you start to see some patterns of the types of decisions that can be valuable for teams. When my team is making big decisions, I've said: If we want to make this a priority now, the best thing we can do is give the teams clarity. We can always unwind it or pivot, but transparency is key.

Alignment — making sure everyone understands what we’re working on, where we’re going, and why we’re doing it — is more important than strategy. Because anybody can have a great strategy. But getting it done is really, really tricky. You can always pivot your strategy slightly, but it's really hard to pivot and recalibrate for the best approach if you aren’t aligned. And if you don't install those types of things, it can become really difficult to keep a high performing team running.

What do you do outside of work/do for fun? What are some of your hobbies and general interests?

I always joke that I used to have hobbies, but I have three very little girls. My kids are five, three, and 10 months old, and they sort of fill everything up in a good way. I spend a ton of time with them, whenever I'm free, basically. We like to go to the beach a lot. I like going out to dinner with my wife when I have a peaceful moment. I like simple things, like being with my friends, and at this point, I just want to be around people I love.

What excites you about the future of Toast?

It's really cool that I can tell my friends and family that I'm helping design the future of restaurants. Building the standard for restaurant technology and how restaurants operate is a really compelling vision. I want Toast to be the place partners think of when they want to collaborate and build innovative products, or where restaurants go when they want to expand the things they're doing to a new service model. We want to become the standard, and it's really exciting to figure out how we're going to build to that point.

How a customer-centric mindset helps me thrive at Toast

Fri, 09 Sep 2022 16:00:00 +0000

Jocelyn W.

Area Vice President, Onboarding

What attracted you to a career opportunity at Toast?

I was first introduced to Toast shortly after we opened the office in Omaha. As Director of Operations for a bar and restaurant group based in Omaha, I was actively looking into switching our point of sale system to Toast. I happened to meet a couple of wonderful Toasters at a tech event we were catering, and I was jazzed after hearing them speak to how much they loved working for Toast. I instantly started scouring the job postings for something that would fit my interests and experience. After being in the industry for over 15 years and watching my husband work at a tech startup for five years, I was constantly envious of his work-life balance and the culture he was a part of. Toast was the perfect fit for what I was craving professionally, while still allowing me to flex my knowledge of an industry I had loved since my first restaurant job- scooping ice cream at the age of 15.

Photo credit: Michael Pysh

How has your past experience in the restaurant industry helped you in your role at Toast?

Let me count the ways! I think first and foremost, my past experience has allowed me to really connect with our customers, since I have been in their shoes so many times. I understand what it’s like to have a menu that isn’t built for my staff to be as efficient as possible, or to have my online ordering site stop working during our peak takeout hours. Being able to empathize with our customers is a super power!

My experience has also helped me to “roll with the punches.” In a fast-moving tech company, adaptability is key. Just like in restaurants, there are no two days that are alike. Dealing with an unexpected late night rush requires the same sort of mental shift that is needed when there’s a sudden change in goals or priorities at Toast. Everyone pitches in, works hard, and pushes that priority towards the finish line.

And lastly, I’ve never stopped being customer obsessed. Without loyal customers, the restaurant or bar or software company cannot be successful, which is why it is so important to provide the best customer experience possible each and every time.

It doesn’t matter if you’re talking about a customer who needs an extra side of ranch or a customer who needs a little extra help with their menu. Ensuring that they walk away from their experience with a smile on their face is the ultimate goal!

Describe your role and team.

I oversee our Menu and Guest Onboarding teams, which are responsible for consulting on and configuring the menu and our guest-facing products: Online Ordering, Mobile Order & Pay, Scan to Pay, Gift Card, Loyalty, Email Marketing, Toast Takeout, Toast Delivery Services, and our Third-Party Ordering integrations.

My day-to-day consists of working with my team of Directors and Managers to ensure we have the right strategy in place to execute on our goals and provide the highest quality experience both for our internal partners and our customers. I meet regularly with our product, POS onboarding, customer marketing, and training teams to ensure that we’re aligned and executing on the goals we’ve set.

Our Menu and Guest Consultants work with three to four customers per day, consulting on and configuring their menus and guest products, so our customers have all of the tools to be successful on their Toast POS system and beyond! The role is highly customer-focused, so the key ingredient we look for is customer empathy. Restaurant experience is a huge plus in understanding our customers’ needs. The team members are managing multiple customers for varying lengths of time, so we also look for organization/project management skills, as well as strong communication skills.

What is your advice for those looking to grow their career within Toast?

My advice is always stay hungry! If there’s a project or initiative that speaks to you and would help you grow your skills, raise your hand, because I promise, there are five other people ready to raise theirs and take that opportunity. If a team member or customer is in need of help, go the extra mile. A little bit of empathy goes a really long way. I’ve built and nurtured so many genuine connections with my teammates at Toast, many of which started because I took the time to respond to their question or help them put a fire out. And lastly, always be yourself, even if you end up being branded as the Girl Fieri of Toast due to your Guy Fieri obsession.

Celebrating Hispanic/ Latinx Heritage Month with the Emerging Markets Team

Thu, 15 Sep 2022 16:00:00 +0000

Paige M.

Employer Brand Program Manager

Today marks the start of Hispanic/ Latinx Heritage Month! As part of our celebrations, we are highlighting the work of our Emerging Markets team.

The Emerging Markets team serves customers in their preferred languages of Spanish or Mandarin. By providing end-to-end support to customers in their preferred language, the Emerging Markets team is breaking down the language barrier and helping our customers reach their goals.

"I wanted to join the Emerging Markets team because of how near and dear this community is to my heart,” shared Drea O., Onboarding Manager. “I am first generation, and growing up, my parents owned a restaurant and food trucks with limited resources. I have always been inspired by my parents. The Emerging Markets team helps individuals live out their dreams, while providing them with resources and support in their own language. We are helping them thrive!"

“I decided to join the Emerging Markets to highlight the importance of equity when it comes to assisting those who face challenges related to language barriers,” added Allyson B.R., Onboarding Consultant. “My work has highlighted the need and importance of recognizing that not all customers are the same, and that providing the right resources in one's own language is true customer care.”

Gaby Y., Account Executive, reflected on how her background in hospitality set her up for success on the Emerging Markets team.

“Although I've been working in hospitality all my career, I've never worked solely for the Latinx community, empowering them to do more. Mixing my Colombian heritage with the restaurant community, and empowering Latinx restaurateurs to succeed in an already difficult industry, is the most important part of my job.”

The work of our Emerging Markets team brings our “embrace a hospitality mindset” value to life by truly focusing on the customers needs, and allowing them to thrive through challenges.

"We are changing people's lives by providing them our knowledge and expertise with empathy, leading with humility, and showing our core values," shared Jennifer P.R., Bilingual Onboarding Consultant.

“Customers are relieved that Toast offers a sales process and support in their native language,” according to Juan B., Senior Account Executive. “This leads to a genuine relationship. It's a great opportunity to teach the community about new technology and trends in the industry.”

Through speaking with members of the Emerging Markets team, it is clear that this team is driven by heart. When you work with this group, whether that be as a Toaster or a customer, you will be warmly welcomed into a community filled with support, compassion, and respect. This deep connection brings Toasters and our customers together as trusted partners.

"I have so many wonderful memories of working with our customers. My favorite was working with a small taco place that was still using pen and paper," Jennifer P.R. reflected.

"The customer was not tech savvy and had a lot of issues with computers. During our kick-off call, I showed him our equipment, explained the process, and made it as seamless as possible for him," Jennifer P.R. remembered. "On the day of the installation, he brought in his daughter- she was about nine years old. It reminded me of when my parents used to take me to their work, and I had to translate for them. While opening the boxes and seeing the user-friendly equipment, I could tell he was more relaxed. We got their equipment installed in less than an hour! His daughter even helped him activate the terminal, and when he saw the menu on there, he was so happy; his eyes lit up, and he showed it off to his daughter. I will never forget what he said: 'This is going to make my life easier and get my business to grow; this is amazing - thank you.' Being able to help, talk to him in our language, and guide him through the process was a great reward for this job. It reminded me of why I chose to be in the Emerging Markets and why I want to ensure our Hispanic/Latinx community gets the best experience, help, and success possible."

“One of my newest customers that ran a food truck asked me to drop by; thinking it was an issue with the system, I did - but she and her husband had invited me to their family lunch at the food truck to thank me for assisting in the process. The Hispanic/Latinx community is always so welcoming and it's rewarding to know that Toast impacted the entire family,” Gaby shared.

“If you join us, you will be joining a familia at Toast,” said Jimmy F., Onboarding Consultant.

“In the Hispanic and Latinx cultures, familia has a super tight knit dynamic, and that is what you will get at Toast with Emerging Markets.”

Jimmy is also a member of Mi Gente, the Toast Community for Latinx and Hispanic Toasters. In addition to the connections he has made with his Emerging Market teammates, he is also able to express his culture within this group.

“When you join Mi Gente, you’re able to have fun and be yourself. You can express your culture and share with other Toasters- whether that be values, music, language, or things that are going on in the world,” Jimmy reflected.

We love seeing the innovative ways Toasters help customers thrive, and we are so grateful for the passion and energy that is driving the Emerging Markets team forward. We hope you all will join us in celebrating this team not only during Hispanic/ Latinx Heritage month, but throughout the entire year.

Leveraging your Professional Development Stipend for Career Growth

Thu, 22 Sep 2022 16:00:00 +0000

Megan W.

Director, Learning and People Development

At Toast, we want to cultivate opportunities for career growth – both professionally and personally. We hope you’re able to do the best work of your career here. That’s why it’s important that we provide ways for you to develop new skills, hone existing ones, and identify opportunities for advancement.

One way we aim to provide this support is through an annual professional development stipend. Every calendar year, Toast offers each full time employee a stipend to be spent on professional development. This stipend could cover a variety of learning opportunities, such as:

Books
Online courses
Conference fees and travel
Membership fees
Text books
Training programs
Certifications
Degrees
Exams

We asked a couple of fellow Toasters who have used their stipend in the past year to share their experience. Read below to gather ideas on how you might use yours.

Faith N., Guest Technical Consultant

“I used my professional development stipend to get a SQL certification, which helped me get promoted to my current position as a Guest Technical Consultant. I learned how to use SQL to access data stored in databases and to use functions for performing complex database operations with ease.

On our team, we need to take extra steps to find customer information that is not accessible via Toast Web. Having this knowledge makes it easier to do so. I’m grateful to my manager, who supported and encouraged me to pursue this.”

Sherry Z., Inside Sales Manager

“Being newer to Toast, I wanted to quickly make an impact on my immediate team and I knew the best way to do that was to continuously learn myself. I love how Toast supports personal learning and development and used my Professional Development stipend to pay for a subscription of Masterclass, Harvard Business Review, as well as the New York Times. As I would learn new principles in the field, for example, Daniel Pink’s concept of Social Proof, I would share that with both my management team as well as my direct reports. Same goes for great articles on HBR or NYTimes.

I tell my team this all the time - it’s all about gaining one or two nuggets from each experience and incorporating that into your routine. So many great lessons from books, videos, articles, etc. really a treasure trove of knowledge out there and I’m confident these lessons will continue to impact my career trajectory at Toast.”

Steffan A., Director of Product Design, Data Products

“I read a lot of non-fiction. As a director of product design for data products at Toast, continuously learning and deepening my understanding of how successful restaurants are run and what makes them thrive is extremely important.

There are several books that I’ve used the professional development stipend to purchase and I use what I’ve learned from them on an almost daily basis, not only to inform our team’s design work, but to have more informed conversations with our customers about restaurant performance and reporting.”

Hungry to learn more? Head over to Life at Toast on Instagram to learn more about the Toast Talent Experience!

Be part of the equity equation: National Disability Employment Awareness Month

Tue, 04 Oct 2022 16:00:00 +0000

Emily M.

Senior Manager, Guest Experience

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), and the theme this year is "Disability: Part of the Equity Equation." This theme recognizes the vital role people with disabilities play in making the nation's workforce diverse, inclusive, and successful. As a person with a disability, I am grateful that Toast has been so open and inclusive since the start. I have always felt like I could share my experiences if I chose to, and I would be seen and heard. I think this really comes down to Toast's core values, especially “Embracing a Hospitality Mindset.”

I am a congenital amputee, born without my left arm below the elbow. Depending on the task, I’ve used a prosthesis most of my life. When your body doesn’t fit the standard mold, everything takes more thought and planning. My parents always taught me there wasn't anything I couldn't find a way to do, though, so I became very independent at an early age. I learned to tie my shoes at age 4. (Though it took me until age 31 to braid my own hair! The learning is ongoing.) When I became a parent to Samuel, age 4, and Alexander, age 18 months, I had to learn how to do everything two ways — with and without my prosthesis. I’m also lucky to have a very supportive husband who has always said “you don’t have one hand, we have three.” Things like nursing and diaper changing were so hard. My husband did every diaper change the first month so that I could focus on learning to breastfeed. No one warns you that the first few years of parenthood are so physical. Finding new ways to complete daily tasks is truly a lifelong learning process for many people with disabilities.

Between moving regularly as a “military brat” and my visible disability, I learned one of the most important skills that has made me successful as an adult: adaptability. I had always worked in an office, but once the pandemic hit, my previous company quickly pivoted to remote work. I was at that company for 10 years, so by that point, many people already knew me in person and knew of my visible disability. Since I’ve always been remote at Toast, though, you wouldn’t know my left hand is missing unless I tell you.

Working remotely as a newer employee has prompted a whole different set of challenges around who to tell about my arm and when. I made sure to tell my manager and my direct reports fairly early on, since I'd have prosthetist appointments, but telling others has been very situational. Navigating this new territory has given me some insight into what folks with invisible disabilities must go through — debating how much to share and when.

There are some great benefits to working remotely. Not having to commute each day has given me more time back, so I can focus on other things, such as my own wellness and my relationship with exercise. I was never super into sports or exercise, but after having my two children, my relationship with my body changed. I suddenly felt strong and powerful and like my body had done this amazing thing. Exercise became this wonderful outlet for my mental health. Before I worked from home I really struggled with time to fit it in during the day. Now it's much easier.

Even as a remote employee, though, I’ve been able to build a strong community here at Toast. I helped found the disability employee resource group at my last company, and I was really excited to see that Toast already had one. I made a point to join Second To Naan, a community for Toasters with disabilities, as well as allies and caregivers.

For folks who are looking to support co-workers with disabilities (whether they be permanent, temporary, or situational), here is my advice:

Have an open mind.
Ask questions respectfully.
"Disabled" is not a bad word. The disability community works hard to take back pride in that word and to combat ableism. But not everyone's the same, so ask people what they prefer when the time is right.
The disability community is incredibly diverse. It intersects with every other identity! And it is the only historically marginalized group that anyone can become a member of at any time.
Remember that each person's journey is unique. Meet the person where they are.

If you are a member of the disabled community, I hope you recognize the great value and perspective you bring to your organization and the impact you can make to create more inclusive environments. For those looking to better support the community, I hope you all take an opportunity to learn more about how you can help remove obstacles to create a more equitable experience for current and future co-workers with disabilities.

Meet the Leader: Ritika Butani, VP - Corporate Development

Tue, 11 Oct 2022 13:54:49 +0000

Bria F.

Content Writer, Employee Experience

While working at her parents' store as a child, Ritika Butani learned the importance of customer service, organization, and connecting with the industry.

This, combined with her upbringing as the daughter of small business owners and immigrants from Liberia, influenced her decision to join Toast.

Now, she's excited to help Toast grow, innovate, and keep ahead of the competition.

“I have a deep appreciation for small business owners, the struggles they go through, and the level of effort they put into their business,” she said. “As I progressed in my career, I knew I wanted to join an organization that strived to help small and medium-sized businesses and sole business owners succeed.”

Ritika has worked in mergers and acquisitions, business strategy and operations, strategic partnerships and global revenue operations, and corporate development.

Most recently, she led corporate development at another tech company.

After 10 years in corporate development, she wanted to use her experience to benefit a company at a different stage of its growth journey.

Ritika joined Toast in January 2022 as Vice President of Corporate Development.

“Toast is a company that I had admired from afar given its mission-driven culture and customer focus,” she said. “I’m very much looking forward to helping drive future growth within the restaurant ecosystem and helping to power the future success of restaurants of all sizes.”

Ritika works within the finance organization. She runs the cross collaborative team that is focused on executing and integrating inorganic strategies that will deliver results and further develop Toast as a company.

What type of work do you do day-to-day?

Corporate Development is responsible for carrying out transactions such as mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, investments, and more.

Our team standards include making sure deals are done right - meeting our world-class standards - and being the eyes and ears of Toast on new trends and opportunities. We want to become trusted partners to the business units and the preferred partners of venture capitalists, start-ups, advisors, vendors in the restaurant industry.

A key focus at the moment is setting up the processes for mergers and acquisitions and investments, and ensuring we have a solid pulse of what’s happening internally and externally.

What is something your team has worked on in the last 90 days that you’re extremely proud of?

The Corporate Development team closed the acquisition of Sling, a leading employee scheduling and communications solution, in July. The addition of Sling adds to our growing suite of Team Management products. We can now empower restaurants to simplify scheduling and communication across their team, control their labor costs, and pay employees faster through one integrated platform.

This was a heavy cross collaborative deal that required a lot of coordination, but was seamlessly done by the team.

What excites you about the work that you do?

First, the strategic work. A large part of my work involves understanding our strategy, how it can be impacted by our competitors or other external parties, and ways the organization can continue to grow and accelerate.

Second, meeting startups and entrepreneurs. My role revolves around knowing everyone in our industry and ecosystem, big or small. Meeting startups and founders who are passionate about what they are building keeps me excited and energetic about the possibility of what is to come.

What are some of the experiences you’ve seen leading corporate development elsewhere that you feel you’ve been able to bring here to Toast?

I have been working in mergers and acquisitions for over 17 years, 10 of which have been in corporate development across Yahoo, Verizon, Square, and now Toast.

Through this experience, I have been able to see how highly functional corporate development teams have been able to create value for the organization whether through bringing in new talent and leaders, expanding into new markets or segments, providing insights to help drive product led decisions, or acquiring a transformational asset.

Who does your team closely collaborate with and what does that look like?

The Corporate Development team is highly cross collaborative. We work closely with the business unit general managers on strategy, pipelining, and assessing potential targets. Once we have a deal in sight, we work across several cross functional groups (legal, finance, accounting, HR, tax, systems, communications) to due diligence the deal and negotiate the ultimate purchase agreement. After we close the deal, we spend significant time working on integration within Toast.

What do you like to do outside of work?

I live in the Bay Area with my husband, Robin, and two daughters, Kiara (nine) and Krisha (six). In my spare time (the little that I have), I enjoy traveling, watching cooking shows, and finding new local merchants and restaurants to visit.

More recently I have been spending more time involved in organizations that help women leaders grow and excel via mentorship. I also spend time meeting founders and startups who are seeking advice on their next fundraise or growing their business. I’m passionate about entrepreneurship and the possibilities of creating new and innovative technologies.

Ritika Butani is now a member of the Toast alumni community. We greatly appreciate their many contributions to and lasting impact on Toast!

Toaster Spotlight: Lexi H., Director, Customer Care

Thu, 06 Oct 2022 16:00:00 +0000

Toast Careers

We are celebrating Care Appreciation Week here at Toast! Our Care team is the driving force behind our “embrace a hospitality mindset” value. They constantly prioritize our customers’ wellbeing, and their work empowers customers to live their dreams. Thank you, Care team, for all of the incredible work that you do! Read on to hear from Lexi H., Director, Customer Care.

________________________________

When Toast acquired StratEx in 2019, Lexi knew she didn’t really know what was ahead of her, but she knew it was going to be an exciting challenge to walk through. Since then, her gratitude for the experience of an acquisition within her professional career continues to grow. She remembers feeling in awe of all of the resources Toast had to offer.

Describe your role and team.

I help lead the Toast Payroll and Team Management Customer Care team, which means I get to work with some very talented people across the Employee Cloud, FinTech, and Core POS lines of business. In my current role, a lot of my focus is cross functional. I’m focused on helping ensure the payroll care agents and managers have what they need in order to best help support our customers.

Our team primarily supports the back office of restaurants. It’s our team’s job to help our customers learn how to use our system so they can work autonomously and confidently processing payroll and required state/federal employee paperwork.

The best payroll care agents are those who discern, diffuse, and define what is causing a customer stress, and then align with them to help outline the necessary steps forward for a resolution. There are times where - given the nature of our business and working with State and Federal agencies - we may not be in control of the solution but the team members who can empathetically align with our customers on the next steps they need to take are the ones who are most successful long term.

People don’t call into customer care lines when everything is working well so we really try to look for critical thinking, curiosity, and empathy when searching for new team members.

It seems you've spent a lot of your career in customer care -- what motivates you to help this line of business grow and thrive, especially at Toast?

The easy and obvious answer to this is helping our customers learn our systems so they can focus on what motivates them and help their businesses thrive.

Our care agents experience is reflective of our customer’s experience with our products and services. I’m motivated to help our care agents' excel within our systems so our customers in turn can have a better experience with Toast.

For me personally, my motivation to stay in the customer care line of business really boils down to helping make the team more efficient over time, coupled with a desire to share my experience to help others grow their careers.

Care is a phenomenal place to start a career. One of my favorite parts of this job is watching people come into the Care organization, get really good at what they do, and then bring those skills to other teams and areas of Toast.

I take my job as a coach, mentor, and manager very seriously, and nothing brings me more joy than getting that message from a former care agent expressing gratitude for the lessons learned and challenges they conquered as a member of Customer Care.

Why should someone consider joining the Employee Cloud Payroll team?

One of the small gifts of being a part of the Employee Cloud (EC) Payroll team is I can now hold my own during family dinners with a bunch of accountants! All joking aside though, the Payroll Care team is a really great place to learn and grow in a corporate environment. You don’t need to be good at math or understand tax - all of that comes with the job! Joining the EC Payroll team is a great way to help have a direct impact on improving the experience of restaurant workers and helping the restaurant business and industry thrive as a whole.

If you’re interested in growing your career in Customer Care, check out these opportunities!

Driven with Purpose: Serving Our Local Communities

Thu, 13 Oct 2022 16:00:00 +0000

Susan R.

Senior Manager, Corporate Social Responsibility

Toast.org, Toast’s philanthropic branch, is driven by our company’s purpose to enrich the food experience for all, with a focus on our three pillars of giving: food, community, and environment.

Through Toast.org, we are dedicated to solving critical food issues that impact communities around the world and are especially focused on addressing food and nutrition security, an issue that has been exacerbated because of the pandemic. Data from the USDA indicates that more than 34 million people (including 9 million children) in the US are food insecure, and according to Feeding America, the pandemic has especially increased food insecurity among families with children and people of color. To make an impact on this issue, we were eager to get involved in Hunger Action Month this year and to engage Toasters in locations around the US, and even around the world.

One of the highlights of my role is working with our Local Committee Chairs. This is a group of Toasters that come together from all around the world to help us host meaningful and impactful events in local communities. They’re able to identify volunteer opportunities in their communities, energize groups of volunteers, and help us spread the mission of Toast.org to Toasters all across the globe. When I learned more about Hunger Action Month, and in particular Food Bank Day on September 2nd, I suggested that we participate and, as always, the Local Committee Chairs enthusiastically agreed.

Together, we were able to host 20 volunteer events, providing Toasters across the US and Ireland the opportunity to give back to their local communities. Not only does this help the Toast.org team achieve our purpose, but it also helps employees feel connected to things that are important to them.

“With so much chaos going on in the world, it feels incredibly good to give back and try to make a difference where we can. It’s why I’m so involved with Toast.org,” Stephanie D., Strategic Growth Manager, reflected. “The event I put together for Hunger Action Month at the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina was especially close to my heart. While growing up with a single mom who was in the restaurant industry, I dealt with food insecurity as a child, and I remember all too well what it’s like to not know where your next meal is coming from. My mom and I actually received emergency food boxes from this food bank quite a few times, so coming full circle to be back as an adult and being able to be on the volunteering end is something I will never forget!”

In addition to serving those around us, these events are also very meaningful to building community within Toast. Our Local Committee Chairs are instrumental in planning and executing these events, which bring together Toasters from across the business.

“I organized an event for New York Toasters with Food for Life. We were able to prepare and serve meals to the homeless population in the Lower East Side.,” said Pooja S., Product Designer. “This was such a meaningful experience because it allowed me to view food, something that permeates through every aspect of our company, through a whole new lens. Seeing how we can utilize food to uplift and empower the communities we live in was a transformative experience, because it reminded me of the collective potential we have to make change in the spaces of food insecurity, inequality, and inaccessibility. Getting to serve alongside Toasters who represent different demographics and lines of businesses made it all the more meaningful- a true testament to our #OneTeam value!”

While searching for partners to volunteer with, it’s important for us to remember that each organization will have unique needs. Our goal as volunteers is to help them reach their goals. Toasters are innovative and adaptable, which make them open to jumping into unexpected opportunities. Our NOLA event is a great example of this.

“When we got to Second Harvest food bank NOLA and they said we'd be ‘de-tagging ducks,’ I was not sure what to expect,” shared Dylan F., Territory Account Executive. “Then they told us about the Rubber Duck Derby, one of their biggest fundraisers of the year. It is a huge event where thousands of members of the community will sponsor a rubber duck in the race. We detagged almost 15 huge cases, each containing hundreds of ducks. It was so rewarding to be able to take this time-consuming task off their plates and to know our effort was helping them to continue to do the work they do.”

When we reflect about the impact our team can make, it is important to remember that food and nutrition insecurity is a year-round concern for many families around the world. This is something that resonated with Noelle H., Senior Manager, Employer Brand.

“As the Local Committee Chair for Atlanta, I had the opportunity to bring a group of Toasters to the 911 Day Meal Pack Event at the Atlanta Community Food Bank. Our group was able to help pack over 170,000 meals to be distributed within the community," shared Noelle. "As a mother of two young boys, knowing that our efforts will help keep food on the table for families in our neighborhoods means so much to me. Although many kids are back in school now, I couldn't help but be reminded of the challenges parents face when their kids aren't in school and able to receive meals there. I hope to organize another event this year, to ensure we're supporting families when they need us the most."

The Toast.org team is grateful for the dedication and passion our Toasters bring to serving their communities, and we look forward to many opportunities ahead to make a difference for those around us.

Day in the Life of a Senior Territory Account Executive

Fri, 21 Oct 2022 16:00:00 +0000

Kim S.

Sr. Territory Account Executive

As a Senior Territory Account Executive, I manage the entire sales cycle from initial contact to close for restaurants in the metro Atlanta area. Every restaurant has a unique story and it’s my job to build a relationship with my local restaurants to create customized solutions to help them thrive.

What I love the most about my role (aside from helping restaurants thrive and having the best excuse to eat out 😁) is that no two days are the same. Managing the entire sales cycle means I am often talking to multiple restaurants in different stages all in one day – here’s a glimpse into a “day in the life” of one of my recent prospecting days:

Start of day
- Get up, workout, shower, 1st cup of coffee. Check emails, review my cases in our CRM, and connect with our sales operations team for updates.
- Drive to my territory – I cover a few areas in the metro Atlanta area so this could look differently on any given day, but it’s often a 10-30 minute drive. I get myself hyped for a great prospecting day by listening to pump up music!
Late morning to early afternoon
- Met with 9 prospects of varying restaurant types throughout the day (i.e. quick service, casual full service, breweries, cafe bakeries). I even used one prospect visit to serve as my lunch stop to work from the restaurant to catch up on tickets, emails, and updates.
- Visiting new Toast customers – I had one that just went live a little over a month ago so I wanted to drop in to continue to build my relationship with them and try out their delicious brunch menu.
Late afternoon to early evening
- Drive home - I often like to ride home with relaxing music to decompress from the day, and also come up with my follow up tasks list from my day
- Once I get home I catch up on a bunch of things, like Slack messages, emails, or tickets, and add up my expenses from the day. Each account executive receives a daily stipend to eat and engage with restaurants in our territories– it’s a great perk! Taking the time to update my expenses each day makes filing my expense report at the end of the month a lot easier.
- I then love to wind down my day by playing with my pups and cooking dinner with my husband 😊

Throughout this day I got to experience personal stories and culture through various food cuisines: Asian, Tex Mex with a Southern twist, Mediterranean, Irish pub, Mexican, vegan bakery, dessert bakery, Southern, and gelato.

This was really only a glimpse into one day. Even prospecting days will vary, especially when I get to chat with the owner or general manager and do demos on the spot. I’m typically in the field two or three days a week and I often try to plan out my field/prospecting days the week before.

The rest of my week is often filled with team calls, one-on-one meetings with my manager, troubleshooting with existing customers, engaging with restaurants through social media, prospecting follow ups, networking with other service providers to the restaurant industry, volunteering with local Toasters, and keeping up with all the great things happening at Toast!

If you’re interested in learning more about Sales at Toast, check out this page!

A Toast to Our Growing Team in India

Wed, 26 Oct 2022 16:00:00 +0000

Paige M.

Employer Brand Program Manager

We opened our two newest offices in Chennai and Bangalore, India last week, complete with fun-filled festivities and toasty community building! Toasters from around the globe came together to honor this occasion and celebrate with our teams in India.

These two offices were designed with Toasters in mind. The spaces are ideal for collaboration and community building, with large gathering spaces, comfortable seating, and lots of toasty elements.

During the opening celebrations, Toasters also had a chance to reflect and reconnect with our mission. Leaders from across the business hosted coffee chat style discussions, where employees could ask questions and learn more about business goals. We were able to reminisce on the history of Toast and the milestones we’ve reached over the years. The Toast.org team organized volunteer events in the local community, including serving lunch to students at a government school and donating desks and benches to students who normally have to sit on the floor during lessons. It wouldn’t be a Toast event if there wasn’t also delicious cuisine and the chance to connect with others over a shared meal.

Growing in the Chennai and Bangalore markets will be a tremendous opportunity for Toast. We’ve been able to attract top talent to the team thanks to India’s expansive tech hub, which helps us continue to enhance the experiences and innovate on the products we provide to our customers.

Since Toast’s acquisition of xtraCHEF in 2021, we’ve been fostering a strong culture in India. The dedication and drive of the xtraCHEF team blended perfectly with Toast’s customer-obsessed mindset, resulting in unparalleled commitment to empowering the restaurant industry.

“Joining Toast through the xtraCHEF acquisition has been an amazing journey,” shared Logamoorthy S., Senior Project Manager of Strategic Initiatives. Logamoorthy led the xtraCHEF engineering team in Chennai for about eight years prior to the acquisition, and spoke about the experience. “Everything was a natural fit between these two companies in terms of culture, technology, values, opportunities, and the hospitality domain. The most encouraging part for me is the one team culture. Toast’s core values are very much what anyone would be dreaming of in a new company. Aligning ourselves with the larger Toast organization was super smooth. I’m excited for the tremendous growth opportunities within Toast.”

Aside from the growing Toaster population in India, the new office openings also presented the opportunity for employees to switch offices for a new adventure. Shivam R., Senior Software Engineer, started his Toast career in our Dublin, Ireland office. After three years, Shivam made the move to join our Bangalore team.

“After being a Toaster for three years, I’m still excited about all of the great things we do, and the ways we work together. I'm eager to bring that spirit to the Bangalore office. At Toast, we’re building great products and providing innovative solutions, all while thriving in an environment which takes care of every individual and treats every individual with respect. I want to do my best to make sure the new location is full of the exuberance and excitement that I always felt in the Dublin office.”

The Toasters on our India team have an incredible opportunity to use Toast’s foundation, rooted in our values and mission, and grow a culture that is unique to our Chennai and Bangalore offices. Srishti G, Operations Success Program Manager, works across all functions and lines of business in her role to help set the team up for success.

“Back in June 2022, I was one of the earliest team members. It has been so exciting to see the team grow into a strong family since then! The team is so talented that there is never a dearth of ideas and initiatives. Building the site from scratch and working with so many helpful and insightful stakeholders is definitely an opportunity that I will not be able to find easily elsewhere,” Srishti shared.

The timing of our office opening also aligned with the start of Diwali, the festival of lights. In India, we hosted lamp lighting events, enjoyed delicious cuisine, and shared stories of how Toasters around the world celebrate Diwali.

Toasters in the US and Ireland were also invited to participate in a virtual cooking class hosted by Krittika G., Go To Market Operations Analyst at Toast. During this class, Krittika taught us how to cook traditional Indian dishes of masoor dal (lentils), jeera rice (cumin rice), and cabbage matar (cabbage and pea stir fry).

“During the class, we prepared a simple traditional North Indian homestyle meal- the type I grew up eating for dinner any given week. Personally, I love to cook and it makes me really happy to connect with other people through food,” Krittika shared when asked why she wanted to start teaching others. “I hope to educate people about the diversity of my cuisine and make it feel less intimidating to explore. Food is a huge part of my cultural identity. I grew up in international communities where holidays were especially important in staying connected to Indian culture. I feel food is the heart and soul of a community. It can help people share their stories with others in a uniquely meaningful way. It reminds me of my family and our history.”

We could not be happier to celebrate the contributions that our teams in India have already made, and toast to the exciting things to come. Are you ready to help Toast thrive in India? Our research and development teams are hiring! Hear a little bit about our interview experience below:

“My interview experience with Toast was one of the best that I had in a very long time,” Srishti reflected. “I could sense the respect that everybody had for my time and preferences. The entire culture of ‘human-first’ lured me towards accepting an offer from Toast.”

Meet the Leader: Jehad Affoneh, Chief Design Officer

Tue, 25 Oct 2022 14:30:34 +0000

Bria F.

Content Writer, Employee Experience

Jehad Affoneh, Toast Chief Design Officer, is always on the search for the food that makes him feel close to home: Arabic food.

Hospitality is close to his heart and it’s one of our Toast values. Jehad grew up in a culture where your plate was always filled, you never left without a coffee, and you were always offered tea.

"Food is a big part of my culture," he said. "We cook for people when we invite them over. We show our love with food. We come together around the meals we love. That's the culture. So, in that way, food has been part of my story for a while."

A glimpse into a family meal

Jehad has built a career in technology across design, user experiences roles, and most recently served as Chief Design Officer at another company.

He joined Toast in June 2022 as our first ever Chief Design Officer, leading the design, user research, and customer experience platform teams.

“The Chief Design Officer (CDO) is an essential leadership role needed on high growth product teams,” shared Matt Kaplan, Senior Vice President of Product at Toast. “As companies like Toast evolve from a single product to a multi-product to a platform company, the complexity of the product experience grows tremendously. To combat this, product teams must invest in simplifying the user experiences such that their products work seamlessly together and feel like one unified product, all part of the same family and with the same high quality expected by their customers. The CDO creates a shared vision, develops best practices, and designs the organization to scale to hundreds of product teams all working to deliver great product experiences that continuously delight our customers. Jehad had the experience and the passion for the restaurant industry we were looking for and I'm super excited to work with him.”

Jehad is excited to design experiences that delight restaurant owners, help them do what they love, and share their food and hospitality within their communities.

“We deliver real products that improve the lives of real people and help them make their living, whether it's the restaurant's owner, manager, or the employee,” he said. “I get to spend time with restaurants learning how they do things and how Toast can improve their livelihoods by doing the thing I love, which is designing and thinking about the experience.”

R&D Leadership Team

What type of work do you do day-to-day?

My job focuses on the experiences we're shipping to our customers and how we thoughtfully design experiences so they work well, work well together, and work well for the multitude of people who might be using that experience.

In the restaurant ecosystem, you have the restaurant managers, owners, operators, employees, and guests – we’re thinking of how you design experiences that delight and help these different personas.

The user research team gets close to customers to decipher and understand insights. While the design team is focused on designing the product experiences. The customer experience platform team is responsible for the end to end customer experience from onboarding and support to how data flows across the system and so on.

Those are the key pillars of the design team at Toast.

What do you do for fun outside of work?

Other than hanging out with friends at restaurants, I’m mostly reading and writing. Writing really clears my mind and I love reading. Spending time with a good book, reading articles, and learning, especially outside, is very enjoyable for me.

My wife & I enjoying another Toast restaurant in our area

My favorite book is Principles by Ray Dalio.

It makes you live life with principles and orient yourself, and I use that with my team. I use it as I work and think through what principles drive me in this area, on this topic, or in this experience.

Where are some opportunities for design to keep innovating for the restaurant industry?

In the restaurant, there is so much opportunity. One of the most exciting things so far has been the idea of going into vertical software as a service (SaaS).

We focus on restaurants and look to solve every single problem we find that is important to them. There is so much opportunity in every corner of every restaurant. Next time you’re in a restaurant, start to think of all of the things you may be taking for granted, then think about the ways design can help influence or enhance it.

Think about how Toast can start helping restaurants match their inventory to their menu, not only to say if an item is out of stock, but to make recommendations of how much of it to order next time. To price, higher or lower, based on what's involved in the recipe. How to choose something else when something in the market is changing prices.

Designers love to think of possibilities. Just take one piece of that experience and think of all the possibilities that Toast can conjure. That's what we get to do every day.

That’s another reason why Toast is such an exciting place to be, especially for designers and user researchers.

How have you seen other companies embrace the end-to-end product lifecycle, and are those changes hard?

I think of the way our customers interact with our experiences, and on three different levels. There is the way they interact with our product experience. An example is the POS or scanning a QR code and looking at the menu.

There is also the customer experience for when you need support, help, or when you’re onboarding a new product and getting an install.

Then there is the way these experiences connect. Not just product to customer, but product to product. How do you connect them with the focus on jobs to be done versus just pieces? Then, how do you thoughtfully connect it into an experience?

When you think about it that way, the end-to-end product lifecycle becomes product experiences, plus customer experiences, and end-to-end experiences. That's kind of the view we take as we look at how we drive our experience and strategy. It’s tough work because the deeper you go, the more connections there are between different pieces of that experience.

What role do you see design playing in our global expansion?

How we build inclusive experiences is core to how we think of design.

As we grow globally, there are things that are immediately obvious, like languages. German and French are going to appear differently; Arabic and Hebrew are read right to left.

But there are deeper layers of challenges related to the culture of each place. We expand into the way people experience restaurants, for example, in the Middle East, or the way people experience restaurants in Africa. The way people experience restaurants in Australia might not be how people experience restaurants in the United States.

Hospitality means different things to different cultures and the way we want to design experiences is that we want to make hospitality an easier execution within the context of that culture. Designing with all of that in mind and building inclusive experiences matters a lot.

In what other ways are you thinking about inclusivity?

How we think about inclusive experiences can help drive more inclusivity worldwide. This makes me think of a customer story. A guest loved a restaurant, but it wasn’t physically accessible to them. Toast TakeOut was the way they got the food they loved without needing to dine right at the restaurant.

We think of inclusivity from many different angles at Toast. From restaurant operators, to folks who work at the restaurant, to the guests, that intersection of different people with different experiences and different goals ends up shaping an end to end experience for us.

We also think about how we're inclusive of different customers and different restaurant guests. If you think of a dine-in experience, for example, your experiences differ not just because of the food but because of the people involved. We want to enable every restaurant to share their favorite recipe but also their culture, their story, and their humanity. Restaurants are core to every community and we constantly seek to better understand those communities as we help restaurants to serve them.

Is there anything else you wanted to add?

I think Toast is a unique place because vertical SaaS allows us to go deep on the experiences we really need to get right. At the same time, it's such a huge problem to solve, and a ton of opportunity.

Spending time with Debra, our CTO, in the Seattle area

It's also a great place to ship business to business to consumer (B2B2C) experiences, so regardless of which type of designer you are and what you're focused on, there’s a place to make an impact.

Hospitality is at the core of who we are as a company as well as the people we serve. We want to build a culture where hospitality is core, so we can help customers do hospitality well.

That's an amazing culture for design to thrive in.

Celebrating NDEAM with Second to Naan

Mon, 31 Oct 2022 16:00:00 +0000

Bria F.

Content Writer, Employee Experience

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). It’s a time to celebrate and acknowledge the contributions of people with disabilities to America’s workplaces and economy and offer awareness and education around the challenges and discrimination employees with disabilities may face.

Throughout the month, Toasters supported the community through learning opportunities with external speakers, inclusive product demos in office spaces, and even a special breakfast hosted by Bitty & Beau’s Coffee, who describes themselves as "a human rights movement disguised as a coffee shop." Bitty & Beau’s Coffee creates opportunities for people with disabilities to join the workforce and be included in every community.

All of these events were hosted by Second to Naan, Toast’s community for people with disabilities and Toasters who care for others with disabilities. Learn more about three members of Second to Naan below!

What is your role at Toast and what kind of work do you do?

Emily H.: As an Onboarding Consultant, my role consists of being the project manager for restaurants implementing Toast; setting expectations of responsibilities, booking necessary training appointments, and collaborating with internal teams to assist clients Go-Live with Toast.

Emily M.: My title is Senior Manager, Guest Experience. I lead the Guest Support team. We are the only team at Toast that supports guests directly, primarily those using the Toast TakeOut app or online ordering. We advocate for the guest’s experience because when the guest is happy, Toast customers are happy.

KC L.: I’m the Deputy Chief Information Security Officer at Toast. As a part of the security team, we help Toast be the trusted platform of choice by helping the rest of the company manage risk, deploy secure and compliant software, and protect our customers and Toasters.

Why is being a part of Second to Naan important to you?

Emily H.: Being part of a community that understands and relates to living with a disability is extremely important to me. When the people around you know what it’s like, you’re able to connect on a whole new level. You can “compare notes” so to speak on tips and tricks to make life easier and be the support we all inevitably need.

Emily M.: The disability community is so incredibly supportive of each other. It’s an extremely diverse community, and none of our lived experiences are identical, but we can relate to being “othered” for the way our bodies and brains work. It’s hard to describe what an amazing feeling of solidarity that creates for me, just knowing I’m not alone in my struggles.

KC L.: As a person in a leadership role with an invisible disability, it’s important for me to speak out and be visible in order to help create space for others.

What do you wish others knew about your experience?

Emily H.: My disability isn’t one people can see upon meeting me. It's invisible unless someone knows the signs or I tell them; I have both ADHD and a learning disability. Some people hear this and think, “yeah, everyone’s got a little bit of ADHD,” and even though some people may experience similar symptoms at times, not everyone has ADHD. Not everyone knows how it positively and negatively affects the person living with it or the people close to them; rarely is it how the media portrays it.

Emily M.: I wish people knew more about how constant the disability struggle is. For me, with my limb difference, most tasks are different compared to how others do them. I wish people understood how hard it is to be looked down upon but simultaneously also seen as inspirational- it’s a strange experience. I wish we could get to a point where people truly understood we are all human and our level of ability exists within a spectrum depending on a specific task.

Representation matters, and is sorely lacking when it comes to people with disabilities. The first time I saw an episode of Hawkeye with a Deaf, Native American woman who had a prosthetic leg, I cried.

KC L.: I developed my disability later in life, and it was amazing how differently people started treating me after I was diagnosed.

How can Toast help other Toasters with disabilities or who care for those with disabilities?

Emily H.: My own opinion: If the person is open and comfortable talking about their disability, don’t be afraid to ask questions to learn more! Be open-minded, patient, and understanding. This may seem obvious to some, but don’t assume we need hand-holding! Remember, just because we do something differently, doesn’t mean we won’t get the same end result.

Emily M.: It’s great that Toast includes ableist language examples on its Inclusive Language Guide, which is a communication guide that helps us all recognize the impact our words may have, whether intentionally or not. Toast listens to employees around needs.

What would you tell Toasters (with disabilities or who care for others) about why they should join Second to Naan?

Emily H.: This is a safe-space community where you can bond with people who understand what life is like because they are living with something similar. Having people in your life who know how you feel can change your entire perspective and outlook.

Emily M.: With the amount of people in the world who have a disability, odds are you either have a disability yourself (or will acquire one) or you love someone with a disability. Come join us in making the world a little bit more inclusive.

Welcome to the first Customer Care class in our new Omaha space

Thu, 03 Nov 2022 16:00:00 +0000

Shana M., Principal Enablement Program Manager, Customer Success

Jeff A., Enablement Associate, Customer Success

At the end of October, we welcomed our first customer care class to our new Omaha office. We have had an office location in the Omaha area since 2018 and we have welcomed many Toasters over the years. This new office showcases a larger training room and multiple hardware labs across the building for our care agents to thrive in their role to create raving fans by delivering a world class customer and product experience.

When you join our customer care team, your onboarding experience will often look like this:

First two weeks of training are Monday - Friday (9am-5pm) and you will learn about the customer success org, the customer care team, Toast, and all things products and processes. You will have the chance to meet more tenured Toasters and shadow some calls to see what a day in the life of a care agent looks like.
After that, you will be split into smaller groups and be assigned a nesting mentor, who will support you as you start to take calls and manage customer cases.
After three weeks of nesting, you will start your regular schedule that will be provided. Since we support the restaurant industry and their business hours are often 24/365/7, your schedule could vary between Monday - Sunday from 7am - 1am. Most schedules are 4x10s (4 - 10hr days a week) or 5x8s (5 - 8hr days a week).

While this flow looks the same, regardless if you onboarded virtually or in-person, there is just something extra special about training in-person together and on-site in a brand new space.

Our Care Enablement team is dedicated to all things Care. Our Care team is split into different specialities and different members of the team support the different sub teams.

“I manage all things new hire across all Care teams. I have been here almost a year and am on a quest to make our new hire program the best one out there! Using different metrics, data, and employee interviews we have really honed in on what you need to know before getting on the phones. Then after you ‘graduate’ from being a new hire, the rest of the Care Enablement team makes sure you have the latest and greatest information and the enablement materials you need to do your job and do it well!” - Shana M., Principal Enablement Program Manager, Customer Success

What does the Care Enablement team love about in-person training?

The new office has several hardware labs where you can do more hands-on learning with our Toast products.
Did someone say free food? We did! The office has fun activities and often has catered meals to keep you fueled.
Being able to shout to someone from across the room makes it easier to get your questions answered in real-time and with less distractions. As trainers, it also makes it easier to troubleshoot any technological difficulties since we won’t have 20 different home internet setups to manage.
Last, but certainly not least, you will get to meet more Toasters who will help you on your Toast journey.

While many of us don’t always love commuting, having to wear real pants and leaving our fur babies at home, we get energized about our mission and purpose every time we get to come together in-person as #OneTeam.

Hacking for Innovation

Mon, 07 Nov 2022 21:46:25 +0000

Toast Careers

This week, Toast is hosting our 21st Hackathon!

Hackathons are a Toast time honored tradition. Twice a year, Toasters around the world are able to come together to innovate on projects outside of their normal work streams. We truly believe that the most innovative and impactful ideas come from the front lines, and we love giving Toasters the opportunity to dedicate time to thinking outside of the box.

Jane M., Senior Director, Product Management, has been instrumental in organizing, promoting, and facilitating our Hackathon. Jane remarked that the heart and energy behind Hackathon is something that keeps her excited about all that we’re doing.

“Hackathon is a day where Toasters across the entire company come together to innovate on our products, processes, and culture. There are no guardrails; people can create whatever they want,” Jane reflected. “It’s a day to set aside our typical work streams and get creative—no meetings to attend, and no calls to take. This is all about innovation and fostering connections across the company. The projects that are the most fun are the ones where we see people cross organizational boundaries to solve a problem together, or develop something together.”

Traditional hackathons tend to be engineering focused, but we encourage an expansion of that creative thinking and innovation. While many of the hacks will be centered on our product suites, we also have teams working on projects related to our culture and internal processes. We’ve had hacks focused on everything from our customer login page, mini office remodels, and some of our most impactful product launches, like our Kitchen Display System!

One of our most exciting hack categories was created in partnership with Toast.org. Each Hackathon includes an “Impact-athon” category, where Toasters are able to create something that will help move Toast.org’s mission forward. During our most recent Hackathon, the theme was “Hack-EARTH-on,” which focused on sustainable solutions and caring for the earth.

Kate B., Senior Program Manager, Onsite Amenities and Experiences, thinks about sustainability in our office spaces every day, so it made sense for her team to come together during this hack.

“Our hack was designed to minimize food waste through ordering. I work on large food orders daily, so minimizing waste is really important for my team,” Kate shared. “I have worked in hospitality for a long time, and my mind tends to gravitate towards how to support the efforts of restaurants and altruistic endeavors. This all fell right into the Hack-EARTH-on category!"

This year, the Impact-athon theme is “Hack against Hunger,” focused on ending hunger and food insecurity. Two winning teams in the Hack against Hunger category will each get to direct $2,500 in grant funding to a hunger eradication organization of their choice.

“Hack against Hunger is a new theme in a long standing Hackathon tradition of innovation here at Toast,” Ani B., New Ventures Lead, Toast.org, said. “In this category, Toasters come up with ideas that could help those who are food insecure in our communities.”

“It's just a matter of time before one of these exciting hacks is a product that creates a flourishing food system for people and the planet!” - Ani B., New Ventures Lead, Toast.org

Once hacking ends, teams are invited to present their projects to a team of judges from across the business.

Hackathon judging is based on three main areas:

1. Impact on the Toast community

2. Value added for our customers and our employees

3. Expression of creativity and innovation

In addition to enhancing our products or culture, Hackathon also gives us an opportunity to come together to learn from one another. Lucy M., Staff Software Engineer, is a hackathon pro, and a member of a recent winning team. Lucy loves how hackathons let you think in a new way with other teams across the business.

“Hackathon is exciting because you can combine both software and hardware into the hack,” Lucy shared. “It’s a time to stretch beyond your daily work and just order some electronic kits, push an app or SDK on to them, and get an idea working. The more outlandish the better! The goal isn't always a deliverable, but rather an exploration of what's possible. The thrill of that first moment when the Hackathon starts and the excitement with the team is everything!”

Hackathon embodies so much of what Toast stands for. It brings our mission to life by fostering a laser-focus on empowering those around us – whether it be our customers, our peers, or the greater local community. We believe that great ideas can come from anywhere. We want all employees – regardless of team, level, or expertise – to know that they have a voice and to feel confident sharing their ideas with us. Sound like a culture where you’d thrive? Check out our open roles!

From the Military to Tech: Celebrating our Veterans

Fri, 11 Nov 2022 17:00:00 +0000

Laurina S.

Senior Technical Recruiter

In honor of Veterans Day, we spoke with Laurina S., a Senior Technical Recruiter at Toast, who previously served for 10 years in the Air Force. Read on to hear about how her experiences have set her up to thrive at Toast, and how she’s found community here with fellow veterans and military families.

Hi there! I’m Laurina, and I’m a Senior Technical Recruiter at Toast. In my role, I have the opportunity to speak with some of the most innovative minds in the industry about positions at Toast. I love hearing about diverse backgrounds and experiences, especially because my path to my current role is a bit non-traditional.

Prior to working in tech recruiting, I spent 10 years in the United States Air Force. Throughout this time, I held various roles in the military- from Operations Manager to Flight Crew.

Having exposure to several subcultures during my years of service in the Air Force benefited my career in tech since the start. I can adapt to change quickly, accept feedback, and drive results with a mission oriented approach. I am so grateful for the lessons I learned during my time.

Leaving the military and joining a tech company was certainly a challenge, but I have had so much fun over the past three years in tech. Interestingly enough, my military roots are what led me to Toast! I was working at a different tech company at the time, but I was eager for a new challenge. I was looking to join a smaller team, because I was yearning for a more hands-on, impactful role. After hearing this, a former colleague from the Air Force suggested that I check out Toast, and the rest is history!

One thing I love about Toast is how easy it is to build community. I’ve joined several communities at Toast, such as Military Veterans, ToastHer, and RemoteToasts. These communities regularly host informative discussions, social events, and much more. In honor of Veterans Day, the Military Veterans Community is making a donation to Let’s Chow- a nonprofit designed to provide services for military veterans through cooking therapy, cookware donations, culinary education, and business advice for anyone from home chefs to aspiring food truck or restaurant owners. It is so fulfilling to work at a company that supports so many areas that are important to me.

When I’m looking to connect with fellow Toasters in person, I can go into the new San Francisco office. I love the flexibility I have at Toast. It’s nice to see colleagues in person and get out of the house from time to time! The San Francisco office is in a great location in the Financial District, which is bustling with other tech company employees. The office culture is welcoming and supportive. Everyone is friendly and I feel like I am hanging out with my friends rather than co-workers!

Another great thing about working at Toast is that I can share my passions and hobbies with my teammates. We’re all encouraged to bring our full selves to work, and it’s so great to be able to learn more about those around you. Outside of work, I am a competitive Latin dancer- Salsa dancing has been my favorite style of dance thus far! It’s a great workout and stress reliever. I’m a total foodie, too- I love trying new restaurants, which matches well with Toast’s culture! I also enjoy cooking, lifting weights, listening to audiobooks, and volunteering at my local animal shelter. I am an avid dog lover, and animal well being is a cause I am passionate about!

If you’re currently in the Military and looking to make the jump to tech, here are my top three tips for a successful transition:

Focus on transferable skills! Leadership, adaptability, quick thinking- these are all things you have been building in your career, and will carry over well.
Look for companies that have a focus on inclusive culture and mentorship. This will help you find a place that truly celebrates your diverse background, while also ensuring you have the tools and resources you need to adapt to a new role.
Find a community. The Military Veterans community at Toast has been such a great space for me, and it’s a wonderful way to stay connected to the military community.

Bottom line: try to feel confident when you’re making this leap by reminding yourself how hard you’ve worked to get here.

In my role, I work with so many candidates who bring a wide range of skills and experiences to the table. Whenever I’m working with candidates with unique backgrounds, I always try to help them translate their skills. Many Military members struggle with updating their resumes to match the roles they’re interested in- and that’s okay! It takes practice, but it is possible. Once you find a role that you’re interested in, study the different job descriptions for that position. You’ll start to understand key words and trends from those descriptions, which you can then weave into your resume. Remember to cater your resume to your audience! Represent yourself toward the career you want, not just the career you currently have or have had in the past.

If you’re bready for the next step in your career, check out our open roles. Toast’s collaborative, driven culture has helped me feel fulfilled, welcomed, and celebrated, and I hope you’ll have the same experience.

Blending Cultures: Celebrating Global Representation across Our Ireland Team

Wed, 30 Nov 2022 17:00:00 +0000

Paige M.

Senior Program Manager, Employer Brand

If you’re familiar with Toast’s Culture Recipe, you know how much we value diversity and inclusion. We embrace the unique backgrounds and experiences Toasters bring to the team. The restaurant industry as a whole is one of the most diverse, and we aim to mirror that diversity within our own company. At Toast, we truly believe our business is better as a result of this rich blend of cultures.

Across our Ireland team, we have over 30 countries of origin represented! We caught up with a few folks who relocated to Ireland to learn more about how these unique backgrounds all mix together to create a great place to work and thrive.

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Tell us a little bit about yourself. Where are you originally from, and what do you do at Toast?

Pedro B.: I’m originally from Brazil, and I’m currently a Senior Product Manager at Toast.

Jenny M.: I’m a Senior R&D Enablement Program Manager. I’m originally from the United States, but I’ve been in Ireland for five years now!

Prakash D.: I am a Senior Site Reliability Engineer at Toast, and I’m from India.

Maja B.: Prior to moving to Ireland, I lived in Bosnia and Herzegovina. I’m a Senior Technical Talent Acquisition Partner.

Why did you relocate to Ireland?

Pedro B.: In a very short way: to work at Toast. But there are many reasons why I accepted the offer and made the move: new life experiences, getting out of my comfort zone, solidifying my career, and learning new things- like which side you drive in the car!

Jenny M.: I relocated with a previous company to help grow a team in Dublin, with the intention of staying for a year, but now it's been five years! In that time, I bought a house, married an Irishman, got a dog, took time off after my last job, found a great new job at Toast, and built an amazing community here. I'm planning to be in Ireland for good!

Prakash D.: I relocated to Ireland in search of a peaceful lifestyle.

Maja B.: Good question! Ireland sounded like a cool idea at the time, and now, six years later, it’s home.

Are there any cultural traditions you've been able to share with the team in Ireland?

Jenny M.: I'm originally from Texas, USA, and I have done a full spread of Texas barbeque for my teammates before. I also was able to celebrate the 4th of July with a couple fellow Toasters at the US Ambassador's Residence this past year.

Prakash D.: Whenever there is a cultural celebration in India, I make my team aware of it and explain the background of it. I also participate in other cultural events in the office.

Pedro B.: The senior leadership team came to Dublin for a week. On the last day, I had the chance to make some traditional Brazilian refreshments for one of the VPs of Toast. That is something really unlikely to happen, even if I was in Brazil!

How do you think our diverse workforce helps us move our business forward?

Maja B.: Diverse workforces bring diverse perspectives, thoughts, and ideas. As someone who is recruiting candidates relocating to Ireland, it's easier to empathise with them and understand their concerns, especially as a non-native English speaker.

Prakash D.: Having a team of employees from different backgrounds makes Toast more comfortable with a wider range of customers and markets. Another benefit is that many of us are bilingual and can communicate with business owners in their native languages.

Pedro B.: When you’re in a diverse environment, you’re exposed to different ways to develop, enhance, and create. This will help in Toast’s global growth.

Jenny M.: In our Dublin office, we think globally by default, and it makes us more understanding, responsive, and more creative in the way we work with customers. We're used to considering perspectives and life experiences different from our own, which helps us better tap into the wants and needs of our customer base.

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If you’re ready to join a team filled with inclusive, passionate people, check out the open roles in Ireland!

Toaster Spotlight: PJ Perger, Senior Engineering Manager, Onboarding Applications

Tue, 22 Nov 2022 14:32:41 +0000

PJ P.
Senior Engineering Manager, Onboarding Applications

Toast originally got on my radar through my wife and her professional network. My move to Toast was precipitated by taking stock in my life and work situation at the time, and determining where I was achieving fulfillment and where I wasn’t. The book Designing Your Life and the concept of ikigai helped me determine I was looking for a job that aligned with my values of work ethic / rest ethic balance, and where I could be proud of how my work contributed back to a community and industry I found meaningful.

Enjoying the Northern California coast during a camping trip with my now-wife (2018). Little did I know at the time, I’d be proposing on this very rock 2.5 years later.

Toast’s commitment toward bettering the restaurant industry for businesses, workers, customers, and the environment appealed to my interests and values. Additionally, I felt Toast was a company with ample potential for revolutionizing the restaurant industry, as well as having all the right ingredients (strategy, people, funding) to make it happen.

After a career predominantly in backend infrastructure engineering, I wanted to stay in the engineering space but explore a different set of problems. I saw an opportunity at Toast to be closer to the customer experience and product, to learn more about business decisions and strategy, and to develop professionally in new ways as a leader and teammate. My role puts both the team’s tech stack and its product and business goals in my purview. It’s invigorating to explore and bridge the two, and build scalable solutions to power the onboarding applications and experiences we provide to our customers.

I’m grateful that I have a chance to influence our overall business priorities, while also staying close to the technical aspects of our space. This gives me a chance to grow my leadership skills, while also tackling technical challenges. Our team primarily develops in Kotlin for the backend and Javascript & React for the frontend. Services, tools, and frameworks we integrate with include: DynamoDB, GraphQL + Apollo client, Pulsar, LaunchDarkly, DataDog, Salesforce, and Plaid.

So many restaurants are small businesses, and there’s a strong connection between the restaurant industry and topics important to me such as food waste and security, environmentalism, and supporting local businesses. It’s so rewarding to build software that has a direct or indirect impact on all of these meaningful topics, and a blessing to have fun doing so. I love asking restaurant owners and workers how they feel about Toast. The praise is of course great, but even when there’s criticism or opportunity, I feel empowered to actually do something about it.

I’m currently on the Onboarding Applications Team, where I’m front and center for the customer experience. It's so exciting that my team is a significant manifestation of our company’s values. We don’t just build software; we also focus on enablement and process improvements that will further enhance the customer experience, while also reducing Toast’s operational costs. Toast balances building world-class products with remembering that we’re here to serve our customers and their guests. This balance is evidenced by how we do business: what features and experiences we prioritize, our commitment to operational excellence, giving back to the community and industry (Toast.org). I feel a strong connection between Toast’s product and values, and my own interests and values. It makes it pretty easy to show up to work eager and energized!

Our team is composed of the most empathetic, curious, talented, and supportive group of individuals I’ve ever had the honor to work with. Working at Toast means community: supporting the restaurant community, while being part of a strong team community every day I come to the (virtual) office.

Celebrating the holidays and signing my Toast offer. Dinner with my wife at Harbor House Inn in Elk, CA. (Dec 2021)

Check out these engineering opportunities across the globe and come build with us as we enrich the food experience for all!

PJ is now a member of the Toast alumni community. We greatly appreciate their many contributions to Toast!

Coming Full Circle by Giving Back through Toast.org

Tue, 29 Nov 2022 17:00:00 +0000

Damian R.

Manager, Business Operations

This week, I had the opportunity to host a group of Toast volunteers at East End House, one of Greater Boston’s oldest social service centers. They’ve been serving newly immigrated and lower-income individuals and families for more than 145 years, and use a holistic approach to promote the well-being, academic achievement, and successful transition to adulthood of children and youth from under-resourced families in Cambridge and surrounding communities.

East End House is particularly special to me, because I participated in many of their programs growing up. I attended daycare as a toddler here, and from there it became a consistent part of my childhood - after school programs, summer camps, and even my very first job at age 14!

Thanks to Toast.org, Toast’s philanthropic branch, I was able to show a group of Toasters why East End House is such a special place. This volunteer event was part of Toast.org’s Season of Giving, a volunteer campaign addressing food and nutrition security in communities around the world. Once I heard the mission of Season of Giving, I knew just where I wanted to volunteer my time.

I hosted this event alongside Taylor B., Talent Acquisition Program Manager at Toast. Taylor actually worked with the program for many of the years that I attended! I am so grateful for the life-long connections I’ve made through East End House.

“I joined the team during the summer of my first year in college and continued on with them annually after that,” Taylor shared. “In college, I was a coordinator for a youth employment and enrichment program, supervising dozens of worksites and counselors as they prepared young folks for the workforce. East End House was one of those sites, and Damian was one of my students for all four years of college! It was so impressive to see his growth during that time, but it has been arguably more fulfilling and impactful to watch him as he supported their community programs and students in the daycare!”

I could list so many amazing memories I experienced here throughout the years, but the one that means the most to me was how the community responded when my family experienced a house fire when I was about 12 years old. We lost nearly everything and were displaced for some time. East End House had reached out to the community to raise funds and collect other items that we needed as we worked to rebuild. They then gifted all of this to my family and me. It meant so much to us that they would go out of their way to help us in a time of need. I'll never forget how it made me feel to know that I had so much support.

Being able to give back through Toast.org feels like a very "full circle" moment for me. I felt this was the least I could do to give back to an organization that has always been there for me.

At Toast, our purpose is to enrich the food experience for all, and being able to package and distribute meals to my community is a meaningful way of doing just that. For me, it brings together two places - Toast and East End House - that mean so much to me.

Toast Named a Best Workplace for Parents!

Fri, 02 Dec 2022 17:00:00 +0000

Paige M.

Senior Program Manager, Employer Brand

Toast is honored to share that we have been named a Best Workplace for Parents by Great Place to Work US!

To celebrate, we asked our croutons (the Toasty name for children) what they think their parents actually do at Toast. Introducing… Kids Say the Darndest Things: Toast Edition!

When we think about growing Toast’s culture, it stretches beyond what employees experience during the work day. We want employees and their families to be proud to say that they’re part of the Toast community. We do this by supporting Toasters in all aspects of their lives, embracing unique backgrounds and identities, and allowing our values to guide everything we do. Thank you, Great Place to Work, for not only recognizing us, but for celebrating our working parents, who bring so much creativity, resourcefulness, and compassion to Toast.

We have carefully curated benefits packages and programs that support our parents both inside and outside of work. Some benefits we’re proud to offer our US employees include:

Generous parental leave programs: Toast offers 16 weeks of paid parental leave for both birthing and non-birthing parents, including adoption and fostering.
Flexible PTO: Life happens and we want you to live it! You won’t have to worry about dipping into a limited vacation bank if a sudden school closure makes your office a playroom for the day, if you're in need of a "me" day, or if you're looking to unplug on a family vacation.
Carrot Fertility: Our partnership offers inclusive fertility and family-forming benefits that cover all paths to parenthood — adoption, gestational carrier arrangements (commonly referred to as surrogacy), fertility treatments, pregnancy, and more. Carrot provides resources and financial assistance to make family-forming more accessible.
Care@Work: The program includes up to 15 days of subsidized backup care for adults or children. When there’s a disruption in usual care plans, Toasters don’t need to panic. They’re able to quickly and easily be matched with a care provider in their area, all through Toast’s partnership.
Toast Parents: Toast Communities, commonly known as Employee Resource Groups, are places for Toasters to come together. Our Parents Community gives employees a safe space to talk about parenthood, which includes asking questions, sharing advice, and of course, laughing over the wild things our croutons get into.

All of this, and so much more! We know Toasters will only be able to do their best work when they know their families are cared for, and we’ll continue to think of new ways to best support our working parents.

“What I think makes Toast a great place to work for working parents is that we have a strong sense of community with Toaster parents across the world,” shared Noelle H, Senior Manager, Employer Brand and mother of two. “Virtually, we love to share celebrations, wins, funny stories, and even the difficulties of parenting. The other thing I love about Toast is that for those who are not working parents, they’re still extremely supportive and understanding of their coworkers, and we couldn’t do what we do without their support.”

Are you ready to join a company that will be there for you and your croutons? Check out our open roles!

Toaster Spotlight: Leona L., Onboarding Manager - Emerging Markets, Mandarin

Thu, 08 Dec 2022 17:00:00 +0000

Leona L.

Onboarding Manager - Emerging Markets, Mandarin

Before I joined Toast, I started off my career as a public school teacher then I joined an international educational consultant company while I pursued my MBA. However, COVID-19 really changed my role in the education industry and my work life and family life were tremendously impacted. After spending almost 10 years in that industry, there were so many unknowns about what my next career step would be but I am so grateful that I found this opportunity working with Toast and am very glad they welcomed me with open arms, even though I did not have previous experience in the restaurant or tech industry.

As an onboarding manager on the Emerging Markets team, I lead a group of onboarding consultants focused on supporting our Mandarin speaking customers. I personally think the biggest skill needed for my specific role is to navigate ambiguity. Being a manager on a customer facing team, I need to be able to embrace changes/uncertain situations while being able to stay calm, confident, patient and motivated for my team. Other than that, management skills, communication skills, decision making, and technical product knowledge are also some other skills that help me stay confident in this role.

My day often starts with some admin work, then we host customer-facing meetings including things like implementation kickoff meetings, menu review meetings, and go-live readiness calls. My team also works with customers to solve their technical issues, and if needed, our team will also travel locally to meet with customers. Being on the onboarding team allows me to still use my education background by helping set up my team for success as they work to set up our customers for success in learning our platform and products. As a people manager, the most rewarding part of my work is to see my teammates grow into their full potential. I truly care for my people, and love to see when they have made some big achievements in their career. It’s a privilege to be able to support their efforts.

When hiring for a new Emerging Markets onboarding consultant, I look for the following skills:

High level of product knowledge on Toast suite with an ability to translate using appropriate technical language
Strong project management abilities to effectively schedule and conduct service appointments, drive results and prioritize book of business
Autonomous time management and organizational skills
Execute in a consultative manner to drive trust and demonstrate expertise

When I think about the Toast value that resonates with me the most, it’s definitely “Lead with Humility.” I love that we can be open and honest with each other, provide feedback, and embrace that everyone’s opinion matters. I don’t take it for granted. I also don’t take for granted all of the communities I’ve been able to be a part of outside of my direct team. I am thankful to be a part of our Toast Parents, Toast Mamas, Tapioca, and Second to Naan Toast Communities. Working remotely can feel lonely sometimes, being a part of those groups gives me a strong sense of belonging. I am beyond excited to embrace all the challenges, achievements, and most importantly, all the great people that I continue to meet at Toast!

If you’re looking for that next career step and are wanting to pivot into restaurant tech, check out these opportunities.

Toast is a Certified Great Place to Work in Ireland!

Thu, 15 Dec 2022 17:00:00 +0000

Paige M.

Senior Program Manager, Employer Brand

We are thrilled to announce that Toast has been named a Certified Great Place to Work in Ireland for the second year in a row! The Great Place to Work program assesses companies based on five categories: credibility, respect, fairness, pride, and camaraderie.

“I could not be more proud of our team and all that they’ve accomplished this year,” shared Robert M., SVP of Engineering. “We continue to empower the restaurant community through our innovative solutions, here in Dublin and across the globe. We help our teammates thrive in their work, and we give back to our local communities in truly impactful ways. I can’t wait to see what’s ahead for this incredible team.”

This was a very exciting year for Ireland Toasters. We recently moved to a new office space, complete with a demo site to test our new products, open workspaces for enhanced collaboration, and our new social space, The Local, where employees from across the team can get together and connect. During the opening week of our new space, leaders from across the globe came together to help celebrate!

The Ireland community has also been very active in volunteering with Toast.org, Toast’s philanthropic branch. This year, Toast.org hosted two major volunteer campaigns. In the spring, we celebrated A Toast to the Earth, in alignment with Earth month. Ireland Toasters participated in beach clean ups, food waste management sessions, and much more! In the winter time, Toast.org hosts Season of Giving, which is centered around giving back in our local communities and to those who are struggling with food insecurity. Toasters spent days packing meal kits alongside local organizations and volunteering at soup kitchens.

Does this sound like the type of work environment where you could thrive? We are hiring! Be sure to check out our open positions here.

Congratulations, Ireland Toasters!

Celebrating Toast.org’s Season of Giving

Thu, 29 Dec 2022 17:00:00 +0000

Susan R.

Senior Manager, Toast.org

This past month, Toasters around the world came together to participate in Toast.org’s second annual Season of Giving. Our Season of Giving is designed to bring the strength of Toast’s people, products, and philanthropy together to support organizations addressing food insecurity and hunger in our communities. It’s an opportunity for us to get involved in our local communities, give back to those in need, and put our values into action.

Over the course of the month of November, Toasters hosted over 40 volunteer opportunities in 29 cities across the globe. Employees participated in a variety of events, such as serving dinner to the homeless in Ireland, packing lunch kits for students in India, and preparing Thanksgiving feasts for families struggling with food insecurity in the US.

Damian R., Assistant Manager, Business Operations, pictured above, organized a volunteer event with a local program, East End House, that he had participated in as a child. For him, this was a very important opportunity to help an organization that supported his family for many years, especially after they lost almost everything in a tragic house fire.

“Being able to give back through Toast.org feels like a very ‘full circle’ moment for me,” Damian reflected. “I felt this was the least I could do to give back to an organization that has always been there for me.”

Additionally, Toasters participated in the 2022 Impact-athon. Hackathons are a time-honored tradition at Toast. Twice a year, employees come together to build or create something outside of their normal workstreams. The Toast.org team hosted their own category, where employees were challenged to create Hackathon projects that help end hunger and food insecurity. Two winning teams were each able to direct $2,500 in grant funding to a hunger eradication organization of their choice.

Toast.org also gave employees the opportunity to make donations to causes near to their hearts. For each logged volunteer hour, Toast.org rewarded employees with a $10 “mini-grant” that they could donate to a charitable organization of their choice.

In our Boston, Chicago, and Omaha offices, we gave employees the chance to show off their Toast pride while also giving back! Our Workplace Experience team hosted the Toast Tinsel Tag Sales, where employees were able to purchase Toast swag, with 100% of the proceeds going to CORE, Children of Restaurant Employees. CORE is a program that helps children of employees in food and beverage service operations at times of health crises and natural disasters. We were able to raise $11,000!

To top it all off, we launched the inaugural Toast.org Impact Grants. This program provides $1 million in funding to nonprofits that support underrepresented restaurateurs, create opportunities through culinary training, help restaurant workers, combat food insecurity and increase access to healthier foods in communities around the world where Toasters work and live. This included $200,000 in grants to organizations nominated by our Local Committee Chairs.

Learn more about the $1.25 million in grants from Toast.org.

One Impact Grant recipient was NĀTIFS, North American Traditional Indigenous Food Systems. NĀTIFS' mission is to promote Indigenous foodways education and to facilitate Indigenous food access. They are dedicated to addressing the economic and health crises affecting Native communities by re-establishing Native foodways and they imagine a new North American food system that generates wealth and improves health in Native communities through food-related enterprises. We are humbled to contribute to their extraordinary efforts to support a flourishing food system!

“Toast.org is focused on creating a healthier, more sustainable and equitable world where people have enough nutritious and culturally relevant food to eat, where restaurant workers earn a living wage, where surplus food isn’t wasted, and where a diverse and inclusive restaurant community provides opportunity and generates impact,” said Amy S.B., Vice President of Social Impact at Toast.

Thank you, Toasters, for making such a great impact on your local communities this season! We can’t wait to continue bringing Toast.org’s mission to life through your passion, dedication, and drive.

Rising to the Occasion: Relocating with Toast

Wed, 28 Dec 2022 17:00:00 +0000

Aliyah H.

Talent Sourcing Partner, Sales

One of my favorite things about working at Toast is that we have the opportunity to take risks and try new things. I feel so encouraged to explore different ways of doing things because I know my team and the broader Toast community will encourage me and support me through any challenges that may arise.

This mindset is pervasive throughout Toast, which means we’re all encouraged to venture out to try something new. This might mean using your professional development stipend to take a class, exploring career paths through our internal mobility program, or partnering with our enablement teams to hone in on the skills you need to thrive in your current role. Another way we see employees exploring various challenges is through relocating for a new position at Toast.

In my role, I’m looking for sales pros who are ready to join an exciting, innovative company, where they can learn a ton, grow professionally, and build community. For many of these opportunities, we’re looking for future Toasters who are interested in relocating to a new market to help us expand our restaurant network.

To learn more about the relocation experience, I caught up with four members of our sales team who recently relocated with Toast. Learn more about their experiences below!

If you’re ready to tackle a new adventure with Toast, know that we’re here to support you along the way! We want to see all employees thrive, and here are just a few of the ways we support our teams during relocation and beyond.

Relocation stipend to assist with moving costs
Managerial and team support not only during the move, but also as you’re settling in to your new territory
Area sales meetups, where can you network with other members of the sales team in your area
Local community volunteer events, hosted through Toast.org
Virtual events and experiences that allow you to create relationships with Toasters across the globe
Toast Communities, our employee resource groups, that regularly host events and information sessions
Local Slack channels, where you can connect with other members in your area over everything from organizing meetups, to finding a new favorite Toast customer in your neighborhood

So, are you bready for your next adventure? Regardless of where you join Toast, you’ll have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on local restaurants, you’ll meet some of the most passionate people in the business, and I know you’ll learn a lot along the way. We are hiring! Check out our open positions here!

Learning to Lead with Humility

Fri, 30 Dec 2022 17:00:00 +0000

Toast Careers

“Being an ally is recognizing those aspects that make up the people who are different from you, and not only embracing and celebrating them, but trying to understand and learn about them, too,” Brian J., Senior Manager, Restaurant Success, shared. “As an ally, I'll advocate if I need to. I'm happy to be an ear or a sounding board, if that's what I can be. If there's action I can do and can drive, I want to do that.”

Brian recently attended a conference hosted by one of Toast’s diversity, equity, and inclusion partners, Out & Equal. Out & Equal is a global nonprofit focused on LGBTQIA+ workplace equality. They host an annual conference, where members of the community and their allies can come together to discuss challenges in the workplace, share advice for fostering an inclusive environment, and much more.

At Toast, Brian leads a team of eight Restaurant Success Managers who serve our customers in the Southeast United States. In his role, he is focused on not only empowering our customers, but also helping his team thrive. He learned about Out & Equal after one of his team members expressed interest in attending.

Reflecting on this conversation, Brian was grateful that his team member felt comfortable coming to him, and realized how important it is to always encourage his team to be themselves. Brian decided that in order to continue fostering an inclusive environment on his team, his first step was learning more about what he didn’t know.

“It's my greatest fear as a manager: that you have a team member who feels like they can't connect with you, or they can't be the person they actually are with you,” he said. “That they just have to present the surface version of themselves - ‘Hi! This is professional, Brian’ - and you will never get to know everything else that makes up the person.”

After confirming with his team member that they would be comfortable with him tagging along, Brian reached out to Toast’s DEI team about attending the conference as a manager and an ally.

In October, he spent three days in Las Vegas, listening, learning, and having conversations with Toasters and others who are working for LGBTQIA+ equality in the workplace. Through attending the conference, he was able to connect with Toasters from across the business, and learn key takeaways that he could share with others.

“Attending the conference was so impactful for me as far as education and feeling closer to Toast, building stronger relations with Toasters, and understanding how I can be a better manager at Toast. I also see how these topics can impact our customer culture,” he said.

Brian learned a lot at the conference, and has been able to bring many of those lessons back to Toast. Now, Brian introduces himself with pronouns while meeting others, and he joined Multigrain, our LGBTQIA+ Toast Community, to continue learning more about how he can grow his allyship. He is more aware of current affairs that affect the LGBTQIA+ community, and has a deeper understanding of the ways these factors impact how someone shows up at work.

“Using the wrong pronoun for somebody invalidates who they are at their core,” he said. “Making the effort to properly acknowledge people means a lot. It's a sign of respect to your coworkers, your customers, or anyone you’re interacting with, and I want to be as mindful of that as I possibly can.”

Although Brian leads a team, it’s important to remember that you don’t have to be a manager to work toward creating an inclusive environment at Toast. We can all show up for others in many ways, such as inviting different identities to meetings, advocating for others and amplifying their voices, or setting up coffee chats to bridge gaps and make new connections. You may realize there is more in common between you than you initially thought!

Reflecting on Welcome Week in Bangalore

Tue, 10 Jan 2023 17:00:00 +0000

Srishti G.,

Operations Success Program Manager

This past October, Toast opened our two newest offices in Chennai and Bangalore, India. This was a wonderful celebration, not only for Toasters in India, but around the world. Srishti G., Operations Success Program Manager, shared details about her experience during Bangalore’s welcome week.

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The India office openings in Chennai and Bangalore are etched in the history of Toast and the memories of all the Toasters who participated! Teammates from the United States and Dublin travelled to India to help us celebrate the opening of our newest offices.

Welcome Week was filled with informative and exciting events. Tech leaders from across the business hosted discussions to help us align on goals and plan future efforts. We focused on building our community by doing a deep-dive into our values and volunteering in our local neighborhoods. And of course, we enjoyed delicious meals together throughout the week!

Tuesday was the start of the office-wide events. We started the day with a hearty breakfast spread at the cafeteria - “Toast’s Rasoi.” The space was formally opened with the traditional lamp lighting and ribbon cutting by the visiting and local leaders and gleeful cheers by all the Toasters.

The team then jumped right into an All Hands in the town hall where Toasters were absolutely smitten by Toast’s journey narrated by Toast co-founders Aman N. and Steve F. The session ended with some intriguing questions from the India team and Toasty answers from leaders across the board.

Throughout the rest of the day, Toasters engaged in coffee chats with leaders from various business units and geographies. It was a great way to understand how we all come together to tell the Toast story!

We also enjoyed the much-awaited SpiceCon, where leaders from other organizations within the Indian business community and tech space gathered for knowledge sharing with Toasters. The day started with lamp lighting by our co-founders, and continued with engaging panel discussions. The topics of discussion included building tech hubs in India, recruiting top talent, and the overall restaurant landscape in India.

After two long and eventful days, the third and final day of the welcome week in the office was a colourful festivity where Toasters gathered in the spirit of Diwali. The office space was decked up for the Hindu festival and so were all the Toasters!

We also had a fusion Diwali dessert counter setup and Welcome and Diwali gifts for all Toasters to add more sweetness to the celebration.

We all enjoyed a session called “Let’s Get Toasty” - a breakout discussion with leaders on the company’s values. We all iterated our version of the values and connected them to deep-rooted Indian culture and practices. We could see how each and every Toaster was appreciative and supportive of their colleagues and enjoyed working in the environment fostered by the company globally.

The Welcome Week would have been absolutely incomplete without Toast.org, Toast’s philanthropic branch, and ToastHer, our community for women at Toast. Our chapter of ToastHer had its first official discussion during lunch led by Susan R. from Toast.org and Jyoti T., Senior Salesforce Developer. Toasters then went on to pack 100 wellness kits for women associated with a local non-profit. In a later event, Toasters gathered and packed another 250 school supplies for underprivileged kids of a government school which were later distributed by our teammates.

Toasters visiting from the US and Dublin above all had a gala time at the India offices where they plunged into the Indian culture completely - took infinite tuk-tuk rides, wore sarees, suits and sherwanis, dorned gajra (flower garland), got henna tattoos done and much more!

I could not have asked for a better week celebrating the future of Toast. Are you looking for a team where you’ll be able to make an impact and learn from some of the best minds in the business? We’re hiring! Check out our open positions here!

Internal Mobility & Growth at Toast

Tue, 17 Jan 2023 17:00:00 +0000

Toast Careers

At Toast, we often think of career paths as jungle gyms, rather than ladders. When we say that, we mean that we love seeing Toasters explore all of the different options for them- whether that means growing your responsibilities on your team, becoming a manager, or switching over to a completely different path.

Megan T., Houston Senior Territory Account Executive, is a great example of this. In 2017, Megan joined Toast as a Sales Sourcer. She spent her days searching for top talent to join our team, and helped future Toasters see how they could grow their sales careers with us. In 2019, she was promoted to a Sales Recruiter. Then in 2021, Megan completely pivoted her career path by joining the team she had been recruiting for! Not only has Megan hit the ground running in her new role, but she was also recently honored as a Toasty Award winner - a peer-nominated, company-wide award that celebrates the most impactful Toasters across the business. Learn more about what drove Megan to make this major change, and how Toast has set her up for success in her new role.

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What initially interested you in changing your career from recruiting to sales?

This opportunity in sales is unparalleled in terms of career growth, financial upside, and professional development. I enjoyed sharing my passion for the role with excited candidates for four years while working in Talent Acquisition, but came to realize that it was time for me to pursue it myself! It’s something I was always attracted to, but I loved recruiting too much to make the jump. Finally, I realized that if I was thinking about getting into sales for that long, and it hasn’t changed, it was time for me to go after my dream!

What was the conversation like with your manager when you started discussing the opportunity?

My manager was extremely supportive and also not surprised, as she knew the sales-like parts of my recruiting job were my absolute favorite. She encouraged me to start shadowing members of the sales team and having conversations with them to learn more. Both of us agreed it was a great next step for me, and she was a great sounding board and friend as I transitioned into this new chapter!

What was most exciting about joining the sales team?

Where do I start! In sales, your hard work and your efforts directly translate to your success, your paycheck, and your career growth. I’m excited about being in a numbers-driven environment where everyone is stretching themselves to be the best they can possibly be. I’ve been in the role for less than two years, and I can already see all the ways I’ve grown personally and professionally! I’m excited to become an even more valuable player in my career as I learn to perfect the art of sales from the very best mentors and coaches. Sales can be a roller coaster so I know it will have its ups and downs, but I’m excited to grow!

What does your day-to-day look like now?

I'm working with small to medium sized businesses and restaurants that have 1 to 15 locations. I work with them to bring them the best restaurant technology. We’re able to streamline their operations and make things a lot more efficient through the use of our platform

I get to work with real mom and pop business owners, which is a really cool aspect of my job. Many of my customers have come to this country to follow a dream and open a business, and they've been able to do that successfully and expand to multiple locations.

Outside of work, I love to work out, even when it's hard to put the sneakers on and drag myself there! I have my two cats that I love, my boys Zeus and Thebes. They're so cute. They're Devon Rex cats, and they look like sphinxes. I love singing and I'd like to spend a bit more time doing musical things. Sometimes I even get to perform at Toast’s open mic nights!

You recently won a Toasty Award! Tell us more about that.

I cried when I found out I won! I was sitting in my car waiting for my cat’s vet appointment to wrap up when I heard the news. I’ve been at Toast for a long time, and I’ve always admired the people who won Toasty Awards.

When you won, you were highlighted for your customer advocacy and resourcefulness. What motivates you?

I want to make sure the trust I've built with people who trust Toast to be the foundation of their business stays intact. I want restaurants to know I truly care, and that I am committed to their success beyond getting them to sign up with us. Because after they've gone live, it’s important to me that they continue to have a good experience.

It’s not just a transaction. It’s a real relationship, and I'm representative of Toast. The Toast values are really important to me, and I try to embody them through my work everyday. I strive to embrace a hospitality mindset whenever I interact with restaurateurs.

The SellHers: Helping women in sales thrive at Toast

Tue, 24 Jan 2023 17:00:00 +0000

Sarah J.

Sales Development Manager

The SellHers group is a community focused on empowering our women sales professionals at Toast to achieve their personal and professional goals. We provide growth opportunities, mentorship, networking, and learning and development. Sales can be a challenging career path, but with this group's support, inspiration, and celebration, we are making Toast a great place for women in sales to thrive.

Some of the opportunities we enjoy together:

Leadership Panels – where a a variety of leaders host discussions on work-life blend, wellness at work, and more
SellHers Dine Arounds – this program runs across the country, and provides opportunities for SellHers to get together in person, in their communities, at local Toast restaurants
Leadership Opportunities through our Planning Committee – a dedicated group that works to plan our events and content
Coffee Chats – a one-on-one conversation to meet with women leaders across the team
Monthly Zoom Happy Hours – a virtual networking environment to connect with SellHers members across the globe

Hear from a few of our members about what they appreciate the most about SellHers:

Looking to join a company that celebrates female mentorship? Excited to grow your sales career? Explore our open rolls* here!

Reflections from AfroTech

Wed, 01 Feb 2023 17:00:00 +0000

Beto M.

Subscription Services Care Advisor

Last November, I had the chance to join a group of Toasters in Austin, Texas at the AfroTech Conference. AfroTech is a conference and web platform that brings together founders and employees of tech companies to talk through tactics and strategy, culture building, and so much more. AfroTech is hosted by Blavity, home to the largest network of platforms and lifestyle brands serving the multifaceted lives of Black millennials.

The conference sessions were empowering, motivational, and just downright energetic. There were options for everyone- there were main stage sessions, where we heard from key leaders in the industry. If you were looking for a more intimate session, there were also “Ask Me Anythings,” where participants could drive the conversations in directions that matter to them. The networking was also unparalleled thanks to the different mixers. Aside from that, the entertainment options were great. We got to hear from many different musicians that kept the energy going!

Attending the conference gave me the opportunity to spend time with other Toasters who I hadn’t met before. I joined Toast about a year and half ago as a member of the Networking team in Omaha. Recently, I was promoted into a Subscription Services Care Advisor position, and began meeting coworkers in person after our new Omaha office opened. It has been wonderful to see actual faces that I had only seen on Slack before!

Attending the conference was just another example of how relationships that started over technology became much more tangible in person. I had the chance to meet other Toasters from all across the US. The highlight of the event was the Toast dinner and being able to connect with my great co-workers. The camaraderie was instant and widespread!

At Toast, fostering an environment of inclusion and belonging is incredibly important for all of us, and it comes to life in many different ways. It’s not uncommon for employees to be encouraged to attend events as a member of the community or as an ally. At the AfroTech Conference, I attended as a member of the Pumpernickel&Rye Community- a space for Black and African American Toasters. We have 15 Toast Communities, our version of employee resources groups. Toast Communities have executive sponsors, budgets, and leadership boards that manage programming, host events, and influence the overall employee experience. Our Toast CAFE (Council of Advocates For Equity) is made up of Toasters across the business who champion our DEI strategy and leverage their combined perspectives and partnerships to enrich the Toast experience for all, across our business strategy and company culture.

I appreciate that Toast allows and supports our personal and professional growth. It is not something I have had in the past so it is a pleasant surprise, and one of the reasons I see myself being with Toast for a long time.

Returnship Series: Meet Adam K., Software Engineer II

Thu, 09 Feb 2023 17:00:00 +0000

Adam K.

Software Engineer II

Toast is proud to offer a returnship program with our R&D function in partnership with Path Forward. Returnship programs are designed to support individuals returning to the workforce after leaving their careers to focus on caregiver responsibilities.

In this series, we will be spotlighting Toasters who participated in a returnship program, and then decided to join Toast full time.

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Name: Adam Kwok

Title at Toast: Software Engineer II

Pronouns: He/Him/His

Prior to joining Toast, I had worked at a small Insurance QA Software company as a Professional Services Engineer. I worked with clients to customize the core product offerings for their customers. I worked on reporting and dashboards, using JavaScript and Java.

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, I took time off from my engineering career to help take care of my elderly mother. During this time, I picked up some classes on LinkedIn and Udemy to grow my skill set.

I knew it was time to rejoin the workforce when I realized that days were passing too slowly and when COVID cases declined and vaccines were widely available. I was a little nervous; I wasn't sure how companies would perceive my break from my career. I applied to various job postings- including entry level engineering roles- but did not hear back. I thought it must have been the gap on my resume.

I had no idea what a returnship was until I found out about Toast's program. I knew about Toast prior to joining and read from Glassdoor that it was a great place to work. During the recruiting and interviewing process, the recruiter explained the returnship program to me, and how it would help ease me back into the workforce. Ultimately, I accepted the offer because a returnship really resonated with my circumstances and everything I read about Toast sounded amazing.

One of the most important aspects of my journey with Toast was the interactions with my team. Everyone was so supportive. People were empathetic and understood that it’s tough to return to the workforce after a break. However, both my manager and my team helped me through. It was clear that they wanted to see me, and the rest of our team, grow. I had weekly check-ins with my manager to see how I was doing. Our team has a “buddy system” to help newer engineers onboard, and Toast provides an awesome training program.

I was also relieved to see that Toast has great work life balance, and would allow me a more flexible schedule if I still need time to help my mother. Luckily I did not need this, but it was comforting to know it was an option.

At the end of the program, I was thrilled that Toast made me an offer to join the team full time. I accepted Toast's full time offer because of the community at Toast. Everyone is welcoming and respects each other. Toast promotes being hungry and leading with humility, and I could really see that while working with my current team. Even with the short time frame of the returnship, I was able to learn a lot and feel like I was contributing to the team.

For someone who is thinking of returning to the workforce after some time off, I would suggest trying a returnship program. I had no idea what it was, but it turned into a great opportunity. You get a chance to learn new things and explore a new field.

I would also offer this advice: just don't be afraid. It can be nerve wracking and intimidating to jump back in. You may not hear back from some companies, but the ones that do respond (Toast in my case), do so knowing you have a gap and are willing to work with you and hear your story.

From Professional Auditioner to Recruiting Coordinator: How Empathy Affects One’s Experience

Thu, 16 Feb 2023 17:00:00 +0000

Rachel A.

Principal Candidate Experience Specialist

I’m currently a Principal Candidate Experience Specialist at Toast, and have been with the company just over two years. Though I’m still early in my career in the world of talent acquisition and tech, I’m a self proclaimed “professional auditioner/interviewer” from years in the theater industry, and that past role is what makes me so passionate and understanding of my current position.

The year is 2014. The time, between 6:00am and 7:00am EST. The place, New York, NY. I’m standing in a line of 100+ actors wrapped around the block outside of a building on 38th Street and 8th Avenue. This was a typical morning for me while I was regularly attending auditions. I, along with the hundreds of others were hoping to book our dream job.The audition was the job, the job was the vacation as they say. I considered myself a professional auditioner after five years attending hundreds, maybe thousands, of auditions. During this time, I consistently found myself responding heavily to the energy in the room, whether that was the holding room or the audition room itself. Was the monitor calling our names giving off positive energy and wishing us the best of luck? Or, were they acting disgruntled because they needed to fit in 350 girls before 4:00pm, all of whom dreamt of starring as Belle in Beauty and the Beast? My best auditions were those that provided a good experience and included friendly, encouraging, and upbeat creative team members who only wanted us to do our best. This notion was something that I always took note of and it’s resonated with me since.

Fast forward. The year is 2020. The time, probably between 10:00am-11:00am EST. The place, Boston, MA. I’m metaphorically sitting in a virtual waiting room while physically sitting in front of my laptop, waiting to join a job interview for a restaurant tech company called Toast. How many individuals am I up against? Unsure. Were there 100s of others? Likely not. But the stakes I felt going into the process felt the same, thinking to myself, to quote A Chorus Line: “God, I hope I get it.”

There was something about Toast that made me want and need the job I’d applied to. That job was a Candidate Experience Specialist. Why was I, someone who had minimal coordinating experience, knew nothing about recruiting, nor tech, qualified for such a position? The answer? My familiarity and knowledge of the restaurant community didn’t hurt. But I genuinely believe that it was my “role” as a “professional auditioner” who had thousands of “interviews” under my belt that truly made me a great fit to set candidates up for success and help them perform to the best of their abilities so that they landed their own dream job.

I knew from the start of the process that Toast was special, and I wanted to be a part of that every day. I was set up for success and put at ease even before my interviews began with a game changing “Virtual Tour” to help get me settled before meeting with four members of the TA team. The next two hours flew by because the individuals I spoke with were welcoming and extremely knowledgeable. The conversations flowed with ease and I was even more convinced that Toast was the place for me after speaking with such human, genuine, and kind people.

The feelings I felt as I wrapped up my interview with Brianna, my now manager, were the same feelings I felt after I knew I nailed an audition. I’d made it to “final callbacks” and the creative team and I were on the same page. We knew we would work together tremendously well. I’d nailed the dance portion and the singing portion. We laughed, we exchanged personal stories, and felt a strong connection immediately. There are few things as great as this familiar feeling.

I received a phone call the next day, at the exact time that Brianna told me she’d call. Even that was a testament to how Toast strives to create the most positive interview experience it can from start to finish. Toast empowers the restaurant community to delight guests, do what they love, and thrive. Why shouldn’t a company translate their mission statement to their candidates and create a hospitality-driven experience to help set candidates up for success? We know that we do our best work when we are set up for success. The Candidate Experience Team does just that - they set candidates up for success by creating memorable recruiting experiences and empowering them to succeed throughout their interview journey. Toasters want the best experience for their candidates, and I’m proud to contribute to the process every single day.

Embracing a Hospitality Mindset through an Employee-Centric Mission

Fri, 24 Feb 2023 17:00:00 +0000

Kate B.

Senior Manager of Amenities and Experiences

We’re committed to providing an employee-centric hybrid style of working for all Toasters. We know that some folks do their best work from home, in one of our offices, or a mix of both! Regardless of where you work, we are excited to offer an array of events and programming, either in person or virtually, to bring Toasters together and help foster a strong, collaborative community.

For Toasters working in our Boston office, Kate B., Senior Manager of Amenities and Experiences, is a staple to the in-office experience. Kate and her team delight Toasters every day through their thoughtful programs, welcoming workspaces, and delicious cuisine, served by local Toast customers. Learn more about Kate’s team below!

Tell me a little bit about your path to Toast. What had you been doing prior to joining the team?

A deep love of food sent me down a professional wormhole, and I was fortunate enough to work at some amazing restaurants in NYC, Nantucket, Montana, and, most recently, Portland, OR. Prior to Toast, I was the Food & Beverage Director at the Hoxton hotel in downtown Portland. When the pandemic occurred, we moved back to Massachusetts to be closer to family. I traded Willamette Wine Country, hiking the gorge, and zero sales tax for Bostonian sarcasm mixed with dark humor and never looked back. (Well, almost never.)

Why did you decide to join Toast? What was the most exciting part of the opportunity for you?

I am a hospitality tech nerd - as I’ve used just about every system in existence - and I ascertained that Toast was quite simply the best tech in the biz. I was at a point in my life where I was ready for a new challenge and chapter. The idea of using my years in the field to really dig into the technology that made everything tick was incredibly inspirational to me.

I have always been passionate about bringing people joy and adding value to their life experiences. In restaurants and hotels - that meant my team, our guests, and the industry at large.

I ended up finding a dream job at Toast working on the WE’RE Team (Workplace Experience and Real Estate) - first as the Food & Beverage Program Manager, and now as the Senior Manager of Amenities and Experiences. How lucky am I that the purpose of my role here is to make Toast a wonderful and exciting place to be? And the cherry on top, is knowing that the work we all do together is helping the industry that has always been so near and dear to my heart.

What does a typical day look like for you?

Gym. Tan. Laundry.

What is your team's mission? When you are planning your goals for the year, what are you hoping to achieve?

Our mission is to create amazing workplace experiences. If you ever popped into a WE’RE Team meeting, you would generally encounter an extraordinarily kind group of people geeking out about how to make Toasters’ workplaces - whether office or remote - as practical, helpful, and positive as possible.

Each year we look back on what we accomplished and ask ourselves, Okay, how can we do that again, except better? The future of work is rapidly evolving, and as such our outlook needs to be nimble and forward-thinking.

We’re forever asking questions. What do Toasters want in a workplace experience? How can we foster connections between Toasters? And, dagnabbit, what makes working here fun?

What's one thing you wish more people knew about your team and the work that you all do?

We genuinely all love working with each other. We truly delight in what we do. And we are constantly making each other laugh. Now, whether or not we are actually funny is another story entirely.

What's the best part of your job?

The best part of my job is:

1. My team

2. Helping Toasters

3. Supporting the hospitality industry

4. Maybe the #toastbeards Slack channel?

What has been your favorite memory at Toast so far?

There are way too many to count. Moderating the customer speaker series for the Dublin and Omaha office openings last summer was pretty cool though. Also pretty much every time you land in a zoom meeting where everyone is accidentally wearing the same outfit.

Is there anything else you’d like to share?

As a child, I was deathly afraid of clowns, horses, and Santa Claus. I also have a genetic aversion to cilantro.

Celebrating Women’s History Month with ToastHER

Wed, 01 Mar 2023 17:00:00 +0000

Rebekah A.

Director, Learning Design and Delivery

At Toast, we aim to foster a diverse company culture that celebrates the uniqueness we all bring to the table. One way we do this is through our Toast Communities, also known as employee resource groups. Currently we have 15 Toast Communities that support a wide variety of Toaster identities.

ToastHER is our community for women at Toast. Hear from Rebekah, co-chair of the ToastHER board, to learn more about how this community has grown over the years, and the different ways they celebrate women, not only during Women’s History Month, but also year-round!

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While looking for a new role in 2021, it was important to me to find a “work home.” That sense of community is what initially drew me to Toast. Throughout my job application process, I was immediately impressed with the focus that Toast put on supporting employees, particularly through Toast Communities.

I officially joined Toast in August of 2021, and I was immediately drawn to the ToastHER Community. I joined as a member right away, and I had the privilege of becoming co-chair of the ToastHER board in spring of 2022.

Once I became a Toaster, I was truly able to see how much of an impact the Toast Communities had on the company as a whole. As a member of multiple Toast Communities, I have found additional welcoming, supportive spaces to ask questions, seek advice, and build connections with many people I might not interact with in my day-to-day work. I couldn't imagine life at Toast without this support system!

Professionally, it has always been important for me to find spaces that empower and support women. No matter your role in life or work, challenges just always seem to arise (funny, isn't that?).

As a full-time working woman and even more full-time mama, I know I can't make it alone. Having a support system has been game changing for me, and communities like ToastHER give me the lift I frequently need to keep challenging norms and pushing myself to new bars in both my work and mom life.

While ToastHER has been around for quite some time, we had the opportunity for a refresh in 2022. We reignited efforts by launching a ToastHER board, and we've put considerable time and energy into building a community for all women where we empower each other to thrive.

Rooted in a spirit of inclusivity and belonging, we provide opportunities to connect, learn, and grow with one another. Whether in person or remote, you can engage with the ToastHER community through Slack, meetups, fireside chats and connection events, or by leaning on our resources to empower our incredible group of women.

One of my favorite moments of 2022 was the launch of our ToastHER global chapter in India. Empowering women across the globe is incredibly important to us. During the official opening week of our offices in Bangalore and Chennai, ToastHER hosted a lunch to welcome our newest members, and also came together to pack 100 wellness kits for women in partnership with a local non-profit. With a great turnout including attendance from executive women leaders across the org, this strong and compassionate group of women have begun building great connections and a sense of belonging in our community.

The ToastHER board is so excited for all that we have planned for Women’s History Month. We’ll be bringing together women at Toast and our allies for a multitude of events focused on women empowerment, career growth, and overcoming challenges. We’re planning inspiring fireside chats with some of Toast’s incredible women leaders, as well as opportunities to hear from Toast customers who are paving the way for future women leaders in the restaurant industry. We’re also looking forward to some friendly competition through trivia night, and an opportunity to network and connect with fellow ToastHER members in a more casual conversational setting. It is sure to be an inspiring month, and I hope you’ll follow along with us on the @LifeAtToast Instagram!

Toaster Spotlight: Eden S., Engineering Manager

Thu, 09 Mar 2023 17:00:00 +0000

Eden S.

Engineering Manager

I found my way to programming and computer science completely by accident. While studying at Brandeis University, I was originally pre-med. My path to computer engineering was all thanks to a general education requirement and my first professor, Antonella. I went on to graduate with a degree in Computer Science and minors in Business and Near Eastern Judaic Studies.

I'm someone who enjoys solving problems and seeing its customer impact and I love using software to do it. I am also passionate about community engagement and doing my part to bridge the gender gap in tech. I've been involved with organizations like Girls Who Code to help expose young girls to the opportunities in tech.

When I was looking for my next career move in 2019, I made sure to really think about what was important to me. My values are rooted in volunteerism, community engagement, and simply doing good. It was very important to me to find a role where I could build software that solves a problem for customers and that I could feel the impact of my work. I was originally drawn to Toast's mission of enabling the restaurant community to delight their guests, do what they love, and thrive.

A big part of my decision to join Toast was its culture and energy. It's tremendous to see Toast's growth over the past few years. I'd argue it's even more amazing to see among that growth and change, the entire organization is consistently rooted in its values. In my earliest interactions with Toasters, I could tell that everyone was driven and inspired by the organization's mission, by thinking of the customer first, by working together as a team, and by treating one another with kindness. Frankly, I wanted to work with - and learn from - every person I met, and this contributed immensely to my decision to join Toast.

At Toast, I now lead the Menu and Restaurant Config Platform teams. These areas are part of Toast’s core platform technology, supporting restaurant operations and integrating the Toast platform with other systems. A restaurant's menu is at the heart and soul of everything restaurants do, expressing its brand and offerings, while also serving as a common language between guests, servers, and the kitchen. My team delivers products that ultimately allow our customers to have the proper tools to be autonomous and successful.

Our engineering team works across the stack leveraging various technologies to support build solutions for our customers. We even help enable the Toast partner ecosystem. Many internal and external integrations rely on our services and APIs. Our team strives to build and design scalable solutions.

My role has changed a lot since day 1 at Toast. I joined the organization leading a small team, splitting code contributions and people management as a Team Lead, then transitioning into an exclusive managerial role, and now am growing as a leader, learning how to lead through leaders. These have been big professional growth moments for me, and I am fortunate to feel supported by Toast and my mentors across the business throughout.

As an engineer, you are focused on finding solutions and have tangible markers of progress along the way. You can see the progress in developing a new feature, closing out a ticket, and implementing fixes that improve the customer experience. As a member of an agile team, you have a regular cadence to reflect and see the progress you - and your team - are making toward goals.

When you transition into engineering management, there is a shift in what success looks like and what the feedback loop is to measure that success. Your focus is no longer on day-to-day engineering and hands-on contributions. Your focus is on empowering and enabling your team(s) -- to grow, to improve, allowing them to have the biggest impact possible. You are focused on growing your teammates, carving out opportunities for them to stretch and develop new skills. You are focused on evolving and maintaining a strong culture on your teams and in partnering with cross-functional teammates around both where the team is going, and how we are going to get there. You are focused on removing roadblocks, both proactively and sometimes reactively, so the team can continue to operate at a high level. These changes can evolve over time, and you see moments of satisfaction in less tangible ways, like in one on ones where teammates reflect on how they are growing, or in watching the team complete a milestone. This is especially true as you begin to lead other leaders, giving them space and autonomy to grow, flex, experiment, and learn.

I wish I had heard the advice earlier to carve out time for myself to reflect and acknowledge small wins along the way. It can be easy to continue to charge forward, but moments of growth can occur in moments of reflection and acknowledging the progress made along the journey.

These moments of reflection can be personal; after a day of meetings, taking a moment to pause and acknowledge the impact you personally made, by unblocking a teammate or having a fruitful career coaching conversation in a one on one, or planning for future team projects. These moments of reflection can also be communal, by taking a moment to pause with product/UX partners to celebrate wins and discuss opportunities in how the triad is operating, or in bringing the entire team together a few times a year to acknowledge where we have been and where we’re going.

In short, my experience since joining Toast has been fantastic. I've worked with and learned from some incredibly smart and kind people. I have been stretched both technically and non-technically, grown my career and become a stronger and more effective engineering leader. I have developed strong relationships with peers and mentors, and worked on a stellar team delivering features that are helping our customers. I've also seen the company grow -- I have a sticky note on my desk with the number of live customers on my first day in 2019. It's exciting every day to see that number grow and be a part of that change.

Returnship Series: Meet Preety S., Senior QA Engineer

Fri, 17 Mar 2023 16:00:00 +0000

In this series, we will be spotlighting Toasters who participated in a returnship program, and then decided to join Toast full time.

—--

Preety S.

Senior QA Engineer

She/ Her

Prior to relocating to the US with my family, I was working with IBM India. I was not used to being at home, not working. The initial years in the US were a good relief from the hectic work schedule and I was enjoying it. At the time, my daughter was about 9 years old, and my son was 5. I was able to spend time with them and be part of so many activities in their school.

During this time, I volunteered at various organizations. I volunteered at my childrens' school, was part of an organization that conducted cultural events related to classical Indian dance and music, contributed as a social media media and marketing analyst for a non-profit working against human rights violations, and as a business development analyst for a construction firm. There were various factors why I started volunteering my time, but ultimately, I wanted to give back to the society I live in. For example, my children went to a public school where education is free and I thought that as a parent, I should help the schools in whatever way I can. Volunteering at the cultural organization was purely out of my love of Indian dances and music. I never got the chance to get involved in such activities while I was working. Volunteering at a non-profit and construction company was a way to give back to society, while also picking up new skills.

Eventually I started feeling that I was missing something in my life, but the fact that my kids needed me here in a new country where they were getting used to a completely new environment, kept me going. Once they were well settled, though, I wanted to go back to work.

Due to my spouse's Visa status, I was not able to apply for a work permit. I tried to use this time to upgrade my skills and go for higher education. Going for a master's degree was one of my dreams and I thought I should utilize this opportunity to study further. After successfully preparing for and taking the entrance exams, I was able to begin my MBA journey at UMD. It was so refreshing to be able to go back to college again and sit in a classroom. I thoroughly enjoyed my time during the MBA program.

As soon as I had completed my MBA, I could not wait to join the workforce.The course, the various group projects, individual presentations and lots of interaction with my class had boosted my confidence. I was very excited as well as nervous to join back considering the technology changes that have happened over the years I was not working.

By the time I completed my MBA, I had obtained a work permit and was ready to join the workforce. Due to the considerable gap in my career, I decided to apply for the returnship program at various companies that offer it. I consider myself lucky that Toast offered the role of a QA engineer through a returnship program and I had considerable experience in this field.

The whole interview process at Toast was very positive. The HR team was so supportive, answering all my questions and even calling me on my phone to prepare me before the interview. I had never had this experience in any other interview before. My recruiter told me that having a gap in my career does not mean my previous work experience and skills have been negated. The people whom I met at the interview were very friendly and I felt at ease. One of them is my manager, Katy, who has been very understanding. She is always there to listen and resolve any issues I have.

Toast has been so supportive in terms of providing everything I need to perform my role. Right from getting my laptop delivered on time, to getting support to set things up, there were helpful people all around. The Slack channels are amazing- you get an answer to any kind of questions you may have. I got complete independence while performing my job role along with a lot of good guidance from my managers.

For others who are considering returning to the workforce after a period of time, I would advise them to look for jobs at the right places, like Toast, that value your skills. I wasn’t even aware of this returnship program and just chanced upon this on someone’s LinkedIn post. I wish I heard about Toast’s program sooner- it would have helped me avoid the frustration and disappointment I faced while applying to places and getting rejected without even an interview.

Eventually, I ended up accepting Toast’s offer because of the environment, the kindness and support I got from my managers and colleagues, and the flexibility I have that allows me to maintain a good work/ life balance. Apart from that, the technologies I have been exposed to and the opportunities I have to showcase my skills motivate me to stay here.

Meet the Leader: Debra Chrapaty, Chief Technology Officer

Thu, 23 Mar 2023 16:00:00 +0000

Toast Careers

Debra started at Toast in July 2022 as the new Chief Technology Officer. She has been building her career in tech for over 35 years at some notable brands such as Amazon, Wells Fargo, Cisco, and Microsoft.

Hear more from Debra on how she’s looking to take Toast’s tech to the next level.

What do you think differentiates Toast’s technology team and what excites you about the growth opportunity ahead?

I think great opportunities are forged by strong teams and I am super excited about the amazing global team we have put in place to execute our 3 year technology vision. Toast Technology consists of two core functions, 1) the engineering teams that align to line of business (LOB) product development and 2) the teams focused on foundational technologies like architecture, infrastructure, resiliency, developer productivity, data and AI. (Think of these as capabilities the LOB engineering teams use to build great products faster with higher quality.)

In R&D we are accountable for building products that delight our Toast customers, so to make sure we are laser focused on the custom experience we recently rolled out a new organizational construct called a triad. A triad is a cross functional working group made up of Toasters from engineering, product, and UX design. Each triad is uniquely focused on a specific product and customer experience in order to eliminate friction, enhance internal collaboration (especially with teams like Customer Care as we launch features and products), and increase transparency in all that we build for our customers. It's early days, but I am very excited about this new triad model.

Part of our Toast Technology team’s secret sauce is that we have incredible talent across the globe with Toasters in North America, Europe, and Asia. We are also a beautifully diverse team and are committed to an inclusive environment where everyone can feel safe and do their best work.

There is just so much that excites me about what's ahead. We are at a unique part of our journey where we have gone beyond what I would call a startup mentality; however, we want to keep asking ourselves “how do you keep that fresh perspective? When you're no longer this little company, how do you still act and be agile, and not get bogged down but bring in practices that help us scale?” It’s an innovator's dilemma.

When I think about growing our tech teams, I think it's a balance of promoting from within, recruiting externally, and making sure we're raising the bar on what great looks like because we're definitely in rare air and we really need to be looking around corners. Our opportunities are only going to grow, as we go global and add more enterprise customers and we have to be ready for those technically, from a regulatory lens, reliability, predictability, scale.

That's why we are setting our sights on a 3 year plan called DELISH:

It is intentional that part of this technology journey includes "always be learning" so that our Toasters have the opportunity to gain new skills and to grow with the company as we continue to mature our technology.

Tell us more about yourself.

I’m a 35-plus year veteran in senior technology roles! I do spend a lot of time on my work - there's no question about it. It's funny when I do 1:1s with people who want mentorship, and they ask, “how do you create work-life balance as a C-suite executive in these amazing companies?” My response is that for me the “balance” has always come from the satisfaction I get from my work versus other areas where I might spend my time. It's extremely rewarding to build these companies and grow them. I find joy in it and that's why I do it and continue to do it.

And I'm very, very lucky. I have a wonderful partner, my wife, Ramona. We've been together for almost 30 years, and she's a brilliant technologist and data scientist, has worked at a lot of great companies, and has been a founder of two companies on her own. We keep the founder mentality alive in our household! It's not uncommon for a whiteboard to come out during dinner at our house or when we're hanging out. We’re also very close to our families and have three amazing dogs that we love a lot. We spend a lot of time focused on them and on the community. Animal safety and well being is really important to us.

We also enjoy staying active as we were long distance cyclists and bodybuilders when we were a bit younger 😃 . I still practice yoga and we do great hikes with our dogs.

What drew you to Toast and the restaurant tech industry?

I love our culture, I love what we stand for, and I love what we do for restaurants and the communities we serve – all the things that make us such an empathetic, humble, amazing company are what drew me to Toast. As a kid I spent a lot of time in a restaurant my dad owned, the Tyson Grille in Philadelphia, busing tables and slicing meat and running down to the sub freezer to bring something out for my dad. The stairs of the restaurant even went to the stairs of the kitchen of our house. It was the cornerstone of our neighborhood.

I have an older brother and two older sisters and when we were kids, we'd sneak down at night with our friends, and eat ice cream or pie while playing the jukebox. The restaurant was across the street from a school, so all the kids would come for lunch. A lot of people thought we were well off because my dad owned this business, but I knew how hard it was for him to run a restaurant, to make margins and how expensive it was, and what it meant when someone called in sick. My dad always said to me, “promise me when you grow up you will never go into the restaurant business because it's so hard.” And yet here I am, a technical executive that's worked at huge companies who couldn’t resist the opportunity to bring my hospitality mindset back to the restaurant business.

Always Learning: Reflections from the Diversity Women’s Media Conference

Thu, 30 Mar 2023 16:00:00 +0000

Paige M.

Senior Program Manager, Employer Brand

One thing I admire about Toasters is their desire to learn and grow through all stages of their lives, both professionally and personally. Our teams are made up of curious, life-long students, and Toast encourages this in many ways. Toast provides professional development stipends, hosts on-demand learning programs, and so much more. Thanks to our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion team, Toast even supports employees attending conferences focused on a multitude of identities and experiences.

“We invest in diverse organizations committed to supporting marginalized businesses and communities through various opportunities for employee engagement and learning and development,” Aja S., Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Manager shared when asked why her team prioritizes these partnerships. “Through these opportunities we empower all Toasters to rally around a sense of community, thrive in their roles, and to support their ongoing individual diversity, equity, and inclusion journeys.”

“By sending our Toasters to these conferences and events, we encourage them to bring back their learnings that can cultivate an inclusive workplace, become change makers within their teams, and represent Toast’s commitment to DEI,” added Kim B., Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Enablement Specialist.

Diversity Women's Business Leadership Conference is an example of one of these conferences. Diversity Woman Media, a multi-platform professional and executive leadership development enterprise that advocates for diversity, equity and inclusion, hosts the conference annually. It is recognized as the premier women’s leadership conference for racial, ethnic, and gender diversity. During the event, women business leaders come together from across a variety of industries, backgrounds, and experiences to hear from some of the most influential thought leaders and executives across the world. In 2022, a group of Toasters attended the conference, and shared a little bit about their experiences with us.

“I have always attended leadership conferences whenever possible,” shared Jennifer W., Onboarding Consultant II, when asked why she wanted to attend the conference. “You learn so much from the sessions about your personal growth as well as career growth. You are able to network with others in your industry and other industries.”

Similarly, Nicole J., Employee Cloud Go-Live Manager, saw the conference as an opportunity to learn. Nicole’s hope was that she could not only use this information to grow in her own career, but also to help her team. “I have the privilege of ‘leading’ a diverse group of people with amazing backgrounds,” Nicole noted. “As a white, privileged woman I wanted to make sure that I was as open and receptive to educating myself on how to be a better leader and human so that I can create a space for these amazing and diverse individuals to succeed and to grow.”

Throughout the course of the conference, attendees had the opportunity to hear from prolific leaders from various industries, celebrate the accomplishments of other women, meet with coaches focused on a variety of skill sets, and network with other women growing their careers and allies. The wide variety of topics ensured that each participant was able to cultivate an agenda that challenged them in new ways and allowed them to hone in on what was most important to them.

For example, Nicole kept a manager-mindset on throughout the conference, and centered her takeaways on how she can best empower her team.

“My biggest takeaway from the conference was that, as a leader, it's my mission to make sure that I develop my team to be better than me and to be capable of taking over my job. Not only that, but I need to make sure that I'm hearing and inviting my team into the room. I need to make sure their success is known.”

Reflecting upon her lessons learned, Jennifer was able to really focus on taking risks. “Through the sessions, I dove deep into the importance of taking the leap, and not second guessing yourself. When you take a risk, one of two things will happen- you'll fly, or you'll fall on a soft spot. Take the chance on yourself, let others know who you are, dig into that grit and persevere. Use shortcomings or challenges you’ve overcome to push yourself and fight for what you want.”

Here at Toast, we truly believe that each and everyone one of us plays a role in fostering an inclusive, welcoming company culture for all. I’m grateful that Toast gives us the opportunity to learn and grow in so many different ways!

Want to learn more about our commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion? Check out our Culture Recipe!

Always Learning: Our LinkedIn Learning Challenge

Thu, 06 Apr 2023 16:00:00 +0000

Hannah A.

Learning and Development Specialist

In the summer of 2021, Toast's Learning and Organizational Development team launched our very first LinkedIn Learning challenge. We know that Toasters love learning new skills and that a little friendly competition can go a long way. Add the chance to win Toast swag prizes, and you have the perfect recipe for a company-wide challenge!

After a successful program in 2021, we were excited to kick off 2023 with a New Year's LinkedIn Learning challenge. The New Year's challenge took place in January in an effort to build off of the positive momentum that many people often feel during the new year when it comes to setting goals and building healthy habits.

Building a habit of learning is such a crucial part of employee growth. The challenge provided an engaging experience that motivated Toasters to spend at least 30 minutes of time interacting with content on the LinkedIn Learning platform. The LinkedIn Learning library itself offers over 16,000 courses taught by industry experts so there’s something for everyone regardless of your department, interests, and goals. As an added bonus we rewarded Toasters with raffle tickets for each week that they successfully completed 30 minutes of learning, and 10 lucky employees won limited edition Toast Swag to celebrate their commitment to their growth.

One of my favorite parts of these challenges is being able to see the wide range of courses Toasters enroll in. I am always amazed at the unique interests our employees have, and it is great to see them taking advantage of this program to develop areas that are important to them.

To help employees get started, we provided a few recommended courses that are aligned with our Toast Development Competencies, or the key areas we focus on while thinking about growth and goal setting. Additionally, we pointed Toasters to courses that offered tips on setting goals and building productive routines, but ultimately we allowed employees to explore learnings in any topic that they desired. We saw interest in many areas- from quick Excel tips to building more inclusive, collaborative teams.

During the challenge the 5 most popular courses were:

1. The 6 morning habits of high performers

2. One Minute Habits for Success

3. How to speak so people want to listen

4. Moving DEI from Intention to Impact

5. Speaking Confidently and Effectively

The curious nature of Toasters is something we see across the entire business. During the challenge, we saw participation across all of Toast, not just one department. Our randomized challenge winners were from 10 different teams and three countries. This reinforces the notion that at Toast we are all lifelong learners, and there is always room to learn and grow in new ways regardless of your role or tenure.

Our goal as a Learning and Development department is for Toasters to make learning a habit, and build it into their weekly objectives in order to maximize their professional and personal development and growth. We want employees to feel empowered to take ownership of their learning and approach each day with a growth mindset.

Linkedin Learning is just one of the many tools we have at Toast to help employees develop new skills and insights, but we have several other learning libraries at Toast that offer easy, off-the-shelf learning on a variety of topics. We host a virtual library that specializes in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, as well as a platform that offers graduate-level courses taught by professors and experts at top business schools.

We also recognize that there are other learning opportunities that exist outside of what we offer at Toast, which is why we encourage Toasters to utilize their professional development stipend to explore these external options. Every full-time employee at Toast is eligible to use their professional development stipend, so we hope Toasters are taking full advantage of this benefit to attend conferences, workshops, webinars, prep for exams and certifications, read books, and more.

Lastly, we offer a variety of internal training opportunities throughout the year such as workshops (what we like to call Pop-ups) and information sessions (Specials). Some Pop-ups in the past have included Crucial Conversations and Career Development Workshops, and new Specials will be released this year around Engagement, Performance, Compensation, and more.

Combining My Passion for Content & Customer Education

Thu, 13 Apr 2023 16:00:00 +0000

Lauren E.

Content Manager, Customer Education

Since I was a little girl, I was set on being a TV news reporter/anchor. I loved performing and capturing an audience and I was also obsessed with news and pop culture. I studied broadcast journalism in college and got my first job at an ABC station as a “multimedia journalist,” which is basically a glorified title for a local news one-person band. I was responsible for doing my own story pitching, videography (yes, carrying a 50 pound tripod around), scripting, editing, and then turning around a package and going live for the evening newscast, while also working as a weekend weather anchor and sports reporter.

This job was tough but taught me how to be really agile in an environment where anything can happen in the moment. Eventually, I moved back to the Philadelphia area and worked for about 10 years as an on-air guest/spokesperson at QVC, representing tons of different consumer brands across many categories. Throughout these years, my career trajectory has been very “zig-zag” — working as a management consultant in the life sciences space, then as an education manager in the beauty industry. This is where I was really able to combine my passion in content creation, storytelling, and enabling customers to get the most out of their products while incorporating my business acumen in finding digital solutions for internal and external education.

Now I get to bring that ability to Toast by helping our customers through content. Allowing my creative juices to flow while strategizing how to best get our customers optimized on Toast. I always think to myself when creating content, ‘what would I want to know? What would I care about as a Toast customer?’ It is so important to finesse the practice of hitting that fine line between, what is going to enable them versus what is going to overwhelm them when it comes to education. Our team, Toast Education, works cross-functionally with our product, enablement, and marketing teams to best understand launches, features, changes or knowledge gaps to make sure our messaging for our customers for key initiatives is consistent. We also work with our program managers who are oriented by go-to-customer strategy (activation, adoption, and troubleshooting) to help us scope and prioritize our educational requests from stakeholders, in conjunction with direct customer feedback.

Customer feedback is one of our core inputs for our team's roadmap. We solicit feedback in a variety of different ways, then synthesize trends and take action. Customer insights inform what content we maintain, update, and amplify. Some examples of how we solicit insight/feedback from our customers are through engagement with our written and video content, voice of the customer (VOC) readouts on a quarterly basis, ongoing conversations with our customer-facing departments, Customer Advisory Board interviews, and more.

Our team is such a melting pot of folks with different backgrounds – spanning from teachers, to content creators, to restaurant managers, to internal transfers at Toast – and everyone brings something different to the table. We each have our speciality where we serve as the subject matter expert for that area, and we leverage each other's skills all the time to come to comprehensive solutions and design impactful, engaging learning experiences. We all bring different perspectives, but we all have one thing in common– the goal of serving our customers and helping them thrive.

Hear from more of my teammates about what excites us about our role in customer education:

“Helping customers at scale! One piece of content could fix a pain point for hundreds of customers - that’s pretty rad.” (Dylan B., Content Specialist)
“Helping customers take in higher-level content in digestible bites!” (Bre J., Content Specialist)
“This team fully understands our customer base, allowing us to get creative on how to best serve them and meet them where they're at. Our niche audience empowers this team to think outside the box, and stay on the cutting edge of customer education in the SaaS space.” (Brooke L., Manager, Customer Education)

Pumpernickel&Rye Panel for Early Career

Thu, 20 Apr 2023 16:00:00 +0000

Taylor Barnes

Associate Chief of Staff

Pumpernickel&Rye, our Toast Community for Black and African American Toasters, recently hosted a virtual panel for students identifying as Black or African American and/or students attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) in the U.S. The event was an opportunity for our Pumpernickel&Rye members to share their experiences about building careers in tech.

Here are a few soundbites from the event:

Share what your journey to the tech industry has been like.

“From when I was a kid, I was always into technology and computers- I even did a bit of programming. I went to college for computer science, and then did a brief stint in management consulting for a year and a half, which was totally untechnical, but after that I realized that I missed computer science and coding. That was really where my heart was at. So I came back to tech and I’m so excited to make products that our customers love and that really have an impact. I love visiting local spots and seeing the Toast kiosk and the Toast handhelds. It's really cool to work on something that I can see my favorite restaurants using.”

Cyrus W. – Staff Software Engineer

“I did not always know I was going to be a techie. I was a theater kid and I actually have a degree in advertising. I ended up in the tech space because when I graduated in 2011, the economy was dealing with a recession, a lot of my friends were taking unpaid internships, and I ended up in a recruiting coordinator job at Microsoft. I realized that I enjoyed the tech space and the different people I was able to work with so I’ve been in the Talent Acquisition space ever since.”

Baillie B. – Senior Program Manager, Talent Acquisition

“I actually started in the financial services industry and did not think I was going to end up in tech. I had a couple of internships and then I started working in customer marketing and social media. However, it wasn’t until I interned with Peloton when I learned that there were so many non-technical roles within the tech space. Usually when you think about tech, you think of software engineers, product managers, and essentially a lot of roles that require you to be able to code or work with technical products. When I learned that there were also great roles within customer marketing, like what I do, and an opportunity to connect people with the great technology that you use, I thought it was awesome. I love that I'm working with so many different teams through cross-collaboration.”

Carrisa A. – Senior Associate, Community

How have you found success in your roles in the tech world?

“I’ve had opportunities to project manage, hone my communication skills, and expand my organizational skills. I also embrace the beauty of bringing different teams together by making authentic connections with people who are always willing to help you get to the next level. I have also worked to make sure I’m not afraid to advocate for myself, step outside of my comfort zone, and challenge myself.”

Carrisa A. – Senior Associate, Community

“I think one thing that is really important is to stay true to yourself and what you want out of your career. Often you'll hear the only way to advance is to go into management but that’s not for everyone. I actually managed others for about three years and it was a really interesting experience that I learned a lot from, but realized I just really loved building, creating, and coding. That’s what fuels my fire and what I want to be doing every day so I’m big on advocating for people to not be afraid to carve out their own path and stick to what is meaningful to them.”

Cyrus W. – Staff Software Engineer

What are a few essential skills?

“I have worked hard on how to keep a strong sense of self. Entering a new organization, it can be easy to want to just assimilate but your individual perspective is important.”

Baillie B. – Senior Program Manager, Talent Acquisition

“Imposter syndrome is real in the tech space. Owning who you are and also being open to exploring and using some of the resources to help find what you like to do is super important. For me, my secret sauce when I started in tech was my openness to want to learn more. I'm a curious thinker; I'm not afraid to ask questions and set up that time with people to learn more about what they do to see how their role fits in the bigger picture and how we can work together, especially in this virtual environment.”

Carrisa A. – Senior Associate, Community

“Learning has been really important for me. I love learning new things and especially as an engineer, the tech space changes so rapidly and there's new technology to keep up with. It’s extremely important to stay informed about what's happening in industry, establish what new skills you may want to be picking up, and when you have opportunities in your roles or on projects to try out new skills and learn new software and new systems, take those opportunities. Also, don’t shy away from the opportunities to collaborate and ask for feedback– you don’t have to wait for a formal project or review.”

Cyrus W. – Staff Software Engineer

What advice do you specifically have for Black or African American individuals looking to break into tech?

“You will encounter moments where you feel like this space isn’t built for you and you don't know how to break in. When this happens,show up with informed curiosity. Go in and ask those questions and do some research. Also, work on coaching yourself to draw parallels between your experience and your desired future role. If you can articulate the skills you have that align with a role you’re looking to get into, you can articulate it to a recruiter or hiring manager and then leverage your research, tenacity, and curiosity to pick up the rest in seat.”

Baillie B. – Senior Program Manager, Talent Acquisition

“Before I joined Toast, I had some meetings with some people who work here and I was able to learn more about the company culture, expectations, and gather any advice before I started. I asked all types of questions because I wanted to learn not only about the good but also about the areas for improvement, the reality. I now have those conversations with people who may reach out to me. I'm always willing to share those resources.”

Carrisa A. – Senior Associate, Community

“Many tech companies have employee resource groups that you can join where you can find a community to engage with for networking and meeting people across the company. It also gives you a broader pulse on how your community is doing at the company and finding opportunities to either get more involved or just to continue to help you feel connected.”

Cyrus W. – Staff Software Engineer

A Toast to the Earth: Celebrating the World Around Us

Thu, 27 Apr 2023 16:00:00 +0000

Susan R.

Senior Manager, Toast.org

This month, we celebrated Toast’s second annual “Toast to the Earth” activation for the planet, directing the strength of our community to make the world a healthier, more sustainable place. This month-long event is designed to bring together the best of Toast – our people, our platform and our philanthropic capital. Centered around Earth Day and Earth Month in April, Toast to the Earth features a collection of activities to help our planet as “One Team.”

Last year’s activation was hard to beat, but Toasters were up for the challenge! Throughout April, we hosted group volunteering opportunities in 50+ cities around the world with a focus on the environment. We visited food rescue organizations, community gardens, and local farms to sort, pack, deliver, dig and plant together. Hundreds of Toasters were able to get out in their local communities and do something great!

Not only are employees able to give back through these events, but volunteering with Toast.org also gives employees a unique opportunity to develop a variety of skills through local leadership roles. The Local Committee Chairs are a group of employees who work to organize and facilitate events in their communities. This widely expands the reach of Toast.org, localizes our mission, and brings together employees from all corners of the world.

“When my manager identified an opportunity to work with the social impact team, I saw this as a chance to use my skills to contribute to causes important to me,” shared Alex H., Senior Coordinator, People and Organizational Development. “I have been involved with community service since 2012 and worked in People & Places teams throughout my entire career. Now being a Toaster and having this opportunity, I believe organizing and participating in Toast.org events is a meaningful way to show our Toast values and my passions for bringing people together, doing good, and community impact.”

After logging their activity in our giving and volunteering platform, powered by Benevity, Toasters also receive a $10 Volunteer Reward for each hour they spend volunteering. They’re then able to direct this in the form of a donation to a charity or organization of their choosing.

In addition to these volunteer opportunities, we also want to give Toasters the opportunity to learn more about caring for the environment. Throughout the month, we brought in experts in the nonprofit sector and food ecosystem to share best practices and learnings on how we can all create a cleaner, more sustainable world. Some topics included: food waste, native wildlife and our environment, how restaurants have achieved notable strides in their efforts to become green and sustainable, going GREEN with offices and workplaces, and innovative environmental efforts for Toast, restaurants, and their guests.

In Chennai, Toasters recently visited a women's empowerment unit, where program participants learn how to “upcycle” old garments into new clothes, bags, and other useful items. Following that event, garment collection bins were placed in the Chennai office, so that Toasters can donate items to be shared at local orphanages or with organizations that will upcycle the items,

“This not only makes the lives of the underprivileged better but also promotes the eco-friendly concept of recycling,” shared Loga S. “This is an effort to do our bit for the environment and at the same time supply these clothes to those who need them.”

While reflecting on the volunteer opportunities in Chennai, Amala B. F., Principal Billing Support Representative, shared the following:

“Dedicating time to help others has taught me patience, kindness, and resilience. It also infuses my life with a meaning. I’m happy and proud to be part of this great initiative.”

The Toast.org team is also honored to have the opportunity to direct grant funding to organizations that are aligned with Toast’s valued and loved by Toast employees. Our annual Toast.org Employee Grants Challenge is a pitch competition, where employees champion an organization they’re passionate about that’s supporting the environment. Fourteen finalists will pitch their grant recommendations to a panel of Toast leaders for a chance to win a $2,500 or $5,000 grant for their chosen organization.

Additionally, local Toast.org grants were made in communities around the world to further our goal of solving critical food issues that impact communities. For Toast to the Earth, the 50+ Local Toast.org Committees will direct $150,000 in funding to nonprofits working in the communities where we live and work that foster environmental sustainability in the food ecosystem.

We are so excited to share the great events that happened during this year’s Toast to the Earth! Thank you to our community of Toasters who are so passionate about giving back. We can’t wait to see what’s in store for next year!

Celebrating AAPI Heritage Month with the Emerging Markets Team

Mon, 01 May 2023 16:00:00 +0000

Paige M.

Senior Program Manager, Employer Brand

Today marks the start of AAPI Heritage Month! As part of our celebrations, we are highlighting the work of our Emerging Markets team.

The Emerging Markets team serves customers in Spanish and Mandarin. By providing end-to-end support to customers in their preferred language, this team is breaking down the language barrier and helping our customers reach their goals.

Howard C., Sales Manager on the Emerging Markets team, is excited to have the opportunity to partner customers in this inclusive way. After spending years in the hospitality industry, he is far too familiar with the unique challenges restaurant owners face when they need to communicate with businesses in languages other than their own.

“It’s important to remember that these restaurants are historically from marginalized communities that don’t have easy access to technology and resources that traditional restaurants more often do,” shared Howard.

JJ, an Account Executive on Howard’s team and a restaurant owner, shared similar sentiments.

“I was so honored and proud to be offered this role at Toast,” he reflected. “Joining the Emerging Markets team was a no brainer for me. I think I can become a bridge between Toast and our Asian Restaurant community, because I see a gap in terms of technology and, more importantly, culture between the two parties. Being in the restaurant industry for seven years and counting, I see my fellow Asian owners working really, really hard. By adding Toast’s technology, we can do more with less time, which then gives us more time to spend with our families or on ourselves.”

Just as Howard’s team helps guide customers through the sales process in their native languages, we also have a team that’s focused on working with customers throughout the onboarding process. This ensures that our customers not only have the tools they need to thrive, but that they also understand how to use the technology to the fullest extent. Leona L., Onboarding Manager, loves being able to empower Toast customers through her work.

“As an onboarding manager on the Emerging Markets team, I lead a group of onboarding consultants focused on supporting our Mandarin speaking customers,” Leona shared. “I personally think the biggest skill needed for my specific role is to navigate ambiguity. Being a manager on a customer facing team, I need to be able to embrace changes and uncertain situations while being able to stay calm, confident, patient, and motivated for my team.”

A role on our Emerging Markets team provides an unparalleled opportunity to empower our customers. Toasters are driven by helping the restaurant community succeed, and this is a way to make a major impact.

Prior to joining the Emerging Markets team, Shan Shan H., Onboarding Consultant, used Toast in her jobs as a restaurant server and manager. After seeing Toast’s dedication to their customers firsthand, Shan Shan knew this was the right next step in her career.

“I decided to join the Emerging Markets team because I knew Toast really cared about their customers and I wanted to be a part of helping restaurants thrive,” she shared.

“Personally, it is important for me to serve our Chinese customers because I am able to communicate with them effectively. I show them how they can maximize the benefit of our platform and use Toast as a tool to excel in their businesses, so our Chinese customers can continue to serve delicious meals to their guests, while making a living to support their families.”

Our customers aren’t the only ones who benefit from the work of this incredible team, as Toasters are energized and impassioned by the impact they have on their communities. The team has a deep sense of pride in their ability to truly help our customers live our their dreams.

“I can't describe that feeling when every time I have a customer calling me or texting me, saying they wish they could have met Toast sooner,” JJ said. “That's just one of the many reasons why I’m so proud to work on this team.”

Similarly, Shan Shan recalled a favorite memory while visiting a customer with her team.

“My favorite memory on the team is when I took my manager and teammate to one of my Chinese customers when they were onsite in Boston,” she said. “The owner and staff were happy to see us because we have developed a strong friendship and partnership during the onboarding process. During my time there, I assisted with one minor issue they had. Everyone was happy - my team got to enjoy the food and the moment to connect; our customer enjoyed using Toast to serve their guests. Nothing is better than seeing everyone smile.”

Through their dedication to empowering the restaurant community, our Emerging Markets team brings Toast’s “embrace a hospitality mindset” value to life. Their passion makes Toast a great place to work, and is helping to create an equitable and inclusive restaurant community for all.

Meet the Leader: Jen DiRico, Senior Vice President & General Manager of International

Wed, 17 May 2023 16:00:00 +0000

Toast Careers

Approximately two-thirds of Toasters have experience in the restaurant industry and Jen is one of them. Blending her hospitality background with her financial and analytical skills, Jen has been thriving at Toast for almost seven years in various roles, such as finance leader, Chief of Staff, and now SVP and GM of International. Hear more about Jen’s career journey and her current Toast adventure below:

What led you to Toast and what keeps you here?

I started my career managing restaurants. I love the high-intensity, fast-paced environment of a restaurant– there’s nothing like going from an empty restaurant to a full one in a matter of minutes! What I loved most about my job though was the analytical side– inventory turns, revenue per seat, capacity planning for staff with less staff than shifts. That led me to go back to school to get my MBA. After finishing my MBA I took a job at a hospitality consulting firm. The assignment was to support a family-owned Italian coffee concept to become more efficient and expand throughout Italy and into London. It also included moving to Italy, which was certainly a plus! I lived and worked in Italy for 1.5 years and wow– it was a great experience– both in terms of my personal and professional life, but ultimately it was time for me to come home. After returning home I held a few purely finance roles, one of which was at a large public company that was simply not fun or engaging, and I happened to stumble on a role at Toast in finance. At the time it felt like kismet– a tech company, an industry I knew and loved, and a role that I had experience in. It only took me a few interviews to realize that Toast was a company I had to work for!

What are the top three things that brought you to Toast and what keeps you here today?

I believed then and I still believe now that the restaurant industry was clearly underserved from a tech perspective and we had a product that could truly help restaurants.
I loved the people that I met and love the people that I get to work with. I have a ‘no jerks’ policy– I think life is too short to work with people you don’t respect and who aren’t kind and nice. You don’t need to be best friends, but you have to be human to one another. The people and the team are a huge reason why I love Toast and love to come to work.
I’m constantly learning and growing at Toast. I have had more opportunities at Toast to learn and grow than I could have ever asked for. And while I have held lots of roles at Toast there is never a day that I don’t learn something new and that is so so important to me.

What led you to want to take on this next adventure as GM of International?

I am so fortunate here– the GM of International wasn’t even on my radar, besides the fact that I was aware we were going to invest in international. Chris and Elena, Toast’s CEO and CFO, approached me and asked if I was interested in the opportunity. I didn’t even have to think twice– after living in Italy 10+ years ago, I knew that at some point I would jump at the opportunity to live in another country for work again. It was a truly life changing experience, made me grow as a human and I was eager to experience that again.

What advice would you give finance professionals looking to become strategic partners? How do you see finance team members growing their business acumen in their roles?

One of the reasons that I was able to transition from a finance role to an operational role was because I understood the dynamics of our business and understood the why behind the numbers. So often finance teams can just focus on the output number/ metric/ financial– while that is important, it's also important to understand the “why” behind the number. Numbers are just tools to help you tell the story. I encourage all finance team members to be able to understand what is really going on with their partners. You should be able to clearly articulate at more than a surface level what the teams are working on and the impact they have on the business. If you understand the work you can then think about what drives the number that will ultimately help you be a better partner to the business. It goes without saying, that I think regardless of the role, building strong relationships is key to success and one of the things that I love most about all the roles I have held at Toast

What excites you about leading and growing our team globally?

So much of my passion and commitment for Toast comes from my early days because in the early days, it wasn’t guaranteed we would have the success that we do now. That creates a level of urgency, responsiveness, and willingness to dig in and do whatever it takes to make something successful. I love that type of work and I love to surround myself with teams that work that way. Building out our international markets is very similar. While we have high brand recognition in the US, we have little brand recognition in our new markets. While that can be daunting and overwhelming, it's also invigorating. To know just how impactful Toast can be for restaurants is really exciting for me. I love to see the teams problem solving and banding together to make things happen– it's the epitome of a One Team mindset which, as I tell my team, gives me goosebumps. I love it so much!

What are key characteristics that we look for in founding team members in these new regions?

We look for people that are really motivated to go the extra mile. People who do well working in the “grey”, there is so much we haven’t figured out so we need people who can be innovative and think creatively to problem solve. I think the ability to deal with ambiguity and complexity is really, really important. Lastly, we want teammates who want to be a part of a founding team and bring a level of excitement and commitment!

How do you partner with teams across the business to help provide an exceptional experience to Toasters in these new markets?

First, I try to listen and learn from my people partners. I am not an expert in the specific needs of the countries we are operating in, so I lean on the People team to tell me what is market or country specific. I also try to ensure the People team knows my business objectives. I do my best to bring the team into the conversation so they know what I am trying to achieve. Similar to the finance teams, when the People team can understand the business results, the better they will be able to support the international teams. I couldn’t do what I do without their support!

Jen DiRico is now a member of the Toast alumni community. We greatly appreciate their many contributions and lasting impact on Toast!

Minding Mental Health at Toast

Fri, 12 May 2023 16:00:00 +0000

Aimee S.

Principal Benefits Specialist

At Toast, we know mental health impacts every aspect of our employees’ lives. To ensure that we’re empowering Toasters to do their best work, lead fulfilling lives, and thrive, we put a huge emphasis on giving employees the tools and resources they need to prioritize their mental health.

Lyra Health, our mental health provider, allows employees and their eligible dependents to access 12 coaching or therapy sessions per person, per year, at no cost. In addition to therapy and coaching sessions, this partnership also includes access to resources for self-guided, virtual and in-person sessions, wellbeing tools, eLearning, and so much more. Employees are able to access all of these confidential support options all in one place.

Lyra is for everyone. Through this program, you can find confidential care for your emotional and mental health, how, when, and where you need it.

Lyra services include:

Guided self-care with a coach- Get a care plan crafted by your Lyra coach and learn new mental health strategies at your own pace.

In-person & video therapy- Meet with a therapist for diagnosis and treatment of mental health conditions like depression, PTSD, and more.

Mental health coaching- Get to the root of your challenges with effective care from a mental health coach via video or live messaging.

Essentials- Tap into self-led wellness tools anytime, anywhere.

Toast is confident in partnering with Lyra because we know they are selective in choosing best-in-class therapists who can guide employees through all of their needs with a wide range of specialties. Lyra also partners with Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion experts to ensure their provider network reflects the diversity and preferences of their members.

We know taking control of your mental health can be challenging, so we do everything we can to make it as seamless as possible for employees. According to Toasters, signing up for Lyra is easy, which lets you get started sooner. From there, your therapist will help you find a path that works best for you.

We hope that you will all take time to focus on your wellbeing and take whatever steps are needed to make you feel whole– not just during Mental Health Awareness Month, but also year round!

Growing our Global Sales Team

Tue, 23 May 2023 16:00:00 +0000

Toast Careers

2022 was a big milestone for Toast, as we hired our founding sales team members in our first markets outside of the U.S. in Ireland, the UK, and Canada. We caught up with a few of them to hear more about their experiences so far. Check out what they had to say below:

What led you to Toast?

“I wanted a challenge at a company who is pioneering at a global scale– getting in early was a bonus! After working for almost two years in bars around Bondi Beach Sydney and being in sales for six years at Uber, AT&T, and two Aussie start-ups, it felt like a great way to combine my previous experiences.”

Jock K. - Senior Territory Account Executive, UK

“I have been working in sales since leaving college and even had a number of jobs working in the food/hospitality industry, from bars in the US to hotels in Dublin. In 2021, I opened a food truck as a pandemic project and when I heard Toast was expanding internationally, I thought my skills and interests aligned.”

Cian F. - Territory Account Executive, Ireland

“I have about 18 years of experience in sales and one of my former Just Eat directors introduced me to Toast. With further research and speaking to some of my prior colleagues who are in the restaurant tech industry, I kept hearing more positive feedback about Toast and it encouraged me to join the company.”

Dushan F. - Territory Account Executive, UK

“My mom actually owns a cupcake shop in Toronto so I had been looking for different POS systems with her for quite a long time, and we've been waiting for Toast to come here. I've worked for a few of our competitors in the past but became familiar with Toast when I visited my grandparents in the States. I kept saying, ‘I wish we had this feature. I wish we had their hardware!’ When I saw they were coming to Canada, my heart was set on joining that team and working with a product I truly believed in.”

Ashley C. - Territory Account Executive, Canada

How do you partner with the international customer success teams to ensure we're providing an exceptional experience to these new founding customers?

“I aim to bring in stakeholders and set a plan with the customer early. It takes a village to get some venues installed, trained, and happy with the change and we all work together to ensure the customer has a great experience. It's what we call here at Toast, creating #1 raving fans.”

Jock K. - Senior Territory Account Executive, UK

“The Sales and Customer Success partnership is extremely important at the early stages of growth for us. We make every effort to educate one another on both problems and solutions. We update one another of any communication from our customers, which allows us to act fast and give them an exceptional experience. After this we share our findings and solutions to the wider team.”

Cian F. - Territory Account Executive, Ireland

“Here, communication is essential. I make sure I have good communication with our Customer Success and Onboarding teams while also closely collaborating with the Restaurant Operations team and introducing them to our onboarding consultants and field technicians in order to install our Toast system and ensure a seamless transition to Toast. Additionally, we offer in-house training for all of the workers (front and back offices), which is a huge help.”

Dushan F. - Territory Account Executive, UK

What excited you about being part of our founding team in one of our new global markets?

“I wanted a challenge. Being one of the founding members, starting a market from scratch, in a country 24 hours from home sounded like a challenge I could have a good crack at! I also love being a part of the founding culture and having a close team to work with.”

Jock K. - Senior Territory Account Executive, UK

“I have always wanted to learn how companies grow into new markets. What better way to do it than be part of the Go-to-Market team? I felt that having had experience starting a food truck– now a Toast customer, too– customers would resonate with me as I may be able to understand some of their issues having gone through some myself.”

Cian F. - Territory Account Executive, Ireland

“A successful company is built on a solid founding staff. I'm thrilled to join this founding team, contribute my expertise to Toast's success in the UK, and put my trademark behind this new venture as a core member.”

Dushan F. - Territory Account Executive, UK

“What I love about this industry is the people I meet– people who work in restaurants are just so unique. It's also not just about trying to get people to buy something. I feel like I'm really educating people and guiding them in a positive direction for their business, which is then going to make their life that much better.”

Ashley C. - Territory Account Executive, Canada

“I like to be bold and embrace challenges. I thrive in a company like Toast that is flexible and enables me to think out loud. I truly trust my team and know there are a lot of people at Toast who can support me in-person or virtually.”

Julieta GM. - District Sales Manager, Canada

How would you describe your team?

“Smart, energetic, curious bunch of legends!”

Jock K. - Senior Territory Account Executive, UK

“We are one team who truly embrace the hospitality mindset. Our Sales team is always hungry and I enjoy being part of it.”

Cian F. - Territory Account Executive, Ireland

“I'm so happy to be part of a hard-working, fun-loving team. They are always ready to help one another, and all departments are working like One Team. I noticed everyone at Toast globally embraces a hospitality mindset and is always hungry to help our customers and other teams.”

Dushan F. - Territory Account Executive, UK

If a potential candidate wanted to hear your "why now is a great time to join Toast" pitch, what would it sound like?

“It's the best feeling to be a part of something great before the majority catches on.”

Jock K. - Senior Territory Account Executive, UK

“We have just formally launched internationally. The growth plans are exciting and we have the product to back it up!”

Cian F. - Territory Account Executive, Ireland

“This is the perfect time to join Toast. Regardless of your level of experience in the field, you can be a key player on a successful team. Before I joined, I only heard about Toast as a great company to work for in the US. The amount of support you get from the global leadership team is immense. They always value your hard work and support your career goals. Since the first day of operations in the UK, I have been a part of Toast. The leadership team has already taken action to support my career goals. I appreciate that a lot.”

Dushan F. - Territory Account Executive, UK

“We have a unique opportunity to make significant contributions to make our product for international use even stronger. Canada is ready for more technology here and restaurants are craving better technology for the hospitality industry.”

Julieta GM. - District Sales Manager, Canada

Dining Around with Tapioca

Wed, 31 May 2023 16:00:00 +0000

Bria F.

As AAPI Heritage Month comes to a close, we wanted to catch up with Kaya C., a member of Tapioca. Tapioca stands for “Toast Asian and Pacific Islander Opportunities, Community, and Advancement.” They are one of our newest Toast Communities, and they host events throughout the year for us all to come together and celebrate various cultures and traditions.

Tell us more about yourself.

I’m Kaya, and I’m a software engineer on Toast’s Pay Card team. I work on early wage access for restaurant employees.

Why did you join Tapioca?

I decided to join Tapioca because community is very important to me and I believe that Tapioca fosters a strong sense of belonging. It’s amazing to see how engaged the Tapioca community is at Toast, and how many different cultures are represented within this group. I love how Tapiocans really connect over a shared love of food. I’m a huge foodie and food is a major way I feel connected to my own Taiwanese roots, so there is something that feels so beautiful about the shared love for food within the community.

Can you tell us more about Tapioca’s Dining Club Program?

Tapioca has been focusing on creating opportunities for our community to connect with one another across the country, not just in Toast offices. This program encourages Tapiocans to find other local AAPI Toasters and connect with them over a meal.

For our dining club meetup in New York, we went to a dim sum and seafood spot in Chinatown called Ping’s. We ordered a ton of family-style dishes, including peking duck, clay pot ribs, garlic eggplant, and a few others!

I really enjoyed being able to meet up with other Tapiocans in person and enjoy a meal together!

Driven with Purpose: Showing Up Authentically

Thu, 15 Jun 2023 16:00:00 +0000

Tanner T.

Senior Technical Talent Acquisition Partner

My affinity for the restaurant industry comes from the many school years working as a fry cook, bartender, and shift manager to put myself through college and grad school, which then led me to my career in recruiting. But even with all my accomplishments, growing up in South Louisiana made it challenging to live authentically and proudly, especially when entering the workforce as a member of the LGBTQ+ community.

Luckily, my passions, talents, and experiences have all collided since joining Toast almost two years ago. Toast has not only enabled me to bring my full-self to work, but they have also given me a platform to educate all Toasters and advocate for my community through serving on the leadership board for Multigrain (our employee resource group dedicated to supporting, celebrating, and advocating for LGBTQ+ Toasters). As Multigrain’s Education Chair, I have the unique opportunity to champion DEI programming, build educational sessions, and lead our Multigrain book club.

Our Multigrain leadership board is constantly looking for ways to expand our opportunity for impact on our business strategies as well as the Toaster experience through education and advocacy. The creativity, empathy, and perseverance that we as a community possess are essential skills needed to help organizations thrive and with external partners like Out & Equal, we’re able to bring in knowledge and resources that can help us strengthen our skills to help move our company forward.

Out & Equal is an organization working on furthering LGBTQ+ workplace equality while helping LGBTQ+ people thrive and they support organizations in creating a culture of belonging for all. I was honored to be selected as Toast's representative at the O&E Executive Forum this year. This opportunity meant so much to me. I met queer leaders and executives along with DE&I practitioners from companies across the globe, all aiming to further equity and professional development of LGBTQ+ professionals. The ideas exchanged, vulnerability shared, and education gained will help me to lead and engage Toasters in a whole new light.

I’ve also been able to incorporate new learnings from the conference into my day-to-day work as a recruiter. Equitable and inclusive hiring practices are paramount in attracting and retaining talent from historically marginalized groups. Toast has been able to make great strides through initiatives like pay transparency efforts and 100% remote hiring options for applicable roles, and I’m excited for the opportunities ahead of us to continue fostering an inclusive workplace. One of my biggest takeaways from the forum was the analogy that the work to further DE&I in the workplace is like an asymptote. As you make progress, you get closer and closer to the line but never fully touch it. There will always be more work to be done to further DE&I but with companies like Toast and organizations like Out & Equal, I feel we get closer and closer every day.

Tanner is now a member of the Toast alumni community. We greatly appreciate their many contributions to Toast!

Pride in Intersectionality

Thu, 01 Jun 2023 16:00:00 +0000

Paige M.
Senior Program Manager, Employer Brand

It’s Pride Month!

Pride Month, held annually in June, honors the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning/Queer, Intersex, and Asexual (LGBTQIA+) community. Pride Month began as a way to pay tribute to and advance the work of those who participated in the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in New York City. Typical celebrations include parades, workshops, concerts, festive attire, and opportunities to reflect on the struggles and strength of earlier generations, paving the way for today. While Pride Month originated in the US, it has spread to cities around the world.

At Toast, we embrace all of the ingredients that come together to make a Toaster whole. That means intersectionality is at the heart of everything we do. By honoring all parts of our employees, we’re able to foster a community that supports and encourages everyone.

“Intersectionality allows each person to celebrate more than one part of what makes up who they are as an individual,” Nicole L., Restaurant Success Manager II, reflected. “For example, I am not just a woman, but also a member of the LGBTQIA+ community and a veteran. I think it is important to be able to support and honor other identities, including those that I am not part of. Combining efforts across multiple groups creates more inclusion and makes Toast a better place overall.”

An example of how Pride unites Toasters from across the business is an upcoming event, where Pumpernickel & Rye, our Toast Community for Black/African American Toasters, is partnering with Multigrain (a space for LGBTQIA+ Toasters) and Mi Gente (a space for Latinx/Hispanic Toasters) to host drag show events in offices across the US. “Drag has been an art form that has been in around since Shakespeare,” said Chloe R., Growth Account Executive and one of Multigrain’s presidents. “Today, it embodies the freedom of self-expression, identity, and has become a symbol of safe spaces for queer existence."

“As someone with Afro-Latino heritage, it’s important to me that I’m seen, heard, and included. My voice matters — we all do.”- Dominic O., Customer Care Expert, Payments

“Oftentimes, people of color are excluded from representation and inclusivity in the Queer community. Partnerships like these are not only thoughtful, but they’re also necessary,” shared Dominic O., Customer Care Expert, Payments. Dominic is a member of Multigrain, Pumpernickel & Rye, and Mi Gente.

Toast Communities fully embody our values, and they offer employees the opportunity to flourish in an empowering, connected space. By joining, Toasters have access to a network of others with shared lived experiences, where they can learn from one another, support each other’s growth, and enjoy fun activities that celebrate their cultures and heritages. Additionally, members can develop their leadership skills by taking on board positions, allowing them to plan and host events, partner with executive sponsors, manage budgets, and more.

“Being involved with multiple Toast Communities and in the role I am in, I have met so many compassionate Toast employees who understand intersectionality thoroughly,” shared Alex H., Senior Coordinator, People and Organizational Development. Alex is also a member of Tapioca, our community for Asian American and Pacific Islander Toasters. “We share an understanding of how our experiences, shaped by our intersecting identities, are tough, challenging, and exhausting. At the same time, we make the effort to appreciate the beauty of our uniqueness, support and uplift one another, and foster community.”

Not only do the Toast Communities provide opportunities for individuals who identify with the group personally, but many also bring together allies through events, programs, and learning opportunities. This inclusivity allows Toasters to learn from each other and play their own part in making Toast a great place to work.

“I do believe education is key to acceptance,” shared Stan J., Payroll, Senior Manager. “The Multigrain board is really working on building relationships with other Toast Communities. I think it's key to interact with all Communities since Multigrainers are found across all of these spaces.”

During Pride Month and throughout the entire year, we hope you’ll join us in embracing those around you and celebrating the uniqueness we all bring to the table!

A Toast to Canada

Thu, 08 Jun 2023 17:38:59 +0000

Shawn G.

People Team Regional Leader, Canada

Earlier this year, Toast announced its launch in Canada. Through this growth, Toast products will now be widely available to Canadian restaurateurs, expanding our ability to empower the restaurant community. As the People Team Leader in Canada, I have the exciting privilege to grow and foster Toast’s culture in a new region.

When I joined, I wasn't actively looking for a new role. However, my perspective very quickly changed after being approached by Toast. As soon as I started my research and learnt about the journey from the founders to today, the immense impact the products had on the restaurant community, and the raving reviews candidates and employees share about the people-centric approach Toast takes, I was excited about the prospect. Ultimately, two things sealed the deal for me. First: the people. I was just so genuinely impressed with the candidate experience and the candor, care, and passion that everyone I interviewed with demonstrated. Second: the opportunity to be part of a founding team that is so focused on empowering the restaurant community in Canada.

Throughout the pandemic I closely followed the impacts the lengthy closures had on local restaurants. I was passionate about supporting local businesses through take out, delivery, and sitting on patios even during the Toronto winter, where allowed.

Every time I chatted with folks working in restaurants, I was really taken aback by the professional and personal impacts the pandemic had. When I started seeing the power of Toast to support and empower, the mission was just so well aligned for me.

There are so many things I love about my work. For me the best part of my job is the people I work with, including the amazing Toasters we've hired in Canada, the intelligent and motivating leaders I support, and the strong People and Places team that I get to work with everyday. In Canada, we have employees across our People, Sales, Onboarding, Restaurant Success, Engineering, Product, and Design teams. It is exciting and informative to see how these teams come together to create an inclusive, welcoming environment for all. Although we all have different types of work and focus areas, we’re all united by Toast’s mission: to empower the restaurant community to delight their guests, do what they love, and thrive.

Probably my favorite part of it all is building a strong foundation for Toast in Canada. Throughout my career I've had the opportunity to be a “voice for Canada,” working with great multinational organizations. However, where my Toast experience differs is in the proactiveness of it all. The team's focus on bringing in local People team talent so early in new expansions really impressed me before I joined. I joined as the second employee in Canada. I have the opportunity to be very close to the early employee experience and I’m able to make decisions that deliver a globally consistent and locally relevant experience for the team. I'm grateful for these opportunities to empower our team right from Day 1.

If you’re thinking about joining Toast, I’d encourage you to ask lots of questions and bring a passion for what we're doing. We're at such an exciting stage in our growth journey right now, but it is also still a time where we need to be agile, nimble, and ready to roll up ourselves, and get things done. The more you are passionate about what we do, the more excitement you'll feel with each milestone.

Meet the Leader: Sam Trudo, VP of International Sales

Thu, 22 Jun 2023 14:05:09 +0000

Toast Careers

Sam started at Toast in 2016 because she truly believed in the product and vision of our leadership team. She’s held several sales roles during her time at Toast but the one thing that she is always impressed and excited about is the quality of people she gets to work with every day -- she believes Toasters are passionate, thoughtful, and incredibly inspiring.

Hear more from Sam on how she’s looking to take the Toast sales team global:

What led you to a career in sales?

I went to school for broadcast journalism and originally had no plans on getting into sales but life has a funny way of pointing you where you should go. I was working at a media company on the production side and saw the earnings potential and work life blend that the sales team had and ultimately went and got my MBA and transitioned over. It took me a while to get hired -- not having previous sales experience was tough to overcome – but I finally got hired as a Sales Development Rep and grew my career by working hard and always trying to learn as much as I could. My Dad is also in sales so when I transitioned, I leaned on him a lot and called him daily for advice -- and he still shares tips and tricks to this day. The best advice he gave me was “sell yourself first, your company second, and your product third.” He meant that you need to build a relationship with your prospect and gain trust before you try to sell anything. You also need to get them to buy into the vision and mission of the company. Once you’ve earned both of those, you can sell your product.

What excites you about leading and growing our international sales team?

I’ve always been so grateful for how thoughtful Toast is about our customers. We truly have our customers’ needs and challenges in mind and are always working hard to help them operate their business more efficiently. I’m especially passionate about our SMB (Small/Medium Business) segment because many times these restaurant owners depend on the success of their restaurant to feed their family and pay their bills. We take ownership of helping make them as successful as they can be and I'm excited to be able to bring this opportunity to new international markets.

What are key characteristics that we look for in our founding sales team members in these new regions?

We are so excited to be hiring founding members of our sales team in new regions. We are an incredibly scrappy team and in many ways consider ourselves a start-up within Toast. In order to be successful, international founding Account Executives have to be problem solvers and comfortable navigating ambiguity. They also need to be passionate and work with urgency. This job is not easy but it’s so incredibly rewarding and a ton of fun. We're constantly learning more about our industry and prospects and pivoting as needed to help restaurants thrive.

How does your team partner with the international Customer Success teams to provide an exceptional experience to these new markets?

The International team is small but mighty right now. Our sales and marketing team, onboarding, product, and customer success teams all partner really closely together and are in communication on a daily basis to make sure we are aligned and have our customers' best interests in mind. It’s a bit of a challenge because we're based in different geographies but we’re intentional about getting everyone together at least quarterly and then country specific teams get together more often.

What is something you’d want people to know if they’re considering Toast as a place to work?

I’ve had two kids since being at Toast and the flexibility and support I’ve gotten is amazing. Being a working parent is tough, especially with my travel schedule, but my team is always checking in and willing to accommodate schedules. Many people ask me how I can be a mom of two young ones and a VP of International Sales, and I don’t know that I have the perfect answer (or any answer for that matter), but you just do what you need to do to make it work and embrace that some weeks you will have to flex and prioritize more than others. I love talking to aspiring moms or women in sales (like our SellHers group at Toast) and sharing how it is possible to grow your career and family at the same time without having to pick one instead of the other, if that’s the path you desire. From the generous parental leave policy, the flexible time off, and the kid-friendly virtual meetings, I couldn’t imagine working anywhere other than Toast.

Sam Trudo is now a member of the Toast alumni community. We greatly appreciate their many contributions to and lasting impact on Toast!

Toast.org is honored to be named a Benevity Corporate Goodness Awards winner!

Fri, 30 Jun 2023 16:00:00 +0000

Toast Careers

We are honored to share that Toast.org, the philanthropic arm of Toast, won a Corporate Goodness Award from Benevity! Benevity is our partner in employee giving and volunteering, providing a platform for Toasters to engage in our social impact program. Each year, Benevity’s Corporate Goodness Awards, also known as “The Goodies,” celebrate companies that are making a difference in the world and how they inspire other people through purpose. Toast was named the recipient of the NewB award, which celebrates recently launched partnerships with the most transformative approach to social impact.

Toast.org brings together the best of Toast – our people, our products, and our philanthropy – to further our company purpose of enriching the food experience for all. Toast.org works within three impact pillars: food and nutrition security, building an inclusive and impactful restaurant community, and climate and the environment.

“Benevity has helped us with our integrated approach to impact,” shared Susan R., Senior Manager, Toast.org. “As an increasingly global and hybrid distributed workforce, we know that one of the essential drivers of community, connection, and engagement is the work that we do through Toast.org and volunteering.”

With a focus on empowering the Toast community, Toast.org not only provides grants to major partners across the globe, but also allows employees to direct funding in a multitude of ways. This ensures that we’re able to partner with organizations that are working towards creating a healthier, more sustainable food ecosystem for all, while also supporting causes that are important to employees.

What made Toast’s launch of Benevity so successful?

Toasters were encouraged to explore all aspects of the platform. When we launched the portal, we seeded all employees accounts with $25 to donate to a cause of their choice, enabled a matching gifts program for annual employee donations up to $1,000, and organized volunteer events across the globe for Toasters to sign up for as soon as they created an account.
We brought the entire Toast community together to give back. We engaged the Benevity platform to vet non-profit restaurants so our sales team could bring them onto the Toast platform. This allowed us to proceed with offering hardware donations and software discounts for restaurants that were making an impact in their communities. For existing customers, we partnered with Benevity to offer a “round up” feature, where restaurant guests could opt into making a donation with each meal transaction. Additionally, as a thank you to our Customer Advisory Board, we directed $10,000 in funding to an organization of their choice.
Employees were empowered to make an impact. We worked with Toasters around the globe to host major volunteer campaigns, like Season of Giving, to ensure everyone had the opportunity to give back to their communities. Toasters were brought together across a variety of commonalities – geography, line of business, and areas of interest – to help causes that were important to them.

“In our first five months on the platform, we found a winning recipe for goodness: engaging Toasters in a variety of ways across departments and programs, trying new things, empowering teams, and amplifying their results,” reflected Susan. “We were able to support over 1,500 causes around the world and activate 40 local committee chairs to plan 150 volunteer events.”

Want to learn more about how Toast is giving back? Be sure to check out our 2022 ESG Report!

Fostering Community Through Volunteerism

Thu, 20 Jul 2023 16:00:00 +0000

Rachael P.

Onboarding Consultant — Payroll & Team Management

Toast.org, Toast’s philanthropic branch, brings Toasters all around the globe together to give back to their local communities. They do this in many ways, including a program called Local Committee Chairs. Through this program, Toasters are able to lead volunteer events, direct grant funding, and bring together other Toasters who live nearby. In our distributed workforce, this creates an invaluable opportunity to bring us all together and connect on a local level.

Shortly after joining Toast, Rachael, an onboarding consultant eagerly volunteered to be her area’s Local Committee Chair and hosted her first volunteer opportunity this past spring. Learn more about Rachael’s passion for volunteerism below!

1. Tell me about your background. What brought you to Toast, and what have you been working on?

I joined Toast in March after a 20-year run in hospitality, working in various restaurant settings, from high-volume sports bars, to fast-casual chains, to fine-dining powerhouses. I stepped away from restaurants at the height of the pandemic to work for a startup that allowed me to remain hospitality-adjacent, but also got my foot in the door for my first tech role.

Toast is a company I have admired for years, as both a customer and a restaurant patron, so when the time was right, I jumped at the chance to join Toast's Employee Cloud Onboarding team for Payroll and Team Management. I'm so happy to be here!

2. How have you built a community at Toast?

Although I've only been here a few months, I have taken advantage of some of the incredible programs and social time that let our team shine. A few examples of how I’ve gotten involved include:

Attending Leadership Coffee Chats
Reading the 100 Words Project from the Tapioca Community as part of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
Participating in an array of Slack channels, including sharing recipes in the Cooking channel and getting my daily dose of happiness in the Pets channel
Playing trivia with other Toasters around the world
Following along with all of the great community projects being completed by Toasters for Toast.org

3. Why is it important to you personally to connect with others in the Toast community?

It's so important to feel part of a mission-driven, professional company that's also a positive force for good!

I am in awe of the community impact Toast has through Toast.org. I am based out of Houston and work remotely, so any opportunity to connect with my teammates is valuable to me. It's even better when we are meeting to complete a service project, followed by a hang session at one of our customer's spots!

4. You founded your local chapter of Toast.org. What was that process like, and why did you do it?

I am celebrating my 5-year with the Lone Star State in June. I moved to Austin initially in 2018, but found a home in Houston a year later.

In that time, I've learned that Texas is big, y'all, (no, like really, really BIG), and so is Houston. Harris County has 4.6 million people in it, and if it were a state, it would be the 25th largest in the country. I saw that there was a shared Toast.org chapter for Texas Toasters (including Austin, Dallas and San Antonio), but there are hundreds of miles in between the four cities, which makes organizing an in-person event challenging. Local chapters were beginning to form, and Houston had never held an official volunteering event, so I jumped in to organize an event for our Toast to the Earth campaign.

5. Tell me more about your most recent volunteer event. Which program did you partner with and why did you choose them?

One of the hard truths when working in hospitality is the amount of food waste you see. I found the waste particularly hard to stomach (no pun intended) while working fine-dining private events. Chefs are asked to prepare for a certain guest count, but there is usually so much leftover at the end of a catered event. I was thrilled to discover Second Servings, the only prepared and perishable food rescue in Houston. Their mission is to alleviate hunger and reduce waste by rescuing surplus food from businesses and conducting free same-day delivery to approved charities. I was paired with a driver from Second Servings as a "second seat" volunteer. We drove around the city in a refrigerated van to pick up food donations from grocery stores, produce wholesalers, commissary kitchens, and bakeries. One of our Toast customers was a food donor, which was awesome.

Then, we drove the donations directly to community members in need — we stopped by a college pantry, a veteran's center, a rehabilitation center, a women's shelter, and a low-income housing development. We filled up our van three times in one shift and provided hundreds of meals, and we were just one team in action that day. Second Servings operates their fleet of five refrigerated vans five days a week year-round.

It felt only right to nominate this non-profit for the Employees Grant Challenge — and I am proud to say they were the recipients of a $5,000 grant! The grant will fuel Second Servings vans for more than 3 months, enabling their volunteers to rescue an amount of food equivalent to nearly 800,000 meals.

6. What are you most excited about for the future of your Toast.org chapter?

I would love to work with Second Servings again to organize one of their "grocery popups" for a residential community. We would arrange the food donations as a "grocery store," and then the residents "shop" through the aisles for free.

This is a great way to introduce nutritious ingredients to residents who lack access to good groceries and to bring healthy food to people who can't shop on their own. Sometimes, the donations can be intimidating to residents because they have never eaten the ingredients or dishes before (ex: greens like arugula, mizzuna, swiss chard, prepared falafel). To have a Toaster be there to guide residents through their selections would be wonderful for all involved.

Toast's Culture of Learning

Fri, 28 Jul 2023 16:00:00 +0000

Hannah A.

Learning and Development Specialist

Our culture of learning is not just a program or a benefit - it is an integral part of who we are as an organization. We believe that investing in our employees' learning and growth is essential to our long-term success, and we are committed to providing Toasters with the resources, tools, and support they need, so that Toast can be a career-defining company for all employees.

As a learning and development specialist, I am proud to be part of an organization that values continuous learning and growth. To help our employees keep learning, we have a variety of programs, resources, and experiences that are designed to enable all Toasters to thrive.

Self-serve learning opportunities are a cornerstone of our learning culture. Our goal with these on-demand learning opportunities is to empower Toasters to take ownership of their development by providing access to resources to develop new skills, and pursue their personal and professional goals. Toasters have access to three different learning libraries that offer over 20,000 courses spanning different focus areas. Toasters can choose courses that align with their interests and goals and complete them at their own pace and convenience.

The most dynamic self-service resource we provide Toasters is our Professional Development Stipend. Every full-time employee at Toast is eligible for this stipend, which they can use to do anything that helps them grow professionally. We most commonly see Toasters taking online courses, reading books, and attending workshops or conferences.

Learn more about AfroTech here.

This year, we are also helping teams pilot an initiative called "DEAL" which stands for Drop Everything and Learn. DEAL provides employees with uninterrupted, scheduled time each week to dedicate to their professional development. Our first department to adopt DEAL into their team was Customer Marketing, and we have been thrilled with the positive response from employees so far.

In addition to our self-serve opportunities, we offer live programming through four robust leadership development experiences: Equip, Rise, Scale, and Transform. These leadership programs span across the employee's entire leadership journey, so that we can meet them at their current level and provide the most relevant resources for their needs.

To get the most out of any of our opportunities, we work to encourage a sense of curiosity from all our Toasters. By encouraging curiosity, employees can explore new approaches to old problems, identify opportunities, and discover new roles that align with their goals and the goals of the company. Our director of Learning and Development, Kelly M., shares that “curiosity can help to lower the fear of trying something new and enable a ‘beginner's mind’—an approach of openness, excitement, and curiosity to a given situation, even when you’re operating at an advanced level.”

Finally, fostering curiosity can broaden the understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion, allowing individuals and the company to learn, grow, develop, and innovate in profound ways.

As our industry and workplace continues to evolve, we expect our programs to evolve as well, becoming more customized to our learners. Terrance M., a Senior Program Manager on our team, emphasizes the importance of recognizing our learners as a whole human by “embracing the unique identities, experiences, and emotions of our learners, and helping them craft and navigate their career.” Furthermore, in an increasingly digital world, we see data, technology, and innovation playing more of a role in all of our offerings. Senior L&D Program Manager, Stephanie S., predicts that AI will enable more customization of learning paths and courses, adjusting based on a learner’s exact needs.

At Toast, we are committed to creating a culture of learning that enables our employees to grow and thrive in their roles. We understand that investing in our people is investing in our company's success, and we will continue to support our Toasters' learning journeys.

Bringing all our interests & hobbies to Toast

Fri, 04 Aug 2023 16:00:00 +0000

Toast Careers

When we say bring your whole self to Toast, we mean it -- including your interest in hot sauce or art!

Here are a few of our Toasters favorite things:

“I'm very eclectic; I like cooking, reading, and spending time with my niece who just turned three. I am a very bad tattoo enthusiast– the worse tattoo you have, the better…I have a couple

myself.”

- Mat R., Quality Engineering Associate Manager

“I love my pet Winnie- he keeps me really busy. What else helps me thrive is yoga, or meditation, or spending time with family. All of those things just make me feel whole.”

- Brittney C., Workplace Experience Manager

“I really like hot sauce. I have close to ninety bottles. I also love going to live electronic music shows.”

- Joey B., Customer Care Expert - Enterprise Support

“Other than going to school, I have two kids, I have a lot of fun with my family, and I also love swimming.”

- Eden E., Order Operations Coordinator

“I like reading, playing video games, and swimming. I'm big into the outdoors.”

- Shannon A., Operations Lead

“Any given day could start out with a hike with my dog, or going to the gym, or making homemade peanut butter before the day even starts.”

- Brittany R., Associate Chief of Staff

“One thing that I love to do- which is slightly wild but quite an Irish thing to do- is to jump in the sea. I'm not a daily swimmer, but I try to get in at least once a week.”

- Cara K., Associate Director, Program Management

“I love to garden, to read, and to paint.”

- Robin P., Senior Director of Employee Relations

“I enjoy woodworking and just doing some general handy stuff around the house.”

- Shoham B., Sr. Product Manager

“When you live in Toronto, you kind of have to find something to entertain your time in the winter so snowboarding is that thing for me. I also love listening to podcasts, especially true crime shows.”

- Ashley C., Territory Account Executive

A Slice of Life in Chennai

Wed, 09 Aug 2023 16:34:31 +0000

Toast Careers

We recently asked a few members of the Chennai team to tell us a little bit more about their work and the culture in Toast’s Chennai office. Check out their responses below!

What interested you in an opportunity to work at Toast?

I always wanted to create an impact on people's lives through my work. At Toast, every code that we write is impacting the lives of the owners and employees of the restaurants.

Ilangeeren K. - Senior Software Engineer

In your role at Toast, what challenges are you helping solve and what skills are you growing?

Part of my job in product management is to understand the voice of the customer. I do customer interviews, ask open ended questions, and then narrow it down to make specific suggestions.

Sunil M. - Principal Product Manager

How do you see your career growing at Toast?

I easily get inspired by fellow Toasters to learn new things. We have the opportunity to learn new technologies and lead our teams, which increases our leadership qualities. This will help me achieve more in my career.

Sowmya K. - Software Engineer II

How would you describe the culture at Toast?

I love Toast because here we work as one team. We work together and learn together. We solve problems together.

Kalaiselvi R. - Senior Software Engineer

A picture’s worth a thousand words! Take a look at what the team’s been up to:

In honor of Earth Day, members of the Chennai team each received a sapling to take home!

Toasters formed a Intellion Futsal League team this year in Chennai. Go team!

Toasters are foodies! The Finance team recently came together for a lunch outing, which was a great opportunity to enjoy delicious food and connect with other members of the team in person.

This year, the Chennai office hosted a celebration in honor of Tamil Puthandu.

Our Chennai team knows how to bring some friendly competition to the office! We recently unveiled a recreation area in our office, where Toasters can play video games, engage with teammates from across the business, and relax!

The team packed over 200 bags of school supplies for students at a local government school, in partnership with Toast.org, our philanthropic branch.

Courageous Communities: Moving DEIB Forward

Tue, 15 Aug 2023 16:00:00 +0000

Noelle H.

Sr. Employer Brand Manager / Toast Parents & Tapioca

“Courageous. Limitless. Focused: Sustaining DEI through the Highs and Lows.” That was the theme of DiversityWomanMedia’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) Conference. I had the privilege of attending the conference this year with other leads from Toast Communities, our employee resource groups and clubs. While each of us were there on behalf of different Toast Communities and represented various departments across the business, we shared a common goal of submerging ourselves in the unique experience of being surrounded by influential DEI practitioners. I was also excited to spend time with fellow Toasters, as many of us had never met in person before.

Photo credit: Fabio Camara Studios

I’ve been in the HR field my entire career and have been to my fair share of conferences. They’d often have DEIB focused breakout sessions, but this was the first time I’ve ever attended a conference solely focused on DEIB. This is also the first time I’ve attended a conference where the majority of the speakers and attendees were people of color. Even though I saw the agenda and speaker list before the event, I honestly didn’t think about how it would make me feel actually being present in those rooms – feeling seen, heard, and understood.

My key takeaways from the sessions and conversations were:

Remember that there’s no finish line for DEIB
Define boundaries in your sandbox – establish how you will embrace your values in all that you do by also determining what you will tolerate as an organization and what you will consider unacceptable
Challenge a scarcity mindset versus abundance mindset
Center on your purpose and focus on moving the needle
Educate instead of shame – when people know better, they do better

Read more reflections from the experience from other Toast Community leads below:

Meet the Leader: Maria Loughlin, SVP of Engineering

Fri, 25 Aug 2023 16:00:00 +0000

Toast Careers

We caught up with Maria Loughlin, Toast’s SVP of Engineering, to learn more about her career path, what she’s most passionate about at Toast, and advice she has for engineers considering joining our R&D team. Learn more below!

Tell us about your career path and what brought you to Toast.

Growing up, I lived in County Cork, Ireland. I was the kid who loved puzzles, science, and math, and it led me to study electrical engineering in college. My first job, in Galway Ireland, offered an opportunity to move to Massachusetts, where I transitioned from an electronics to a software career. Over time, I moved from QA, to hands-on developer, to team lead, and eventually to management roles. It's been an interesting ride!

What has been constant is my quest to learn and grow in companies with different technologies, scale, and market focus. I’ve worked at startups and at enterprises on content publishing, workforce management, medical data analysis, and security. Prior to Toast, I was the VP of Engineering at two companies, one for banking fraud detection (Memento Security) and one for application security (Veracode). This whole journey brought me to Toast!

At Toast, our mission is to empower the restaurant community to delight their guests, do what they love, and thrive. We provide solutions that help restaurateurs run their operations, manage their employees, and engage with their guests.

This is powered by a set of technologies - hardware and software - that is specifically designed for restaurants. We support hosts and servers in the front-of-house, the expeditor in the kitchen, the manager running payroll and inventory, and even the partners who work with restaurants for food supply and delivery. We have an ever-increasing set of products for guests, so you and I can order online, pick up curbside, and/or pay right at the table.

As I mentioned above, I’ve worked across many different industries. Working at Toast is unique for many reasons, but especially because the hospitality industry is so relatable. We all love to eat restaurant food, to experience the restaurant setting, and to enjoy the companionship of friends and family. While the technology is exciting, the fact that this is serving a really important need is a meaningful aspect of my journey.

How are your engineering teams set up?

Within Toast, we organize around Lines of Business (LoBs) which focus on the “jobs to be done” of different restaurant personas. The Commerce LoB serves the restaurant owners, operators, and employees. The Guest LoB focuses on patrons of restaurants, simplifying how consumers interact with restaurants, and how restaurants interact with consumers. Likewise, the FinTech, Employee, and Supplier LoBs focus on payments and banking services, restaurant employees, and the back-of-house accounting staff. Engineering, Product Management, and Design live within the Research and Development (R&D) department. We work collaboratively in agile teams to prioritize restaurant needs and to deliver for our customers.

We have a huge breadth of technology. While we’re known as a restaurant tech company, we have a strong FinTech team building innovative FinTech solutions for restaurants and restaurant employees.

We also develop mobile applications for restaurants and guests. The Point of Sale (POS) app runs on restaurant terminals, kiosks, kitchen displays, and handhelds to take orders, send them to the kitchen, process payments, and much more. Most of the hardware is custom-designed and built by Toast to exactly meet restaurant needs. As a restaurant guest, you can download the Toast App from the App Store to order online, redeem loyalty and gift cards, and have a great dine-in experience with Scan to Pay. We’re constantly innovating to make the experience more delightful.

Whether you like scaling complex infrastructure or innovating rapidly on new UIs, hardware, payments, quality, documentation, and more - there’s a role for you at Toast!

Tell us about Toast’s culture.

The Toast culture is unique and one that I love! We’re united by a clear mission (to help restaurants thrive) and a set of core values that include Driven with Purpose and Lead with Humility. We are publicly traded company, but we have maintained the energy of a "scaling startup.” Our founders are actively engaged in the business and we stay close to our restaurant customers. Given our scale, we can couple that energy with the security, enablement, stability, and support of a larger company.

At Toast, we value collaboration and a One Team approach to problem-solving. Our employees know that there are people around who care about them personally as well as care about their careers.

I would encourage anybody interested in Toast to explore further. It's a great time to join Toast. We're market leaders in the digital transformation of the hospitality industry, a once in a lifetime opportunity. If you're motivated for impact, and if you want to build your career on something that has a strong and leading edge “changing-the-world” feel about it, consider Toast.

Maria Loughlin is now a member of the Toast alumni community. We greatly appreciate their many contributions to and lasting impact on Toast!

Toaster Spotlight: Michael M., Territory Account Executive, San Francisco

Wed, 30 Aug 2023 15:28:38 +0000

Michael M.

Territory Account Executive

I came to Toast in the middle of the pandemic and it was a pivotal time for major changes to our industry. Through my work, I’m able to use our technology to create solutions that will set our customers up for success. As human beings, our fondest memories of celebrating, socializing, and tasting life itself happens in the very places we eat and drink together – it’s really exciting for me to be able to contribute to this through my work. When you feel a certain way about a hospitality experience, it’s something you don’t forget and you want to bring friends and family to experience that same joy.

I get the opportunity to share Toast with restaurants in the wonderful city I grew up in, San Francisco, and feel like I'm making a real impact every day by showing the value technology can bring to the interconnectedness between the restaurateur, worker, and guest experiences.

Since joining, I’ve been able to build a strong network here. My team encourages and motivates me to do my best work and challenges me to grow. Toast Communities- also known as Employee Resource Groups- allow me to thrive as my authentic self, in and outside of work. Currently, I'm part of Drye (for sober Toasters), Multigrain (for LGBTQIA+ Toasters), and Bay Area Toaster Communities. For the first time, I don't feel invisible for being sober, proud, or confined to my region. I love finding communities, and Toast is built on the reality that technology should be human-centered.

Prior to joining Toast, I sold a variety of products- HR technology solutions, a digital marketing and music platform for restaurant chains, casinos, and hotels, and a patient engagement platform for doctors’ offices. I can honestly say that, in under two years, I've grown more with Toast than I have in the last decade merely just "selling.”

My favorite part about selling at Toast is that I genuinely believe in our product. Not only do I know that our product is well-built and that we have a strong go-to-market strategy, but I can also promise our customers that we are dedicated to seeing their businesses thrive.

Our success is tied to their success, and this interdependence allows me to go out into the field everyday knowing that I’ll do everything I can to empower my customers.

Without this kind of integrity backing my work and product, I don't think I would have been able to perform at Toast’s high standards.

To me, being "Toasty" has been about being real with my customers, team, and my personal relationships more than anything else. Thanks to our world-class enablement team, I am able to bring the Toast values of humility, empathy, and teamwork to help our customers change for the better.

Michael is now a member of the Toast alumni community. We greatly appreciate their many contributions and lasting impact on Toast!

2023 Summer Intern and Co-op Spotlight

Thu, 07 Sep 2023 16:00:00 +0000

Colleen Grant

Back to school season is upon us! The Early Career team is excited to kick off our recruiting season for next spring and summer. Each year, Toast hosts interns and co-ops in roles across the business. Students from around the globe join the Toast team, where they’re able to work on meaningful, exciting projects. No one is spending their summer just going on coffee runs, unless it’s to a favorite Toast customer for an energy boost!

We had the chance to catch up with a few of the 2023 interns and co-ops to learn more about their experience. Hear what they had to say below!

What made you want to join the Toast team?

I had an interest in the Fintech space and was fascinated by Toast's success in building innovative solutions for the restaurant industry. I saw a rating with stats saying 92% of Toast employees say it's a great place to work. I felt the experience would provide me a great warm exposure to Fintech and that's exactly what I got!

Habeeb I., MBA Summer Associate, Fintech Product Marketing, Georgia Institute of Technology, Scheller College of Business

Habeeb and his team enjoying a virtual sandwich making class.

“I was first introduced to Toast because my family acquired a restaurant in 2019 that was already on the Toast platform. I could clearly see the quality, thought, and care that Toast put into its restaurant products to make the staff's lives as easy as possible. That level of empathy for restaurants and guests alike shows vividly in Toast's products and services. This made me want to join Toast in their mission to streamline restaurant operations like they did for my family's restaurant.”

Mingle L., Software Engineering Intern, Northeastern University

I joined the Toast team because of their unwavering commitment to fostering a unified team environment. The profound emphasis they place on collaborative efforts and the opportunity they provide for continuous learning resonated deeply with me, particularly as I ventured into this new and exciting field.

Nia S., Program Management Intern, Boston University:

Nia and her team during a weekly meeting

What was your favorite part of working at Toast?

My favorite part of working at Toast has been interacting and learning from my team. I felt challenged and uplifted through my interactions with every individual. I feel lucky in that I feel I have made the biggest impact not only through my work, but also through Toast.org, Toast’s philanthropic branch.

Kevin S, Software Engineering Intern, Georgia Institute of Technology

I joined the Toast team because I really enjoyed my interview experience, and I resonated with the company goals. My favorite part was interacting with the amazing individuals and customers! Gabriella T., Software Engineering Intern, California Institute of Technology

During my internship, I was exposed to diverse experiences and various aspects of product marketing. In just 10 weeks, I was seamlessly integrated into my team, received the necessary resources and support to feel capable and accomplished, and gained impactful skills. The level of empowerment I experienced allowed me to explore and expand my skills while also being entrusted with meaningful responsibilities. Kateryn K. MBA Summer Associate, Product Marketing, University of Washington- Foster School of Business

Kateryn enjoying a 1:1 with her manager.

What advice would you give to another student considering joining Toast?

Every single day is a learning opportunity, and don’t be afraid to take on the most daunting tasks! Your team is there to support you, and Toast wants to see you grow!

Nolan M, Software Engineer Co-op, Northeastern University

I would advise any students considering joining Toast to learn more about the value that Toast provides to customers as well as to get involved in Toast.org when you do join Toast– you will love it!

Alan O., Software Engineering Intern, University of Dublin

Alan volunteering with Toast.org

Take the initiative to become involved with the company! There are countless opportunities for you to get involved in mentorship, join communities for your personal interests, and explore different job opportunities within Toast as a Co-op. Toast is there to support your professional and personal growth, so do not hesitate to reach out to your coworkers and learn as much as you can!

Mary H., Quality Assurance Engineering Co-op, Northeastern University

Rising Together: Latinas in Tech Summit

Fri, 15 Sep 2023 19:06:00 +0000

Toast Careers

Here at Toast, we’re lucky to be able to celebrate Hispanic/Latinx cultures all year long, thanks to our Spanish-speaking Emerging Markets team and Mi Gente, our Toast Community for Hispanic/ Latinx Toasters.

Our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) team champions the uniqueness of all Toasters in many ways, including supporting Toast Communities, providing educational sessions open to all employees, facilitating networking sessions, and offering opportunities to attend conferences through our various partners. A great example of this happened this past May, when a group from Mi Gente was given the opportunity to attend the Latinas in Tech Summit, both virtually and in-person in San Francisco.

Latinas in Tech is the largest tech event for Latinas in the world. According to the organization, Latinas make up only 2% of the tech ecosystem, so they work to bring together the community for inspiration, motivation, and empowerment. The conference’s agenda had something for everyone–from networking sessions and discussions on overcoming adversity, to recruiting advice and deep-dives into the latest technology.

“My favorite moment as a member of Mi Gente was attending the Latinas in Tech Summit,”

Michelle H., Senior Product Manager, New Ventures Retail.

“I hadn't felt so seen and accepted in a long time – it was a magical moment to make new friends and celebrate shared aspects of our culture.”

Marivel P.Q., Employee Cloud Sales Coordinator, had a similar experience. “It was amazing to get to spend a few days with a group of Latina Toasters and share the experience filled with so much growth, learning, connection, and fun! I’m really grateful Toast gave us that opportunity.”

Although the conference was certainly a highlight for those who attended, the energy and sense of community stretches far beyond the two-day event. The Mi Gente board works year-round to keep members connected and inspired.

“I joined Mi Gente because it gives me a sense of belonging and warmth. It has been so nice meeting other Toasters who share the same culture and bonding over the things we have in common,” shared Yazmin Z., Billing Representative II.

Through our conversation, Michelle, Marivel, and Yazmin all noted that the Mi Gente Community is a pillar in their Toast experiences and creates an inclusive, welcoming environment for all. Each member of the Community brings their own heritages and family traditions, and they are equally welcomed and celebrated.

“Having this space at Toast gives us a feeling of belonging and appreciation,” reflected Yazmin.

If you’re considering joining the Mi Gente Community, the advice from these Toasters is clear.

“¡Dale! Mi Gente gave me a sense of stability and community while moving teams and roles at Toast. Now I'm celebrating my 6th year here and I love making new connections with other Latinx Toasters,” reflected Michelle.

Marivel added: “Whether you identify as Latina/o/e/x or are an ally in seeing this community thrive, join us. ¡Los esperamos!”

Meet the Leader: John Akalaonu, VP, Customer Onboarding

Thu, 21 Sep 2023 16:00:00 +0000

As the first stop for our customers in their transition to utilizing Toast, the Customer Onboarding team guides and empowers our customers to build the foundation for success. This team aims to make the experience simple and easy, and they help our customers get acquainted with the tools and resources they need to navigate and thrive on our platform.

We caught up with John, our VP of Customer Onboarding, to learn more about his journey to Toast and how we’re looking to raise the bar to set our customers up for success from day one:

What drew you to Toast and the restaurant tech industry?

I was drawn to Toast because of four things:

First and foremost, the amazing culture. I’ve never experienced a culture like this, and to be honest, when I was starting the interview process and saw the Life at Toast Instagram page, I doubted that people were really as happy as they looked. I thought it was probably just really good marketing. But then once I actually started talking to people during the interview process, it became clear that this culture was real. I have worked in different companies and industries, and I have never seen a culture like Toast. Toast cares about people, both Toasters and customers, and leads with that in every aspect of their operations.
The opportunity to have an impact on a product that my friends, family, and I use often in everyday life. It makes doing this job more personal when I walk into a restaurant or bar and see that they’re on Toast. I love the fact that my friends and family text or call me when they are at a Toast restaurant. Sometimes that text is just something like “I’m getting Toasty,” accompanied by a picture they took of the “Powered by Toast” receipt they received after their meal or a screenshot of them downloading the Toast app for the first time. Sometimes it’s feedback on the experience they had, both good and bad, on Toast. My kids have already grown annoyed with the fact that the first thing I do whenever we walk into any restaurant is look to see if they are on Toast, and if they are, my kids know that I’m going to ask the staff how they like Toast!
The growth trajectory for Toast in the hospitality industry. The fact that Toast can now be found in not just restaurants, but also hotels, karaoke bars, and cigar bars speaks to how much opportunity for growth there is in this industry. That growth opportunity is not just for Toast, but for the customers we serve. The hospitality industry is traditionally a low margin industry that was hit hard by COVID and is still rebounding in many places. The fact that Toast can help enable that rebound, and even help drive growth for our customers is something that I am very proud of.
Last but not least, Toast and the restaurant tech industry are fast-paced environments that are ever-changing and require a high level of adaptability and creativity, similar to what I experienced during my time in the Marine Corps. The lessons I learned during my service have helped me grow and thrive.

What do you think makes Toast’s onboarding of customers special?

Most of the Toasters on our Customer Onboarding team have worked in restaurants or hospitality. They understand the nuances and challenges that are unique to that industry because they have lived it themselves. That makes it easy for us to put ourselves in our customer’s shoes when we are guiding them through the onboarding journey. We understand the multiple hats that a restaurant general manager or owner has to wear every day. We understand how little time they have to focus on things like converting their POS, payroll, guest, or inventory processes and products. We understand that they aren’t sitting in front of a computer all day like other industries where they may have more bandwidth or people to invest a lot of time into a technology conversion. We are continually driving to reduce the amount of time our customers have to spend on the phone or exchanging emails with us during their onboarding journey. We still have work to do there as we continue to improve, but the fact that we have been in the customer’s shoes helps us to determine what changes to our process would be most beneficial to our customers.

How are you constantly evolving the cross-functional relationship between Sales, Customer Onboarding, and overall Customer Success?

We are continually striving to create a “seamless” customer journey from their first interaction with sales, through the onboarding journey, and into their post-live experience with Customer Success. Our goal is for our customers to feel like they are partnering with one coordinated team of Toasters, with different responsibilities during the different phases of their Toast journey, that knows who they are, what their expectations are for a successful relationship with Toast, and are working together to deliver on the promises Toast made that led them to choose us as their partner.

I like to say that Sales are the promise makers and Onboarding/Customer Success are the promise keepers. It’s vital that everyone is aligned so that we are only making promises that we can keep.

John is now a member of the Toast alumni community. We greatly appreciate their many contributions and lasting impact on Toast!

Baking inclusive principles into our day-to-day work

Wed, 27 Sep 2023 16:00:00 +0000

Vivek M.

Senior Manager, People Success Partner

Embracing DEI isn't just a buzzword or a trend; it is an ongoing journey that requires continuous commitment from individuals like us and organizations alike. As we engage in experiences that foster awareness and understanding of DEI, it becomes essential to translate these learnings into our day-to-day jobs.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion form the foundation of a progressive and thriving workplace. Diversity celebrates the unique perspectives and backgrounds of individuals, fostering creativity, innovation, and problem-solving. Equity ensures fair treatment, leveling the playing field for all employees, irrespective of their backgrounds. Inclusion, on the other hand, goes beyond mere representation, making everyone feel valued, heard, and respected.

Bringing DEI principles into our daily work starts with acknowledging that learning is a continuous process. By engaging in workshops, training sessions, and open discussions, we gain insights into the experiences and perspectives of others. Through learning, we gain the tools to confront and address biases that may inadvertently influence our judgments and actions.

Recently I had the opportunity to be part of Out&Equal’s APAC Forum: A Day of Transformation in partnership with Pride Circle. It was all about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion with passionate people and speakers talking about how we can impact the LGBTQIA+ community. The session fostered empathy and understanding by providing a platform for honest conversations and sharing personal experiences. Hear more about my experience below:

Key Takeaways:

There were many takeaways from many sessions that I could talk about but one of the sessions that impacted me the most was “From Inceptions to Change Agents: ERG Phases of Development.” The abstract of this session was all about the creation of a new Employee Resource Group (ERG) and the challenges one may face. From building a business case to attain buy-in, cultivating active participation and formalizing a budget, the initial phase of creation can be a whirlwind. However, once the ERG is in a stable place, where does it go from there? What initiatives are best suited to achieve the mission? When is the best time to scale geographically? In this interactive workshop, speakers helped us understand how to develop and refine our ERGs’ vision, mission, actions, and relationships with key stakeholders to drive maximum impact and position the ERG as not only a valuable DEIB resource but as a critical asset.

Outcomes from the session:

Exploring ways to boost impact through strategic and innovative action through stakeholder mapping and internal and external action/ education.
Understand the different phases of ERG development with the goal of establishing ERGs that foster company wide DEIB, offer spaces of belonging and function as a competitive business advantage.
Navigate different factors that cultivate leadership to run a successful ERG.

What it meant to me to be able to attend Out&Equal’s APAC Forum:

As an individual, having Toast provide an opportunity to attend a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) event holds great significance. It demonstrates that Toast is committed to fostering an inclusive workplace culture and values the personal growth and development of its employees. Such initiatives signify that the company acknowledges the importance of DEI and actively encourages employees to engage in learning experiences that promote understanding and empathy. Attending a DEI event can be a transformative experience in several ways, including: educating, creating awareness, challenging biases, developing skills related to fostering inclusive cultures, and building networks across your organization and beyond.

I’m proud to work for an inclusive company like Toast, and to be able to share my learnings from the conference with my team. Baking inclusive principles into our company and building cultural competence in our Toasters provides equitable opportunities for all diverse talents and enhances our ability to be first in class in all aspects of our industry.

Caring for Your Career: Career Growth within the Customer Care Operations Team

Mon, 02 Oct 2023 16:00:00 +0000

Laura G.

People Success Partner

At Toast, we foster a community where employees can grow their careers, discover their passions, and make an impact through their work. It’s an honor that Toasters trust us to help guide their career growth and empower them to pave their own way– we take that responsibility very seriously!

In my role, I specifically work with our Care team. This team is dedicated to serving our customers and ensuring they’re having a seamless, empowering experience while using Toast. The Care team works closely with Toasters across the business – including sales, product, and more– to best understand every aspect of the customer lifecycle.

With such a wide range of skillsets, it’s no surprise that we have many different options for how Toasters can grow their career, both within the Care organization and across Toast through our internal mobility- or doughbility- program.

Recently, we spent some time digging into what a career ladder might look like on the Customer Care Operations team in the U.S. and Ireland. Let me walk you through a few examples of what this means for someone who joins Toast as a Customer Care agent.

For those who join as an individual contributor with the hopes of becoming a manager in the future, we will focus on growing your technical knowledge, while also honing your customer service skills. Once you move from a Specialist to a Senior Specialist role, you’ll have added responsibilities in supporting others on the team. This first hand experience in coaching and mentoring, coupled with Toast’s various professional development programs, will help build the professional skills needed to become a successful manager. Experiential knowledge learned as a Senior Specialist can also be applied to roles on other Care specialty or operational teams.

Management not something you’re interested in? Many Toasters grow their career across the individual contributor path! On the Care team, individual contributors are able to grow into technical experts. We even incorporated a Specialist II role to recognize high-performing Specialists. Care Agents on this track use their ever-expanding expertise as front-line support to our customers. If you have strong technical knowledge, a passion for helping others, and the ability to navigate ambiguity, this could be the role for you!

Our regular promotion cycles make realizing your career goals a possibility for so many Toasters, but we also offer opportunities to expand skills throughout the year. Care Agents regularly lean into project work where they can support other areas of the business– such as enablement and training. We love seeing how different experiences and perspectives come together to guide individuals on their own career paths, and we’re excited to be part of it!

Disability:In Conference Reflection

Thu, 05 Oct 2023 16:00:00 +0000

Maria S.

Research Ops Manager II

My name is Maria and I am the Research Ops Program Manager for the Design team here at Toast. I work with our researchers and designers alike to streamline our research processes. I identify as disabled, as I had a stroke at the age of ten months and have limited mobility and spasticity on the right side of my body. I am fortunate to work with adaptable items like my car, cooking equipment, and even no-hands slip on shoes. These are the things that help me move through my world and that others don’t think of if they have never experienced it first hand.

I had the privilege of going to the Disability:IN conference recently, which has a reputation for being the global corporate disability inclusion event of the year. As a Design team member, I was focused on the product inclusion lens of the conference. Speakers stressed the importance of reviewing digital accessibility and ensuring inclusive design practices. Of course, research was at the forefront in the discovery phase for identifying gaps and pitfalls. At the conference, I heard about how many companies don't realize the market of the disability community, including caregivers and family members with disposable income. The takeaway I received was that UX is an important player in driving accessibility and was excited to share this with my team.

Through my conference experience, I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to reflect on the importance of inclusivity and network with others who are equally passionate about empowering this community. Thinking about how others experience the world is critical to my work at Toast– in order to design the best products possible for our customers, we need to put ourselves in the shoes of not only restaurant employees, but also restaurant customers.

For guests with disabilities, sometimes ordering food isn't a luxury or a fun night in. Sometimes, it's a necessity because they can't cook for themselves. Simplifying this process gives individuals easier access to food- a basic human need.

I also worked in the restaurant industry for 15 years. We need to do right by not only our guests but also our restaurant employees. We want them to get through their work day without needing to find creative ways to bypass roadblocks. I see a future where Toast is a POS leader in product inclusion and accessibility.

I recently became the Community and Culture Chair for Second to Naan, our Toast community for people with disabilities. We are an inclusive community, welcoming anyone that identifies as being a person with a disability, as well as allies or caregivers. We hold coffee chats to get to know each other as well as flag inclusive experiences and mental health related events to share with our community.

For anyone with a disability I implore you to share your own stories and experiences to raise awareness and inspire action. Don’t be afraid to get involved– change starts with us.

A Slice of Life in Bangalore

Thu, 26 Oct 2023 16:00:00 +0000

Toast Careers

We recently asked a few members of the Bangalore team to tell us a little bit more about their work and the culture in Toast’s Bangalore office. Check out their responses below!

What interested you in an opportunity to work at Toast?

“I was interested in moving into a new space, like hospitality and restaurants. I've always been a foodie, but never really thought much about what's behind the scenes. I was excited about that learning opportunity to understand the industry, the people in it, the kind of challenges they're facing, how we can make life better for them, and what more we can do.

Vikramadith R., Senior Director, New Ventures

In your role at Toast, what skills are you growing?

“As an engineer, you can think about your work in two ways: one is your technical knowledge – things that will stay with you for the rest of your technical career. The second is the difference that you're making in the world and the impact that you're able to see.”

Shivam R., Tech Lead, Enterprise Reporting

How do you see your career growing at Toast?

“I get to be a part of the team which is growing their engineering culture and processes globally, so it’s a good learning opportunity for me to on how to build teams.”

Rohit J., Staff Software Engineer

How would you describe the team environment at Toast?

“People are collaborative. Toast’s culture is so open and casual, but at the same time, people get things done while being friendly. It's a marriage of good work and good culture, which is not that frequent to see.”

Jyoti T., Lead Salesforce Developer

How would you describe the culture at Toast?

“Toast is very diverse and dynamic. People come from very different experiences and backgrounds.”

Sandeep D., Senior Talent Acquisition Partner

A picture’s worth a thousand words! Take a look at what the team’s been up to:

New hires meeting in-person at the Bangalore office.

Members of the Bangalore team helping open the new office in 2022.

The Bangalore team volunteers often through Toast.org

Toasters came together to celebrate India’s 77th Independence Day in the office.

Operation Active Duty to Civilian Life: Engage the Hearts and Minds to Build Trust

Fri, 10 Nov 2023 17:00:00 +0000

Being an active duty Marine Corps Officer has been core to my success in the business world. There are not many opportunities out there where you are immediately thrust into management in your first job out of college. But at 22 years old, I was in charge of a unit of 60 Marines, all of whom were more experienced than me, and taking them to war. During my 4.5 years on active duty, I had the honor to lead Marines in both combat (Fallujah, Iraq) and domestic humanitarian operations (New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina). Many people think “Marine” and they immediately assume a level of aggressive leadership that probably doesn’t translate into the civilian world, but they are wrong. Marines are humans too (actually superhuman if you ever ask a Marine), so you still need to engage their hearts and minds to earn their trust.

While serving, I learned how important a strong team culture is to operational (mission) success. No matter how good the plan is or how effective the tool/weapon is, you still need to put those plans and tools in the hands of a human being to effectively apply that tool to accomplish the plan. I also learned that you will often have to quickly make major decisions, with major consequences, based on incomplete or conflicting information. But you have to avoid analysis paralysis and make a decision, because the 80% plan executed on time has a higher likelihood of success than the 100% plan executed too late. I reference the lessons I learned leading Marines in every aspect of my career.

The MilVets Toast Community was the first group I joined when I started at Toast. It was great to see all the Toast veterans and military spouses/partners that are involved. I love how the community shares news that would be relevant to vets, shares stories of their time in service, enjoys the “unique” humor that exists in the military, creates opportunities for us to support current troops with care packages and other charity work, and provides resources/advice for veteran and military spouses/partner Toasters just joining Toast.

There is also a special language that only those in the military understand and it is great to be able to speak to others who understand what I’m saying without needing extra explanation. I guess you could say it’s similar to Toasters having to translate Toast puns for non-Toasters.

A great example of this occurred last year when we formed a new team called Customer Onboarding Strategy and Operations (COSO). I was working with two fellow veterans, and as we were discussing the vision for this team, we were quickly able to align our vision by tying it back to our military roots. We determined that the COSO team would serve as the “S-3 Ops Cell,” supporting me, “the Battalion Commander,” and my direct reports, who act as the “Company Commanders,” executing the mission. That whole sentence probably means nothing to the average civilian, but is very descriptive to anyone who’s served in the military. As a result, the new team has been extremely successful in quickly ramping and executing on high value initiatives that have made a significant impact on improving Onboarding velocity, experience, and culture. We saved so much time, and were able to act with a lot more clarity in ramping the newly formed team because we had three veterans who were able to use our shared military experience to effectively communicate our vision.

The average service member has had to execute a task or mission with minimal or incomplete information while also being asked to do something with no formal training. Those experiences make veterans extremely valuable contributors, especially at an organization like Toast, where the speed and complexity of our industry require that high level of adaptability and ability to learn on the fly that veterans have developed as a result of their military service.

John is now a member of the Toast alumni community. We greatly appreciate their many contributions and lasting impact on Toast!

Meet the Leader: Elena Gomez, Chief Financial Officer

Fri, 13 Oct 2023 14:40:35 +0000

Toast Careers

Elena Gomez, Toast's Chief Financial Officer, joined the company in May 2021. In addition to being a leader in the financial space, Elena is also paving the way for the next generation of female and Hispanic/ Latinx leaders. Learn more about her career journey below!

What drew you to Toast and the restaurant tech industry?

There are few chances in your life to work at a generational company that will transform an industry. One of the first elements that drew me to Toast, and one that I feel even more convinced of now heading into my 3rd year here, is the opportunity ahead of us.

I was drawn to the mission of helping small businesses that are often the heart and soul of our communities. You see how hard restaurant operators work day in and day out. I love the fact that we can help them.

Finally, I was drawn to Toast because of the people and the culture. I am fortunate to have a finance team that believes in me and trusted me to guide them through an IPO and begin to lay the foundation to begin to build a world class finance team. I’m truly grateful to be here and for the opportunity.

You’ve led various finance teams at major companies such as Visa, Salesforce, and Zendesk– what do you think differentiates Toast’s team and what excites you about the opportunity ahead?

I’ve worked at a lot of amazing world class companies, but the culture and people here at Toast are truly special. Working for a mission-driven company and being a category leader at our scale is something I don’t take for granted. I’m also truly excited that we are growing our team globally and here in San Francisco, too. I love hosting events for the Bay Area Toasters and seeing the growth across all of our functions each time we get together.

In terms of the future, I am excited to continue to build a multi billion dollar generational company. It won’t be easy but as long as we execute, continue to innovate, and remain focused on our end customer, we will continue to win in the market. The restaurant industry is embracing technology to improve guest experiences and I’m excited to see how the story continues to unfold. Toast is well positioned to lead this transformation and help restaurants modernize their tech stack today and in the future.

Aside from CFO, you wear various other hats – mom, board member, mentor, basketball coach – what advice would you provide other women in tech to help them thrive in their various life roles?

The advice I give others is when you have many balls in the air, be clear on which balls are glass at home and at work. Don’t let those glass balls break. For example, at home, when my kids were young, I didn’t miss the Christmas show at school. Today, I plan around the basketball teams I coach or the sports games my girls play in. I value my work but as a working mother I care as much about my performance review at home. It’s important to me and to my family that I show up for them when it matters most. To them, I’m not a CFO, I’m a mom first and I don’t forget that.

In the workplace, there are often competing priorities as well. It’s important to take the time to ask yourself where you can have the highest impact and value for your team. Once you know that, it becomes very clear where to spend your time! As far as women go, my advice is to not let your gender be a factor in your career– find moments where it can be an asset. If you are the only woman in the room, by definition you stand out. Capitalize on those moments when you stand out and are different. Embrace them. Don’t let them shake your confidence but rather let them fire you up! This is particularly important as you grow in your career as the women around you follow leaders and are often observing how you show up! They not only want to see you succeed, but one day aspire to be in your shoes!

How has your culture and upbringing influenced your career?

My parents immigrated to the US from El Salvador and believed that the next generation should be better than their own. Both of my parents always worked as I was growing up. My mom worked in a doctors office and found small jobs to supplement her income. My dad was a truck driver. Neither worked in the corporate world. That said, both exemplified a consistent work ethic in everything they did which has shaped how I show up at work today.

Being Hispanic has also been something that I have embraced and am very proud of. Over the years, I have been the sponsor of various employee resource groups, like Mi Gente here at Toast alongside Julisa Salas.

It’s not lost on me, that by virtue of being a woman of color and having the role I do, I set an example for what is possible for many young leaders in the workplace.

What is even more important, is that I spend time with young leaders and understand their context. Being an executive sponsor for Mi Gente gives me that opportunity to connect on another level and help them have even a bigger impact on a broader community.

What can we do to create more opportunities for Latinx/Hispanic talent in tech?

Let me start by saying, we have a long way to go in terms of having more representation of Latinx/ Hispanic individuals in senior level roles. Despite being one of the largest growing populations in the U.S., they represent only 3-4% of corporate senior executive roles (SHRM).

A few ways to help:

Get educated about Latinx/ Hispanic culture and ask us questions. We are typically very proud of our culture.
Be an ally to the Latinx/ Hispanic community in your companies. Include them in key projects, giving them an opportunity to grow.
Be a mentor and/or find a mentee who is Latino. I am in my role because I had prior leaders who took interest in me and gave me an opportunity to lead.

Toasters Rising: Reflections from the Toast India Team

Mon, 27 Nov 2023 17:00:00 +0000

Toast Careers

Last year, we celebrated the inauguration of our two offices in India. Since then, these Toasters have made incredible strides in moving our business forward and empowering Toast customers around the globe. A few members of the Toast India team reflected on their experiences so far– learn more below!

How have you seen the team grow since you've joined?

“Over the past year, I've been leading the product function at Toast Bangalore. We've built our entire Fintech Risk team in Bangalore from the ground up, hiring each team member and establishing product roadmaps, execution processes, and collaboration strategies with global teams. Although we've faced some challenges due to time differences, our global partners have been nothing short of considerate and supportive. The journey has been incredible, filled with wins and valuable lessons along the way.”

Alok A., Director of Product, Fintech (Bangalore)

“Encouraging professional growth with the right direction in the development of skills and capacities that are essential for both the individual and the success of the company. In Toast, we are empowered to advance and progress as well. A growth mindset in employees sparks the kind of behaviors that are critical for an individual to grow. Frequent associations with senior leaders are crucial in helping us in learning from them and setting up critical and long-lasting ties inside the organization that lift collaboration and advancement whereas encouraging the completion of crucial tasks.”

Priyadharshini K., Senior Software Engineer, Tech Lead (Chennai)

What made you want to join the Toast team?

“The company's culture, as experienced during the interview process, seamlessly mirrored its actual environment. The emphasis on openness, collaboration, and mutual respect conveyed in interviews truly permeated the workplace atmosphere.”

Srishti G., Operations Success Program Manager (Bangalore)

“One motivation for joining Toast was embracing the opportunity of contributing to a burgeoning company and being part of its growth journey. Looking at our accomplishments to date, I couldn't be prouder. I joined the Toast team because I wanted to be a part of something that could create a significant positive impact on people's lives. It's not just about serving restaurant customers, but also about empowering restaurant employees and supporting business owners. I believe that our work at Toast doesn't just bring happiness to customers, but also contributes to the profitability of restaurant owners. There's a deep sense of satisfaction that comes from knowing that my efforts are helping to make a difference in society. This alignment between my values and Toast's mission made me excited to be a part of this team.”

Ilangeeran K., Senior Software Engineer (Chennai)

What keeps you excited about your work at Toast?

“Receiving recognition from Toasters provides us with a tremendous sense of accomplishment and confirms that we are in the right place and doing the right thing. Toast.org is another wonderful way to satisfy my service thirst.”

Priyadharshini K., Senior Software Engineer, Tech Lead (Chennai)

“What truly keeps me excited about my work at Toast is the perfect fusion of my passion for technology and my love for solving real-world problems. As a dedicated technology enthusiast, I thrive on continuously learning and adapting to different technologies. At Toast, we're not just tackling ordinary issues; we're finding innovative solutions to the unique challenges that arise in the restaurant industry. The opportunity to apply cutting-edge technologies to address these challenges is incredibly rewarding. Every day, I get to contribute to making restaurants more efficient, seamless, and customer-focused. This dynamic environment of innovation and problem-solving is what keeps my enthusiasm and excitement alive in my role at Toast.”

Ilangeeran K., Senior Software Engineer (Chennai)

“It's great to know that what we're doing is having a positive impact on the restaurant biz. By giving restaurateurs the tools they need to thrive, we're making the dining world a more vibrant and dynamic place. It's a great feeling to know we're making a real difference. All in all, I love working at Toast. The people, the innovation, and the positive impact all make it an awesome place to be. I can't wait to see what's next for us!”

Alok A., Director of Product, Fintech (Bangalore)

What is one thing you would tell someone who is considering joining the team?

“Toast displays an exceptional culture, accompanied by outstanding individuals. You'll experience genuine respect, recognition, and appreciation for your dedication. Diverging from numerous Indian startups, the company prioritizes work-life balance and employee welfare profoundly.”

Srishti G., Operations Success Program Manager (Bangalore)

“If you have a passion for innovative problem-solving and aspire to create a meaningful impact, then Toast is undoubtedly the destination that perfectly aligns with your aspirations.”

Ilangeeran K., Senior Software Engineer (Chennai)

Empowering Parents: How Toast supports growing families

Thu, 30 Nov 2023 21:55:15 +0000

Olyvia S.

Principal Talent Acquisition Partner

During my time at Toast, I have experienced tremendous personal and professional growth. The most significant change in my life was becoming a mother not just once, but twice. My children , Willa and Luca, were born while I was working at Toast. I am grateful for the support, flexibility, and benefits that Toast has offered me, which have helped me become a successful mother, wife, and employee.

One of the most amazing benefits that Toast offers to new parents in the U.S., including birthing, non-birthing, and adoptive parents, is our robust parental leave. This benefit includes 16 weeks of paid leave for all parents, plus an additional 8-10 weeks for birthing parents, totaling six months of leave, which can be taken within the first 24 months.

For both of my pregnancies, my partner and I decided to split the leave, taking most of the time off initially and then saving a few weeks or a month to coincide with our children's birthdays. This experience was incredible, as it allowed us to learn how to be parents while also enjoying time with our children as they grew from babies to toddlers. We were able to have fun together during our leave– instead of just the newborn routine of eat, sleep, and change diapers.

I'm so glad that I had the opportunity to personalize my leave for each of my children. This experience taught me so much about myself and my approach to taking time away from my job. I realized that I needed more time to recover after my C-section with my second child, so I allocated extra time at the beginning of my leave. At the same time, I made sure to keep a few weeks available for when my son turned one. With a newborn and a toddler, I took advantage of the other family benefits provided by Toast, like Care.com, to locate a babysitter who could help out when my husband returned to work.

Here are a few key ways I prepared for parental leave:

I talked with my managers and connected with my People Success Partner (PSP) for guidance through the process
I reached out to our disability insurance provider early on so that was one less thing to worry about after delivery
I engaged with our Toast Communities (employee resource groups and clubs), specifically ToastMamas, where you can find helpful advice from our supportive and knowledgeable community

Returning to work after having a baby can be challenging, but it's important to be kind to yourself.

During my own postpartum experience, I faced some difficulties and even found myself crying during team meetings. However, I was fortunate to work at a company like Toast, where my managers and the PSP were very understanding. They helped me ease back into work and gave me the support I needed. It's okay to ask for help during this time, even if you're used to doing things on your own. I found comfort in using Toast's mental health support and access to our Lyra Health benefits, which my husband was also able to take advantage of. Remember, taking care of yourself is essential and resources are available to help you thrive.

Olyvia is now a member of the Toast alumni community. We greatly appreciate their many contributions to Toast!

Better Together: The role people managers play in fostering inclusive communities

Thu, 14 Dec 2023 17:00:00 +0000

Vivek M.

Senior Manager, People Success Partner

Earlier this year, I attended Out&Equal’s APAC forum. It was a great opportunity to learn more about building inclusive communities and fostering a welcoming company culture.

One key takeaway I had was that we all have an opportunity to make a difference. No matter your job title or level, your actions can help welcome and celebrate the diversity of those around you.

Creating a more inclusive and equitable society begins with fostering change within our workplaces, and people managers play a crucial role in driving this transformation. As leaders, they have the power to influence practices, and the overall work environment.

Here are some ways I think people managers can actively contribute to building a more inclusive and equitable workplace:

Cultivate an Inclusive Culture: Lead by example and promote a culture of respect and inclusion. Encourage open dialogue, where employees feel safe to express their perspectives, concerns, and ideas without fear of judgment.
Address Microaggressions: Be vigilant about identifying and addressing microaggressions in the workplace. When managers intervene and correct such behaviors, it sends a clear message that such actions are not tolerated.
Offer Equal Opportunities: Ensure that all employees have equal access to growth opportunities, promotions, and challenging assignments. Monitor performance evaluations to prevent bias from affecting career advancement.
Encourage involvement in Employee Resource Groups (ERGs): Support the formation of ERGs that represent various communities. ERGs offer a platform for employees to connect, share experiences, and provide feedback to management.
Celebrate Diversity: Recognize and celebrate the diversity within the organization. Acknowledge and value cultural, religious, and other significant events that are meaningful to employees.
Accountability and Transparency: Managers should be accountable for promoting an inclusive environment. Encourage regular feedback from employees and be transparent about the organization's DEI efforts.
Continuously Educate and Reemphasize: Stay informed about DEI best practices and emerging trends. Engage in ongoing education to enhance your understanding and skills as an inclusive leader and explore ways to look at including DEI in every step of decision making.
Measure Progress: Establish metrics to assess progress in diversity and inclusion initiatives. Regularly review and analyze the data to identify areas for improvement.

By implementing these strategies, people managers can drive positive change and contribute to the creation of a workplace at Toast where all employees feel valued, respected, and empowered to thrive. Taking individual responsibility and continuing these conversations are essential steps in creating a more inclusive and equitable society, starting from within our organizations and from the top

The Tale of a Forever Toaster

Thu, 02 Nov 2023 16:00:00 +0000

Margo D.

Senior Territory Account Executive

Once upon a time, in 2017, there lived a middle-aged woman in the southeasternmost corner of North Carolina. The name of her little coastal town was Wilmington. She was a sales professional who had a long career in New York City for 25 years, but hadn’t worked when her children were young.

After some unfortunate life circumstances occurred, she needed to find a job so she could provide for her two teenage boys. It was her goal to work for a company where she could apply her skills and have a lot of opportunities for growth. She loved a good challenge and felt as though her new destiny awaited.

Along came a neighborhood friend who worked for some start-up company in Boston. It was called Toast. She asked: “Toast? What the heck kind of name is that?”

She learned more about Toast and was interested, but wasn’t sure the opportunity would be right for her. She knew nothing about selling software and hadn’t worked in a restaurant since she was 18 years old. The friend explained that the company was looking for the right people and set their employees up for success. All the necessary skills for the job would be taught.

With that reassurance, she applied for the job. After completing the interview process, the company decided to take a chance on her. And so, she did the same. She worked hard. Her first quota was to sell three deals a month. She sold one in her first month, which was quite an accomplishment; however, she still felt defeated and wondered if she would ever “get there.”

When making cold calls, she told the restaurant owners that the name of the company was Toast, as in, French Toast. She called restaurants in rural locations on nights and weekends and walked into busy kitchens to find a manager. She learned more about the industry and was always thinking about how she could best empower her customers.

Six years later, closing over 450 restaurant locations, the woman decided it was time to retire. She remains exceedingly grateful for all of the talented colleagues who helped her along the way. Without their patience and willingness to share their experience, she never would have made it. Now her children are grown and successful contributors to the world. She plans to continue to support her church, play more golf, travel to exotic lands, and reinvigorate her artistic flair.

The tale has its happy ending and the moral of the story -- take risks, fail often, learn along the way and remember to pull on one more door, no matter how exhausted you are. It could become your biggest deal ever!

Spark: Toasters Behind the Scenes

Fri, 17 Nov 2023 17:00:00 +0000

Toast Careers

Our customers’ feedback, testing, and collaboration have been the driving force behind every product we’ve built. Together we navigate big change with bigger ideas, sparked by our shared love of the industry. Innovation is core to the Toast brand, allowing us to stay a step ahead of a changing industry and deliver the best value to our customers. Spark is a biannual web experience that celebrates innovation through the announcement of new products and features at Toast. Hear from a few Toasters who are behind the scenes of some of our newly announced enhancements from our Spark Fall Release 2023.

Food Waste Reduction

An innovation by our Toast.org team, Food Waste Reduction is a suite of features available at no additional monthly cost designed to help restaurants reduce food waste through data, including a POS waste tracker, an insights dashboard, and an educational hub.

“The most rewarding part of working on the Food Waste Reduction (FWR) set of features was the opportunity to advance the conversation of food waste as a mysterious part of a restaurant’s operations to a known and addressable area of improvement. Being able to work with early adopting customers directly to stress test the product and receive ample feedback to ensure their employees could effectively use the FWR suite is invaluable. I’m excited to see how restaurants use this data to help reduce their cost of goods sold and ultimately increase their gross margins.”
Ani B., Associate Director, Product, Toast.Org

New POS Experience

Our biggest UI update ever. Based on feedback from thousands of customers, this sleek, totally intuitive update has more complete functionality, tailored to the needs of a wide variety of service models from counter service to fine dining. Our new POS update is designed to help customers deliver best in class service, however they do it.

“We know that this is a huge change, and that change can be hard. It brightens my day to see excitement about a new feature or relief when a pain point is addressed with an update. There’s definitely a hunger for the new POS experience, which makes it all the more motivating and rewarding to work on this program!”
Jamie K., Technical Program Manager

“The most rewarding part of working on these new features for me is being able to engage with co-workers and restaurants who really care about their craft and work. We all want to make the space better not just for Toast customers but the hospitality sector. As a Toaster in Dublin, I had the opportunity to witness my neighborhood cafe adopting the new POS experience. I also had the privilege of receiving direct feedback from them, which illuminated their preferences for enhancements that would benefit their business and their staff's experience. Being able to see the improvement in the restaurant experience first-hand is super satisfying.”
Paulie B., Sr. Product Manager

“Every individual involved in the successful launch of the new POS experience – spanning designers, product developers, enablement specialists, and educators –made outstanding contributions. We had true North Star-style cross-functional collaboration. I also felt like we had nailed the perfect balance of being proactive in our work but also swiftly responsive to customer sentiment. We collaborated seamlessly as a cohesive team, operating like a highly efficient and well-coordinated unit. Kudos to everyone involved!”
Lauren E., Customer Education Content Manager

KDS

Exciting kitchen display system (KDS) updates will streamline and simplify kitchen operations, making every rush a little more predictable.

“With our plans to enhance the KDS experience, I highly valued talking to restaurant operators and staff. Our goal is to constantly make it easier and better to operate any business on Toast. So working on these, we can see immediately how restaurant staff will use them for easier and faster service, that all translates to happier guests and repeat business. “
Chris LF., Director of Product Management

“Restaurants have a huge impact on people’s lives in so many different ways. From celebrating life’s biggest milestones to being the extra pair of hands that helps a busy family get through the day, restaurants are deeply embedded in all of our lives and it’s not an easy job. I wanted to work at Toast and with the Kitchen Team specifically to make things easier for the hardworking people who make all the magic of eating at a restaurant possible. It’s been rewarding to hear customer feedback about how it has improved their workflows and the positive change it has had in their restaurants.”
Sophia S., Sr. Product Manager

“I had the opportunity to see the Kitchen Display System’s new Grid View feature be used for the very first time in a live location. This experience was unique in that not only was the first time the product was being used in production, but it was also the first time the staff at the restaurant got to see and interact with the product. Being able to observe firsthand how seamlessly and quickly users acclimated to the new KDS view and how much the new functionality helped during lunch rush was pretty gratifying — it was truly a testament to the user-centric focus of all the work that our product, design, and engineering teams put in to launch that product.”
Miranda F., Product Manager

Season of Giving with Toast.org

Thu, 21 Dec 2023 14:27:42 +0000

Susan R.

Sr. Manager, Toast.org

Throughout the month of November, Toasters around the globe united to combat food insecurity in the communities where we work and live. As I reflect on our third annual Season of Giving, I am truly humbled and grateful for the impact Toasters have had and the assistance we have provided for our neighbors in need.

Season of Giving is a global campaign designed to bring together the strength of Toast’s people, products, and philanthropy to support organizations addressing hunger and food insecurity. This year, we hosted more than 70 volunteer events in 50 cities worldwide, bringing together over 1,000 Toasters!

To help coordinate all of these events, Toast.org worked with our network of Local Committee Chairs. The local chairs are a group of Toasters that help us host meaningful and impactful volunteer events in their communities. These events allow us to bring the mission of Toast.org – to enrich the food experience for all – to communities around the world, and to bring Toasters together to connect, collaborate, and foster relationships across teams. We love hearing from Toasters about how much they enjoy coming together in service.

“This Season of Giving, the Toast Toronto team joined Meals on Wheels and spent the afternoon delivering meals to the elderly in the downtown core.” shared Tess C., Senior Territory Account Executive and Toronto Local Committee Chair. “Being a part of Season of Giving allows our team to take a step back from our standard day-to-day and give back to the community.”

Members of the Toronto team volunteering with Meals on Wheels!

In addition to facilitating local volunteer events, we also offered other opportunities to give back and learn more about hunger, a critical issue in the food ecosystem. We hosted an in-person and virtual food drive, which resulted in over 6,000 items donated to families in need. Looking for some friendly competition? Toasters in our Omaha, Reno, and Nashville locations participated in a canned-good sculpture contest, where they made art from their donations. We love seeing Toasters bring together philanthropy and creativity!

As a company, we pride ourselves on being a place where Toasters and their families can thrive. That’s why we sent Food Insecurity Kits to families, full of interactive activities that provide hands-on learning experiences for children around hunger and food insecurity. The kit includes everything needed to decorate a reusable grocery tote and to write a card for families who visit The Store, a food pantry in Nashville, TN. While conversations about hunger can be challenging, we know how important it is to educate children about food insecurity, and we were happy to incorporate this into the Season of Giving campaign.

Toast.org also had the opportunity to offer financial support to many of our partner nonprofit organizations. We provided $500,000 to local organizations addressing food insecurity, including 100 employee-directed hometown grants. The Local Committee Chairs each put together a list of organizations fighting hunger in their communities, described their impact, and asked local Toasters to vote on which ones received grants in their hometown. It was a very successful program that not only directed a half million dollars to impactful organizations, but also allowed Toasters to learn more about what’s going on in their own communities.

Additionally, for every hour of logged volunteer time, employees were given $10/€10 in Volunteer Rewards which they could donate to an organization of their choosing through the Benevity platform. While on the platform, employees can also request up to $1,000/€1000 a year in Matching Gifts for organizations they have supported.

We are always looking for ways that our products can assist those in need. Earlier this month, we announced that our Toast Fundraising feature enabled restaurants to raise $1.5 million for various causes in 2023. Available to all Toast customers at no additional cost, the Toast Fundraising feature allows restaurants to select a charitable cause to support, giving guests the option to round up their check to the next dollar and donate the difference or contribute a flat donation (depending on the campaign, as set up by the restaurant) when they close out their check. Learn more about Toast Fundraising!

Once again, Toasters have outdone themselves during this year’s Season of Giving. At Toast, we are guided by the belief that character is defined by action and that all of us working together can make the world a healthier, more sustainable, and equitable place. I can’t wait to see what 2024 holds and to further our shared culture of service and community engagement.

Toast.org Bangalore

Thu, 28 Dec 2023 17:00:00 +0000

Srishti G.

We recently spoke with Srishti, G., Operations Success Program Manager and Local Committee Chair for Toast.org in Bangalore. As a Local Committee Chair, Srishti is responsible for planning and organizing volunteer events for the Bangalore team. Since joining Toast in 2022, Srishti has worked diligently to bring Toasters together in a meaningful way by giving back to the community. Learn more about Srishti below!

Why was it important for you to get involved with Toast.org after you joined the team?

My upbringing was shaped by parents who held giving to others in the highest regard. Despite their 9-5 government jobs and two ever-demanding kids to take care of, they consistently found ways to teach underprivileged children and offer shelter to those in need. Currently, they're fostering a determined high school student from a humble village background, guiding him towards ambitious career aspirations through city resources. Their selflessness towards family and society deeply inspires me to contribute to the community.

Another significant source of motivation is my partner, who's been committed to animal rescue for a decade and adopted a vegan lifestyle seven years ago, driven by compassion for animals. Together, we're fostering an adorable puppy and preparing him for his permanent home. These influences strongly shape my commitment to giving back and making this world a better place for all living beings.

Toast.org provides all of us an avenue through our employer to better understand the most effective beneficiaries and the ways to reach them. This enables us to address crucial social and environmental issues amidst our busy work schedules – a chance that might have remained elusive otherwise.

How does Toast.org impact the overall company culture in Bangalore?

Since its inception in Bangalore in October 2022, Toast.org has effectively cultivated a profound sense of purpose and social responsibility among its employees. This has fostered a collective commitment to the betterment of society and the environment, culminating in a positive work environment where Toasters takes pride in their association with an organization that generates significant positive change.

Adopting a monthly programming model, the Toast.org Bangalore Chapter orchestrates monthly events that align with the organization's core pillars of food, environmental security, and community service. These events held both on-site and at beneficiary locations in collaboration with partner Nongovernmental Organizations (NGOs), have garnered enthusiastic participation from Toasters, and have facilitated teamwork and skill enhancement while aligning personal principles with professional pursuits.

Toast.org, from my perspective, has significantly elevated job satisfaction, engagement, and commitment, as employees find gratification in contributing to causes greater than themselves, all while being part of a company that shares their values.

Tell us about a recent event.

This July, 24 Toasters visited the foothills of the famous Nandi Hill Station and served morning nutrition and snacks to 68 school students (Grades 1-8) of a local government school. Toasters also engaged in fun games and learning activities with the kids. This initiative was organized in collaboration with Sri Sathya Sai Annapoorna Trust which serves morning nutrition to approximately 30 lacs (~3 million) school students all over the country and was an Impact Grant recipient during Season of Giving 2022. The Trust also invited the volunteers for an educational visit to their headquarters which is spread over 120 acres and houses a large hospital (~1500 patients per day), various educational institutions, and a morning nutrition manufacturing unit that caters to the needs of underprivileged section of the country free of charge!

What has been your favorite moment volunteering with Toast.org?

Witnessing the sustained enthusiasm of our volunteers and the exceptional dedication of my committee members is undeniably the most gratifying aspect of leading Toast.org in Bangalore. As we persist in bringing smiles to those we aim to help, I am filled with immense pride for the impact we've achieved through various initiatives over the past year, and trust me when I say this - each and every event has been nothing short of an achievement and fulfillment in itself!

We have undoubtedly positively impacted our local community, serving as a foundational step in our journey with Toast.org Bangalore.

A Slice of Life in Dublin

Wed, 10 Jan 2024 18:12:21 +0000

Toast Careers

We recently asked a few members of the Ireland team to tell us a little bit more about their work and the culture in Toast’s Dublin office. Check out their responses below!

What interested you in an opportunity to work at Toast?

“I love food. I love restaurants, and I love going out to them. I've always liked learning about new business areas and it’s been interesting to see how restaurants are run and all the difficulties that we can help solve for them and make life easier for them.”

Paddy O., Principal Software Engineer

In your role at Toast, what skills are you growing?

“My team is laying some of the technical foundations that Toast needs for going global. That includes setting up multi-currencies, enabling different types of languages, and even the onboarding process.”

Conor S., Engineering Manager I

How do you see your career growing at Toast?

“I am a living example of how you can grow with Toast, because I joined as a new grad right after getting my master's degree. I think I've grown so much. I started with working as a back-end developer, and then as the needs of the team were shifting, I also enrolled in the front-end boot camp to also become a front-end asset for the team. Now I work as a full-stack engineer. It's just been a great journey so far. I think that at Toast, you really have a chance to work with managers and discuss your career goals. Your voice is being heard and your impact is acknowledged, and that reflects on your career.”

Maria G., Software Engineer II

Which Toast value do you see most prominently through your experience?

“Driven by purpose is one of our core values. I think purpose will guide us to the place we want to be, and it’s important to me that we’re driven by data.”

Yanjun W., Software Engineer II

How would you describe the culture at Toast?

“There’s definitely a culture of knowledge sharing and learning a lot from those around you, both horizontally and vertically. Everyone's there to support one another. Specifically here in Ireland, we've so many new engineering teams and we’re working to figure out what we can do together.”

Jillian B., Senior Software Engineer, Tech Lead Manager

A picture’s worth a thousand words! Take a look at what the team’s been up to:

Through Toast.org, Toasters in Ireland regularly volunteer with the Airfield Estate.

Each October, the Ireland team participates in a little friendly competition with a step challenge. Toasters are divided into teams and find creative ways to get in some extra steps!

Many Toasters and their families came together to march in the Dublin Pride Parade.

ToastHer, our Toast Community for women, recently hosted an event at our Dublin office, focused on career growth in tech. It was an evening filled with engaging discussions, valuable networking opportunities, and of course, delicious refreshments.

Meet the Leader: Angela Roseboro

Mon, 29 Jan 2024 17:00:00 +0000

In July, Toast welcomed Angela Roseboro, our Chief Diversity Officer. Before joining Toast, Angela spent time at companies like Riot Games and Dropbox, and also took what she described as a corporate detox– time to rest and recharge. We are excited to welcome Angela to the team, and look forward to the experiences and wisdom she will bring to enhance our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) practices. Learn more about Angela below!

Can you share a little bit about what brought you to Toast?

The Toast opportunity came at a time when I wasn't sure if I was ready to re-enter the workforce. I was very intentional in taking time to rest and recharge and was still on my rest journey when Toast reached out. I took the call because my dad worked as head chef in a restaurant and my mom ran a bar for as long as I can remember. I know firsthand how hard this industry can be. I was struck by how Toast helped restaurants during the pandemic and even more taken by the people I met. Every leader I spoke to cared about creating an inclusive culture at Toast. The will is there and I'm hoping I can have an impact by helping find the way.

I’d love to hear more about how you grew up, and how your identity shaped you.

I grew up in Chicago, South Side. College was never the plan. I was encouraged to work, and I probably wasn’t the best student. When I was 15, I had a math teacher – Sister Marlene – and she told me I was smart for the very first time. No one had ever said that to me! She encouraged me to go to college and take the ACT. The first time I took the ACT, there was a reading portion that was an analogy between two Shakespeare plays. Where I grew up, I’d never read Shakespeare. The first time you read Shakespeare should never be on a test. In that moment I realized someone was going to make an assessment on if I was smart enough based on this test – even though I never had the access or opportunity to learn.

After that test, I went back to Sister Marlene and she gave me a book about Shakespeare. And then I took the ACT again. So even at that early stage, I realized I wanted to help level the playing field so that everybody can reach their full potential. Today, I feel like it’s my responsibility to make sure I am developing the next generation of leaders because somebody did that for me.

What a powerful story, thank you for sharing. Is that what compelled you to focus so much of your career in the DEI space?

I was actually tracking towards a head of HR role. However, at the time, my company – a bank – was in trouble and they needed someone to lead DEI and compliance programs. I knew more women were in the workplace and making decisions about money. So I started a campaign to bring more woman-identifying customers to the bank to open free checking accounts and get complimentary financial advice. The campaign greatly increased our deposits and it made me realize that while we were selling a product that was universal, we needed to be able to connect to all sorts of people and understand what your employees and your customers need.

What have been some of your priorities in your first six months at Toast?

I have three priorities. First, I believe you have to understand a culture. So I want to immerse myself in Toast’s culture, and build relationships.

Second, I want to understand what success looks like in four, five years. We have to know what our North Star is, and leaders have to know their “why” – and it has to go beyond “this is the right thing to do.” DEI allows you to innovate and reach people in new ways – and that’s what I think is our why and we should ground people in that.

Third, I want to look at every process and system we have and put a diverse lens on it, from recruiting, to evaluating talent, to attrition. Using that information, I want to come up with a long range plan to get to that North Star.

I’m a big believer in doing three things really well, and building on those things. If you try to do 60 things, you may not get the impact. Every action we take should move us closer to our North Star for DEI at Toast.

Creating inclusive spaces is everyone’s responsibility. I am a big believer in the power of one: one person or one act of inclusion can make a difference.

Angela is now a member of the Toast alumni community. We greatly appreciate their many contributions and lasting impact on Toast!

3 Things I Learned at AfroTech

Tue, 06 Feb 2024 17:00:00 +0000

Cidney C.

Sr. Employer Brand Specialist

AfroTech is the largest Black tech conference of the year. 20,000+ people attend with the intention of experiencing branded events, networking, and building connections with top recruiters. Last November, I had the opportunity to attend AfroTech on behalf of Toast.

Not only was this my first DEI conference as a Toast employee, this was my first DEI conference ever! I was so excited to help facilitate the Toast booth to connect with attendees and Toasters. As a Senior Employer Brand Specialist, I looked forward to bringing my expertise on attracting, retaining and engaging employees through digital marketing solutions such as our careers site, email campaigns and search engine optimization.

As an Employer Brand Specialist, I am typically behind the scenes so this was an incredible opportunity to be in the spotlight meeting new people. Here are a few of my takeaways:

1. Call for diversity in the tech industry

The conference emphasized the importance of promoting diversity in the tech industry. There were thousands of Black tech professionals in different stages in their professional careers - from graduates to VPs. AfroTech highlights how even though we are united by being an underrepresented community, we are not a monolith. There was a diversity of backgrounds, languages, and experiences, all of which benefit the tech industry.

2. Emphasis on community building

Especially due to the virtual nature of work, building a sense of community is crucial. The conference stressed the importance of creating opportunities for Toasters to connect. Through Toast’s professional stipend, almost 100 Toasters were able to attend AfroTech. Being a part of Pumpernickel and Rye, an Employee Resource Group full of Black and African American Toasters, I was thrilled to be able to pair names with faces and hear of their passion for the work within Toast. Networking wasn’t just a key focus for Toast employees but the AfroTech attendees as well. I am confident I have made connections that will last a lifetime.

3. Importance of giving back

At the Toast booth, alongside connecting with recruiters, Toast offered pastries and snacks but the main star of the show was the opportunity to choose a charity to donate to through Toast.org. Many attendees stood in line and expressed their gratitude for a chance to raise money for Southern Restaurants for Racial Justice, The NAACP, Careers through Culinary Arts, and The Posse Foundation for a total of almost $1,200!

These takeaways reflect the broader themes of diversity and inclusion, employee development, and community building within the tech industry. My experience at AfroTech motivated me to contribute to a more inclusive, supportive, and thriving work environment!

Empowering Women in Tech: ToastHER Ireland

Fri, 08 Mar 2024 14:51:18 +0000

Gini I.

Senior Technical Talent Acquisition Partner

At Toast, we’re committed to empowering those around us– including our employees, our customers, and our local communities. One way we do this is through our network of Toast Communities, our version of employee resource groups and clubs.

ToastHER is our community for women at Toast. Their mission is to empower each other to thrive. Rooted in a spirit of inclusivity and belonging, ToastHER provides opportunities to connect, learn, and grow with one another.

We recently caught up with Gini I., Senior Technical Talent Acquisition Partner and active member of ToastHER Dublin. Gini shared some insight into her local chapter and details about an exciting program she recently hosted. Learn more about this engaging community below!

In your opinion, what are the primary goals of ToastHER Dublin?

ToastHER is on a mission to empower each other. We seek to provide opportunities to connect, learn, and grow with one another. Not only are we building an inclusive community where you can discuss and create awareness around issues women face in the workplace, but we also provide tools and resources to help women thrive. As a part of ToastHER, you have the opportunity to build friendships, develop your career, and foster support among other women at Toast. We host programs, events, and activities not only for members of the community, but also all Toasters. This spreads awareness and creates allyship across the entire company.

What sort of events and programs has ToastHER hosted recently?

Lots of things! Everything from information sessions on women’s health, to leadership panels, to wine and cheese tastings! We primarily host events geared towards Toasters, but we also look for opportunities to connect with other women in tech around Dublin. Last year, ToastHER was thrilled to partner with Subhasree V., Software Engineer II, on a HackHers Dublin event she hosted. This was a wonderful opportunity for individuals in tech to come together and improve their coding skills. While the event was geared towards women and gender minorities in tech, it was open to anyone who supports our mission of encouraging under-represented groups to explore careers in tech.

A major highlight for me was helping to organize a recent fireside chat panel focused on women in technology. In November, about 60 internal and external guests joined us in person in Toast’s Dublin office, with more joining us on Zoom, for a panel discussion titled “Growing Your Career in Tech - Architecting Your Tech Career Path.” Moderated with skill and infectious enthusiasm by Jenny M., Principal Program Manager for R&D Enablement at Toast, we heard inspirational real world stories and advice from an amazing set of speakers from Toast and other local tech companies. We were also lucky to feature Toast’s CTO, Debra C., as a special guest to close off the panel before going into informal networking and mingling. Debra kept it real as always, sharing both wisdom and colorful anecdotes about the challenges we navigate daily as women in this industry.

We hosted this event because we saw an intersection between ToastHER’s mission and Toast’s wider mission around DEI. Through this event, we had the opportunity to inspire and promote internal career growth, while also creating a stronger connection with the local women in the tech community.

Finding Humanity in Design

Tue, 30 Apr 2024 16:00:00 +0000

Siyi C.

Senior Product Designer

When I started my UX career seven years ago, this job was relatively new in the market. During my time in undergraduate business school, I was fortunate to discover the opportunities of emerging business, design, and technology to solve problems and improve people's lives. This was a decade ago– a time when even the role of UX designers didn't exist. It was during this period that I recognized my calling as a designer. I found immense joy in being empathetic, understanding people, delving into their motivations, and ultimately creating solutions that address both user and business needs. Subsequently, I dedicated myself to acquiring knowledge in various fields, including psychology, computer science, human-computer interaction, Don Norman's user-centric methodology, and design, throughout my college and master's studies. The more I learned, the deeper my passion grew. I firmly believe that I can contribute these skills and insights to society.

Since the field was so new, I had to learn all the industry practices by myself. At that time, designers were willing to share their skills, insights, and knowledge through various channels, such as conferences, meetups, and social media, as we were all exploring this emerging field within the dynamic tech world.

I believe this culture is at the core of the UX community: giving and receiving.

We are all enthusiastic about sharing, discussing design challenges, and learning different ideas and methodologies. I have faith in this healthy culture and find fulfillment in giving back to the community by helping others succeed.

To me, design is about humanity. UX is all about focusing on people and finding ways to make their lives easier and better. The more deeply we care about our customers, truly understand their needs and pain points, the better we can provide them with solutions infused with a hospitality mindset.

I try to steer clear of using the term 'user' because it can feel somewhat impersonal to me. Instead, I emphasize empathy because, after all, we are all human. By feeling their pain as our own and embracing their success as our own, we create a more empathetic and human-centered design approach.

One thing that’s unique about my work at Toast is that this is a traditional legacy industry with its fair share of challenges and opportunities. People in this field work tirelessly with heavy workloads, often until midnight. I firmly believe that Toast is disrupting this industry by streamlining and simplifying the experience to make their lives easier. It's one of the companies I've had the privilege to work for that genuinely listens to its customers and continuously enhances its products and services to meet their needs.

Coming full circle, as I’ve grown my career, I've provided guidance on the introduction to UX and career consultations to my LinkedIn connections and friends on numerous occasions– just as my colleagues helped me learn when I was first starting out. This sense of community is important to me, and that's why I decided to embrace mentorship as my part-time voluntary endeavor and remain committed to its long-term pursuit. It's truly rewarding to witness mentees grow and achieve their career goals. I have mentored both researchers and designers because, as a well-rounded designer, research skills are also exceptionally valuable.

Siyi is now a member of the Toast alumni community. We greatly appreciate their many contributions to Toast!

Toast’s New Boston Breadquarters

Thu, 28 Mar 2024 12:42:10 +0000

Paige M.

Senior Program Manager, Employer Brand

We are thrilled to share that Toast has officially cut the ribbon on our new headquarters– or Breadquarters as we like to call it! In March, we welcomed employees to our brand-new office in the Seaport area of Boston, Massachusetts.

“From the startup tech scene to the restaurant community we support to the various neighborhoods we’ve called home, the Boston area has always been welcoming to Toast,” said Aman Narang, CEO and Co-Founder of Toast. “When we dreamed up the idea for Toast in a bar in Kendall Square more than a decade ago, we never imagined the impact it would have on so many people and businesses. We are grateful to the greater Boston community for supporting us throughout the years, and look forward to opening our new space.”

Since we opened our headquarters in 2015 in the Fenway Park area, a lot has changed. We now have employees working in-office, remotely, or a mix of both, and we needed to update our offices to better support the diverse working styles of our employees. In the last few years, we have learned that Toasters love to use our spaces to gather and connect as a community. In our new office, we’ve prioritized more flexible spaces for better cross-functional collaboration. This includes spots for solo work and team meetings, event and social gathering areas, and spaces that inspire innovation. We even have a product demo space where we can welcome customers to learn more about our expansive product offerings. Food is ingrained in our culture, so we’re thrilled to have many customers just steps away from our new home!

We’ve infused our culture and values into the office design, which has created vibrant, inviting spaces. As a nod to our love of food, each floor represents a different meal– starting with breakfast and going all the way to a midnight snack. You’ll feel like you’ve feasted on all your favorite meals just by walking up and down the floors! Our values are displayed throughout the building, and Toasters from around the globe helped us create a mosaic by sharing photos that represent their lives at Toast.

“The design of Toast's new headquarters was a collaborative effort. We partnered closely with internal engagement partners, architects, and designers to develop a concept that integrates flexible workspaces, technology tailored to bolster our hybrid working model, and amenities that promote employee well-being and creativity,” shared Katie Vela, Senior Real Estate Program Manager. “We focused on inclusive design principles to create an inspiring and adaptable environment conducive to collaboration, innovation, and community.”

After months of planning, we were thrilled to welcome Toasters into the new space! Upon arrival, employees enjoyed breakfast and a latte bar, complete with Toast-inspired foam art. From there, they were invited to tour the new office, which included a history lesson on the neighborhood and major office highlights, such as our social gathering spaces, wellness rooms, new hybrid-focused meeting rooms, and an onsite gym.

(Chloe R., Senior Customer Growth Sales Account Executive at Toast and artist, playing basketball next to the mural she created in the new office.)

Once everyone was settled, we gathered together for a ribbon-cutting ceremony, where Co-Founders Aman Narang and Steve Fredette and Chief People Officer Annie Drapeau shared a few words about Toast’s values and their excitement for our future. This was a wonderful moment for all of us to reflect on Toast’s journey and focus on how we can continue to empower the restaurant community.

After celebrating with a delicious lunch and a literal toast to Toast, employees were invited to a series of leadership coffee chats. The coffee chat program is designed to give Toasters the opportunity to hear from leaders in a more casual setting. Topics of discussion range from career growth to professional advice and favorite hobbies outside of work. Transparent and open communication is a cornerstone of Toast’s culture, and this is just one of the many ways we all stay connected.

Throughout the week, we’ll continue to find new ways to enjoy the space. Toast.org, our social impact arm, will partner with a local organization to host a cooking class. After the class, all of the prepared meals will be donated to a large soup kitchen in Massachusetts. We will also offer a Toaster-led yoga class in our onsite gym and engage in some friendly competition with a game of basketball. Most importantly, we’ll be able to see Toasters connect and collaborate in new ways, which will help us all continue to thrive together.

This move represents an exciting chapter in the Toast journey, and we can't wait to create new memories here. The best is yet to crumb!

The Growth Mindset: How to Unlock Your Full Potential

Thu, 11 Apr 2024 16:00:00 +0000

Jon G.

Program Manager, R&D

In my LinkedIn article, I confessed to you all that I didn’t always have a growth mindset. Hopefully, after learning my story, you saw that shifting my mindset completely changed the course of my life. Now, I’m more focused on both personal and professional growth, which has helped me feel more fulfilled in all aspects of my life.

So over the past 10ish years, what have I done to incorporate more self-led growth into my life, and what would I recommend to those reading?

Find Your Why

My suggestion is to get very personal with this one. Tie it to a deep emotion. Really keep digging to get to the core of your “why”. To quote the great Dr. Julie Gurner: “We're often told to ‘let go of it’ or ‘move on’ or ‘don't let it bother you’ because if we hang on to negative emotions in the wrong way, they can be destructive. But some of the best out there use the massive amounts of energy that come from emotions and turn it into something powerful.” The fuel that emotions give us can be almost endless. Connect to that emotion and you’ll never run out of gas.

Surround Yourself With It

I’m sure we’ve all heard the adage that you’re a product of the five people you spend the most time with. Use this as an opportunity to check your surroundings. A lot of people I follow on social media are growth-oriented people. You are what you eat. Get involved. Join professional development groups within your organization– or even better, start one! The energy in the growth space is contagious and surrounding yourself with like-minded people is a huge advantage.

Empower Yourself

Give yourself permission to dream. I’ve always said the only time I fail at something is if I quit. What I’ve come to realize is this mindset is powerful not only because it deters me from giving up, but more so because it breaks down typical limitations people place on themselves. I truly believe there are a lot of things out there I can do, provided I just don’t quit. This mindset helps boost my confidence, empowering me to approach new problems and challenges with a strong belief that I’ll be able to handle it.

Don’t Burn Out

Growth is hard. They’re called growing pains and not growing pleasantries for a reason. You simply cannot show up as your best self if you are depleted, burned out, or exhausted.

You may have heard the expression “do things that fill up your gas tank”, meaning: make sure you take the time for yourself to decompress. I think there’s an important second part to that which is often overlooked: gas mileage, or how far you can travel on one tank of gas. A car with a full tank of gas doesn't last very long if your gas mileage is garbage. Vice-versa, you won’t get very far if your tank is on empty, regardless of how good your gas mileage is.

You can do things to "fill up your tank," like take a vacation, workout, go out to dinner with a friend, but how's your gas mileage doing? The ways that we can increase our gas mileage may not have an immediate or marked feeling that they are helping. For example, I don't always feel better after meditating. Sometimes I don't feel any different, but I bet that's increasing my gas mileage. The things we incorporate in the mundane day to day, that may not always feel like they are making a difference, are what gives us better gas mileage. Do more of those.

Do What Works For YOU

There are endless tips out there on what is required to be successful. A lot of them are contradicting. Some say to wake up super early, and others will tell you to prioritize sleep and wake up when your body is ready. Some will tell you to read a book a month, others will advise downloading an app to get a book summary in 10 minutes so you can “read” a book a day. I could go on and on, but the point here is that none of them are wrong. The people offering up this advice, including myself, have simply found what works for them. Really be intentional about reflecting on what is and is not working for you. Don’t feel pressure to fall into a mold of what people are telling you to do or not do. Your favorite TikTok/Instagram influencer doesn’t know you at all. Don’t blindly listen to them. Or me. Only listen to you.

My parting advice is this: no one is coming to save you. That can be a scary thought, but also an empowering one. You do not need to wait for anybody. You literally have the power to change the trajectory of your life, and it can happen quickly. That thing you’ve always wanted to do that you haven’t done yet? Stop making excuses and go do it. Figure out a way to get it done. You know what separates the mega-successful from the rest of us? Very little.

One of the things that I see stand out in top performers is their consistency. In my opinion, the single most important thing any of us can do in life is be consistent. Canyons take millions of years of consistent water flow to be formed. You can create whatever life you want if you choose to be consistent.

I leave you with the image below. It may be cliche, but this one is worth sharing. Even if the growth may seem small (1.00 vs 1.01), over 365 days, look at how much improvement you will have.

Toast is a certified Great Place to Work!

Wed, 22 May 2024 13:53:01 +0000

Toast Careers

Thanks to the stellar feedback provided by Toasters, we are honored to be named a certified Great Place to Work in Canada, India, Ireland, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, and the United States!

This highly competitive program benchmarks companies based on five key areas: credibility, respect, fairness, pride, and camaraderie. This recognition is a direct result of the inclusive and passionate company culture Toasters have fostered. Thank you for going above and beyond to support one another, our customers, and our local communities. You make Toast a great place to work!

Meet the Leader: Megan Anderson, Chief Customer Officer

Wed, 29 May 2024 13:34:43 +0000

Paige M.

Senior Program Manager, Employer Brand

Two years ago, Megan Anderson joined the Toast team and ever since, she’s been revolutionizing the way we empower the restaurant community. As our Chief Customer Officer, Megan is hyper-focused on the customer experience. Her team represents the voice of our customers and ensures we’re setting restaurants up to thrive. Learn more about Megan’s career path, goals for the year ahead, and advice for growing your career!

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Can you tell me about your career path and how you ended up at Toast?

I started my career in consulting and then returned to the space after attending business school. While I enjoyed this time, I reached a point where I wanted a more hands-on role. When my husband was offered a new position that took us to Europe, it was the perfect time for me to make a career change.

I was incredibly fortunate to join the Booking.com team, launching their vacation rentals business, which is the biggest competitor to AirBnB globally. I affectionately refer to Booking.com as having been at the multi-billion dollar start-up phase (much like Toast today). There was a real product-market fit and they were no longer at the start-up stage, but there was still an incredible opportunity to scale and drive impact.

After some restructuring at the organization, the CEO offered me an unexpected opportunity: I was asked to lead the Customer Service team. Leading vacation rentals, I worked with every department in the business, except customer service. Although I didn’t know much about the space, I was excited to learn. My years working as a consultant gave me the skills needed to tackle a new industry at a new company where I had no prior experience, and to add value quickly. The cross-functional nature of my time at Booking.com thus far prepared me to work across departments on the key customer experience and scaling challenges in front of me. In the end, I was able to grow so much professionally and personally in this role. The global scale and impact of my team was incredible, and it’s an experience that equipped me for the opportunity and challenge in front of me at Toast.

When my husband and I first moved to Europe with our then-18-month-old, we figured we’d stay for two or three years. Five years later, I was pregnant with my fourth child, and we realized it was time to move back to the United States. I’m originally from California, but my husband was born in Massachusetts, so we decided to move to the east coast. Once we got settled here, I wanted to try something completely different and ended up in private equity. I quickly realized this wasn’t the right match for me, but COVID-19 hit. Between the uncertainty and juggling home schooling with the kids, it didn’t feel like the right time to start a new career search.

Megan and her family on a recent trip to Italy

When I did decide it was the right time to make a move, there were a couple of things that were very important to me in a new role. I needed to find the right leaders and the right culture of an organization– neither of which are easy to find through a LinkedIn search! I was open to different roles and different industries, but it was critical to me that I enjoyed where I was working and who I was working with.

Ironically, on the same day, I had two completely separate introductions to leaders at Toast. I spoke with both of them, which led to me speaking to more members of the team. Between the culture, the leadership team, and the opportunity, Toast just felt like the right fit. I was thrilled to be in customer service where I had so much domain experience, and our restaurant customers have so much in common with the independent hotels I had been working with. It is great to be back in the customer service and hospitality spaces. The rest is history!

You mentioned a previous CEO who helped you determine your next step. How do you help your team grow their careers?

I’ve been so fortunate to have mentors and bosses that have opened up new opportunities for me. Now, as a leader, I’m always looking for ways to help my team grow and demonstrate what they’re able to do. I encourage them to take on new challenges, even if they don’t have experience in the spaces yet, because those were the moments that helped me develop in my career.

I once had a previous boss ask me: “What do you want to do next?” I was relatively new to the role and things were going well, so it wasn’t a career transition conversation, but rather him pushing me to think about how I wanted to grow. This conversation put my goals on his radar so that he could help me move in the right direction. I think more importantly, though, it put the agency on me to define my own career goals. I shared what matters to me in terms of the type of work I want to do, how I want to spend my time, and what excites me.

When I joined Toast, asking this question helped me get to know my team. Having dedicated time to discuss goals turns the focus on career development from just a natural progression to a more intentional discussion, which sets us all up for success.

Megan hosting a leadership coffee chat at our new Boston headquarters

I’d love to learn more about how you work with customers. What keeps you connected to the customer experience?

In my role, I work in a lot of different areas, which is exciting, but can be overwhelming at times. For me, a big piece of staying motivated is finding a connection to people. Whether that’s connecting back to our customers, with my direct reports, or to the broader Customer Success team, being connected to people is inspiring for me. I want to know where they’re coming from and what’s going on in their lives. It’s important for building working relationships, strengthening trust, and working well together. I encourage all Toasters to think about their work through this lens.

To understand the customer experience, you need to ask questions and listen. I realize that sounds simplistic, but when you’re working with customers, data alone can’t show you the whole picture. We’re working with real people and real emotions. Our customers have a lot of passion and love for what they do, so by asking open-ended questions and really listening to their responses, we can solve issues and gain a deeper understanding of how we can best serve them going forward.

Megan cutting the ribbon at the opening of our new office in Omaha, Nebraska

What is one goal you’re working towards in 2024?

We recently refreshed the Toast values, and one is “we’re all in customer success.” I’m excited to help Toasters bring this value to life.

One of the amazing things about our customer base is that employees can easily interact with customers any time they’re at a restaurant. Employees are very passionate about supporting the restaurant community and I want to see how we can channel that energy to deliver an even better experience for our customers. We want all employees– regardless of their role– to have the tools and resources they need to truly understand how our products work and feel connected to customers.

When I first joined Toast, I immediately noticed that everyone wants to do right by our customers, even if they aren’t in a customer success role. We’re all customer-obsessed, but oftentimes our teams often work in silos. I want to flip this narrative. Instead of thinking about a problem from your team’s perspective, I want to focus on how the customer is experiencing things. When we take a step back and collaborate more closely internally, we’ll deliver even better services for our customers. As an added benefit, I think working more cohesively will also enhance the employee experience internally.

What are some of the skills that make someone successful on your team?

I think this comes back to me moving into customer service with no formal experience in the space. I was not brought in because of technical expertise, but rather my eagerness to learn and make an impact. Things like work ethic, motivation, and ability to work with others are all far more important to me than knowing someone has done this specific type of work before. Attitude over experience any day!

Megan Anderson is now a member of the Toast alumni community. We greatly appreciate their many contributions and lasting impact on Toast!

Celebrating Pride Month around the Globe

Tue, 04 Jun 2024 13:15:14 +0000

Ethan S., Program Manager, Technology Enablement

Multigrain is our Toast Community for LGBTQIA+ Toasters and their allies. Chapters of Multigrain around the world provide opportunities for Toasters to come together in celebration and education. Learn more about the UK and Ireland chapters of Multigrain from Ethan S., Program Manager, Technology Enablement and UKI Multigrain lead!
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In your opinion, what are some of the most important reasons to have Multigrain chapters in Ireland and the UK?

For me, UKI Multigrain is a massively important part of my identity at Toast; an employee resource group like this provides many things!

Local presence: The Ireland and UK chapters allow Multigrain to have a local presence in these regions, enabling the organisation to understand better and respond to the unique needs and challenges of these markets.

Cultural relevance: Multigrain can tailor its initiatives and programs to be more culturally relevant and effective in Ireland and the UK, leading to more significant impact and success.

Networking opportunities: Multigrain provides opportunities for members to connect with each other, share knowledge, and collaborate on projects, which can lead to new ideas, partnerships, and innovations.

Regional expertise: Local chapters can tap into regional expertise and resources, enabling Multigrain to develop more effective strategies and programs tailored to Ireland's and the UK's specific needs.

What sorts of activities or programs does Multigrain host?

We host a wide range of activities. As part of our process in UKI Multigrain, we have aligned to three key pillars: education, external engagement, and intersectionality. So, our activities are primarily focused on those pillars. To name a few, we have hosted in-person Drag Shows and learning sessions with Dublin Pride, and we have started to engage with Belong To, a charity that focuses on supporting LGBTQIA+ youth.

Can you share a favorite moment with the Multigrain Community?

Multigrain has been an amazing experience throughout my time at Toast. I have built some incredible friendships and partnerships, and it has really been an excellent career opportunity. If I did have to pick one event, I would say our Pride March 2023. It was an incredibly special day filled with joy, acceptance, and lots of fun!

Hear from other members of the UKI Multigrain Community!

“Multigrain made me feel welcome at Toast from day one by connecting me with fun, passionate and like-minded Toasters worldwide. Getting involved in Multigrain has introduced me to Toasters I would have never met before and not only expanded my professional network but also encouraged personal growth and self-development. We're hosting a Pride launch event in London at a really cool LGBTQIA+ owned restaurant and I'm really looking forward to celebrating this milestone with our community."

Miles W., Field Implementation Technician I and UK Multigrain Representative

“Multigrain is unique because we encounter all demographics within this community and really strive for inclusive programming by including as much intersectionality as we can, to ensure all feel safe and included.”

Nicole L., Senior Restaurant Success Manager and US Multigrain Board Member

“Being part of the Multigrain Community means finding acceptance, support, and a sense of belonging to me. It has positively impacted my experience at Toast by fostering an environment of inclusivity where I can bring my authentic self to the table and allowing me to thrive professionally.”

Markos S., Senior Customer Care Specialist and Multigrain Ireland Community Member

“I am a passionate advocate for our Multigrain community. The work we do not only fosters growth and development of a DEI mindset among our team members but also supports those who identify as LGBTQIA+ in bringing their whole selves to work. Ultimately, this empowers us to deliver products that better serve all communities that own, operate, and enjoy Toast-powered hospitality.”

Robert M., SVP, Engineering and International Executive Sponsor of Multigrain.

Toast.org: Turning My Passion into a Career

Tue, 25 Jun 2024 16:00:00 +0000

Lindsay F.

Program Manager, Toast.org

In May 2022, I joined Toast as a Senior Global Mobility Specialist, which is essentially a program manager for global relocations and assignments. Shortly after joining Toast, I attended one of Toast.org’s office hours to learn more about Toast’s social impact team and how I could become actively involved. Toast.org has local committees in over 60 cities worldwide, organizing volunteer opportunities. As a remote employee, these events have been a fantastic way to meet other Toasters in person and build relationships outside my department.

I’ve always been passionate about the issues Toast.org addresses—food security, the environment, and community investment. Even before joining Toast, I was deeply involved in these causes. At my previous company, I led employee engagement for an environmental sustainability employee resource group. During the pandemic, I volunteered with my favorite Toast customer, Pagu, delivering hot meals to frontline workers.

Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to join the Toast.org team full time. Toast has a robust internal mobility program, which helped prepare me for an internal move. The best part of Toast’s internal mobility program was knowing the culture and my current manager before getting the position. I had been at Toast for about a year and a half before I applied for this new role. During that time, I participated in various Toast.org events and did a stretch assignment, helping my current manager with a project. Seeing how our working styles complemented each other made me feel more confident going in. I also had a ton of support from my manager on the global mobility team, which made the experience even more positive.

Lindsay and members of the Toast.org team at a Benevity conference.

Shortly after I started my new position, I had the exciting opportunity to help run Toast to the Earth, one of Toast’s biggest volunteer campaigns of the year. Toast to the Earth is our month-long celebration in April that unites our people, products, and philanthropy to make the world a healthier, more sustainable place.

As someone passionate about environmental sustainability, I love that Toast prioritizes this as well. It's particularly exciting to see so many Toasters driven by purpose and impact. We kicked off Toast to the Earth with an educational webinar on Toast's proactive measures to help restaurants combat food waste through our food waste reduction suite and our catalytic grant to ReFed. We also organized over 70 volunteer opportunities in 60+ cities worldwide, focusing on environmental projects! In addition to volunteering, our 60+ local committees directed $250,000 in funding to nonprofits working in our communities to foster environmental sustainability in the food ecosystem.

Being a part of Toast to the Earth is incredibly rewarding because it allows me to see firsthand the collective impact we can have. Organizing these events and initiatives brings Toasters together, fostering a sense of community and shared purpose. It’s fulfilling to witness the enthusiasm and dedication of my colleagues as they engage in activities that make a real difference. Knowing that our efforts contribute to positive environmental change and support for our local communities makes all the hard work worthwhile.

The most exciting part of this role is engaging other Toasters in meaningful work that fights food insecurity, supports the environment, and builds strong restaurant communities. Helping to create opportunities for engagement is incredibly fulfilling. As I grow in this role, I'm excited to develop my skills in empowering and championing others. I want to help people feel supported, encourage them to share their ideas, and assist them in executing those ideas or realizing their capabilities.

Refreshing Our Toast Values

Thu, 25 Jul 2024 15:14:29 +0000

Toast Careers

Our Toast Values are our set of principles for all Toasters to guide how we work together, show up for our customers and our communities, and ensure Toast is a place where everyone can thrive.

We first rolled out our values in 2016, and then refreshed them in 2019. Since then, we’ve grown and matured in many ways, including expanding globally, building innovative solutions for our customers, and continuing to empower our employees in new ways. With this growth, we felt it was time to refresh our values to more accurately reflect Toast today.

We’re excited for our Toasters to bring these values to life in everything we do.

Bringing the Toast Values to Life

Thu, 08 Aug 2024 19:55:19 +0000

Toast Careers

Toast is proud to share our refreshed values. Hear more from Toasters about what our new values mean to them!

“The Toast value that resonates most with me is ‘We Lead With Humility.’ I've been working in IT for about 20 years, and I’ve found that whether I’m working at a company that has 100 employees or 50,000 employees, there's always something new that I can learn from someone at any different level of their career, gender, race, or socioeconomic status. I love that about my job.”

Jay L.C., Senior Director, Information Technology

“I love the value ‘We’re One Team.’ I think this value truly encompasses the best parts of Toast– how we work with our customers, our local communities, and one another. Toasters are passionate about working together to see those around them thrive, which adds so much heart behind all that we do.”

Paige M., Senior Program Manager, Employer Brand

“When it comes to our values, I resonate with ‘We Raise the Bar’ because it continually motivates us to aim for higher. That is my favorite value because it embodies the sentiment of relentless improvement while also encouraging us to think of new and exciting ways to achieve our goals.”

Cidney C., Program Manager, Recruitment Marketing

“The Toast value that resonates the most with me is ‘We're All in Customer Success.’ I want to make sure that we deliver exceptional value and that all of our interactions are unforgettable.”

Shea L., Associate IT Help Desk Manager

“The value that resonates most with me is ‘We're Always Hungry to Build and Learn,’ because we're just getting started, and I'm so excited for what's ahead.”

Robin W., Senior Director, Communications and Public Relations

“For me, the value that resonates most is ‘We Embrace an Ownership Mindset.’ I think it's really important to own outcomes of your decisions and to ensure that you're having the greatest impact for both our customers and our Toasters.”

Deanna H., Director, Project Success

"I would say the value I resonate most with is 'Driven by Purpose and Impact.' As a Candidate Experience Specialist, it's super important that we give our candidates stellar experience from start to finish."

Merette K., Candidate Experience Specialist

Celebrating Our New Office in Chennai

Thu, 05 Sep 2024 16:00:00 +0000

Paige M.

Senior Program Manager, Employer Brand

In July 2024, we were thrilled to welcome Toasters to our new office in Chennai, India. Since opening our spaces in Chennai and Bangalore in October 2022, we’ve seen the team expand, drive innovation, and bring our values to life.

This expansion will allow the Chennai team to continue to flourish. The office provides larger collaboration spaces, a training room to host various learning opportunities, and a central gathering area that can be used for everything from company-wide meetings to team celebrations. The space was designed to bring both local and company culture together. The bright and vibrant colors of the office immediately catch your eye and the Toast values are proudly displayed throughout. The local culture of Tamil Nadu is brought to life through intricately carved pillars and a model tuk tuk.

The opening festivities were filled with passion and excitement! Toasters began their day with a ribbon cutting and lamp lighting ceremony. After that, employees enjoyed a delicious breakfast and spent time exploring the office.

Employees were invited to participate in a volunteer event with Toast.org, our philanthropic and social impact branch. During this event, participants made eco-friendly pens and tactile boards for local children with autism.

Shivam A., People Operations Specialist, organized this event in partnership with the Toast.org team because he recognizes the importance of giving back.

“As individuals and as an organization, we get a lot from society, be it in the form of resources or business, and I believe that it is not just my duty but a personal choice to give back in any way I can and help improve the lives of people around me,” Shivam shared. “Toast.org gave me that opportunity and I am just happy to be able to contribute.”

After unveiling the office to Toasters, the Chennai team also hosted a Family Day, where employees were encouraged to bring their families in to see the new space. Attendees enjoyed a fun-filled event, which included delicious food, a photo booth to capture special memories, and carnival games.

This is an exciting milestone for the Chennai team, and we are eager to see how this enhanced space will allow Toasters to innovate and collaborate in new ways. Interested in joining the team that’s empowering the restaurant community? Check out our open positions in India here!

Toast has been named one of the 2024 PEOPLE Companies that Care

Wed, 21 Aug 2024 15:43:59 +0000

Paige M.

Senior Program Manager, Employer Brand

Toast is honored to be named to the 2024 PEOPLE Companies that Care list! This award celebrates companies that “display remarkable care for their people, their local communities, and the world at large.”

Empowering others is the heart behind everything we do at Toast. Whether we’re volunteering with Toast.org or helping our customers live out their dreams, we’re grateful to be part of our local communities. We’re inspired by the unmatched hospitality our employees display every day, and we’re committed to supporting Toasters in reaching their goals, both professionally and personally.

Thank you, Toasters, for bringing our values to life and empowering those around you.

Learn more about this exciting accomplishment by visiting the Toast Newsroom!

Unlimited Potential: Growing Your Career on Toast’s Sales Team

Fri, 06 Sep 2024 16:00:00 +0000

Paige M., Senior Program Manager, Employer Brand

We’re honored that Toasters choose to grow their careers here. We take this very seriously, so it’s a top priority for us to ensure we provide employees with opportunities to develop new skills and reach their goals– both professionally and personally.

One way we help employees grow is through our internal mobility– or doughbility– program. This program provides Toasters with guidelines, processes, and resources to not only better understand career options ahead of them, but decide which one is the best match for them.

Our Sales organization is a great example of how we set Toasters up for success long term. Read on to hear from four members of our Sales team who have been able to move into new positions!

Tell me a little bit about your career path at Toast.

“I started at Toast as a Business Development Rep (BDR) in the Boston office. It was my first job out of college and there was a great atmosphere for career development. After about a year as a BDR, I took an Inside Sales position, selling into North and South Dakota. I loved this period because Toast didn't have a strong foothold in this area yet and I was able to expedite our growth there. A lot of the restaurant technology in this area was super outdated, so Toast brought a ton of value to those making the switch over. After the Dakotas, I transitioned to selling and working with customers in Long Island, New York. I've worked my way through a couple promotions as an Account Executive on Long Island. The market on Long Island is very competitive, fast-paced, and diverse. I've had the pleasure of working with businesses from their first store to their 20th and have helped other stores get the most out of Toast to help their business thrive as much as possible.”

Charlie F., Principal III Account Executive, Boston, Massachusetts

“I began my career at Toast right after college as a Sales Development Representative (SDR), where I focused on the top-of-funnel sales process, including qualifying leads and booking meetings. During this time, I benefited from incredible leadership and mentorship from Account Executives, which inspired me to pursue a similar path. After honing my skills and gaining valuable experience, I was promoted to Territory Account Executive in Honolulu, Hawaii. In this role, I now manage the entire sales cycle, from prospecting to closing, and am responsible for driving growth in this region.”

Lauren C., Territory Account Executive, Honolulu, Hawaii

“My career at Toast started out as an SDR. My team and I were the first ones to chat with potential new clients wanting to use and implement Toast for the first time. I worked hand and hand with Account Executives in order to learn more about the prospect, book meetings, and hopefully sell them Toast! After a little over a year, I started to pursue a field sales role in the Miami, Florida area as an Account Executive (AE). As an AE I still use a majority of the fundamentals I learned as an SDR, but now I'm responsible for the entire sales cycle from initial discussion, all the way to final sale and implementation.”

Juan G., Territory Account Executive, Miami, Florida

“My career path at Toast has been incredibly rewarding. I started as an SDR, based in Houston, Texas, where my primary focus was on qualifying inbound leads. I worked closely with prospects to identify their pain points and share how Toast could help them streamline their operations. After building a great relationship with the Territory team here in Houston and consistently hitting quota, I was promoted to a Territory Account Executive. In this role, I manage a portfolio of restaurants, working directly with business owners to implement customized solutions that help them grow and succeed. It's been a fulfilling journey, and I'm excited to continue making an impact!”

Gerald G., Territory Account Executive, Houston, Texas

How did Toast support you throughout these transitions?

“I believe this starts with the culture at Toast. Not only was my manager supportive of my career development, but he also helped answer questions through the various steps of my development and pushed me to better myself along the way. This support was continued with enablement programs like Prep Station where SDRs shadowed and developed their skills alongside AEs through an 8-week program. Even after the program was complete, the support from my manager and the SDR org continued. The conversations about career progression never stopped and I was given the freedom to continue to work alongside the local AE team until something opened up to apply for.”

Juan G., Territory Account Executive, MIami, Florida

“Toast has been incredibly supportive throughout my journey. I used the professional development stipend last year to attend AfroTech, a large tech conference for the Black community. It was a valuable experience. A major part of my growth came from partnering with Account Executives and doing ride-alongs, where I gained deeper insights into the business. This hands-on learning and mentorship were key to my success and transition into the AE role.”

Gerald G., Territory Account Executive, Houston, Texas

What initially drew you to a position at Toast?

“Throughout college, I worked as a bartender and server, where I often struggled with the outdated and inefficient technology we were using. A family friend who was already working at Toast introduced me to the company, and I was drawn to its values and mission. Given my deep connection to the restaurant industry, which has always been a central part of my life and a gathering place for friends and family, I knew working with small business owners in the tech space would be a perfect fit for me.”

Lauren C., Territory Account Executive, Honolulu, Hawaii

“What drew me to Toast was my passion for building relationships in the restaurant industry. My fiancée and I are regulars at local spots, and I’ve developed great connections with the staff. The chance to leverage those relationships while selling an industry-leading product felt like the perfect fit. It really felt like a match made in heaven!”

Gerald G., Territory Account Executive, Houston, Texas

What makes you want to continue your career at Toast? What opportunities do you see ahead?

“To see how far the Toast product has come in the seven years that I've been here is mind-blowing. With the depth of our product, we're able to offer so much more to our customers than ever before. I get to work with restaurants on a day-to-day basis to help implement new technology and provide value that can be truly life-changing. There is still a ton of opportunity in front of Toast in terms of our untapped markets and also new products that will only add to our current customers’ experience.”

Charlie F., Principal III Account Executive, Boston

“Growth is incredibly important to me, and I’m confident that Toast is a place where I can continue to evolve. In the short term, I’m excited about the opportunity for a senior promotion, and in the long term, I see myself transitioning into a people management role. My experiences as a mentor and a Prep Station AE have given me valuable exposure to different career paths within the company, and I’m eager to continue building on these experiences to support both my personal and professional growth.”

Lauren C., Territory Account Executive, Honolulu, Hawaii

“I love our brand and core values here at Toast, from our commitments to do right by the customer, to making one of the best technology products in the hospitality industry. Our future is bright and the commitment we give day in and day out to be the best is truly mesmerizing. For myself, I wish to continue my career progression here with a long term goal of getting into people management and continuing to learn and further my skillset further.”

Juan G., Territory Account Executive, MIami, Florida

What would you tell someone who is considering a sales position at Toast?

“A sales position at Toast is challenging but incredibly rewarding. This role has pushed me beyond what I initially imagined, leading to significant personal and professional growth. The continuous learning and development opportunities here have been key to my growth, and I truly feel like I’m being trained to be a world-class salesperson, no matter where my career leads. If you're willing to put in the work, the growth potential is immense, and the support you receive along the way makes it all the more fulfilling.”

Lauren C., Territory Account Executive, Honolulu, Hawaii

“Go for it! The growth potential is endless as long as you are willing to commit yourself to learning more about all aspects of sales, hospitality and technology. The experience I've gained is priceless and I'm sure it can be the same for you or anyone considering a sales position here. Truly empowering!”

Juan G., Territory Account Executive, MIami, Florida

Want to join the team that’s empowering the restaurant community? See our open Sales positions here.

Toast Technology Month

Fri, 04 Oct 2024 16:00:00 +0000

Toast Careers

We are thrilled to celebrate the second annual Toast Technology Month!

Throughout the month of October, the Toast Technology team will host a variety of sessions for Toasters to learn, develop, and deepen our understanding of engineering and technology. Through weekly programming and engagement opportunities, we’ll dive deeper into topics such as innovation, cybersecurity, AI, collaboration, and more.

While this month is technology driven, it is an exciting opportunity for all Toasters to learn more. The sessions are focused on how our technology impacts the broader Toast organization and showcase how all of us bring our One Team value to life.

We’ll also be hosting Toast’s 25th Hackathon as part of the month’s events. Hackathon is a dedicated day when Toasters have the opportunity to collaborate on projects they’re interested in outside of their daily work. It’s all about driving innovation and answering questions of “what if?” for our customers, employees, and the restaurant industry overall. Historically, we’ve had many exciting projects come from hacks, including office remodels and impactful product launches, like our Kitchen Display System. This year’s theme is Hack-o-ween– a nod to spooky season. We can’t wait to see how Toasters incorporate this into their creations!

Technology Month is a wonderful opportunity to bring together the broader Toast community and innovate on our mission. We’re looking forward to learning from one another and engaging in insightful conversations around how the future of technology will help us continue to empower the restaurant community.

Want to learn more about technology at Toast? Check out the new Toast Technology blog!

Global Communities - Mi Gente Ireland

Wed, 09 Oct 2024 18:23:19 +0000

Paige M.

Senior Program Manager, Employer Brand

Toast has a wide network of Toast Communities and Clubs that celebrate the uniqueness we all bring to the table and foster a sense of belonging across the company. As we grow globally, it’s been exciting to see how these groups continue to evolve.

Mi Gente, our Toast Community for Hispanic/ Latinx Toasters, launched their first international chapter in Ireland this year. We caught up with two of the founding members to learn more about this exciting experience.

Why was it important to you to start Mi Gente Ireland?

Paula M. R., Senior Software Engineer: I moved from Brazil to Ireland to join Toast, and while this is a fantastic opportunity and I'm very happy in Ireland, being so far from home can be challenging at times. From cultural differences, language barrier, and even immigration processes, it's very easy to feel alone, so having a supportive community to back you up, that goes through the same struggles and that you can count on is very important.

Eduarda S., Senior Software Engineer: The Irish office has a growing community of international people, each one with different backgrounds and culture. Many of them moved to Ireland to work at Toast, and it’s a whole new life starting here. Having a Mi Gente Chapter will not only provide a safe space and support network for Toasters, but it will also bring us together to celebrate our communities, culture, values, and heritage.

What has been your favorite experience since joining Mi Gente?

Paula: Connecting with other Latinos/as! It's very fun to learn about all of our different traditions, customs, foods, and exchange experiences. My favorite thing is finding out our similarities that we might not be aware of, such as doce de leite (or dulce de leche for our Hispanic friends), a common treat across many countries of Latin America, to our Carnival celebrations.

Eduarda: Getting to know the team in the US better has been a great experience, even though we are far apart geographically and have different time zones. I feel I know a lot more about Toast since joining Mi Gente! We also started to have social gatherings in Ireland, and every time I meet someone new.

How does Mi Gente make Toast a more inclusive place for all?

Eduarda: It’s a safe space for all to meet people with similar cultural heritages and who might be facing similar challenges living abroad. I think this is really important, as we know how hard it can be to meet people who understand those challenges.

Paula: Mi Gente is a very supportive community where we can find people from similar backgrounds and that have faced similar challenges, so it's easy to feel at home (even though we are very far from it!). It also promotes a way for us to share with fellow Toasters our countries' cultures and customs.

What would you tell someone who is considering joining Mi Gente in Ireland?

Eduarda: Don’t think twice! We are here to support you and also have some fun.

Paula: Do it! Everyone is very nice and supportive. You'll meet a lot of people from different countries and have a great time finding out all the things we have in common and all the things you do differently– even if you spend some time discussing which dulce de leche is better, and never agree!

Toasting in Toronto

Tue, 22 Oct 2024 15:53:13 +0000

Paige M.

Senior Program Manager, Employer Brand

We’re thrilled to welcome Toasters to our new office space in Toronto, Canada!

Last month, we invited the team into our new coworking space, located on the corner of University Avenue and Dundas Street. Just a few blocks from Yonge-Dundas Square (soon to be Sankofa Square), this vibrant and lively area is in a central location with proximity to multiple subway lines and many delicious Toast restaurants.

“Our new Toronto office marks another significant milestone in Toast’s story. We are committed to growing our global footprint while maintaining the local touch that has always defined our success,” Gaurav N., Senior Director, Product Management reflected. “This new office is already fostering closer collaboration between our Canada-based Toasters, ultimately allowing us to better serve our international customers. I look forward to welcoming Toasters, customers, partners, and prospective customers to our office in the years to come.”

Once you enter the office, things get even more exciting! The Toast space is located on the 25th floor and offers gorgeous 360° views of Toronto. From up here, you’ll have unobstructed views of the CN Tower and Lake Ontario. The office itself offers a mix of private working spaces and communal collaboration areas. Whether you’re brainstorming with your team, catching up with coworkers over Zoom, or looking to meet fellow Toasters, there’s a space for everything! We even have a mural wall proudly displaying our new values, to help us all stay centered on Toast’s mission.

“This shows our growth as a team and is a great milestone,” shared Kevin D., AVP, International Sales. “That being said, we are still early on our journey. I'm happy that our teams can now collaborate in-person, even with Toasters who live in Toronto but support and are part of global teams ."

At Toast, we believe feedback is a gift and we love being able to hear what helps employees thrive. For example, our Canadian team recently expanded their benefits offerings after Toasters shared a few ways in which we could improve. Thanks to that feedback, we now offer enhanced parental leave, financial literacy programs, and additional health insurance coverage. In that same survey, we noticed that many Toasters in Toronto were eager to have a place where they could come together. We’re thrilled that employees shared this feedback with us and that we were able to take action and open this new space.

“It’s so exciting to see how the team has grown in Toronto and Canada over the past two years,” said Shawn G., Director, Talent Operations, Experience. “Our teams– including engineering, product, design, sales, onboarding, restaurant success, people, and more– collaborate incredibly well together. We are focused on our customers and it’s really impressive to see how we’re able to build great things.”

To celebrate this exciting occasion, the team came together on opening day to enjoy the new space, reconnect with fellow Toasters, and meet with leaders from across the business– including Mike G., Chief People Officer. It wouldn’t be a Toast event without delicious food, so Toasters enjoyed a team-wide lunch and attended a happy hour event hosted by local customers. It was a wonderful day for all!

If you’re interested in joining our team in Canada, be sure to check out our open positions here!

Paint the Town Orange with Toast’s Sales Team

Tue, 12 Nov 2024 17:00:00 +0000

Gabby D., Copywriter

Paint the town (Toast) orange. That’s District Manager Jordan K.’s goal. With his territory spanning from San Mateo, California to Santa Barbara, California, it’s no surprise that Jordan is staying busy, so we wanted to learn a little bit more about a day in his life. From pitching a Michelin-starred restaurant, to helping a prospect see how Toast can help them be more efficient, to preventing (metaphorical) potholes, and more, join us as we spend a Tuesday with Jordan.

7:30 a.m.: I try to be an inbox zero guy—it’s not always easy, but I operate the best that way so I started by going through Slacks and emails from the previous day. I have seven people reporting to me on my team, and I ask that my team put all their demos on my calendar for visibility. I spend some time seeing what’s on tap for the week, and either throw on 15-30 minute syncs prior, call them to walk through objections they may encounter, or talk about their gameplan.

8:30 a.m.: I hopped on a call with one of my reps. He has a few deals in his pipeline that we are excited about and that are on his “Most Wanted List,” so we went through some role play. There’s this concept in sales called “give-get”—so we chatted through how he’ll respond when the customer asks for something.

9:00 a.m.: I had our Pothole Prevention meeting with the other district managers in the region and my boss, the senior regional vice president. It’s a time dedicated to helping us proactively get ahead of any potholes and run through our pipelines. This week, we dug deep into how we’re pacing through the month, what’s coming down the funnel, if we’re meeting our team and the company’s metrics, and how we’re gonna push things along the rest of the week.

10:00 a.m.: My manager and I connected for our 1:1 where we did a deep dive into my team's business, how we are pacing, coaching, and reviewed my year-to-date numbers. Right now we have a pretty cool opportunity in the pipeline, so we mapped out next steps; triaging with our solutions engineer, how we can leverage our integration partners, and when we can—hopefully—close the deal. Just like I challenge my team ahead of demos, Will challenges me to think through how I can best position Toast to win.

11:00 a.m.: I hopped on a demo call for a two-unit coffee shop with one of my reps. One of the phrases I use with my team is “if you stay ready, you don’t have to get ready.” The more discovery you do, the better positioned you are to win the deal. You gotta know the pain or challenge they’re facing so you can sell based on the value.

12:30 p.m.: Around 12:30, I headed out to a prospect in San Francisco with one of my territory account executives. This prospect has multiple concepts in one location, including a restaurant, bakery, and bar. We met with the Director of Operations who walked us through the restaurant. We wanted to see it in person and talk to the team about the functionalities they’re looking for, how the space is laid out, and how things need to flow. We stopped by the kitchen to talk to the chefs too—they’re looking for a kitchen display screen for tickets, which we obviously have.

2:00 p.m.: We grabbed a quick lunch while we were there. Sales can definitely feel like a work hard, play hard environment, but one of my favorite parts is getting to eat at our prospects’ restaurants. So much of the time, you come for a demo and your prospect is constantly bringing out dishes for you to taste. We chatted through what went well, and what could have gone smoother. Always gotta think ahead! Obviously before I left I had to pick up some pastries.

2:45 p.m.: After wrapping there, the territory account executive sent a quick email to our senior solutions engineer recapping the workflow we saw. It’s important to get the prospect on a call with the solutions engineer to walk them through our capabilities and what implementation would look like. We got that squared away for later in the week.

3:00 p.m.: I had a quick sync with a senior territory account executive on my team. Of course, we talked through what his pipeline looks like and how to get and stay ahead of the curve as the end of the month fast approaches. One of my favorite parts of my job is learning my team’s career aspirations and coaching them to help them get there. We talked about how he can continue to grow his career at Toast, and are both excited with the progress he’s making.

3:30 p.m.: I spent time listening to calls from the team for demos that I wasn’t able to make it to live. This helps me be a great resource for my team as they work through next steps. I’ll note what went well, and what could have gone better, and then when I meet with my team, we can role play different scenarios. Typically, I’ll play the prospect and we’ll go through how they can respond to a number of questions that a prospect could hit their way.

4:30 p.m.: I wrapped the day with a quick call with my onboarding manager to see what projects are in the backlog and how I can help the team move things towards go-live. Going live takes time and preparation.

5:30 p.m.: I always end my day with some admin. I pre-scheduled some Slack messages to my talent acquisition partner about a role we’re filling, connected with a business development rep, caught up on emails, and messaged my team a bit. My team’s book of business is my book of business, so I’m always thinking about how we can grow the business, how I can help make my team become better sales people, and how I can be better for them.

Giving back through Blessings in a Backpack

Tue, 03 Dec 2024 20:34:12 +0000

Noelle H.,

Sr. Manager - Employer Brand

In recognition of our Season of Giving, Toast’s month-long initiative focused on food and nutrition security around the world, Toast Parents and Toast Mamas, Toast.org, and the Workplace Experience team collaborated to put on three in-office volunteer events with Blessings in a Backpack to pack 1,500 bags of food for local kids in the Boston, Chicago, and Omaha communities. Hear from a few of our Toasters about what the experience meant to them:

“It was heart-wrenching to learn how many children reach the weekend unsure of where their next meal will come from. But knowing that this initiative is nationwide and has provided millions of hunger-free weekends is truly inspiring. It really restores faith in humanity. For me, it’s personal. My family and I have been in a similar situation, not always knowing where our next meal might come from. While we were fortunate that it wasn’t our constant reality, I can relate to the uncertainty and stress that comes with it. The peace of knowing you’ll have a meal is something many take for granted, but it’s a feeling I’ll never forget, and one that I strive to help others experience. Being part of efforts like this fills my heart. With so many facing tough times, it’s reassuring to be part of a community that is so committed to lifting each other up. It truly means the world to me to help provide these essential items to families in need.”

Shawntelle S., Customer Care Expert (Omaha, NE)

“As a parent, aunt, and great aunt, I know firsthand the importance of ensuring children have access to nutritious food throughout the weekend. What I loved most about the event was seeing everyone come together for a shared purpose—our combined efforts made me feel part of something bigger than myself. Knowing that each backpack packed will directly impact a child’s weekend reminds me of the power of community and how, together, we can make a real difference. This experience underscored for me how meaningful it is to work in a place that values giving back and empowers its employees to contribute. It has strengthened my commitment to continuing this kind of work and reminds me how fulfilling it is to know that we can all play a part in supporting families in need.”

Brenda S., Customer Care Manager (Omaha, NE)

“The Blessings in a Backpack event truly touched me. Packing those bags, I thought about the kids who'd receive them and how hunger affects our communities. This wasn't just about filling stomachs, but showing families their community cares. It also brought us closer together, one backpack at a time. Moments like these remind me why I love being part of this team and community.”

Greg, Customer Care Manager (Omaha, NE)

“Having lived in Chicago for 16 years, I’ve seen far too many children struggle with hunger and uncertainty about where their next meal will come from. It breaks my heart. Being able to help provide healthy meals for these kids feels incredibly rewarding. Knowing that we could brighten the day for 500 children was a blessing, and it was such a joy to meet some of my amazing colleagues in person. Together, we created a beautiful day filled with purpose and connection.”

Shannon S., Onboarding Consultant (Chicago, IL)

“My experience volunteering for Blessings in a Backpack was amazing. It was so heartwarming to know that the backpacks we put together were going to be received by kids in need the very next day. Talk about making an impact on the community. I also loved writing notes of encouragement and joy to the kids receiving the backpacks. I left the event feeling so proud to work for Toast and to work with such amazing colleagues. Volunteering is a gift. Our Toast.org team and ambassadors makes it super easy to get involved and make a difference in the communities we serve.”

Kim L., VP, People Success & Employee Relations (Boston, MA)

Celebrating Toast.org’s Season of Giving

Tue, 10 Dec 2024 17:00:00 +0000

Samantha Z.

Program Manager, Toast.org

It’s Toast.org’s fourth annual Season of Giving! Season of Giving is a month-long initiative that brings the strength of Toast’s people, products, and philanthropy together to support organizations addressing food insecurity in the communities where we work and live, around the globe. To learn more about this incredible campaign, we caught up with Samantha Z., Program Manager, Toast.org.

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I started at Toast in December 2019, working within Customer Success and then transitioning to the Education team– enterprise training specifically. Throughout my five years at Toast I was always involved in Toast.org and loved attending events, especially around Season of Giving. I remember one November I volunteered with Toast.org and helped hand out Thanksgiving dinners– turkeys included– to those in need. The happiness and gratitude on each person's face is something that I will always keep with me. From volunteering at events in Boston to becoming the local committee chair once I moved to Buffalo, New York, I have always held Toast.org close to my heart. I am so thankful to work at a company that allows me to help others. This past year, an opportunity opened up to join the Toast.org team full time, and I knew it was the right match for me!

Since joining the Toast.org team in September, it’s been a remarkable experience seeing what goes into making Season of Giving happen for all Toasters to enjoy and experience. Season of Giving is a time of year when we amplify our focus on food insecurity and nutrition security around the world. Hunger is a global issue with nearly 30% of the world’s population affected by moderate or extreme food insecurity. In our local communities and beyond, access to nutritious food is critical to hope and opportunity.

Toast.org’s efforts reach all around the world! Above, see members of the UK team volunteering with Toast.org.

The events during Season of Giving allow us to bring the mission of Toast.org— – to enrich the food experience for all— – to communities around the world, and to bring Toasters together to connect, collaborate, and foster relationships across teams.

During Season of Giving we offer many ways for Toasters to get involved and carry out our mission:

Nominating a peer for an inaugural Toast.org Impact Award (learn more below!)
Volunteering with their local Toast.org committee, or volunteering virtually through organizations in their area
Voting for organizations to help us direct $500,000 in grants
Rescuing excess food
Joining an educational webinar to learn about our partnership with Food Rescue US
Donating to important causes at local Toast restaurants through Toast Fundraising
Using $25 in donation rewards provided by Toast.org to support a cause of their choice
Earning $10 per hour volunteered in November to donate in Benevity for a cause meaningful to them
Purchasing goods from our global virtual food drive directed to local food banks in their communities or global organizations that need it most
Educating the children (or croutons as we like to call them) in their lives by ordering a Food Insecurity Impact Kit
Using the matching gifts program to match donations of up to $1,000/€1,000

I have absolutely loved working with each of the local committee chairs and seeing the shared passion each of them embody. Local committee chairs are a group of Toasters who work to organize volunteer opportunities within their own communities. This is a wonderful way to keep Toasters connected in our hybrid-working environment, regardless of their locations. Helping the local committee chairs to plan volunteer events, create hometown grant ballots, and join the global virtual food drive has made my role as the program manager so special this Season of Giving. It has been great to see the creativity each local chair has for volunteer event ideas and the overall drive to do good and help their community is inspiring.

This year we also worked with Noelle H., Senior Manager, Employer Brand, to bring to life her idea of in office activities with Blessings in a Backpack. Blessings in a Backpack mobilizes communities, individuals and resources to provide food on the weekends for elementary school children across America who might otherwise go hungry. We held events in our Omaha, Chicago and Boston offices working together to pack 1,500 bags for kids. This event brought together 95 Toasters, working alongside our Toast Parents and Toast Mamas, Toast.org, and the Workplace Experience teams to help ensure children have enough to eat on the weekends.

This year, we’re excited to introduce the inaugural Toast.org Impact Awards as part of our Season of Giving. This new annual program celebrates Toasters who go above and beyond in supporting Toast.org’s impact pillars: food, community, and environment. There are four award categories– three for individual Toasters and one for a team. The winners will be announced in December during a company-wide meeting, so that we can all celebrate their accomplishments. Prizes include a special Toast.org gift and a donation in the winners name of $2,500 to an organization of their choice.

This Season of Giving our group of almost 100 Local Committee Chairs have worked hard to organize roughly 70 events in 50 communities around the globe, resulting in opportunities for both in-person and remote volunteering. I had the opportunity to do a food rescue with my sister and two nieces, plan and participate in our first skills-based volunteer event in Boston, and volunteer at a local organization in Buffalo. Each event was a reminder of why I am so proud to be part of this team of changemakers.

Each day I work to be a Toast.org cheerleader and culture carrier for the amazing opportunities Season of Giving has to offer not only Toast employees but the communities around each of them. I am so thankful to be part of the team that helps make change happen.

Inaugural Toast.org Impact Award Winners

Fri, 17 Jan 2025 21:32:51 +0000

Samantha Z., Program Manager, Toast.org

Today we're sharing our inaugural Toast.org Impact Award winners. These recipients were selected during Toast.org's fourth annual Season of Giving, a month-long initiative that unites the strength of Toast’s people, products, and philanthropy to support organizations tackling food insecurity in the communities where we live and work around the globe.

This new annual program celebrates Toasters who go above and beyond in supporting Toast.org’s impact pillars: food, community, and environment. There are four award categories– three for individual Toasters and one for a team. The winners received a special Toast.org gift and a donation of $2,500 made in their name to an organization of their choice. Read more about the awards below:

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Local Leader: Noelle Holdsworth, Employer Brand Senior Manager & Toast.org Atlanta Committee Lead

This award honors a Toast.org Local Committee Chair who has demonstrated exceptional leadership throughout the year. This may include organizing events, fostering effective communication with Toasters in their region, and driving local engagement.

One of the nominators wrote, “Noelle is a true champion of Toast.org's mission. She brings the Atlanta community together to give back, empowers various Toast Communities to get involved, and even runs regular food rescue routes on her own. She often reminds Toasters across the company about Toast.org opportunities and shares her own personal stories about getting involved to inspire and motivate others.”

Congratulations, Noelle!

Cause Champion: Maria Anander, Design Operations Program Manager

This award celebrates a Toaster who has actively championed a specific cause or issue area within one of the three pillars of Toast.org (food, community, environment), making a meaningful impact through their advocacy and contributions.

The nominator wrote "Maria's passion and commitment to ensuring inclusivity has had a tangible impact on both our product and our company culture. She has championed accessibility through training programs, making it easier for teams across Toast Design to understand and prioritize accessibility in their work. By setting clear standards and pushing for accessibility testing, she has helped us create tools that work for everyone, including users with disabilities.”

Congratulations, Maria! You are truly a champion for all communities!

Customer Changemaker: Lauren Ettlinger, Senior Learning Designer

This award honors a Toaster who has empowered customers to drive impact across food, community, and environmental causes, helping them become changemakers in their communities. This may include building or promoting Toast.org product features such as Fundraising and Food Waste Reduction, partnering on volunteer or social impact initiatives, or other creative engagement tactics.

The nominator wrote “Lauren is deeply passionate about sharing the story of Toast.org’s product suite, particularly how features like Fundraising and Food Waste Tracking are driving real change. She is currently leading a video campaign to bring these "changemaker" stories to life, going on-site with restaurants using these features, in an effort to inspire others to take action in their own communities.”

Congratulations, Lauren!

Community Builders: Toast.org Ireland Committee

This award recognizes a group of Toasters who collaborated on a significant community impact project. This could be a Toast.org committee, an employee resource group (ERG), or a team that volunteered together.

The nominator wrote “The Ireland committee worked really hard over a number of months to years to build a solid partnership with Airfield Estate which led to the launch of the Airfield Community Garden sponsored by Toast.org. The Airfield Community Garden is a shared community space for people to come together and learn about sustainable food production, meet with like-minded people, and get their hands dirty helping in the garden and with the harvest of food crops. The committee organised a number of very popular volunteering events from the beginning of the partnership leading up to the launch, and has since returned to plant, prune, paint and more!”

Thank you all for your teamwork to make a significant difference!

Thank you to all of our winners for your incredible work and dedication to living our Toast.org mission. Your passion and commitment to driving positive change are truly inspiring, and your impact is something to be proud of. We’re so grateful for everything you’ve done and can’t wait to see what you accomplish next!

Toaster Spotlight: Samantha E., Enterprise Business Development Representative

Wed, 29 Jan 2025 17:00:00 +0000

Toast Careers

Samantha started at Toast right after graduating. Hear more about her experience and her advice to other new grads:

What led you to pursue a career at Toast? How did you hear about the opportunity?

Growing up in Massachusetts, I have always been interested in building a career in Boston. As graduation approached, a family friend of mine connected me with a Sales Development Rep (SDR) at Toast who is now a top-performing Account Executive (AE). Shoutout to Maddie Strahle! Throughout the entire interview process, I was consistently impressed by the warmth, professionalism, and genuine support of everyone I spoke with. It was clear that Toast's culture is rooted in both excellence and collaboration, and it reinforced my excitement about the opportunity to be part of such a remarkable team in my favorite city.

What led you to wanting to be in a sales role?

As a college lacrosse player, I developed a competitive drive that fuels my desire to excel and meet my goals. I initially found the idea of working in sales intimidating but after speaking with current and former SDRs, I realized that there is a feeling of motivation and satisfaction in striving to exceed expectations and hit challenging goals. This perspective made me excited about the potential to thrive in a sales role.

As a Sales Development Rep (SDR), what were your focus areas and what skills do you feel you need to be successful in an SDR role?

My role as an SDR has built the foundation for my success at Toast. From the beginning, I focused on building strong relationships with AEs, as I believe close collaboration is key to achieving results. These relationships helped me refine my talk tracks and understand how I could improve outreach strategies. As I mentioned earlier, my competitive nature drives me to exceed expectations, and developing this mindset through relationships with AEs has pushed me to break records along the way. My success as an SDR wouldn’t have been possible without embracing rejection as an opportunity to learn and improve. These are just a few of the skills that helped me excel during my tenure as an SDR and continue to drive my success throughout my time at Toast.

You were recently promoted to an Enterprise BDR role, what skills are you looking to invest more in with this shift to a new role?

I’m incredibly excited about the opportunity to help build the Sports and Entertainment vertical as a BDR. While creating a pipeline from the ground up and earning trust within the industry is no easy feat, I firmly believe that nothing worthwhile comes without challenge.

As I approach my one-year mark as an Enterprise BDR, I’ve developed a variety of skills that have been instrumental in my growth. I’ve refined my outreach methods, deepened my understanding of the Sports and Entertainment sector, and built the confidence to position Toast as a key competitor in this vertical.

That said, there are still areas I’m eager to improve. For instance, I want to master running discovery calls with prospects, using my product and industry knowledge to spark interest. Additionally, I’m keen to spend more time seeing the sales cycle through to completion, enhancing my cold-calling approach and preparing me for future career growth.

What advice do you have for other early career individuals looking for their first opportunity?

My advice would be to explore a wide range of opportunities. During my job search, I applied to several companies and positions, taking full advantage of my Business Administration degree and minor in Mathematics and Analytics. This broad academic background opened up a wealth of potential career paths for me.

Equally important is reaching out to current employees at companies you’re interested in. I’ve found that speaking directly with people in the field provides invaluable insight into the company culture and role expectations. Personally, I’m always happy to connect with early career individuals and share my experiences at Toast, as well as offer guidance on starting a career in Sales!

What Toast value resonates with you the most and why?

The Toast value that resonates most with me is, "We're hungry to build and learn." This principle has been central to my journey here for several reasons. First, Toast was my first job after graduating college. I was eager to prove myself, but I also recognized how much I still had to learn. In those early months, I focused on absorbing everything I could. I made it a priority to listen and learn from seasoned SDRs, managers, and AEs, knowing that growth came from staying curious and open.

When I was promoted to Sports and Entertainment BDR, this Toast value took on even greater significance. Joining a brand new team tasked with building the Sports and Entertainment division from scratch required a growth mindset and hunger to build and learn.

The motivation to create a successful team has been a powerful force. While there were certainly stressful moments and unavoidable mistakes along the way, each challenge has served as a valuable learning experience. I’m excited to continue contributing to the growth of the Sports and Entertainment team. We’ve definitely found our rhythm, and I’m confident we’re on track for an incredible 2025!

Meet the Leader: Mike Gutner, Chief People Officer

Mon, 10 Mar 2025 16:00:00 +0000

Megan H., Employer Brand Co-op

In 2018, Mike Gutner joined Toast, first spearheading the Restaurant Success team before moving over to the People & Places team in 2019 as VP of People & Organizational Success, where he led the PSP team, Learning & Development, Employee Relations, Internal Communications, Employee Engagement, People Analytics, and more. In 2024, Mike stepped into the Chief People Officer role, where he now looks across the entirety of Toast to ensure we’re a destination for amazing talent, connecting our people strategies to our business objectives and figuring out how to ensure everyone has the opportunity to thrive. Learn more about Mike’s career path, strategies within the workplace, and advice.

Can you share how your upbringing influenced your career choices and eventually led you to Toast?

I grew up in a small town north of Boston where to me, family was everything. I spent afternoons playing outside with my brother and sister, biking to the local small candy shop, playing baseball in the town league, and sledding down the town hill. When I was 14, things changed when my mom, then a single mother, was diagnosed with breast cancer, and I focused my energies on helping her navigate that tough journey. She lost her battle with cancer when I was 20. I have some core memories from her funeral, but one stands out. As guests were leaving, someone who I didn’t know came up to me and said, “You can never realize who you’ll fully be until your parents are gone.”

That comment stuck with me. It was an acknowledgment that I had to grow up pretty fast, and I was now in a position where I had to chart my own course and lean into my future in a way that I hadn’t envisioned before that, much less understood.

Admittedly I was a bit lost, so I searched for a bit. I graduated from college with a degree in Geophysics, fascinated by the geology of other planets, but as I wrote my thesis I was largely alone in a lab, and I missed the people connection. I ski bummed for a season after college, where I happened to win the Customer Service award for my efforts teaching kids how to ski, and found that I really liked helping people become better at what they were doing. Shortly thereafter, I interviewed at Google for a job in Customer Support, which began a 9-year run at Google where I learned so much about the technology industry, how teams can move fast and accomplish great things, what makes great leadership, and how people can change the world with technology at their fingertips.

I left Google wanting to spread my wings a bit and join a company in its infancy. I jumped into a five-person start-up where I served as COO, leading sales, customer support, supply chain, business development, HR, and many other things. I then met Chris Comparato, Toast’s first CEO, and we started talking about how Toast was shaping the future of the restaurant industry. I fell in love with Toast’s mission and purpose, and saw a high degree of integrity in its leadership team, so joined to lead the Restaurant Success team. The rest is history.

I often think back to the comment made at my mom’s funeral. I now look for in others what I think that person was getting at: we all have the potential to be something amazing. We just have to put the work and the time in to find it, invest in it, learn a ton from others, and explore. I really think that’s what the brunt of my career has been about. I started as a scientist, found a love of customer support and helping people with technology, taught myself how to sell to retail big-box stores, learned how to market a product to different customer segments, built supply chain rails, fell in love with people strategy and how that impacts a business, and now have found what I believe is my calling as a People leader.

I’d love to hear more about what you have learned in your role here at Toast and how those insights have shaped your perspective on people and organizational culture.

In my role I have many constituents: Aman and the Senior Team, the broader company and Toasters globally, the Board, Toast customers, and our communities all over the world. On any given day, I work with all of them in different ways. So balancing all of that is both awesomely fun and a huge challenge, especially as we continue to evolve our priorities as a company and where we can and should invest in Toasters everywhere.

A few things come to mind on how all of this shapes my perspective on people and culture:

Focus on what makes the most impact. We across the People team are doing a thousand little things every day to work to make Toast a better place. I need to spend my time really thoughtfully. What are the really important moments that matter? When a candidate interviews, when a new hire starts, when managers sit down to have compensation and performance conversations, when a team goes through a significant change, are just a few of the examples of things that we need to get right, and are just a few examples of where I try to spend a good brunt of my time.
Time spent listening is always time spent well. I try to spend time each week with Toasters in all parts of the business. Whether it’s time in Omaha shadowing our Care reps, in Denver shadowing a demo, in Chennai with our Toasters there, or with managers prepping for performance conversations. My leadership team and their teams spend time every day with our employees, and we have our own process to bubble up key themes, but I’ve always believed in being close to the work and in this case, that’s our Toasters and how they’re feeling about things. Data can tell you only so much; listening to what’s going on all across the business and the world and the “anecdata” are super important.
Communicate more than you think is humanly possible. We move fast at Toast, we have a matrixed organization where teams have lots of dependencies, and change management is so important to help teams manage through all of that. Which means communicating what’s going on, why it’s happening, where we’re going, and doing that authentically and genuinely is super important. I try to spend a TON of time communicating. I obviously don’t always get it right. But I’m working at it.

How does Toast prioritize belonging and inclusion, and what strategies have been most effective?

Broadly, in the context of our efforts to advance the success of Toast through the success of its people and culture, we’ve grounded ourselves in the following principles:

We Want Great Talent
To attract and retain top talent, we must broaden our reach to include individuals with diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences.
We Must Be Innovative
Innovation requires challenging the status quo, and diversity fuels creativity. By fostering difference, we gain the fresh ideas needed to stay competitive.
We Aim to Meet the Needs of Our Customers
We serve one of the most diverse industries in the world. To remain relevant, we must represent and understand the communities we serve.
We Want to Be the Best Place to Work for Our Toasters
Our success depends on our people. By removing barriers and fostering an inclusive environment, we enable all Toasters to thrive.

These principles are not only core to our business, they are tied to our values. Our approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion isn’t about creating advantages for some; it’s about removing barriers so all Toasters can thrive and do their best work. We invest a lot of time, energy, and thought into ensuring that our people practices and processes are fair and equitable.

We’ll always have a lot of work to do and we’re on our own journey. But I’m proud that we continue to stay focused on this work and doing what’s right for our teams and our industry as a whole.

What is your advice for Toast managers?

Everyone has a story. Understand that story. Understand what makes them who they are and what matters to them most. In an upcoming 1:1, ask your employee about what they love at work and what’s bogging them down. What’s keeping them up at night? Why is that keeping you up at night? What brings you the most joy at work? When was the last time you felt proud of something you did at work, and why? And if your employee’s open to it, ask them about their family, what they love to do outside of work, where they’ve traveled, and more. It’s amazing what you can learn about someone from a few questions, and how much trust that can build between you and your team.

Toaster Spotlight: Julia B., Sr. Director, Strategic PMO

Wed, 26 Feb 2025 17:00:00 +0000

Megan H., Employer Brand Co-op

Julia will be celebrating 10 years at Toast in just a few weeks! Hear about her experience, insights, and advice as one of the very first Toasters:

What’s your “Why Toast” pitch when you’re talking to your friends, family and previous coworkers about an opportunity to join us at Toast?

Culture is always my number one reason. We hire such lovely people who care deeply and it shows up in the way we support our customers, how we market our brand and how we treat each other internally. It’s just a delight to work with Toasters.

You’ve built a successful career at Toast, what do you attribute your success to?

I’ve always tried to take advantage of the project or opportunity in front of me and embrace the ambiguity. I’m not scared to dive into the work, take on unproven projects with a limited roadmap, or pivot where needed. I think my flexibility, optimism and high say-do ratio have helped me succeed.

Aside from rolling with the chaos, I’ve grown so much as a people leader at Toast. I've had multiple opportunities to build and lead teams, from hiring to developing talent. Seeing my teams grow professionally and make a meaningful impact on the business is one of the things I’m most proud of.

Describe your new role as the Strategic PMO. What excites you about it?

My role is focused on leading senior team projects that are highly cross-functional or very ambiguous -- which is right up my alley. I’m excited to learn about parts of the business I haven’t explored before, foster stronger collaboration across teams, and ensure projects and their supporting teams are set up for success. Once a project is in a strong, sustainable place, I’ll move on to the next complex opportunity!

How does Toast and your job allow for the flexibility for you to pursue other passions outside of Toast?

I have my second sabbatical coming up so that is one huge way Toast is giving me space to pursue my passions (Toast offers a month off every 5 years as a sabbatical). I’m using the time to go on a painting retreat in Europe! I’ve always found Toast to be flexible and supportive of me taking the time I need to balance work and life. Toast is fast-paced and we want to do a lot of exciting things but I’ve only ever had support from my managers and leadership to invest in myself outside of work.

What was your experience like as one of the very first Toasters?

One of my proudest early moments at Toast was creating the logo. It’s so rewarding now, traveling to different offices and seeing our sign—something I designed—always fills me with joy. Watching it displayed in New York when we went public was an unforgettable experience. While the brand and design team have taken it so far from those early days, having the opportunity to create that logo remains a career highlight for me.

Beyond that, the early years were all about being scrappy and having fun. We were wide-eyed, passionate, and deeply invested in what we were building. That same spirit still exists today, but back then, it felt like a dream. Now, we’re truly making the impact we always hoped for.

Fostering a Global Mindset

Thu, 13 Mar 2025 16:00:00 +0000

Megan H.

Employer Brand Co-op

Angela R. was joined by three Toasters for an internal panel where the discussion focused on fostering a globally inclusive culture at Toast. Hear how these leaders build trust, foster belonging, and combat challenges within hybrid work environments:

What are some small but meaningful ways we can build trust across teams?

“Don't be afraid to speak up. If you see that something's going sideways or something doesn't make sense, don't just let it continue going off the rails. Feel free, at any level, to speak up and say, why are we doing that? Or have we tried looking at it this way? Having the freedom and space to question what we’re doing is really important.”

Becky M.- Senior Director, Customer Care

“Trust is essentially the foundation of effective collaboration and a hybrid work environment. When leaders lead with trust it essentially encourages everyone to participate in a high trust environment. One way to build trust is through regular check-ins, sharing progress updates, and delivering commitments. It’s also proven with data, that employees feel better and perform better in a high trust ecosystem. It is up to leaders to create an environment where everyone starts with very high trust.”

Alok A.- Director of Product Management, Fintech

How to best build relationships with team members in a hybrid environment?

“Assuming positive intent from people is where it all begins and it is a proactive exercise that we all need to practice, knowing that we are part of a global company. We work with people from different cultures and it is important to learn about their culture, learn the communication style within their culture, and that's something that's not passive, it’s a true proactive exercise.”

Kevin D.- AVP, International Sales

“Coffee chats can be one of the most powerful things you can do. Through coffee chats, even over zoom, you have the opportunity to meet new people. Not only do you learn about them as a person, but you can also learn about the work that they're doing right. And they might be someone in a completely different department who approaches things in a completely different way.”

Becky M.- Senior Director, Customer Care

What is one thing you do to foster global inclusivity?

“Seek to understand, ask questions, and listen more. I have to heed that advice all the time. It can be something as simple as starting a meeting by having some form of small talk and just learning a little bit about the other person that isn't work related. By doing this, it can really open your eyes to who they are as an individual as well as cultural differences.”

Becky M.- Senior Director, Customer Care

“For me, it's listening to diverse perspectives and actually amplifying diverse and underrepresented voices in my team. This way, it helps me to broaden my understanding of the world and cultivate empathy across people with different backgrounds.”

Alok A.- Director of Product Management, Fintech

“I believe that, as a global company, it is crucial for everyone to be seen as equal, regardless of their location.”

Kevin D. - AVP, International Sales

How do you collaborate effectively across different time zones?

“Leaders should be mindful of meetings in order to treat different time zones fairly. Also, building this culture of trust and psychological safety is incredibly important. If everyone believes that there is a high degree of trust in regards to competence and their collaboration style, it enables a higher level of commitment to the work.”

Alok A.-Director of Product Management, Fintech

“Making sure that you're spending time equitably across the team, versus the people that are most convenient to you based on time zones is important. I think it's human nature to fall back into what's easiest. By setting proactive reminders we ensure that we're checking in with everyone on the team.”

Kevin D.- AVP, International Sales

“I would encourage you to continue to ask yourself, “Does this have to be a meeting?” Or, “Can we do asynchronous collaboration?” I think this is a really important point because a lot of meetings, specifically across different time zones, could be put into writing. It is also important to document high-priority items such as: this is the problem we're trying to solve, this is the timeline, and these are some expectations or some hypotheses we're going into this project with. Also, setting milestones for when you're going to test and calibrate and iterate on certain things, I think is really important for effective collaboration.”

Becky M.- Senior Director, Customer Care

How can leaders be more intentional in fostering an inclusive workplace, regardless of location?

“Rather than starting with a no trust environment on day one, I start with a very high trust environment. I tell my teams that it is completely okay to fail, which essentially encourages them to bring their true self to work without any apprehensions. This culture of embracing failures is truly, truly important, because they know they won’t be judged if they are wrong. All of us at some point in time are not going to know everything and are going to be wrong. If I myself, as a leader, show a sense of vulnerability and accepting mistakes when I make one, it essentially encourages my team to do the same.”

Alok A.- Director of Product Management

“I think if we all take on that challenge and start from a place of empathy and the drive to learn from one another, it will help us foster a positive global mindset and strengthen collaboration and communication across our teams, spanning multiple countries and cultures.”

Kevin D.- AVP, International Sales

10 Tips from Toasters: Returning from Parental Leave

Thu, 03 Apr 2025 16:00:00 +0000

Megan H.

Employer Brand Co-op

Toast has previously been named a Best Workplace for Parents- and even the croutons (our Toasty nickname for kids) have shared their thoughts in this video!

But this time, we chatted with some members of our Toast Parents community and here are their top 10 tips for other parents returning to work after parental leave:

1. Be Kind to Yourself!

Returning to work can be a difficult adjustment, so treating yourself with kindness during this time is essential. No matter the circumstances, you might feel guilty and overwhelmed about leaving your little one or getting back into the swing of things at work. As mothers, we are often hardest on ourselves, and it’s crucial to allow yourself some grace during this adjustment period. It’s also wonderful to see your little one’s face light up when you come home at the end of the day.

2. Remind yourself that things will be different - and that's okay.

It sounds obvious, but it's easy to forget and feel frustrated when you expect work-life balance to be the same as before. You'll be juggling new parenting responsibilities alongside work, and some days will go smoothly while others will be pure chaos. (Think: one-hand-typing while holding a bottle because daycare was cancelled, meetings with baby spit-up somewhere on your shirt, and the occasional mid-day existential crisis.) Give yourself grace. For us, sitting down on Sunday mornings to plan out the week has been a game-changer. It helps me go into Monday feeling somewhat prepared instead of just hoping for the best.

3. Speak Up!

Be upfront with your manager about your needs and how your work-life balance is shaping up. You are your (and your croutons) number-one advocate, and you can’t expect help without speaking up. I consider myself lucky to work for a company like Toast that supports work-life balance for all of its employees and does what it can to help families thrive. It is important to remain honest with your manager and team about your needs and what will make you successful now that you are back at work.

4. Set boundaries early.

Chat with your manager and team about your schedule, workload, and any flexibility you might need. Setting clear expectations from the start can make the transition smoother and help you balance work and family life.

5. Communication is the key to success!

My wife and I both work full time and went back on the same day so the transition came at us hard and fast! Who is responsible for drop off and pick up on any given day? Who is shopping and cooking dinner? Who is going to take care of the truly absurd amount of laundry that this tiny human generates? When your child gets called out of daycare for being sick (if you’re a first time parent and sending them to daycare buckle up!) who has the bandwidth to step away from work for the day to care for your child? As long as you communicate effectively then you’ll do great, but if you don’t it can really put a strain both on your work life and personal life which no one wants.

6. Be fully present while off the clock.

This one was really hard for me, particularly considering I’m in a quota carrying sales role. You’re coming off of 16 weeks where you didn’t have any responsibilities from a work standpoint, so when coming back it’s so important to make sure you’re setting clear boundaries for yourself and you’re leaving work at work at the end of the day. You owe that to your child, your partner and also to yourself. So many changes happen in the first year of your child’s life, make sure you’re slowing down and soaking in every precious moment!

7. Don't try to read all unread Slack messages.

It's unrealistic to try and keep up with so much context while you're out. If you feel like you need an update, ask someone for a summary of what discussion(s) took place.

8. Create a "parental leave" folder in your inbox.

Move every email from your leave into the folder. Coming back to a full inbox is overwhelming enough without seeing a sea of unread messages staring you down. Out of sight, out of mind (at least temporarily)! Then, block off time over the first few weeks to sift through that folder at your own pace. No need to start your first day back by drowning in emails.

9. It is okay to lean on your co-workers.

Work that you did so easily before you went on leave, may not feel the same when you return. It doesn't mean you're not good enough anymore, it doesn't mean you're not good at your job. It just means things have changed within you. Priorities shift, brain chemistry changes, and you are sleep deprived. It's okay to give yourself space to learn how to grow back into your role and reevaluate how work fits into your life.

10. Be intentional with your calendar and how you block your time.

Your routine may not be the same as it was prior to your leave, and that's ok. Finding your new normal is key and time management is a huge component of that.

Thank you to some of our Toaster parents for providing their best tips!

Casey G., Customer Success Manager II

Stephanie S., Sr. Program Manager, Talent Development

Charlie C., Sales Development Manager

Isabelle B., Regional Vice President, Field Sales

Brit H., Senior Designer

Ryan P., Senior Software Engineer

Leona D., Principal, Revenue Strategy & Operations

Growing our Restaurant Retail Sales Team

Thu, 20 Mar 2025 16:00:00 +0000

Megan H., Employer Brand Co-op

Toast is expanding its platform beyond restaurants to include retail businesses, offering solutions for various food and beverage concepts like convenient stores, grocery stores, and bottle shops. We caught up with a few Toasters on the Restaurant Retail Sales Team to hear more about their experiences so far. Check out what they had to say below:

What led you to Toast?

“What led me to work at Toast was the opportunity to be part of a company that’s at the forefront of innovation and really making a difference in the way businesses operate. I was drawn to Toast because of its focus on solving real-world problems with cutting-edge technology, especially in industries like retail and hospitality. “

Samantha W., Principal Retail Account Executive I

“Admiring Toast as a hospitality operator over the years, it felt like a natural fit to transfer my skillset to a hospitality-driven technology company.”

Gaby Y., Principal Retail Account Executive 2

“Toast is a company with driven leaders, strong culture and a proven history of innovation. The ability to work directly with owners of SMB businesses and give them a solution that has tangible impacts on their businesses was a no-brainer. The excitement from employees and belief that Toast was still in the early innings of growth was inspiring then, and continues to be inspiring today.”

Mike C., Senior Retail Sales Account Executive

“I was eager to join a dynamic organization where I could grow beyond my current scope of operations. Toast represented the perfect intersection — a platform built to empower the community I knew best, backed by resources to make a broader impact.”

Zorro G., Senior Retail Account Executive

“What led me to Toast was actually a bit of happenstance, and good timing. After experiencing how quickly a server used Toast Go 1 to close out her check- turning multiple tables in under a minute- I realized the technology's impact on restaurant efficiency. I immediately checked LinkedIn for open roles at the company. I submitted the application and here we are!”

Nick L., Principal Retail Account Executive I

How would you describe the Restaurant Retail Sales team?

“If I had to describe the Retail Sales team in one word, it would be gritty. We operate like a start-up within a larger organization, constantly exchanging ideas and pushing each other to think outside the box. There’s no such thing as a wrong answer—just a mindset of how can we be better?”

Gaby Y., Principal Retail Account Executive 2

“I would describe the retail sales team as hungry. Everyone on this team has a strong belief in Toast as a company and the products we’re building to disrupt this new vertical. We’re characterized with a diverse set of ideas, experiences, and backgrounds that allow us to be consultants to each other and our retail prospects, customers and partners. Each member is always willing to help out, step up for others, share new learnings and push the envelope on what is possible.”

Mike C., Senior Retail Sales Account Executive

“The Retail Sales team is composed of some of the most ambitious members of our sales organization. My teammates embody the mindset for growth, a bias for action, and a commitment to building something new. As leaders we look to expand the Toast community and shape the future trajectory of the company.”

Zorro G., Senior Retail Account Executive

What opportunities are there for growth and learning on this team?

“There are plenty of opportunities for growth and learning on the Retail Sales Team at Toast. The company is committed to supporting professional development, offering resources like training programs, mentorship, and workshops to help team members build new skills and stay up to date with the latest technology trends. There’s also a strong emphasis on cross-functional collaboration, allowing team members to learn from colleagues in other departments.”

Samantha W., Principal Retail Account Executive I

“A core responsibility of this role is developing an understanding of the vertical, paired with an open mindset toward continuous learning and problem-solving. Growth in this role presents itself in many forms. Working through cross-functional collaboration, identifying untapped opportunities, and maintaining an ongoing commitment to understanding industry practices.”

Zorro G., Senior Retail Account Executive

“Right now there is a lot of growth opportunity since we’re still at the beginning of building the Retail Sales org. We have various roles open such as Retail Development Reps, Account Executives, District Managers, and Enablement and Partnerships positions.”

Nick L., Principal Retail Account Executive I

How does your team collaborate with other teams at Toast?

“Collaboration is embedded in our culture. On the Retail side, we work closely with Onboarding and Sales to ensure a seamless experience for our customers. We also partner with Product to enhance Toast’s “Better Together” model, particularly within our CBG (convenience stores, bottle shops, and grocery stores) concepts.”

Gaby Y., Principal Retail Account Executive 2

“We collaborate every day with many different teams across Toast. This includes the Onboarding Team, Product Team, Solutions Engineering Team, Restaurant Team, and Payments Team. Each serves a unique role with bringing the best solutions to our businesses. There is not a day in retail where we don’t collaborate with other teams. This can be in the form of huddles, internal meetings, joint meetings with prospects or customers and everything in between.”

Mike C.,Senior Retail Sales Account Executive

“One of the major reasons I wanted to join the Retail Sales team, is because of how closely we are able to work with cross functional teams to continue to build the retail sales org, to advance the retail product offerings, and overall customer experience for retailers using Toast. Every day our team is collaborating with different members of the retail org, or other teams at Toast.”

Nick L.,Principal Retail Account Executive I

If a potential candidate wanted to hear your “why is now a great time to join the Restaurant Retail Sales Team” pitch, what would it sound like?

“Now is a great time to join the Retail Sales Team at Toast because we’re in a really exciting phase of growth. Being a part of the team right now means you’ll have a chance to shape things as we expand—your input will really matter. You won’t just be following the lead, you’ll be helping to create the future of the platform and the direction we take. It’s a time where fresh ideas and contributions are valued, and you’ll have the opportunity to make a real impact. Plus, Toast offers a supportive environment where learning and growth are a big focus, so you’ll have plenty of chances to level up your skills and advance your career. If you're looking to be part of something big and to have your voice heard, this is the perfect time to join.”

Samantha W., Principal Retail Account Executive I

“Toast has established itself as a proven innovator in the restaurant industry for the past 14 years. Now, we have the opportunity to bring that innovation to the retail space, which presents a massive total addressable market that is ripe for disruption. Imagine if you had the chance to join the Toast restaurant sales team a decade ago—knowing what you know now, would you take it? Absolutely! That’s the potential I see for Toast in retail. If you're eager to work hard, embrace challenges, and witness how a company establishes itself into a leader in the space, this team is the perfect place for you to start your journey.”

Mike C.,Senior Retail Sales Account Executive

“I firmly believe that joining Toast Retail in any capacity is a forward-looking decision. For those joining the Retail Sales team now, it presents an opportunity to serve as a representative for a new and rapidly growing vertical, in which we have a clear right to win.

This is an exciting moment in our journey, and I look forward to one day reflecting on how the foundation we are building today played a critical role in shaping our future success.”

Zorro G.,Senior Retail Account Executive

Toaster Spotlight: Lydia H., Principal IV, GTM Advisor

Tue, 25 Mar 2025 16:00:00 +0000

Meet Lydia H., who joined Toast after graduation and has been thriving here for 10 years. Read more about her journey, the key skills that drive her success, and why she believes Toast is the place to be.

1. Can you tell me about your career path and how you ended up at Toast?

Prior to Toast, my career was based in Kigali, Rwanda. I worked for the U.S. State Department as a Fulbright scholar and then partnered with the Rwandan government and Solid'Africa to construct the country's first commercial kitchen.

I met Aman and Steve in 2013 while I was completing a Masters at Harvard in post-conflict studies. On the weekends, I worked as a bottle server for Paga Group, a high end nightlife group and one of Toast's first customers.

After graduation, Aman offered me a job to "build NYC" in 2014. The rest is history and 10 years later, I am here in London undertaking a similar role to build out the U.K. market.

2. How has your career evolved since you first joined Toast?

A big question mark when I joined Toast was how and when I would be able to tie restaurant technology to my previous career and research in genocide studies and projects in Rwanda. Over the years, the launch of Toast.org - our philanthropic branch - and our work to address the pillars of food security, community, and environment have brought me full circle back to meaning, impact and purpose. I feel incredibly fortunate to have had the opportunity to relocate from NYC to London to build Toast's presence in the U.K. and also now have a direct flight to Rwanda to continue building kitchens with Solid'Africa to serve vulnerable patients in public hospitals.

3. What do you think attracts people to Toast and keeps them here long-term?

Culture is a huge part of what attracts people to Toast- and just as importantly, what keeps them here. Many sales organizations have a competitive, cutthroat culture, but what sets Toast apart is the humility of its leaders. At the very top, you’ll find people who are incredibly grounded. They’re driven, they don’t celebrate too early, they never talk down on competitors, and they hold both employees and customers to the same ethical standard.

We do our best to always do right by our customers. We don’t always get it perfect, we make mistakes, but when we do, we take responsibility and work to make it right. The same applies internally. If an employee notices something isn’t being handled the right way, whether it’s a customer situation or an internal process, they can speak up knowing leadership will take it seriously. That trust, that belief that the company will do the right thing, is what makes people stay.

Personally, what’s kept me here is the ability to carve my own career path. In most sales organizations, the trajectory is predefined: you move from sales to sales management to climb the ladder from small and midsize business to midmarket to enterprise sales. But for me, early on, it was important to have control over my time, energy, and income. At Toast, that kind of flexibility exists. Ask any Toaster who’s been here for more than two years, and they’ll tell you they’ve worked across different teams and departments. There isn’t just one set path- everyone has the ability to define their own direction.

4. What are some of the skills that make someone successful on your team?

Our values like One Team and Lead with Humility aren’t just things we say; they’re what make people successful at Toast.

The best way to see what makes Toast employees special is to watch how they respond to a problem. In many companies, when an issue arises that doesn’t fit neatly into someone's job description, people tend to step back, saying, “That’s not my job.” But at Toast, it's the opposite- people run toward the problem, eager to tackle it. There’s real energy and excitement around: “How do we fix this? How do we make this better?”

That mindset exists because no one here feels like they’re in it alone. We’re surrounded by people who genuinely care about our customers, our industry, and each other. And that shared commitment is what makes all the difference, makes someone successful here at Toast, and encourages people to apply for our roles.

Toaster Spotlight: Brett L.

Mon, 14 Apr 2025 16:00:00 +0000

Megan H.

Employer Brand Co-op

Meet Brett L., a dedicated Toaster who began his journey in the U.S. and now serves as Regional VP of Sales in the U.K. Discover how his career evolved, how the sales team continues to grow under his leadership, and how he tackles challenges along the way.

What attracted you to a career opportunity at Toast?

What drew me to Toast in the first place was how passionate everyone I met was about the product. I’m also super competitive, so I wanted to work alongside people who were just as driven and ready to win. It was clear that this was a team aiming to take over the market, and I wanted to be a part of that. Six years later, I have the opportunity to grow our market in the U.K.

How do you foster a strong sales culture within your region?

Culture is something we work on daily. For me, it’s about making sure we’re always growing and improving. When I think back on my own journey and what brought me here, one thing stands out: constant communication, especially around career development and what truly motivates each individual rep.

At the end of the day, Toast is an incredible product, but without the right people to support and sell it, we can’t move forward.

That’s why feedback plays such a big role in our culture. It’s not always the feedback you want to hear, but it’s the feedback you need in order to grow. We have to be intentional about it every day to ensure we’re building a stable, strong team.

Working in the U.K. adds another layer to this. Coming from the U.S. into a new market, we need to lead with curiosity. We’ll make mistakes, but that’s part of the process—we just have to learn quickly and ask the right questions to adapt. The U.K. market isn’t one-size-fits-all. London is not Liverpool, and Liverpool isn’t Manchester.

Long story short, culture isn’t a box to check. It’s an ongoing commitment.

What excites you about growing our team globally and specifically in the U.K.?

Early days at Toast are some of my most memorable moments. The gritty mindset of figuring things out as you go, that’s something we’ve always done well. There was this scrappy energy, celebrating wins like giddy deals, and just pushing forward together.

Now, we’re in a different stage and that comes with new challenges. What excites me for our EMEA region is that we’re building processes we never had before. A majority of our team in the U.K. is within their first year, so their perspective and energy is still incredibly fresh. The tenure might not be there yet, but you can already see the impact of experience taking root. If we continue to foster the culture we’ve built, combined with a great product—it’s a solid recipe for success.

What advice would you give someone aspiring to move into a leadership role in sales?

The biggest piece of advice I’d give is to make sure you’re doing it for the right reasons. Leadership becomes truly meaningful when you’re motivated by helping others succeed, even more than chasing your own success. For me, when I was mentoring reps, I found so much more joy in watching them apply something I’d shared and seeing it actually work for them, than I did from closing a deal myself. That’s when I realized I was ready to take the next step into leadership.

I’ve been incredibly fortunate to work with amazing leaders who believed in me, gave me opportunities, and empowered me to grow into my role. Now, I see it as my responsibility to pay that forward—to create the same kind of experience for others. If we don’t do that, we’re missing a huge piece of the culture we’re trying to build.

How do you continue to grow and challenge yourself in this role?

I think Toast does an incredible job of enabling us by giving us opportunities to grow and expand globally. If you had asked me six years ago if I’d ever be living in the U.K, I would’ve never believed it. I hadn’t even left the U.S. and yet, here I am.

When it comes to challenging ourselves, the confidence I have in our product makes those challenges feel a little less intimidating. I truly believe in what we’re doing, and I have a ton of trust in our senior leadership. That belief makes a huge difference.

The biggest impact I think I can make now is helping reps feel that same level of confidence. I watched Toast navigate COVID-19– one of the most difficult times for the restaurant industry. Even when people couldn’t go out to eat, Toast helped restaurants stay afloat. We provided tools that helped them continue serving their communities, and we faced those challenges together. That moment was incredibly powerful for me.

So when I talk about Toast to a potential customer or a new rep, I speak from a place of real passion because I’ve seen firsthand how transformative our partnership can be.

Toaster Spotlight: Numan

Fri, 09 May 2025 16:00:00 +0000

Ashling R.

New Hire Success Specialist

Meet Numan, a Customer Care Expert based in Toast’s Ireland office, who brings warmth, quick thinking and a whole lot of heart to everything he does. From helping restaurants through high-stress situations to shaping product improvements behind the scenes, he’s a brilliant example of what it means to be part of Toast.

Can you tell us a little about yourself and your role at Toast?

I joined Toast in February 2024, as a Technical Customer Care Specialist. Since then, I’ve advanced to my current role as a Customer Care Expert. Based in our Ireland office, I am part of the team that supports restaurant and retail customers in resolving technical issues, navigating the platform, and making the most of everything Toast has to offer. This promotion reflected not only my personal growth but also Toast’s commitment to developing internal talent.

My role goes beyond just providing top-tier customer support. I also act as a key connector between our customers and the broader Toast ecosystem. Being on the frontlines allows me to identify recurring issues and work closely with cross-functional teams like Product Management and Software Development to advocate for improvements that truly benefit our customers.

It’s incredibly fulfilling to know that the insights I gather from daily interactions help drive long-term enhancements to the Toast platform.

What’s unique about working in the Ireland office, and how would you describe the team culture?

Working in the Ireland office is truly something special. We’re located right in the heart of Dublin City, just opposite the beautiful St. Stephen’s Green Park. The Ireland office strikes a perfect balance between local charm and global connection.

While we’re part of a larger international company, our team here has a close-knit, community feel. Everyone is genuinely supportive—whether it’s a quick Slack message or a casual chat over coffee in the kitchen, you always feel like you’re part of something meaningful.

The Ireland team is widely recognized across Toast for our collaborative, people-first culture and the positive energy we bring. It’s a place where you can be your full self—there’s a constant buzz of laughter and support, even on the busiest days and that helps keep morale high.

What I especially love is how much we value and celebrate different cultures. The team regularly organizes cultural events that reflect traditions from all over the world—think themed lunches, festive decorations and special activities that bring everyone together. These moments not only energize the team but also create a strong sense of inclusion and pride. I’m truly proud to be part of a workplace that embraces diversity and makes it part of our everyday experience.

Can you share a memorable customer interaction that made an impact on you?

One interaction that has really stuck with me involved a small family-run restaurant that was struggling during a particularly busy weekend service. Their system went down temporarily and the stress was palpable. I stayed on the line with them, calmly walked them through the issue and got everything up and running again.

At the end of the call, the owner actually got emotional and thanked me for not just solving the issue, but for “being human” and staying calm.

That moment really captured what makes Toast different—putting people first, even in high-pressure situations. It was a true reflection of one of our core Toast values and what it really means when we say, “We’re one Team”.

Moments like that remind me that our work goes way beyond tech support—it’s about showing up for people when they need us most.

How does Toast support your growth and career development?

Toast has truly been a game-changer for my personal and professional growth. One of the things I appreciate most is how Toast continuously creates opportunities for individuals to grow and shine.

Every day in my role brings new learnings and challenges that help me improve my skills and broaden my experience. Toast really fosters a learning environment where curiosity is encouraged and innovation is celebrated.

I’m currently working on an exciting project that explores how AI can be integrated into the Toast system—something I never imagined being part of so early in my career. But that’s the thing about Toast—there are no limits when it comes to growth and opportunity.

The support from leadership and managers is another key factor. They’re always approachable, encouraging and genuinely invested in helping you succeed. Whether it’s career development, skill-building or just having a sounding board, they make sure you never feel like you’re on your own. It’s this combination of opportunity, learning and support that makes Toast a truly empowering place to work.

Partnering with Purpose: Xevious S. on Supporting C•CAP Through Toast

Mon, 19 May 2025 16:00:00 +0000

Megan H.

Employer Brand Co-op

At Toast, we’re serving up more than just technology—we’re investing in the future of culinary education through our partnership with Culinary Careers Program (C•CAP), a U.S.-based nonprofit organization providing culinary training and career readiness skills primarily to underserved middle and high school students.

Toast is proud to be in the second-year of its two year partnership with C•CAP, working to empower the next generation of culinary talent. In addition to providing philanthropic support, Toast is piloting a program to provide donated Toast POS systems to select schools that partner with C•CAP in New York, Phoenix, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Chicago, and the D.C. area.

We caught up with Toaster Xevious S. who played a key role in helping get John Dewey High School - a C•CAP school in Brooklyn, NY - set up with Toast equipment for their experiential restaurant learning lab, JD’s Place. Hear more about his role at Toast and involvement in C•CAP:

What led you to Toast? And how did you get involved with C•CAP?

I joined Toast in October 2021 after several years in the industry, including time at a competitor from 2015 to 2020, which gave me a strong foundation. After exploring new opportunities, I was drawn to Toast’s mission and reached out about available roles. True to Toast’s culture, the team was welcoming and supportive throughout the process. Since joining, it’s been a rewarding experience, and I’m grateful to be part of such a dynamic company.

I got involved with C•CAP after looking for opportunities to contribute beyond my role. I connected with Sarah D., the Onboarding Director for Supplier & Accounting, who was helping lead the initiative. After speaking with her, I felt it was exactly what I was looking for—a meaningful way to apply my skills while gaining exposure to areas outside of my usual work as an Onboarding Consultant. It’s been such a rewarding experience so far, and ultimately, it just felt like the right next step in my Toast journey.

What does it mean to you to be able to help high schoolers get a jump start in their culinary careers?

Seeing young people explore and learn more about the culinary and hospitality industry is something that really resonates with me, especially since I’ve worked in it myself. I believe it's an incredibly valuable field that teaches practical, real-world skills—but often doesn’t get the recognition it deserves.

Helping students discover new paths to success can truly impact the course of their lives. Not every student dreams of becoming an accountant, some are creatives or passionate individuals with untapped potential. C•CAP creates a space where they can feel comfortable expressing that side of themselves.

Whether they’re learning management skills, teamwork, or even getting hands-on with meal preparation, these experiences can open doors to future careers as chefs, restaurant owners, or operators. Some of the most successful people I know today started out as bartenders, servers, or chefs, and have gone on to become leaders and entrepreneurs in the industry.

How do you think empowering high school students can create a ripple effect in their communities?

I truly believe that empowering people to follow their passions and develop their skills will always lead to positive outcomes. For students especially, there are so many paths and expectations placed on them, but not everyone fits neatly into those molds. Sometimes, students don’t feel like they fit in anywhere, which can lead to feelings of isolation or a lack of social acceptance.

That’s why helping young people find a space where they feel seen, confident, and comfortable is so important. It gives them the confidence to show up, participate, and engage with the world around them. Honestly, the same goes for adults—but for teenage students in particular, programs like this can really lift them up and give them a sense of pride and purpose.

I saw this firsthand during my time with John Dewey High School in Brooklyn at our first go-live for the program. The students were so engaged and proud of the work they were doing. They took real pride in the way they handled customers and in the food they prepared. It was one of those moments that confirmed for me just how powerful the partnership between Toast and C•CAP is.

Toaster Spotlight: Marshall H., Facilities Manager

Wed, 25 Jun 2025 16:00:00 +0000

Sara L.,

Workplace Experience Co-op

Meet Marshall H., our facilities manager, who has been at Toast for almost four years. At Toast, he’s been given the tools and opportunities to explore new areas within the field, allowing his career to flourish. In the ever-evolving world of corporate real estate, being able to anticipate future needs is more important than ever. Proactive, forward-thinking strategies can make all the difference in shaping a positive experience within our spaces.

When creating a space for Toasters, what Toast value resonates with you the most and how does it influence your approach with space?

The Toast value that resonates most with me is “We’re all one team.” It reminds me to think globally- ensuring every Toaster, no matter where they are or what team they’re on, has a consistent, seamless experience in their space. I’m proud to take on that challenge, knowing that how someone works in Taipei might differ from someone in Boston, just as the needs of a Customer Care team differ from those of Sales. Understanding those nuances while keeping the “one team” mentality at core is key to creating spaces that truly support everyone.

What are some key factors that you try to implement to help encourage collaboration among Toasters in our spaces?

Technology is the key feature we use to support collaboration across our spaces. Tools like D10s (mobile teleconference rooms) and interactive tech zones allow Toasters to connect globally from anywhere in the office, making seamless communication and flexibility the norm. It’s a big shift from just five years ago, and I’m proud to help enable this forward- thinking environment.

One of the most impactful tools we use is OfficeSpace, which allows Toasters to book desks and rooms, see who else is in the office, and choose where to sit based on who they’re working with. It even maps out departmental sones, making it easier to navigate and connect. The ability to preview room layouts and check availability- whether you’re booking a conference room locally or planning a trip to Dublin- means Toasters can proactively prepare for their day. Overall this proactive approach powered by technology has significantly evolved how the facilities team supports collaboration across all our spaces.

When designing and creating workspaces for Toasters, what does success look like in terms of how those spaces function?

When designing a space, a key focus is modularity and ensuring teams can collaborate effectively. We always ask: What does this team need from this space, and how can the Facilities team support that, especially knowing a different team might use the same area the next day? For example, in Boston, we have anchor days where different teams rotate through the same spaces. Engineering might use a space one day, and Sales the next, each with different needs. The question becomes: can the space adapt for large meetings, collaborative sessions, or heads-down work? Can it accommodate all those uses seamlessly? That’s what I constantly think about, and on the Workplace Experience Team, it’s our job to make sure using the space is as easy and flexible as possible.

What are some next steps or goals that you have in mind to be executed in the Boston office?

I believe that technology will continue to improve and enhance how we interact with our spaces, helping us use them more seamlessly. From devices that measure temperature and air quality to technologies that operate proactively without user activation, these advancements allow my team to stay ahead of issues, which is why we receive very few reactive tickets. I anticipate that as these tools become more widely implemented, feedback will decrease further. At the same time, inclusivity remains a major focus in how we activate our spaces. With features like height-adjustable desks, all-gender bathrooms, ergonomic furniture, quiet zones, and our low-sensory meditation room, we’re creating environments that are not only seamless but also fully accessible to everyone. Ultimately, I see technology and inclusivity as central pillars shaping the future of facilities.

Meet the Leader: Kavita Viswanath

Fri, 30 May 2025 01:57:43 +0000

Toast Careers

Meet Kavita V., SVP and India Country Lead, who is passionate about turning challenges into opportunities and driving sustainable growth. In this spotlight, Kavita shares her background, what brought her to Toast, her advice for others, and insights into what it’s like to work at Toast India.

Tell us a little bit about your background.

I was born and raised in Mumbai, the vibrant financial and film capital of India. While I grew up surrounded by the energy of these industries, my passion led me down a different path — software engineering.

As the youngest of three siblings, I was often seen as the outlier, not just because of my career choice but also my interests outside academics. I played basketball competitively at the state level, trek annually in the Himalayas for weeks, and am an avid birdwatcher — if I’m ever on leave, there's a good chance I’m out chasing birds!

I began my professional journey as a software developer in the financial services sector, building products for investment and brokerage firms. A pivotal moment came when I joined Oracle, which led me to relocate from Mumbai to Bangalore — the software capital of India — marking a new chapter in my career.

What drew you to Toast and the restaurant tech industry?

My husband was in the food tech space, running a bakery chain in India and leveraging technology to automate operations wherever possible. It was during this time that I first came across Toast. These were still early days for the company, but what immediately caught my attention was how Toast was one of the rare vertical SaaS companies that achieved significant success, despite serving a traditionally low-tech industry like restaurants.

This growth story was clearly fueled by an exceptional product that deeply understood and served customer needs. What stood out to me even more was the passion of the people behind Toast and their close connection with the community they served — something truly unique, and perhaps the real "secret sauce" behind their success.

What do you think differentiates Toast’s technology team and what excites you about the growth opportunity ahead?

Toast’s Technology team is led by a highly experienced group of leaders who have a proven track record of building and scaling successful products. What sets us apart is our ability to think ahead of the curve, embrace the latest tools and technologies, and our willingness to experiment — especially when it drives meaningful value for our customers.

There is a huge opportunity ahead of us with growth in new geographies, new verticals and in enterprise - such an incredibly exciting time to be a part of the company.

How would you describe the Toast culture in India?

Toast in India serves as a vibrant hub for R&D, G&A, Customer Care and multiple operational teams across our Bangalore and Chennai offices. We operate as One Team, with a vision to build a site that is a truly integral part of the entire Toast ecosystem.

India’s culture is incredibly diverse, with nuances that vary from state to state. Yet what unites us as “India Toasters” is our ability to embrace the Toast culture while giving it a uniquely Indian flavor. Whether it's our relentless focus on Customer Success or the ownership mindset we bring to our work, passion runs deep in everything we do.

And if you ever visit us in India, there’s one thing you’ll notice immediately — we are Hungry to Build and Learn!

Which Toast value resonates with you the most?

At Toast, we believe we are all in Customer Success — and this is the top value I personally identify with. Customers are at the center of everything we do. Whenever I'm faced with a decision or in doubt, I ask myself: Will this activity or decision impact the customer, and how?

Being truly customer-centric — putting the customer before self or team — ensures that we are always moving in the right direction. It's this mindset that drives meaningful impact and lasting success.

What advice would you give to someone looking to join the Toast team in India?

If you are hungry to learn and passionate about building, then you’re missing out by not being part of Toast India. Today, we are in an exciting phase of building and scaling our teams here. But we aren’t just looking for talented A-players — we’re looking for people who are willing to go above and beyond for our customers and truly enjoy the journey.

We need bar raisers — individuals who are committed to pushing boundaries, setting new standards, and making a real impact.

How do you balance global best practices with local market dynamics to create an effective work culture?

Global best practices have earned their name because they are tried, tested, and proven across different businesses and industries. However, to ensure they work as intended, it’s critical to adapt them thoughtfully to the local culture, people, and market nuances.

If we take a cookie-cutter approach and apply best practices without tailoring them, we run a high risk of failure — or, at the very least, unintended outcomes. True success lies in balancing proven models with local relevance.

For instance, continuous feedback is a global best practice to supplement annual reviews. In markets like India, where direct feedback can be sensitive, the approach needs adapting — such as using more structured, appreciative feedback formats instead of casual, real-time conversations.The principle stays the same, but the delivery respects local culture, making it far more effective.

What key industry trends do you believe will shape the software sector in India in the coming years?

1. Accelerated AI and Automation Adoption

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) are revolutionizing the software industry in India. By 2025, it's projected that 75% of Indian enterprises will integrate AI into their processes. Companies are investing heavily in India, with plans to increase their workforce to leverage the country's AI talent. Not just that, we have also seen multi nationals setting up their Centres of Excellence for AI in India due to the talent density in this domain.

2. Growth in Software Product Market

India's software product market is experiencing robust growth, projected to reach USD 101.64 billion by 2030, up from USD 43.1 billion in 2024, reflecting a CAGR of 15.2% (Research & Markets). This expansion is fueled by increasing domestic innovation and a growing appetite for enterprise software solutions.

3. Emphasis on Cybersecurity and Data Privacy

With the proliferation of digital services, there is a heightened focus on cybersecurity. As businesses adopt AI and cloud technologies, ensuring robust data protection and compliance with global standards becomes paramount.

4. Rise of Generative AI and DeepTech

Generative AI is gaining traction in India, with applications in content creation, product design, and customer service. The government's IndiaAI Mission is enhancing access to AI resources, aiming to foster innovation and support developers with affordable computing infrastructure.

These trends indicate a dynamic and rapidly evolving software landscape in India, presenting opportunities for innovation, investment, and global collaboration.

What leadership lessons have shaped your career, and how do they guide your decisions today?

Lead with humility and conviction, but show compassion. Leading a business is different from leading people, but excelling at both is crucial for success. Business decisions are data-driven, objective, and focused on customer needs and business metrics. However, leading people is about valuing individuals for who they are, embracing diversity, and, at times, making tough decisions — but always doing so with humility. For me, striking the right balance between these two is key to effective leadership.

Investing in Learning That Matters

Tue, 03 Jun 2025 16:00:00 +0000

Srishti G.

Senior Program Manager, Technology Enablement

At Toast, learning is more than encouraged—it’s expected, supported, and celebrated. Every Toaster receives a professional development stipend, renewed annually, to support their growth in ways that are meaningful to them. For Toasters in India, that means access to funds that can be used for online courses, certifications, training programs, degrees, inclusive learning, textbooks, conferences, exams, and more. Here’s how five Toasters in India are using that support to grow boldly and intentionally.

Toast’s professional development stipend enabled me to pursue the U.S. CPA certification. Since my role regularly involves U.S. GAAP, I wanted to deepen my expertise and handle complex accounting scenarios with more confidence. The CPA sharpened my technical skills, boosted my confidence, and helped me bring more value to my work. The stipend removed the financial barrier and gave me the freedom to pursue something deeply aligned with my career goals. It’s empowering to know I can keep building my skills while contributing more meaningfully to my team and our finance strategy.
— Nandhita K. (She/Her), Accounting Manager (Chennai)

My professional development stipend facilitated a mix of hands-on learning: a React course, TypeScript deep dive, system design training by A. Bhayani, and even a copy of The Staff Engineer’s Path. These helped sharpen my frontend skills, deepen my system design knowledge, and broaden my thinking beyond just code. This focus has made me more effective, more strategic, and more prepared for senior roles. It’s helped me grow in both day-to-day execution and long-term career direction. Toast’s support here isn’t just nice to have—it’s a major career accelerator.
— Abhishek S. (He/Him), Software Developer II (Bangalore)

I invested in Playwright, Appium, and API automation—tools that are crucial for building scalable, efficient test systems. I chose a certified course with hands-on practice, which helped me understand and implement modern automation standards right away. The best part? I was able to use what I learned to support real projects—and also guide teammates who were new to automation. It’s not just about technical growth, it’s about enabling impact at scale. Toast investing in this kind of growth motivates me to keep pushing myself.
— Sadik Basha D (He/Him), Senior QA Engineer (Chennai)

The stipend allowed me to complete a six-month certification in HR Management and Analytics from IIM Kozhikode, which included training in Excel, Power BI, and topics like workforce planning and retention analytics. Coming from an engineering background and working in Talent Acquisition, I wanted a more structured and data-informed approach to people strategy. This course helped me connect the dots between data and decision-making, and gave me the confidence to contribute more strategically in hiring and beyond. The stipend wasn’t just financial support—it was a clear sign that Toast believes in our long-term growth.
— Aishwarya G. (She/Her), Talent Acquisition Partner (Bangalore)

The stipend empowered me to pursue an MBA that focuses on business strategy, financial analysis, and leadership. I wanted to strengthen my ability to think cross-functionally and contribute to Toast beyond my core role. The MBA has helped me grow both professionally and personally, giving me the tools to understand big-picture challenges and work more effectively across teams. Having access to the stipend meant I didn’t have to delay or second-guess this decision. It was the right learning at the right time—and Toast made it possible.
— Sameer Nawaz S (He/Him), IT HelpDesk Analyst (Bangalore)

Designing Our Future, Together

Tue, 17 Jun 2025 16:00:00 +0000

Urmi Majitthia Raithatha - Director, People Products

Jeff M. - Vice President, Talent Acquisition

Our Story of AI Transformation in the People Team

The world of work is evolving at an unprecedented pace. As leaders in the People Team, we see this not as a challenge to be feared, but as an opportunity to be seized. Our guiding principle has always been to build exceptional human experiences, and in the age of AI, that mission has never been more critical.

This led us to a fundamental question. It wasn't if we should use AI, but how we could use it to amplify our humanity, empower our people, and make work better for everyone. The inspiration came from a simple but powerful idea: to democratize innovation. Instead of solutions being handed down, we wanted to empower our teams—the people closest to the daily challenges and opportunities—to become the architects of their own future.

And so, we launched our People AI Transformation, a company-wide journey that we kicked off with our inaugural hackathon—a bet on our people's creativity and their deep expertise in the employee experience.

An Approach Rooted in People, Not Just Technology

From the beginning, we knew this couldn't be just another tech event or top-down transformation. Our approach was driven by a deep sense of purpose: intentional learning, collaborative building, and an unwavering focus on how AI can enhance the human experience, not replace it.

Externally, the trend is undeniable: AI is becoming a fundamental part of how work gets done. To sit back and wait would be to fall behind. Internally, like any growing organization, we face the challenge of scaling our impact without scaling our complexity. We needed to streamline processes and free up our team to focus on the high-touch, strategic, and deeply human aspects of their roles.

Our Chief People Officer, Mike Gutner, set the stage perfectly, challenging us to "design and build the processes and tools your future self wishes you had." It was a call to action to make our day-to-day easier and, ultimately, deliver better human service.

Making AI Accessible for Everyone

To bring that vision to life, our first priority was making AI accessible for everyone. Since the People team is often thought of as a non-technical function, making this transformation feel unintimidating was crucial. We focused on two principles:

Frame it Around Problems, Not Code. The challenge wasn't "Build an AI tool." It was "Solve a problem you face every day." We made it clear that a deep understanding of a process was just as valuable as technical skill.
Build a Robust Safety Net. No one was expected to be an expert. We provided an inspirational speaker, an inspiration list of 35 problems where AI could immediately add value, bite-sized AI training, and support from dedicated AI and data coaches. We encouraged employees to bring their unique ideas, while providing them the support needed to bring them to life.

Kicking Off Transformation with a Spark of Innovation

To truly spark creativity, our kick-off blended deep learning with playful participation. We were thrilled to host Johannes Sundlo, a recognized top 100 HR leader in AI, who shared powerful insights emerging AI trends and real-word use cases. He gave our teams a tangible sense of what’s possible.

Inspiration doesn't just come from presentations; it comes from participation. To demystify AI and model our hands-on culture, we hosted a Leadership Cook-Off, where each leader had to use AI to develop a business case for their recipe. This event embodied Toasters’ love for food while showing our leaders joyfully and humbly experimenting. This immediately broke down barriers and made it safe for everyone else to try, learn, and even fail.

Two Days of Collaboration, Learning, and Pure Magic

To translate this inspiration into action and fast-track our transformation, we hosted the initiative's first major event: the People & Places Hackathon. With our global, cross-functional teams ready, the energy was electric. Our guiding principle was to prioritize learning and demonstrate impact. We chose a three-day duration—the sweet spot to allow teams across time zones to collaborate on a meaningful minimum viable product (MVP) while maintaining high energy.

We provided access to powerful, user-friendly tools like Google Gemini, complete with prompt cheat sheets, and offered licenses for platforms like Replit and Google Notebook LLM for teams that wanted to build more complex solutions. The goal wasn't to standardize the tools but to empower every participant.

Submissions were structured as pitch sessions where teams presented their problem, solution, MVP, and its potential impact. This leveled the playing field, ensuring the best ideas—not just the most complex code—could win. The result was incredible: 23 distinct hacks were created, each one a potential solution to a real-world challenge.

From Idea to Impact: A Team's Story

One of those hacks perfectly illustrates the event's power. Charlotte Holler, Director of Global Benefits & Mobility, shared her experience tackling a core strategic challenge: operationalizing our Employee Value Proposition (EVP).

"I went in with a bit of trepidation, as I primarily use Gemini for day-to-day tasks. My colleague, Sammy Viger, sparked the idea: 'We should do a hackathon focused on operationalizing our EVP.' I was a little unsure how AI could tackle something so strategic and, honestly, still in draft form. But the thought of dedicating two days to this with an amazing team was incredibly appealing!

Our team—including Sammy Viger, Vivek Muthappa, Christina Asadorian, and Aimee Snyder—dove in, first familiarizing ourselves with the tools. We spent a lot of time discussing the EVP and creating specific 'proof points' to define it. We reached out to other teams for artifacts and leveraged all of these inputs to create a Training Module to upload into Gemini. Seeing Gemini analyze the documentation, surface strengths, and highlight key opportunities—aligning with what we would have recommended—was incredibly impactful!

Another fantastic aspect of the Hackathon was collaborating with colleagues we don't typically interact with. We had enough time and space to think big-picture and even have a little fun playing around with the technology. Finally, the hackathon event itself was inspiring. Hearing all the innovative ideas from other teams and then presenting our work to the judges for their feedback was invaluable. It was a truly great experience, and I'm genuinely excited to learn more about AI and how it can continue to enhance our daily work on the People team!”

A New Confidence and a Look Ahead

Charlotte’s story encapsulates the outcomes we hoped to inspire: a new confidence in our teams, practical solutions to real problems, and a cultural shift toward continuous innovation.

The impact extends far beyond the hackathon projects. We didn't just build projects; we built confidence. We've since launched 23 agile, product-oriented 'dream teams'—a term coined by our own employees—that now involve 72% of our People and Places workforce. These teams are actively shipping projects that enhance productivity and daily experiences for everyone. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with many calling it one of the most memorable and impactful transformations they have experienced. Our story seems to resonate with leaders outside our walls as well, sparking discussions about our people-first approach—focusing not just on AI, but on amplifying the human experience through intentional learning, empowerment, and playful experimentation.

Today, our winning teams are receiving leadership coaching and funding to bring their projects to life, while other promising hacks have been added to our product backlogs, and several have already shipped—delivering immediate value and improving daily work for our employees. The result is a new sense of agency and curiosity across our People team, with colleagues now regularly asking, "How can AI help us amplify the human experience?"

This kick-off event was the start of a movement, proving that when you empower your people with the right tools, training, and a culture of fearless creativity, they will design a better future. This was a pivotal moment, marking a new chapter in the story of People. And we’re just getting started.

Our Recipe: Key Ingredients for a Successful AI Transformation

For any leader looking to plan a similar transformation, here is our advice:

Ground Your Transformation in a Compelling ‘Why’. Don't host a hackathon for the sake of it. Root it in a meaningful business challenge or cultural goal.
Secure Authentic Leadership, Not Just Approval. Your leaders must be all in. Their visible engagement, vulnerability, and willingness to be beginners themselves sets the tone for the entire organization and proves the AI transformation is a true priority.
Create a Shared Vision Through Inclusion. Lasting change management happens more easily when it's a shared journey. We put immense thought, care, and dedication into involving team members from day one, ensuring everyone felt like a co-author of our transformation.
Forge Enterprise Partnerships. We believe that innovation is a team sport and were intentional about building bridges, not silos. Partnering with IT and R&D gave us seamless access to AI tools and a smooth registration process, while our collaboration with the Insights team allowed us to arm our teams with the data they needed to define impactful, data-driven problems.
Build a Psychological Safety Net. You cannot ask people to be fearless without a net. Invest in accessible training, expert coaches, and easy-to-find resources to create an environment where it's safe to experiment and learn.
Playfully Introduce a Product-Oriented Mindset. Shift the focus from "implementing AI" to "solving user problems." Encourage teams to fall in love with the problem, not just the solution. This reframes the work and empowers people. We even made the new mindset a visible part of the journey by embedding product principles into fun Zoom backgrounds that teams used proudly.
Honor the Effort with Clear Follow-Through. A burst of creative energy loses all power if the ideas disappear into a void. Before you begin, have a clear plan for the winning projects and promising ideas.
Celebrate the Energy and Have Fun! Remember that innovation is fueled by positive energy. The goal isn't just to build projects; it's to build connections.

Are you interested in joining a team that’s revolutionizing the People & Places space? Check out our open jobs here!

Asian & Pacific Islander Heritage in Action: 5 Lessons on Leadership and Legacy

Tue, 24 Jun 2025 16:00:00 +0000

Megan H.

Employer Brand Co-op

As we celebrate Asian and Pacific Islander cultures and their global contributions, Toast's employee resource group, TAPIOCA (Toast Asian & Pacific Islander Opportunities, Community, and Advancement), recently hosted a powerful internal panel. Members shared deeply personal reflections on how tradition, resilience, and representation have intricately shaped their individual and professional journeys, offering profound lessons for us all.

Lesson 1: Embrace and Take Pride in Your Family's Heritage

There's immense strength and pride to be found in your family's heritage. Liz F. shared her family's inspiring journey to the U.S., sparked by her grandfather's pursuit of political asylum from the Kachin Tribe in Burma (Myanmar). His experiences taught Liz the power of storytelling—a skill that's been a game-changer in her sales role. As she put it: "A retail sales role takes a lot of grit and it’s been inherent in the way my grandparents and parents have worked their entire lives." That resilience, passed down through generations, fuels her drive.

Katie K. also emphasized the importance of intentionally honoring your roots. "I wish that we would take up space unapologetically and embrace changes courageously, carrying forward our own legacies that deserve to shine in every part of the world, every corner, every office," she shared.

In a heartwarming example of how heritage can inspire everyday actions, Shilpa M. shared a cherished memory. Her father, a banker in India, worked half days on Saturdays. On those days, her mom would make "pitha," sweet fritters similar to donuts. Shilpa carried this tradition into her professional life. "When I worked in an office, I would fry up donuts on Friday and bring them for my team to share." It’s a simple, beautiful way she connects her upbringing to fostering community at work.

Lesson 2: Let Community Teach You Grace, Empathy, and Connection

Beyond shared stories and delicious food, family gatherings are often profound teachers of grace, empathy, and the lasting value of human connection. Liz F. remembers a simple yet impactful lesson from her grandfather: always be the last person in line for the buffet – a gesture signifying the importance of putting others first. "On the retail side, I’m often chatting with single family business owners and I’m able to use those skills [to relate to them],” Liz shared while reflecting on how this lesson impacts her everyday life. “It makes me feel proud to get to bring Toast Retail over to their businesses and their families." This example shows how deeply ingrained family values can translate into authentic professional relationships.

Anthony W. also highlighted the critical role of support networks. He makes it clear to his mentees that "it’s super important to have a support network at work where people raise you up and advocate for you." It speaks to the collective wisdom found within supportive communities, much like a family.

Lesson 3: Understand That Tradition Exists in Two Forms: Values and Customs

The panelists clarified that tradition isn't just one thing; it shows up in two powerful ways: the foundational values instilled during your upbringing and the customs you consciously adopt throughout your life.

Bo H. brings this to life in his work with the multilingual onboarding team. The respect instilled in him by tradition helps him approach language barriers with patience and empathy, creating a truly supportive experience for new restaurant owners. As Bo eloquently stated, "I’m really proud of where I come from. I’m committed to honoring those legacies through hard work and respect." It's a powerful reminder that honoring tradition isn't just about looking back; it’s about applying those timeless lessons to build a meaningful and impactful life.

Lesson 4: Even If Parts of Your Story Are Missing, What Matters Most Is the Future You Choose to Create

Sometimes, parts of our personal story might be unknown or incomplete. The panel emphasized that what truly matters is the future you choose to build for yourself. Katie K., a Korean adoptee, shared a moving testament to resilience, rooted in both her adopted family and her Korean heritage. Despite growing up in a predominantly white community, her parents intentionally fostered a strong connection to her cultural background. She attended Korean school, learned traditional games, and embraced customs. While she might not have fully appreciated it at the time, Katie now understands the profound significance: "Being able to look back as an adult and seeing how they were building a foundation of place and understanding that I get to carry with me to this day." Her story powerfully illustrates how intentional efforts can bridge gaps and build a strong sense of identity.

Lesson 5: Own Your Achievements Confidently and Unapologetically—Let Adversity Shape You

The panelists also highlighted the transformative power of adversity and the importance of confidently owning your accomplishments. Shilpa M. recounted the challenges of moving between states in India, where language often created barriers and feelings of exclusion in new schools. This adversity, however, cultivated her tenacity and ability to quickly learn new languages, forging a powerful sense of adaptability and determination.

Adding to this, a common thread among the panelists was the encouragement for fellow Toasters to take credit for their accomplishments rather than brushing them off. This powerful message champions self-advocacy and a confident embrace of your achievements, reminding us that every challenge overcome contributes to a stronger, more resilient you.

The TAPIOCA panel powerfully demonstrated that our diverse backgrounds are not just personal histories but wellsprings of strength, empathy, and innovation. By embracing our heritage, fostering supportive communities, and confidently owning our unique journeys, we not only honor the paths that led us here but also forge a more inclusive and dynamic future for our communities. What lessons from your own journey will you share to enrich our collective story?

Thank you to our TAPIOCA Toasters for providing these insights!

Liz F., Senior Retail Account Executive

Bo H., Onboarding Consultant II, SMB Emerging Markets

Katie K., Care Escalations Advisor

Anthony W., Senior Software Engineer

Shilpa M., Associate Director Payments

Toast to the Earth

Thu, 26 Jun 2025 21:24:34 +0000

Sam Z.

Program Manager, Toast.org

Toast.org hosted the fourth annual global Toast to the Earth, a month-long event designed to bring the best of Toast – our people, our product and our philanthropy – to make the world a healthier, more sustainable place. Centered around Earth month, Toast to the Earth featured a collection of activities for Toasters to work together, driven by purpose and impact, to help our planet throughout April. This year, our local committees deepened their alignment with the Toast.org mission by organizing volunteer events focused on the environment, food recovery, and community agriculture.

Toasters in Omaha

This meaningful gesture set the tone for what turned out to be an inspiring few weeks of collective action. This year's Toast to the Earth was extremely successful, uniting Toasters around the world through 58 volunteer events. For every hour volunteered, participants earned donation rewards in Benevity to donate to a cause of their choice. In addition to these efforts, we awarded over $200,000 in grants to local organizations, selected by our 68 local committee chairs. Beyond volunteering, we hosted a powerful webinar in partnership with Spoonfuls, where participants learned about food waste recovery and how to reduce waste at home by joining the Food Waste Recovery Challenge. Ireland also contributed by hosting an insightful webinar on reducing digital pollution and promoting sustainable development practices.

This aligned perfectly with the mission of Toast to the Earth, which centers on promoting sustainability and finding meaningful ways to positively impact the environment. This year, in addition to our core focus on environmental efforts and supporting local communities, we expanded our mission to include hunger relief. Many teams dedicated time to planting seedlings in community gardens, with the harvests later donated to those in need. Activities throughout the month reflected a thoughtful blend of environmental stewardship and food security.

Atlanta Team volunteering with Food Well Alliance and Historic Westside Gardens

Charlotte Toasters at Nourish Up

Toast to the Earth is one of our largest annual activations, encouraging participation from all employees. A highlight of the initiative is the Employee Grants Challenge, a pitch competition designed to spotlight environmental organizations focused on hunger relief. This year, we selected 12 finalists and awarded $45,000 in grants to organizations championed by Toasters across the globe.

Each finalist presented their chosen organization during a special Earth Day webinar, where senior leaders evaluated pitches based on impact, alignment with our company’s purpose, and opportunities for employee engagement. One of this year’s winners, Jessica LZ., dedicated her grant to Denver Urban Gardens in honor of her late father. Her story exemplifies how the Employee Grants Challenge not only empowers employees to support causes they care deeply about, but also offers a platform to make personal connections and share meaningful experiences.

What made this year especially impactful was the launch of Food Rescue Week during the final week of April, encouraging Toasters to participate in food rescues through our new partner, Food Rescue US, or a local organization of their choice. The initiative led to 8 successful rescues, saving over 1,000 pounds of food from going to waste, from both retail stores and an in-office lunch. Food Rescue Week seamlessly aligned with our core values of supporting food access, strengthening communities, and protecting the environment.

Boston Toasters at FoodLink

Food Rescue Week

Across the globe, our international teams embraced Toast to the Earth in meaningful and diverse ways! In Bangalore, Toasters partnered with the RUVA Foundation to build sparrow homes, which were placed in the restored forest areas of Bannerghatta National Park, directly contributing to the conservation of endangered sparrows. In Ireland, the team rolled up their sleeves at GLAS Community Gardens, preparing garden beds for a successful growing season. Meanwhile, the Calgary team hosted their first-ever Toast.org event, supporting Mustard Seed, an organization that provides meals while tackling food waste and related social issues.

Bangalore Team making Sparrow Homes

Calgary Team

Thank you to our incredible community of Toasters who consistently show up with a desire to make a difference. We’re proud to be a global company that not only values giving back but is powered by employees who live that value everyday. Here’s to growing our impact even more in the year ahead!

Building Belonging: Celebrating Pride Month 2025

Tue, 01 Jul 2025 16:00:00 +0000

Gabby D.

Copywriter

As we celebrate Pride Month throughout June, we’re spotlighting Multigrain, Toast’s Employee Resource Group (ERG) that supports LGBTQIA+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, Intersex, Asexual and plus) Toasters.

Our theme for Pride Month this year is “Multigrain walks the yellow brick road.” It’s a celebration of self-discovery, acceptance, and pride—a journey that reflects the challenges many LGBTQIA+ individuals face in finding their place. To speak to this month’s theme, we sat down with three Toasters:

Sierra B. (they/them), Field Implementation Technician II
Yanru Z. (she/they), Localization Program Manager
Knyk B. (he/they), Senior Customer Care Expert - Enterprise

Sierra, Yanru, and Knyk share how they navigate the workplace as queer people, what Toast can do to build more inclusive spaces, how they celebrate Pride, and more.

What led you to participate in Multigrain?

Sierra: Multigrain felt like the kind of space I wish I had earlier in my career—a place to be fully myself, while connecting with others who understand the nuances of navigating work and life as part of the LGBTQIA2S+ community. I was drawn to it because it wasn’t just a performative space—it felt like a real opportunity to build support, amplify voices, and help shape the kind of workplace culture that lets everyone thrive.

Yanru: As a queer person of color and a first-gen immigrant, I’ve often felt like I’m living at the intersection of multiple identities that don’t always align with the typical societal norms. Multigrain (and other Toast ERGs such as Tapioca) drew me in because they are spaces where I could bring all parts of myself—my queer identity, my cultural background, and my immigrant experience—without needing to compartmentalize. It’s about finding solidarity with others who share similar struggles and having a place where I don’t need to explain my identity to feel understood.

How do you navigate the workplace as a queer person? How do you prioritize your health and well-being?

Sierra: Navigating the workplace as a queer person can mean carrying an extra layer of awareness—wondering if I’ll be understood, accepted, or even safe in certain rooms or conversations. I’ve learned to trust my gut, surround myself with allies, and choose visibility when it feels right, not out of pressure, but out of pride and authenticity. To stay grounded, I respect myself to set strong boundaries, lean on my community, and make space for rest, lots of laughter, and joy—because those things are as essential as any project deadline.

Yanru: During my career, there have been times where I felt like I had to prove myself more than who I was – sometimes because of my gender, sometimes my background, and other times my sexuality. Over the years I’ve learned to create a strong support system, both inside and outside of work, where I can unapologetically be my whole self. It might sound a bit cliché but I've learned to prioritize my mental health by acknowledging when I feel exhausted from constantly having to navigate spaces that don’t always feel inclusive. I give myself permission to step back when needed and lean on people who get it.

What role has mentorship and community played in your career journey?

Knyk: It's the basis of my career! I met a Toast manager at a trans-only support group who mentioned there were openings and encouraged me to apply. I wouldn't be here without this community.

Sierra: For a long time, it was hard to find queer mentors who had paved a clear path — especially ones who were out, visible, and thriving in leadership roles. That absence made the journey feel a bit more isolating at times. That absence can make you question what’s possible. That said, the mentors I do have—whether queer or allies—have been instrumental in helping me grow, build confidence, and make values-driven choices in my career. Their guidance reminds me that success doesn’t have to come at the cost of authenticity.

Community has been equally vital — it’s where I find both inspiration and grounding. I’ve felt that shift happening more and more, where our presence as queer professionals is not just accepted but celebrated. I know the strength of our community is growing in the workplace, and I’m proud to be part of that momentum. My goal is to be the kind of person I wish I had when I was starting out—visible, encouraging, and real. Because we all deserve to see someone who looks like us, lives like us, and is thriving.

What do inclusive workspaces look like to you?

Yanru: Inclusivity means creating an environment where everyone can bring their full selves to work without fear of judgment or exclusion. It’s not just about ensuring that policies are inclusive, but also that the everyday culture encourages respect and open dialogue. For me, an inclusive space is one where people are not just “tolerated” but actively celebrated. It means creating opportunities for authentic conversations and providing safe avenues for employees to express their concerns or needs.

Sierra: Inclusive spaces look like meetings where people feel safe to speak up, leaders who share their pronouns without being prompted, and benefits that reflect the real needs of queer, trans, and intersectional identities. It’s seeing diversity at every level of the company—not just entry points. It’s making room for nuance, for evolving language, for learning in public.

Building more inclusive spaces starts with intentionality—not just celebrating our identities during Pride or heritage months, but embedding inclusion into how we hire, promote, design policies, and gather as teams. It means listening deeply, acting on feedback, and being willing to challenge the status quo. Most of all, it’s a workplace where no one has to wonder if they belong—because they already know they do.

How do you celebrate Pride?

Knyk: My sister and I have been trying to go to a different city's Pride every year! So far we've done Omaha, Boston, Denver, and Chicago. Other than that, I like to throw my own Pride party in June to celebrate with my friends. This year, I am getting my name legally changed and my court date is in June, so I get to celebrate with that this year!

Sierra: I celebrate Pride by remembering how it started—not with confetti and parades, but with protest, resistance, and a fight for the right to exist freely. I’ve seen firsthand that the world doesn’t always meet queerness with love, and that makes Pride all the more important. I celebrate by being unapologetically myself—so fully and visibly queer that everyone around me takes note. My presence, my joy, and where my love lands all serve as a form of quiet activism. It’s not about being loud for the sake of it—it’s about living in a way that challenges assumptions and makes space for others to do the same.

If there was one piece of advice you could give to allies, what would it be?

Knyk: You don't have to understand me to respect that I am a person who deserves the same rights you do. The biggest impact you can have is calling out disrespect when you see it. A simple "hey, that's not cool" goes a lot further than you think.

Yanru: My advice to allies would be to remember that being an ally isn’t just about supporting us when it’s easy or during Pride month. It’s about stepping up when it matters, even if it’s uncomfortable. If you see something wrong, speak up. Show up and support us in ways that make a real difference, whether it's standing against microaggressions, offering support, or simply educating yourself on the issues the LGBTQIA+ community faces daily.

Cultivating Connection in Customer Success & Services

Wed, 23 Jul 2025 16:00:00 +0000

Megan H.

Employer Brand Co-op

For Nicole B., a leader of our Butter Together program within Customer Success & Services (CSS), building a truly inclusive community is a deeply personal mission. We asked Nicole about the incredible journey of Butter Together and how her team is creating unforgettable experiences that genuinely make every CSS Toaster feel seen, heard, and valued.

What inspired the creation of Butter Together?

Butter Together is a passionate group dedicated to fostering an inclusive, connected culture within Toast's Customer Success & Services (CSS) team. We champion professional development, collaboration, and networking for all CSS Toasters.

What began as a small initiative a few years ago has blossomed into a vital force for culture-building. Our diverse initiatives range from mental health workshops and Town Halls to signature events like Toastchella—a week-long virtual Coachella-style experience. We also host quarterly awards, celebrating the incredible work of our CS teammates.

Why was it important for you to join Butter Together? How do you feel it reflects Toast’s overall culture?

I stepped into my role with Butter Together driven by a passion for DEI and ensuring every Toaster feels seen, heard, and valued—a commitment I've seen firsthand at Toast since day one. As dedicated volunteers, we're united by this goal. Though I've only led this team for six months, I'm incredibly proud of what we've accomplished, and we're just getting started!

What first drew me to Toast was everything I read about the culture—particularly the emphasis on bringing your whole self to work. That idea resonated deeply with me. Having spent 10 years in the Army National Guard during the era of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," followed by two decades in the telecom sales industry, I hadn't always felt safe or supported in being my authentic self in the workplace. I was searching for an environment where inclusivity wasn't just a value on paper, but something genuinely lived and felt.

What made Toast stand out even more was learning about Multigrain, the Employee Resource Groups for the LGBTQIA+ community. It was clear that diversity and representation weren't just afterthoughts—they were embedded into the culture. That spoke volumes to me. Even during the interview process, I noticed the kindness, empathy, and authenticity of everyone I interacted with. And from my very first day at Toast, I knew I had found a place where I could truly belong.

Since you've stepped into the leadership role for Butter Together, what outcomes or changes have you seen in the program's impact?

Starting this year, we’ve made it a priority to introduce every new hire to the Butter Together team. We host a dedicated session where we share our mission, our initiatives, and the role we play in shaping the CSS experience. This early exposure fosters deeper engagement, encourages participation, and boosts overall morale.

We’ve also been intentional about bridging the gap between DEI and CSS by embedding inclusive principles into the very culture of our team. It’s important that Toasters feel empowered to take part in everything Toast has to offer, from Toast.org to our Employee Resource Groups.

Attendance at Town Hall events has continued to grow, giving all of CSS the opportunity to contribute ideas, shape programming, and feel truly seen and heard. We believe feedback is a gift and we’re fortunate to receive it regularly from our peers, helping us evolve and improve every step of the way.

Are there any stories or moments that stand out as a reflection of the program’s impact?

Absolutely - there have been many meaningful moments, but I truly believe it’s the smaller, quieter ones that speak the loudest. It’s in the subtle nod of someone’s head—not just when they hear about inclusivity, but when they feel it. It’s the energy that lingers after a networking event, when Slack lights up with people sharing how much fun they had, how many new connections they made, and how they’re already planning to stay in touch.

This team is doing important, impactful work—work that contributes to why people feel fulfilled and connected within Customer Success. There are, of course, many factors at play, but being able to feel the culture of your team through a screen? That’s rare. And it’s something that genuinely exists within CSS.

CSS is a special place, filled with thoughtful, passionate, and genuinely good people. Being part of Butter Together and helping shape an experience that made it even more meaningful for others has been an honor I'll always carry with me.

Are you interested in joining the CSS team? See open roles here!

Beyond Benefits: Real Stories of Family Building with Carrot Fertility at Toast

Fri, 25 Jul 2025 16:59:55 +0000

Megan H.

Employer Brand Co-op

At Toast, we believe in supporting our Toasters through every stage of life, including their unique family-building journeys. That's why we're proud to offer comprehensive and inclusive fertility and family-forming benefits through Carrot Fertility. This partnership covers all paths to parenthood, including adoption, gestational carrier arrangements, fertility treatments, pregnancy, and more.

More than just a perk, this benefit reflects our deep commitment to employee well-being and ensuring every Toaster has the opportunity to build the family they dream of. In this blog, we're thrilled to share some personal stories from our Toasters who have experienced the impact of Carrot Fertility firsthand.

After being diagnosed with unexplained infertility, my husband and I weren’t sure how we’d be able to move forward. IVF is an emotionally and financially overwhelming process, but knowing we had Carrot in our corner made all the difference. The support we received from Carrot was (literally) life changing. Thanks to Carrot, we welcomed our first daughter in 2023, and our second is due this December. We’re deeply grateful to Toast and Carrot for helping us build the family we dreamed of.

- Rachel D., Associate Manager, Talent Acquisition

I'm so grateful for the Carrot benefit! This was our second crouton, so I figured we had the whole "sleep thing" down and wouldn't need extra support. Oh, how wrong we were. Our little one had reflux and struggled to sleep for any length of time in those first few months. We would have been walking zombies if we hadn't reached out to Carrot and gotten overnight doula support. Not only did our doula handle middle-of-the-night wakings, but she also washed bottles and pump parts (a true act of service!), handled baby laundry (including those fun blow-outs), and helped keep us sane. It was an absolute game-changer, allowing us to actually get some sleep and be functioning humans during the day. My only regret? Waiting a few weeks before reaching out - I wish we had a doula from night one!

- Stephanie S., Sr. Program Manager, Talent Development

These testimonials offer just a glimpse into the profound impact Carrot Fertility has on the lives of our Toasters. Their stories underscore our belief that supporting every unique family-building journey isn't just a benefit – it's a testament to our commitment to a truly inclusive and caring workplace. At Toast, we're dedicated to ensuring our Toasters feel supported, valued, and empowered to build the families they dream of, every step of the way.

Celebrating International Allyship Day

Fri, 08 Aug 2025 15:55:43 +0000

Toast Careers

August 8th marks International Allyship Day, an opportunity to promote and celebrate the power of supporting and advocating for each other. At Toast, the day serves as a reminder that genuine allyship is an ongoing practice of listening, learning, and supporting each other to foster a sustainable culture of belonging.

Read on to learn more about how allyship comes to life in the Toast community!

“Early in my Toast career, I had the opportunity to host an Indian cooking class in partnership with Tapioca, the Toast community for Asian and Pacific Islander-identifying Toasters and our allies. Even though none of them were part of Tapioca, my whole team showed up for my after-hours cooking class, together, cooking with ingredients that were new to them. They welcomed my diversity and Indian heritage. I felt so supported and loved by them all! Their presence was support that all of my is welcome at Toast.”

- Krittika G., GTM Intelligence Lead (Boston, USA)

“My experience has taught me that true allyship isn't just about grand gestures, but about the consistent, intentional effort to create an environment where everyone feels safe, seen, and supported. It’s about understanding that psychological safety is the bedrock upon which all successful collaboration and innovation are built.”

- Laura N., Workplace Experience Coordinator (Ireland)

“When I started as a District Manager in Ireland, I connected with a lot of amazing people in Multigrain, our community for LGBTQIA+ Toasters and their allies, in our Dublin office. They really helped me understand what allyship means in action—not just in words. Being welcomed into that space opened my eyes to how important it is to show up, speak up, and be visible in your support. Since then, I’ve proudly marched in multiple Dublin Pride parades with my family, taken part in Multigrain events, and yes—even dressed up for a drag show in the office. These moments have stuck with me not because of the events themselves, but because of what they stand for—creating a culture where everyone feels safe, seen, and celebrated.

Most recently, I chaired a Multigrain event where we talked about the business impact of inclusion and the power of real allyship. Now, as I’ve moved into the RVP role in Australia, I see a massive opportunity. As we build this team from the ground up, allyship will be a cornerstone of our culture. It’s not just the right thing to do—it’s essential to building a team where people thrive.”

- Noel O., Regional Vice President (Australia)

“Allyship for me is about showing up and intentionally creating spaces where they're needed most. I'm particularly proud of 'Care Conversations' sessions, launched for the ToastHers, our community for women Toasters and their allies, in India. The virtual session led by a seasoned doctor tackled critical, yet often unspoken women's health topics like PCOD, menopause, cervical cancer, and mental well-being. The impact ws amplified by inviting not just our team members, but also their allies and a female family member of their choice. This initiative recognized the 'invisible load' many women carry, empowering everyone to contribute to their well-being. This, to me, embodies allyship: facilitating genuine dialogue, dismantling taboos, and ensuring individuals feel profoundly seen and supported, both within and outside the workplace.”

- Neeharika J., Sr. Manager, Account Operations (Bangalore, India)

“I joined other Toasters at the Pride Parade in Boston to show my support for our LGBTQ+ community. Marching together—side by side with teammates, customers, and friends—was a powerful moment of allyship for me. It was about underscoring that everyone deserves to feel seen, safe, and celebrated at work and beyond. Being there in person, proudly walking in support, seeing so much joy, love and respect among the participants (including a customer who ran into the street to show us his Toast Go!) reinforced that our values come to life through how we show up for each other.”

- Susan R., Senior Manager, Toast.org (Boston, USA)

“I have experienced allyship that I believe has made an impact by listening, learning, and supporting friends, showing kindness to all, and by holding fundraisers on my socials for non-profits that support individuals struggling with mental health.”

- Kayla M., Customer Care Specialist II (Omaha, USA)

Toaster Spotlight: Cory B.

Fri, 15 Aug 2025 16:00:00 +0000

Megan H.

Employer Brand Co-op

For Cory, a Territory Account Executive at Toast, the restaurant industry is more than just a job—it's a lifelong passion. We sat down with him to learn about his personal connection to the industry, what drives his work in the field, and how he's paying it forward by mentoring the next generation of hospitality leaders through his incredible partnership with the C•CAP program.

Tell us a little bit about your background.

I am the definition of a "restaurant kid." I started working in restaurants when I was 12 years old and continued until I was 25, finishing my MBA at Saint Joseph's University. Anytime I needed money, I was working at a restaurant. I have held every position from fry cook to bus boy to dishwasher to sushi chef to line cook to bartender to manager. After I completed my MBA, I transitioned more to the tech side of restaurants. After three years in restaurant tech, I finally transitioned to Toast and haven't looked back since!

Can you share a little bit about what brought you to Toast?

To me, the restaurant community feels like family. From a young age, no matter what I was going through personally or at home, I sought refuge in restaurants. A good one can feel like the family you get to choose. Early in my restaurant journey, I identified Toast as an industry leader. After my first few interviews, where I was able to learn the company's mission and values, I knew it would be a glove fit. Toast allows you to be the brand in your city, and I passionately believe in our brand.

What does a typical day look like for you as an Account Executive at Toast?

The role is about 40% at home and 60% in the field. My day starts and ends with admin tasks, team calls, and Toast extracurriculars that can be done from my home office. The majority of the week is spent in the field! Normally, between noon and 4 p.m., you'll be able to spot me in the wild of Philadelphia. I eat at the best restaurants, talk with the best and brightest owners, chefs, and managers in our industry, and pull doors to share all of the incredible things we are building. Normally, I'm able to end a busy day of prospecting and demos with a nice happy hour in the city—when all the work is done, of course!

Can you tell me more about your involvement with C•CAP? What kind of work have you been doing with them?

C•CAP is an incredible program that I started working with two years ago. They provide culinary and job skills training for under-resourced high school students to become the next generation of leaders in food and hospitality. Once a year, every summer, I give a full product demo of Toast, followed by resume writing and interview training. I am also featured on a panel every year where we discuss our journey through hospitality. About every two months, I will go to a different high school and demo Toast and the importance of technology in restaurants. The best part: I have hundreds of customers who need staff, and then I have 30 hungry hospitality professionals looking to break into the field. It is truly a win, win, win.

Toasters' partnerships with C•CAP comes to life in many ways. Recently, our CMO Kelly Esten became a C•CAP National Board Member! We are thrilled to see how our communities can work together through various opportunities.

What initially inspired you to get involved with C•CAP?

Volunteering and being an advocate for Philly’s youth has been a huge part of my life since I was in college at Saint Joseph’s University. I see myself in a lot of these kids. I like to focus on all of the different avenues they can take in an ever-changing industry.

What advice would you give to someone looking to join Toast?

Be bold! In this competitive landscape, it takes someone who is bold -- just like our system-- to set themselves apart. You will be representing Toast in your area. This means you have to trust, thoroughly understand, and ferociously advocate for us. Be authentic, be excited, and build a network.

Advice from Interns: How to Thrive at Toast

Fri, 22 Aug 2025 15:49:41 +0000

Megan H.

Employer Brand Co-op

Looking to land an internship that truly makes an impact? Who better to ask for advice than those who have just completed the journey. This summer, our incredible interns gave us the inside scoop, sharing their firsthand advice on how to thrive at Toast, make the most of your experience, and contribute in a meaningful way.

“From day one, put yourself out there. You would be surprised how receptive everyone is to helping out, giving you advice, and pushing you along. Not a single time I asked to chat or asked for help did I get told no: the community feeling is genuine, take advantage of it!”

- James R., Toast.org Intern, Cornell University ‘26

“My primary piece of advice for future interns would be to embrace curiosity and proactivity. Go beyond the specific tasks assigned to you and take the initiative to understand how your project connects to Toast's broader mission of empowering the restaurant community. Ask questions—not just about the "what" and "how" of your work, but also the "why."

- Sasank S., Software Engineer Intern, Vellore Institute of Technology AP ’25

“My advice for future interns at Toast would be to talk to as many people within the organization as you can. The people truly make the place, and it is very easy to have conversations with Toasters at all levels of the company. Everyone is willing to provide insights into their roles and experiences, which is very impactful for an intern who is trying to decide which career path to take.”

- Grace B., Talent Development Intern, Indiana University ‘26

“There are so many talented engineers at Toast! Make sure to learn as much as you can from them.”

- Riley B., Software Engineer Intern, Princeton ‘27

“Come in with an open mind: be ready to learn new technologies, adapt to different ways of working, and ask questions. The more curious and flexible you are, the more you’ll get out of the experience!”

- April R., Software Engineer Intern: Data Platform Team, MIT ‘27

“Your supervisor, leaders, and Toasters want to see you succeed. Ask away, do not be afraid to schedule that coffee chat, and connect!”

- Johanny M., Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Intern, Union College ‘26

“My advice to future interns at Toast is to be curious- ask questions, learn about what other Toasters do, and take risks, whether that means initiating a coffee chat or sharing ideas in meetings. Make the most of every moment!”

- Ella C., Toast.org Social Impact Intern, Villanova ‘27

“Be proactive in seeking feedback, make the most of the supportive culture, and don’t hesitate to reach out—everyone here is willing to help you grow. Embrace the spirit and try to be a true Toaster.”

- Naveen B., Software Engineer Intern, IIIT Allahabad ‘25

Curiosity, a willingness to learn, and a passion for our mission—these are the key ingredients for a successful internship at Toast, according to those who know best.

R&D & Real Impact: How Interns Drive Innovation at Toast

Thu, 04 Sep 2025 16:00:00 +0000

Megan H.

Employer Brand Co-op

At Toast, interns don’t just shadow engineers; they actively contribute to innovations that shape the future of the restaurant industry. From AI- driven projects to company-wide showcases, interns are trusted to deliver and are given a front-row seat to real impact. Hear from our R&D interns, all across the globe, below about their experience with Toast this summer.

Projects with a Purpose

For many interns, the summer wasn’t just about “learning by watching,” it was about creating real tools and solutions that other teams rely on.

“I got to build a product that will have a lasting impact. It was incredibly rewarding to see my work come together into something tangible that can make our processes more efficient and help other teams at Toast work more independently.”

- April R., Software Engineer Intern Data Platform Team, MIT ‘27

“I was given ownership of projects. I wasn’t just doing side tasks- I was trusted with work that was meaningful and impactful.”

- Joy R., Software Engineer Intern Payroll Onboarding Team, University of Michigan ‘27

Pushing Boundaries with AI & Tech

With AI and fast-moving technology at the forefront of the industry, Toast interns were able to drive and explore how these tools could transform Toast products. They weren’t just observing. They were experimenting, testing, and helping to define what's next.

“What stood out most to me was the sense of ownership and impact. I was given a meaningful project and the support to see it through to completion. It was incredibly rewarding to contribute code that directly enhances the Toast platform and helps our customers.”

- Vinayak S., Software Engineer Intern, IIIT Senapati, Manipur ‘25

Work that Gets Noticed

Interns weren’t just doing work in the background – they were invited to share their projects directly with R&D, engineers, and product leaders regularly. These opportunities gave them valuable feedback but also the confidence to know that their contributions would make a lasting impact.

“I got to present my project to the R&D department during the "Show and Tell" session. This experience provided a platform not only to showcase the work I had accomplished but also to receive direct feedback from a diverse group of experienced engineers and product leaders.”

- Sasank M., Software Engineer Intern, Cellore Institute of Technology AP’25

The R&D Culture at Toast

What made these opportunities possible was the culture. Interns described R&D at Toast as collaborative, welcoming, and open to new ideas. They consistently emphasized how much they were trusted, how approachable their teammates were, and how much value was placed on curiosity.

“In addition to all the fast-moving things and new tools to learn, my favorite part of the internship was by far the people, both my team and the fellow interns. My team was beyond supportive, making me feel welcome and valued for my thoughts and opinions. The other interns were also amazing. Everyone is so curious and gelled together super well. I couldn't ask for a better group to enjoy and explore Boston and career paths.”

- Timothy Z., Software Engineer Intern, UC Berkeley ‘27

Empowered to Experiment

For many interns, the most rewarding part of their time at Toast was seeing an idea go from concept to reality. Whether testing features at customer sites or hacking together prototypes, they were empowered to take risks and learn by doing.

“I was lucky enough to work with my team to hack together a few features and test live at a customer site. It's really exciting to move from research to live testing within a few weeks. It's great when a company leans into innovation and encourages employees to explore new tools.”

- Alex F., MBA Product Management Intern, MIT Sloan ‘26

“Our engineering teams offer opportunities to work on a variety of impactful areas, including Android and iOS development, web front-end, back-end infrastructure, AI/machine learning models, cybersecurity and compliance, and more. Having that range to explore added so much value to my experience.”

- Naveen B., Software Engineer Intern, IIIT Allahabad “25

At Toast, the opportunity to make an impact doesn’t wait until you're a full-time employee; interns are treated as teammates from the very start. Interns shape real projects while being part of a culture built on collaboration, curiosity, and trust. From experimenting with new technology to sharing ideas openly with leaders, interns are given the space to take initiative and make a lasting impact.

Learn more about our Early Career program here.

Inside the People & Places Internship Experience

Thu, 06 Nov 2025 17:00:00 +0000

Megan H.

Employer Brand Co-op

At Toast, our culture is created every day by the people who work here. This summer, our People & Places interns had a unique opportunity to not only experience our culture firsthand but also to help shape it. We sat down with our recent People & Places interns to hear their reflections on what it’s like to work in a culture they helped to foster.

Why did you choose to intern at Toast?

"What continues to inspire me is how Toast has stayed true to its mission despite significant growth. By consistently prioritizing customers and empowering restaurants to run more efficiently, Toast has made a meaningful impact on the hospitality industry.

Beyond that, I deeply admire Toast's commitment to social impact- particularly Toast.org's initiatives to alleviate food insecurity and support local communities. As someone who values connection and giving back, I’m especially drawn to the way Toast combines innovation with purpose which is one of many reasons I chose to intern at Toast!"

- Ella C., Toast.org Social Impact Intern, Villanova ‘27

“Their mission, culture and values caught my attention!”

- Johanny M., Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Intern, Union College ‘26

“I had interest in the food industry after working at a local food hub nonprofit in my hometown for the past two summers, but I wanted to get corporate experience before I graduated. I was interested in Toast because of its placement within the restaurant space and its passion for helping restaurants succeed. The employer branding and recruitment experience is what ultimately sold me on the company: the very clear mission and values Toast embodies within itself and its approach to hiring convinced me that it was truly living out its values.”

- James R., Toast.org Intern, Cornell University ‘26

“I chose to intern at Toast because I was familiar with their products, as I used them in my high school job as a hostess. I loved the fact that Toast is an upbeat tech company that continues to innovate every day, and this is what really drew me in.”

- Grace B., Talent Development Intern, Indiana University ‘26

What was your favorite part of the internship?

“My favorite part of the internship was connecting with my intern/co-op peers and other Toasters whose support, kindness, and openness made every conversation feel inspiring and welcoming.”

- Ella C., Toast.org Social Impact Intern, Villanova ‘27

“My favorite part of the internship was working on talent development materials that actually have an impact on the organization and can ultimately assist employee growth, driving more performance and career conversations.”

- Grace B., Talent Development Intern, Indiana University ‘26

Describe the company culture in one word—and share why you chose that word.

“Inclusive. Toast is a company that hires people from all backgrounds and constantly fosters diversity, equity, and inclusion in everything they do. As someone with a chronic illness, I have always felt supported by my fellow Toasters and know that they truly want the best for me. This is very uplifting for individuals who may be struggling with non-visible illnesses.”

- Grace B., Talent Development Intern, Indiana University ‘26

“Genuine. Everyone wants the best for you and will look out for you. Toasters care for each other!”

- Johanny M., Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Intern, Union College ‘26

Meet the Leader: Ben Smith, VP, Customer Success

Thu, 18 Sep 2025 16:00:00 +0000

Paige M.

Senior Program Manager, Employer Brand

When Ben Smith joined Toast in March 2019, he never could have predicted where this journey would take him. Through it all, though, one thing has remained the same: Ben’s dedication to empowering the hospitality industry. Hear from Ben on the opportunities ahead for Toast and advice he has for growing your career in Customer Success!

What inspired you to join Toast, and what are you most excited about as you look to the future?

When I was joining the company over six years ago, I was really inspired by our mission and the opportunity to disrupt the restaurant technology industry by helping our customers do what they love and thrive. I could be in a Customer Success leadership role anywhere, but being able to continue to work in hospitality and to see our impact out in the wild at local bars and restaurants makes it all so much more fulfilling. I’ve been in Customer Success for the duration of my career here, and one thing I always tell customers is that their success is our success– that couldn’t be more true at Toast.

From late stage startup challenges and the COVID-19 pandemic, to IPO and continued global expansion and growth, the last six years have been a wild ride. We have grown so much, and yet we still have so much opportunity ahead of us across our core business and our emerging businesses in Enterprise, International, and Retail. We have had tremendous success as a company, but we really are just getting started. That makes all of our career opportunities here pretty unique and exciting.

As Toast expands globally, how do you ensure we’re able to provide a world-class experience for all customers?

We’ve learned a lot as we have grown to approximately 148,000 locations, and we are definitely applying those lessons as we scale internationally. Our International business reminds me a lot of the early days with our core business in the US. While we are applying some of the best practices from that playbook, it’s critical that we leave room for some nuance and flexibility based on the needs of each market. What worked well in Canada, for example, won’t necessarily be a home run in Australia.

In my role, I try to make sure we have clear direction strategically across all of our Customer Success teams and segments. For International, we are developing an account management model that is consistent with some of our other segments. Best in class Customer Success organizations require an engagement model that can flex from high touch dedicated account management to more scaled motions to on-demand professional services that accommodate the needs of all customers. We are working on applying those same principles globally.

At a growing company like Toast, scalability is always a priority. How do you see AI empowering your teams?

For starters, we find AI to be very empowering simply as an educational and experimental tool. We are currently focused as a management team on documenting all of the use cases across the roles on our teams that could benefit from AI and automation, and experimenting with different solutions. We also recently had a Hackathon focused on AI, and many team members participated in that. This continues to be an area of interest and experimentation that will help us scale, be more productive, and ultimately spend more time delivering a differentiated customer experience.

Can you share a little bit about your career growth within the Customer Success organization? What are some of the different avenues people can take, not only within CS but also across Toast?

I started at Toast as a Director of Mid-Market and Enterprise Customer Success, and over time my role– and team– grew in scope to include all teams and segments, including our core SMB, Regional Mid-Market, Mid-Market, Enterprise, Retail, and International businesses. In addition, I also lead a Professional Services team that focuses on delivering managed services like menu or configuration assistance to our customers in service to driving a better customer experience. My team has grown from six people back in 2019 to over 100 people today.

One of the things I am most proud of from my time at Toast is that three of my first six direct reports are still on my team, and have grown from customer success manager roles to senior manager and director roles on the team. At this stage of my career, I find it extremely fulfilling to help pay it forward and enable my team to grow and achieve their personal and professional goals.

Our team is also a home to many people who navigated through our amazing internal mobility program from other areas of the company like Customer Care, Sales or Onboarding to Customer Success.

Learn more about the different teams that come together to support our customers:

What is one piece of advice you would give a candidate who is considering joining Toast?

One piece of advice I give all candidates is to experience Toast in the wild. Have a meal at one of your local restaurants. Grab a coffee from one of your local cafes. Have a drink at the local pub. Talk to the servers and bartenders. Ask them about Toast. What do they like about the product? How is support and service? What could be better? This all helps inform your own point of view on Toast, whether you are interviewing for a Sales role or a Finance role, and how you can make an impact in the role you are applying for. It’s one of the simplest ways to be prepared that often goes overlooked.

____

Are you interested in joining a world-class organization that’s empowering the hospitality industry? See our open Customer Success roles here!

Toast's End Summer Hunger Campaign

Wed, 01 Oct 2025 12:36:40 +0000

Megan Herzberg

Employer Brand Co-op

What a summer it’s been! Toasters around the world have stepped up to fight childhood hunger through our first End Summer Hunger campaign. This global initiative was sparked by a single idea—feeding kids during the summer months—and came to life through the creativity, teamwork, and impact of Toasters everywhere.

As part of Toast's $5M commitment to address food insecurity over the next five years, our co-founder and CEO Aman Narang joined No Kid Hungry’s CEO Pledge to End Summer Hunger—a cross-industry initiative of 16 brand leaders that aims to increase the number of children receiving summertime meals from 2.8 million to 31 million annually. This pledge served as a powerful catalyst, and a variety of other activities across our teams followed, helping us reach our goals.

On the Ground: Volunteering & Local Impact

Throughout the summer, Toasters organized more than 60 volunteer and fundraising events around the world to help close the summer meal gap. Our summer interns kicked things off in June by packing 400 meal kits for kids, a fantastic start to the campaign. This momentum carried throughout the summer!

We also got our youngest Toasters, our "croutons," involved! Kids in Boston, Omaha, Bangalore, and Taipei joined in activities like making sweet potato soup and packing meals for families, instilling a sense of purpose from a young age.

Across the Teams: Games, Challenges & Creative Giving

The campaign became a friendly competition as Toasters found creative ways to contribute. We held a weekly "Knock Out Hunger" tournament on our basketball court, where members of our Senior Team joined the fun, proving that even a little competition can lead to a big impact. We also ran weekly pop-up challenges with a chance to win swag, asking Toasters to donate or learn facts about summer’s unique challenges in relation to food security for children.

Beyond the challenges, individual Toasters stepped up with unique initiatives. Our favorite barista, Alex, made specialty coffees and donated all his tips to our fundraising campaign. One dedicated Toaster led yoga classes, with all proceeds going to hunger relief. We launched Toastle—our Toasty twist on Wordle—with five-letter words connected to restaurants, food, or life at Toast.

The Power of Partnerships & Our Platform

The campaign’s reach was amplified by leveraging our product and our partnerships. Toast customers had the option to turn on Toast Fundraising for No Kid Hungry, giving their guests a simple way to help end summer hunger. Every new customer referral also generated a direct donation from Toast to No Kid Hungry.

Our Customer Education team hosted a "Step Up to End Summer Hunger" steps challenge, inspiring Toasters to get moving while raising funds. In Omaha, our team got their hands in the dirt to harvest our Toast.org garden for families facing food insecurity. Toasters also participated in speed consulting, sharing their expertise with four hunger relief nonprofits to help amplify their impact.

A Summer of Purpose

This summer’s campaign was a powerful reminder of what's possible when we come together. From the creativity of our teams to the dedication of our leadership, every single activity contributed to a single, powerful goal. The energy and passion were infectious, proving that the commitment to our mission is alive and well—inside and outside our offices.

Serving Up Innovation: A Taste of Toast's Experience at GIDS 2025

Tue, 07 Oct 2025 16:00:00 +0000

The Great International Developer Summit (GIDS) is one of India's premier technology conferences, a vibrant gathering where developers, engineers, and industry leaders converge to explore the future of software innovation. This year, Toast was proud to be a Platinum Sponsor of GIDS 2025, marking a significant moment for our growing presence in the region.

Our participation was highlighted by an insightful keynote from our India Site Lead, Kavita V., and an immersive, hands-on booth experience meticulously set up by a team of passionate Toasters. The goal was to connect with the thriving tech community, showcase our unique platform, and share the exciting challenges we are solving in restaurant technology.

To truly understand the impact of the event, we sat down with the Toasters in India who made it happen: the facilitators who engaged attendees at our booth, the engineers who absorbed the conference sessions, Employer Brand Program Manager Srishti G., and our keynote speaker and India site lead, Kavita V..

How did the booth help create space for genuine interaction between attendees and Toast?

The Toast booth at GIDS turned quite a few heads with its experiential setup. Rather than just talking about restaurant technology, we brought it to life. Attendees saw how an order flows through the Toast ecosystem — from a self-ordering kiosk, to the POS, to a real-time printed receipt. This wasn’t a simulation but a working demo, complete with a GIDS menu of Toast swag. Nearly everyone who walked in lit up with the familiar thought, “I’ve always wanted to open a cozy café someday,” and was fascinated by how Toast brings efficiency and delight to the food industry.
— Kritika S., Engineering Manager, AI (Bangalore)

The vibrant booth was undoubtedly our biggest draw. The process of the QR code quiz to introduce Toast, placing swag orders, and letting visitors "touch and feel" our products created an immersive and memorable experience. This hands-on approach went beyond explaining features and allowed visitors to genuinely interact with and understand the value of Toast’s product offerings.
— Utpal K., Head of Talent Acquisition (Bangalore)

Were there any standout moments that showed how people connected with Toast’s story and team during the event?

There were so many memorable moments at the booth. Attendees kept coming back to tell us how warm and approachable the Toasters were, and how patiently every question was answered. A conference speaker even said our setup was the most unique they had seen, because it let them experience what ordering with Toast really feels like. What made it even more special was how we brought our global culture to life at the booth, leaving people genuinely excited and impressed.
— Srishti G., Senior Program Manager, Employer Brand & Early Careers (Bangalore)

Kavita’s keynote stood out as a key highlight. Several visitors mentioned her talk when they came by the booth, sharing how much it resonated with them. It not only got people thinking but also encouraged them to stop, ask questions, and continue the conversation with our team. Her time on stage clearly helped people connect with Toast in a more personal way.
— Utpal K., Head of Talent Acquisition (Bangalore)

Was there a session, talk, or booth that introduced an idea or perspective you found especially thought provoking?

Some of the Java sessions explored internals and design aspects we often take for granted, which gave me a fresh perspective. The AI sessions were equally insightful, covering tools and real-world applications we could explore at work. Both sessions sparked ideas worth discussing or experimenting with as a team.
— Arpit G., Staff Software Engineer, Enterprise (Bangalore)

I visited almost every booth at GIDS and found them really interesting. Some of the booths showcased how their platform combines multiple features in one place, including APM traces, synthetic monitoring, and AI-powered alerts. These seemed powerful for catching issues before production and keeping pace with AI. There were also booths that were a lot of fun, with engaging interactive elements - from solving DSA problems to cracking tech quizzes and games to building my own 3D sketch, the entire event felt like a perfect mix of learning and play.
— Aditi T., Software Engineer, Payments (Bangalore)

What was a memorable takeaway for you from GIDS whether from a talk, a conversation, or just being in the atmosphere of the event?

One of the most memorable takeaways for me was witnessing the true spirit of One Team at the Toast booth. Toasters were speaking almost non-stop to curious developers and leaders, yet the energy never dipped. What stood out was how naturally the team supported each other, stepping in to answer questions, refilling swag, or offering a quick break. The passion for the product and pride in our mission made it clear how culture and teamwork shine in moments like these.
— Kritika S., Engineering Manager, AI (Bangalore)

I personally felt very involved in showcasing Toast’s culture at GIDS. A brand’s perception comes not only from what it does but also from how it does it. By representing Toast and engaging with the local talent and business community, I felt proud to contribute to how people experienced and perceived Toast during the event.
— Bijit S., Senior Product Manager, Enterprise (Bangalore)

How did being at GIDS whether through conversations or the overall experience influence how you think about your work or growth?

Attending GIDS gave me a broader view of how quickly technology is evolving, especially through conversations about AI in everyday applications. A talk on scalable architecture made me reflect on how we design systems at work and inspired me to explore more efficient patterns.
— Kapil S., Business Systems Staff III (Bangalore)

The sessions on Java internals and AI tools challenged my assumptions and made me reflect on design trade-offs and long-term maintainability. My conversations with other developers sparked new ideas and reinforced the importance of staying curious and learning continuously.
— Arpit G., Staff Software Engineer, Enterprise (Bangalore)

Your keynote "Beyond Code: The Essential Skills for Future Tech Leaders" touched on a powerful topic. What message did you most want to leave with the developer audience?

The path to becoming a successful tech leader requires looking beyond the code. In today's disruptive era, it's about shifting your mindset to embrace three essential skills.

First, you must develop a holistic view of both business and technology. This means understanding that your code is not an end in itself, but a means to solve a customer's problem. You have to consider user needs, business goals, and the broader market landscape.

Second, recognize that communication is your superpower. It's the essential tool for influencing stakeholders, advocating for technical investments, and simplifying complex ideas so that everyone is on the same page.

Finally, you need to actively cultivate leadership. This isn't just a title—it's about taking ownership, mentoring your peers, and fostering a culture of continuous learning and adaptability.

At Toast, we live these principles every day. Our engineering culture is built on the idea that every developer is a leader empowered to solve problems for our customers, ensuring our technology has a real, tangible impact. It's how we build a truly resilient and future-ready team.

— Kavita V., SVP Engineering & India Site Lead (Bangalore)

Sabor y Comunidad: Celebrating Hispanic/ Latinx Heritage Month at Toast

Wed, 15 Oct 2025 06:56:05 +0000

Toast Careers

Mi Gente, our employee resource group for Hispanic and Latinx Toasters and their allies, is bringing the Latinx/Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations to Toast! Throughout the month, all Toasters have been invited to honor the rich traditions and profound contributions of Latinx and Hispanic communities.

This year's theme is "Sabor y Comunidad: Celebrating Hispanic Heritage, One Toast at a Time.” Sabor celebrates the richness of food traditions, bold flavors, and connection found over shared meals. Comunidad honors the resilience and compassion found within the Hispanic/ Latinx communities, and the importance of uplifting one another.

Learn more from members of Mi Gente on what this theme means to them!

“My Latin culture helps me assist our Emerging Markets customers. By understanding their culture and needs, and bonding over our similarities, I am able to relate better to them and build healthy relationships! Toasters can support this community during this month and beyond by trying out a Latin/Hispanic restaurant in your community. Help support their business and learn more about their culture and flavors!”

- Laura B., Sales Coordinator

“For me ‘sabor y comunidad’ means leading with authenticity, warmth, and connection. I try to bring that mindset into my work by building relationships rooted in trust, celebrating differences, and always finding ways to collaborate with empathy. Whether it’s in team projects or cross-functional partnerships, I aim to make others feel welcomed and included, just like how family and community gatherings feel back home. That sense of belonging is what drives me to contribute my best every day.”

- Maria V.R. - Customer Marketing Analytics Manager

“Having a community in Ireland changed everything for me. When I lived back home in Brazil, I never realized how much we take for granted the safety net of having family and lifelong friends nearby. Even if you’re not in constant contact, you know they’re there for you when you need them. Moving to a completely different continent with no family around meant starting from scratch. That experience made me truly value every new connection I built, especially in those first few months. The friends I’ve made here have become an essential part of my life; they are my extended family. Today, I feel at home in Ireland because of them. And through Mi Gente, I hope to be that familiar face or helping hand for others, the kind of support that made all the difference for me when I first arrived on this island.”

- Gabriela I., Software Engineer

“For me, ‘sabor y comunidad’ means bringing warmth and authenticity. I try to create a friendly, collaborative environment where people feel comfortable sharing ideas and working together. Just like in our culture, food brings people together, I think collaboration does the same at work.”

- Maria G.C., Software Engineer II

“I bring the spirit of ‘sabor y comunidad’ to my work by fostering genuine connections, celebrating diversity, and creating a positive, collaborative environment. It’s all about sharing good energy and building a strong, supportive community at Toast.”

- Robson T., Customer Care Specialist

“I love to share any homemade recipes with my peers and songs that I play throughout my workday."

- Stephannie Z., Quality Assurance Auditor

“For me, bringing the spirit of ‘sabor y comunidad’ to my work at Toast means leading with warmth, energy, and authenticity in everything I do. Sabor is about flavor and joy—it’s showing up with passion, celebrating wins, and bringing creativity into the way I collaborate with my team and support customers. Comunidad is about connection—it’s making sure people feel included, supported, and valued, whether that’s through mentoring, building relationships, or simply being present for others. Together, those two values guide me to not just focus on the work itself, but on the people behind it. They remind me that success comes from collaboration, empathy, and bringing our full selves to the table.”

- Jennifer P., Multilingual Onboarding Manager

How to Find Your Community and Thrive in a Tech Internship

Tue, 28 Oct 2025 16:00:00 +0000

Sunny L., Franchise Success Manager I, Enterprise

For early career individuals, a company's culture is just as important as the work itself. An internship should be a chance to build skills, but also to build a network and find a sense of belonging. We recently spoke with Vincent D., a software engineering co-op from Northeastern University, about his experience at Toast and how he found a thriving community.

Here's how Vincent's story can help you find a company where you can truly thrive.

Tip #1: Look for Companies That Actively Support and Celebrate Inclusivity

Before Vincent even applied, he had a "full circle moment" with Toast's culture. He first learned about the company when a member of TAPIOCA (short for Toast Asian & Pacific Islander Opportunities, Community, and Advancement), an employee resource group for Asian and Pacific Islander-identifying Toasters and allies, reached out to his Filipino student organization at Northeastern. She invited his club to perform a traditional Filipino dance at Toast for Filipino American History Month as part of their culture programming initiatives.

This simple act of genuine outreach made a lasting impression. Vincent says, “It was something I'd never seen before, and I really respected her for her dedication in reaching out to us and trying to share our Filipino traditions”. When it was time to apply for co-ops, Toast stood out. Vincent was eager to apply because he knew the company had employee resource groups (ERGs) that celebrated cultural diversity.

Tip #2: Be open to joining an ERG, even if the concept is new to you! It's one of the best ways to meet people, build connections, and feel like you belong.

Like many new college students, Vincent wasn't familiar with ERGs before starting his co-op. But during his onboarding, Toast dedicated a whole section to introducing the communities, which he found "really nice to know that Toast had all these different ERGs with so many different backgrounds, interests, and experiences".

After onboarding, Vincent joined TAPIOCA, which gave him a platform to meet people outside his immediate team and even outside his R&D department. He met people from sales and HR, getting a wider view of all the working areas at Toast. His network quickly expanded across departments and even different countries, like Dublin and India.

Tip #3: Participate in "Stretch" Opportunities to Grow Your Network and Skills

For Vincent, his ERG wasn't just for social events, it was a way to find a meaningful project outside of his day-to-day role to grow his skills. He was looking for a hackathon to join when he saw a post in the Tapioca Slack channel. He was able to join many other members of Tapioca in a hack that used AI to help restaurateurs better serve their customers. During the week-long project, Vincent worked with senior employees and got to talk to people he wouldn't have met otherwise, learning about new things like programming languages.

A Final Word of Advice

Vincent's advice for anyone considering joining an ERG or a new company? "Don't be afraid". He emphasizes that everyone in these groups is there for the same reason: to share interests and build connections.

He stated “participating in these different opportunities has helped build my confidence to reach out and meet people I would otherwise probably never have had a chance to meet before".

His journey from a cold email to a winning hackathon project is a testament to the power of a company culture that invests in its people and their passions.

Celebrating many traditions as one team with Toasters in India

Wed, 12 Nov 2025 15:43:23 +0000

Srishti G.

Senior Program Manager, Employer Brand & Early Careers

Festivals carry stories of faith, family, and food, and each one lights up a different corner of who we are. In a country as lively and multicultural as India, the calendar sparkles all year as Toasters together celebrate Diwali, Eid, Christmas, Durga Puja, Pongal, Lohri, and so many more, each with its own music, colors, and flavors.

At Toast India, we bring the spirit of celebration to our workplaces, transforming our offices into vibrant reflections of each festival’s colors and traditions. The atmosphere comes alive with festive décor, traditional attire, and delicious meals curated with authentic dishes that let everyone savor the flavors of the occasion. Photo booths capture joyful moments, while team-building activities create opportunities for connection, collaboration, and shared celebration.

Recently, Toasters came together to celebrate Diwali in our India offices with vibrant origami diya art, festive meals, and moments filled with laughter and connection. Earlier in the year, Pongal and Ugadi were marked with traditional banana leaf meals, while Eid brought teams together over delicious biryani lunches and traditional attire—each celebration adding its own warmth and color to our workplace culture.

Beyond celebrating festivals in the office, we take pride in encouraging Toasters to share their traditions and culture with team members around the world. These celebrations become beautiful moments of connection—where Toasters reflect on what each festival means to them, the memories they hold close, and the traditions that make every celebration truly special.

This year, we caught up with Toasters across India to hear about the festivals closest to their hearts. Dive into their stories of joy, togetherness, and celebration!

Being a Bengali, I look forward to Durga Puja throughout the year. The ten day long festival celebrates the homecoming of Maa Durga and the triumph of good over evil, with each day carrying its own significance.
I still remember my first Puja in Kolkata at age 11, when the dhak beats (festival drums), lights, and crowds left me awestruck. That wonder is why it is not just a religious occasion, it is an emotion and a cultural extravaganza. During this time, open air exhibitions come alive across towns and cities with magnificent pandals (temporary decorated structures) and idols telling unique stories inspired by mythology, social themes, and global art and architecture. There are endless festive delicacies too, from simple Khichuri (rice and lentils), Labra (mixed vegetable curry), and Payesh (rice pudding) to sweets such as Lalmohon and Lengcha (fried milk sweets with syrup).
— Debarthy D., Analyst, Payments Pricing & Operations (Chennai)

Pongal is celebrated as a harvest festival to thank the Sun God, Mother Earth, and farm animals for abundance and to mark the Tamil month of Thai and new beginnings. A traditional dessert - Sakkarai Pongal prepared at sunrise in a clay pot over a wood fire with raw rice, jaggery, ghee, raisins, and cashews holds a special place in my heart simply because beyond its rich taste, it symbolizes prosperity, gratitude, and new beginnings.At Toast we celebrate Pongal in the true spirit of teamwork, inclusivity, and honoring culture. This year, we wore traditional attire and joined friendly competitions that highlighted creativity and team spirit. We created our own miniature Pongal scene presented through rangoli with a clay pot, sugarcane, paddy, dolls, a straw fired clay stove, flowers, and a Thirukkural recitation (couplet from a classic Tamil text).
— Priyadharshini K., Senior Software Engineer (Chennai)

The festival that brings me joy is Eid-ul-Fitr as it marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan, a time of fasting, prayer, and reflection, and it always feels like a fresh start. Rooted in gratitude, compassion, and togetherness, we begin the day with special prayers at the mosque and give Zakat al Fitr (charity so everyone can celebrate).
What I hold most dear during EId celebrations is waking up early, wearing new clothes, receiving Eidi (gift money) from elders , adorning my hands with mehndi (henna), visiting family and friends throughout the day, and sharing Sheer Khurma (vermicelli milk dessert with dates and nuts) with loved ones.
— Rahima Y., Care Account Operations Advisor (Chennai)

Christmas reminds us of God’s love, peace, joy, and hope given to humanity, and it encourages us to love one another, forgive, and share kindness. At home these beliefs come alive as we build the Nativity scene (birth of Jesus in Bethlehem), set up a beautiful Christmas tree and lights, sing carols and songs, and share gifts.
I truly treasure the midnight service and joining in the joyful hymns, because the peace, prayers, and sense of unity in the church always fill my heart with the true spirit of Christmas. In our kitchen, Christmas feels complete only when we make Gala Gala sweet (a crunchy fried sweet coated in sugar). The whole family gathers to fry it, coat it with sugar, and taste it fresh.
— Amala F., Assistant Manager, Billing Operations (Chennai)

Diwali - the festival of Lights, for me is not just about sparkling lamps or fireworks but the deeper meaning of the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. Although I come from a different religion, I take part with the same excitement and joy, and these celebrations have taught me that they are less about religion and more about love, community, and togetherness. In fact, I love visiting friends during Diwali to help light diyas (earthen oil lamps), savour delicious sweets (Ladoo, Barfi, and Kaju Katli), enjoy meals, and watch fireworks burst across the night sky while feeling that the entire neighborhood is wrapped in light, joy, and harmony.
— Ruksana P., Senior Talent Acquisition Partner (Bangalore)

Lohri brings me the most excitement with its vibrant celebrations, warmth, and unity as it marks the end of the winter solstice and the beginning of longer, brighter days. It is a time to thank nature for a bountiful harvest, especially sugarcane and wheat, as families and communities gather around a blazing bonfire to offer sesame seeds, jaggery, and Rewri (sesame brittle) and to sing folk songs in traditional attire. My most favourite memory from Lohri is celebrating at our house, circling the bonfire to dance to the dhol (drum), relish Gajak and Rewri (sesame and jaggery sweets) and offer sesame seeds while making wishes, especially with my grandparents.
— Simranjeet K., QA Engineer II (Bangalore)

Celebrating Toast's New Toronto Office

Fri, 05 Dec 2025 07:11:25 +0000

Paige M.

We’re excited to celebrate the opening of our new Toast office in Toronto!

In 2022, we introduced the power of Toast to the Canadian hospitality industry. Since then, the team has grown across many departments, including engineering, product, design, sales, onboarding, customer success, people, and more.

With this growth, we were ready for a larger space that will better accommodate our team and encourage collaboration. We even added a demo room, giving us the opportunity to welcome customers into our office and show them all the ways Toast can empower local businesses. Located on King Street, just steps away from King Station, the new office is in a central downtown location with a vibrant social scene. Our company values are proudly displayed in the space, rooting us in our mission and purpose.

Opening day began with a warm welcome from our Workplace Experience team, followed by a ribbon cutting ceremony with Ana M., VP, International, Austin L., RVP of International Sales, and Shawn G., Director, Talent Operations, Experience. Leaders shared a few words reflecting on this exciting milestone and recognizing the dedication Toronto Toasters have brought to bringing our mission to life.

“Our new Toronto office represents just how important the Canadian market has become to Toast International, and is a testament to the early success we’ve seen here,” shared Austin L. “In just three years, our growth has been extraordinary. This space gives our teams a central home base to collaborate, innovate, and scale even faster, and is the foundation for a much bigger growth story ahead. We’re just getting started!”

Employees enjoyed a delicious catered lunch from a local customer before diving into a volunteer event with Toast.org. Participants put together snack packs for the Allan Garden’s Food Bank, whose mission is to provide nutritious food in a safe and compassionate environment for community members facing food insecurity and poverty. This event was particularly meaningful, as it aligns with Toast’s annual Season of Giving campaign, a global volunteer event designed to bring together the strength of Toast’s people, products, and philanthropy to support organizations addressing hunger and food insecurity.

“Something that has impressed me from day one is the immense pride our team has in being 'Canada's Toasters.' We have a truly special community here, and this new office is a celebration of them—a space where they can continue to grow, collaborate, and deliver for the Canadian restaurant community,” shared Shawn G..

The opening of this new space was a great opportunity to pause and reflect on all of the reasons Toast is a great place to work, in both Canada and around the world. The team’s dedication, drive, and passion shines through in all that they do, and we can’t wait to see what’s next.

If you’re interested in joining our team in Canada, be sure to check out our open positions here!

2025 Employee Networks Summit: Finding Common Ground, Building for the future

Fri, 05 Dec 2025 17:00:00 +0000

A look inside this year’s summit, bringing our Employee Network leads together.

40% of Toasters are affiliated with an Employee Network. These Networks, which are a collective of our Employee Resource Groups and Communities, are open to all employees and are dedicated to fostering belonging and championing our diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts at Toast.

In October, Employee Network (EN) leads across our global organization met at Toast’s Boston headquarters for our second annual Employee Networks Summit, hosted by Toast’s diversity, equity, and inclusion team. The Toasters who spearhead these grassroots networks stem from every level, department, and corner of the globe. Their mission: to connect, learn, and build for even larger impact in 2026 and beyond.

“This year’s EN Summit gives our leads a great opportunity to realign on organizational priorities and continue to build their skillsets to become even more effective and efficient leaders at Toast; with true value-based behaviors we want to cultivate for our future Toast leaders”

Juan B. A., Employee Networks Program Manager

Read on for highlights from the Summit:

Best practices from industry leaders

We hosted industry experts from across organizations to share best practices on building effective programs, driving inclusive engagement, and creating psychological safety. Toast’s Employee Network leads put our values into action, staying hungry to build and learn, and committed to raising the bar, as they gained new knowledge and fresh insights to advance our employee resource groups and communities.

Collaboration to strengthen networks

This summit was also a collaborative opportunity with Klaviyo’s Klaviyo Resource Group (KRG) leads. Together, we explored shared challenges, exchanged solutions, and identified new ways to build, maintain, and expand the impact of our Employee Networks. These discussions broadened our perspectives and inspired new ideas for improving and scaling our Employee Networks.

Leadership engagement and support

Chief Executive Officer Aman and executive sponsors from each ERG joined the summit to deepen alignment and strengthen partnerships. During a Q&A with attendees, Aman discussed how we can further deepen EN alignment to business priorities to ensure visibility, support, and long-term impact.

The 2025 Employee Networks Summit empowered our EN leads with the alignment and insights needed to maximize their impact and strengthen their connection to business priorities for 2026 and beyond, ensuring we continue building a workplace that welcomes, engages, and empowers all Toasters.

Beyond the Job Description: My Co-op Journey at Toast

Fri, 19 Dec 2025 20:16:39 +0000

Toast Careers

This year, Megan H. completed a co-op on Toast’s Employer Brand team. Through her work, she helped tell the Toast story to candidates around the world and share our culture with future applicants. If you’ve followed us on Instagram or read other blog posts here, you’ve probably seen Megan’s incredible work in action!

Learn more about Megan’s co-op experience below!

Why did you decide to join Toast?

I had a genuine desire to be part of a company whose values aligned with the beliefs I live by. I wanted the opportunity to do meaningful work and to make a real impact. When I looked into Toast’s mission and the values that the company lives by every day, I felt inspired, it immediately resonated with me. That inspiration turned into a strong motivation to join Toast and contribute to a team that’s actively working toward something I deeply believe in.

How was your interview process and what helped you prepare?

The interview process was both smooth and encouraging. I went through one phone screen, two Zoom interviews, and one in-person interview. With each conversation, my desire to work at Toast grew stronger. Every person I spoke with was not only genuine but also genuinely interested in my background and the work I had done prior to Toast. That made the entire process feel less intimidating and more like a two-way conversation.

To prepare, I focused on the job description and responsibilities outlined for the role, and then thought carefully about how my past experiences could directly support the team and contribute to Toast’s goals. Instead of over-preparing answers, I concentrated on aligning my experiences with what the team was looking for and that ultimately gave me the confidence I needed going into each conversation.

What were your first impressions during your initial days on the job?

From my very first day, it felt like I had been working at Toast for years. There was such a strong sense of belonging, it immediately felt like a home away from home. The office was energetic, and the people were incredibly welcoming. No matter who I spoke to, whether it was someone from my own team, a senior leader, or someone in an entirely different department, the kindness, curiosity, and empathy were consistent.

My early days were full of learning. I found myself soaking up knowledge from every conversation and every project, trying to absorb as much as I could from the people around me. That eagerness to learn was met with equal eagerness from others to teach, which made the transition feel seamless. Overall, the energy and kindness I felt during my initial days on the job stayed consistent through my eight month co-op. It truly was a once in a lifetime experience.

What opportunities did you get to participate in outside of your day-to-day responsibilities?

One of the things that stood out to me about my co-op was the chance to get involved beyond just my daily projects. I was able to help host a 20+ person event with one of our vendors, which gave me great experience in event planning and cross-functional collaboration. I also had the opportunity to host an AMA with a member of the leadership team, which was an amazing way to learn directly from leadership and sharpen my skills in facilitating engaging conversations.

Beyond those events, I really immersed myself in the culture at Toast. Getting involved with Toast.org was especially meaningful to me. I attended philanthropic events that not only underscored Toast’s commitment to giving back but also aligned with my own values and made the experience even more fulfilling.

I also joined several Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) that made me feel even more connected to the community here. For example, during just my second week, I attended a ToastHER workshop focused on mental health in the workplace. That conversation was eye-opening, and it showed me early on that Toast is serious about fostering inclusion, support, and open dialogue.

All of these experiences gave me a chance not only to grow professionally, but also to see how Toast’s culture comes to life in everyday interactions.

How did this co-op influence your career goals or interests?

From day one, Toast made it clear that being a co-op wasn’t just about filling a role — it was about gaining experience, exploring, and growing. That then gave me the freedom to approach projects with curiosity and a willingness to try new things, knowing that the goal was to learn as much as possible.

This perspective influenced how I now view my career path. It truly showed me that the right workplace not only values the work you deliver but also invests in your personal and professional development. It made me more intentional about the kind of company culture and mission I want to be a part of in the future.

What’s the most valuable lesson you learned?

The biggest lesson I’ll carry forward is this: never underestimate the impact that a project, or a person, can have on you. Some of the projects I worked on taught me lessons I didn’t expect to learn, and the people I collaborated with left lasting impressions on me both personally and professionally.

I came into this experience hoping to contribute and grow, but I left realizing how much of an impact others had on me in the process. This mutual exchange of growth and support is something I’ll continue to look for in every role I take on moving forward.

Serving Up Success: How SellHers Mentors and Mentees are Empowering Career Growth

Tue, 03 Feb 2026 17:00:00 +0000

The SellHers group at Toast is dedicated to helping women in sales achieve their personal and professional goals by providing growth opportunities, powerful networking, continuous learning, and a strong sense of community. A key ingredient in this mission is the SellHers Mentorship Program, which offers structured one-on-one support to foster development, build confidence, and expand opportunities.

Through quarterly pairings and flexible guidance, participants gain personalized insights, build meaningful relationships, and advance their careers. We caught up with two mentor-mentee pairs—Laura N. (Inside Sales Manager) with Samantha E. (Enterprise Business Development Representative), and Brittany D. (Head of Strategic Cuisines) with Carly J. (Senior Territory Account Executive)—to hear how they are building success, one relationship at a time.

The Mentors’ Table: Paying it Forward

For the mentors, participation is all about paying success forward.

Laura N. was inspired by the "incredible mentors" she had throughout her career, and sees the program as her way of "supporting someone else on their journey."

Brittany D. views her past mentors—who were "more helpful than any development book"—as her "own personal board of advisors," and wanted to give back to the SellHer group in a similar capacity.

This dedication to mentorship isn't new. Brittany D. shared a powerful full-circle story, noting that a mentorship she had years ago with a senior leader helped her get better, provided candid feedback, and prepared her to take on a Director role. That existing relationship then made the transition much easier when she eventually began reporting to that same leader years later.

Sharing Frameworks, Not Just Advice

A core theme for our mentors is teaching mentees how to think, not just telling them what to do.

Brittany D. focuses on sharing frameworks, referencing the proverb of "giving a man a fish versus teaching a man to fish." "The framework and process is repeatable," she notes, which helps to "cut out some of the confusion on not knowing where to start."

Laura N. echoes this, explaining: "I see my role as helping build confidence in their own choices." For her, it’s about having "an open conversation versus giving instructions."

A Shared Success Story

Laura N. shared that her proud moment has been working with her mentee to map out career goals in an intentional way, breaking down next steps and connecting her to the right people. "It's been awesome to see her build momentum and start making progress," Laura says. "She's doing the work—I'm just helping guide the path."
Brittany D. was proud of her mentee, Carly J., for making her development a priority right away. Carly created a document of topics and carved out time to work on her goals outside of their sessions, understanding that these steps would ensure their time together was productive and focused.

The Mentees’ Journey: Always Hungry to Build and Learn

So, what brings the mentees to the table? For Carly J., it was finding an "accountable way to prioritize [her] growth" and gaining perspective by connecting with someone outside of her regular circle. Samantha E. was motivated to join by the opportunity to learn directly from successful women and to gain a more "nuanced understanding of the challenges and strategies unique to this field."

Insights That Spark Action

The sessions have resulted in powerful, actionable takeaways:

Carly J. highlighted the value of carving out "intentional time to reflect on your goals and priorities," a seemingly simple idea that helps her take a step back and evaluate what she's ultimately working toward.
Samantha E. noted that the most valuable lessons centered around "how to strategically navigate [her] career path" and the importance of advocating for herself in professional settings.

These insights directly translated to their daily work. Carly J. found she gained a stronger perspective and an "expanded connection to other Toasters," which opened doors to new insights. Samantha E. applied her learnings by creating a shadowing document to reflect on demos and by successfully advocating for herself to lead a discovery call independently—a meaningful milestone in her career.

Would They Recommend It? Absolutely.

Both mentees wholeheartedly recommend the program. Carly J. calls it a dedicated, safe environment to explore goals, challenges, and career trajectory. Samantha E. describes it as a unique and "invaluable opportunity to learn from accomplished leaders.” "There's something powerful about women supporting and learning from one another,” she added. “it fosters both personal and professional growth in a way that's truly empowering."

The SellHers Mentorship Program is a prime example of how Toasters live our value of “we’re hungry to build and learn.” By creating a space for women to connect, share frameworks, and challenge one another, this community is setting the bar high for career growth in sales.

Interested in joining a team that will help you reach your goals? See our Sales openings here!

A Toast to London

Wed, 07 Jan 2026 17:00:00 +0000

Paige M.

Earlier this year, Toast deepened our commitment to our growing community in London by moving to a new office! This enhanced space will provide employees with more spaces for collaboration- whether that be with fellow Toasters in meeting areas or customers in our demo space. We’re excited to offer a go-to-market office concept, focused on connecting customers to Toast and reaffirming our commitment to the UK market. Located in the heart of London’s food and retail scene, overlooking Regent Street, our new spot offers employees an easy commute and a lively, hospitality-driven atmosphere.

“This isn't just a move. It's a testament to our phenomenal company growth, invaluable feedback from employees, the evolving needs of our dynamic teams, and our drive to create a more engaging environment for our customers,” shared Ana M., VP, International.

“ We're thrilled about the immense potential this new location offers for expanding our teams, reinforcing our unique culture, and driving even greater success. This will enable us to be in-person more often, to showcase our product and brand to our customers, and to foster better collaboration.”

To commemorate this special occasion, employees were invited into the space for a ribbon cutting ceremony where leaders from across the business expressed their gratitude for the team’s dedication and drive. Le Bab, a local customer, also spoke to the team to share their story and explain the role Toast has played in their success. It was an incredible full-circle moment that centered everyone on our purpose, and reminded us all of how fortunate we are to work with such talented customers.

We were also thrilled to host the first Toast.org event in the new office. Toasters packed 100 snack packs for the Felix Project, London’s largest food redistribution charity. The Felix Project’s goal is to work towards a community where “good food is never wasted and no one goes hungry,” which couldn’t align better with Toast.org’s mission of enhancing the food experience for all. We were grateful for the opportunity to partner with such a noble cause– especially during our annual Season of Giving volunteer campaign!

We are so proud of our London team and all that they’ve accomplished. This exciting milestone will empower our teams to best serve our customers and their communities. We can’t wait to see what’s next!

If you’re interested in joining our team in the UK, be sure to check out our open positions here!

Celebrating Toast.org's Fifth Annual Season of Giving

Tue, 13 Jan 2026 11:16:45 +0000

Samantha Z., Program Manager, Toast.org

This November, Toasters around the world came together for our fifth annual Season of Giving—a month dedicated to addressing food insecurity and uplifting communities through volunteering, giving, and collective action. Hunger continues to be a global crisis, with around 735 million people facing food insecurity. This year, Toasters showed what is possible when we meet this challenge together as One Team.

Season of Giving is a cornerstone of Toast.org’s mission to enrich the food experience for all. Every November, we bring together the strength of our people, products, and philanthropy to support organizations fighting hunger in the communities where we live and work.

This year, Toasters engaged at record levels across volunteering, giving, learning, and celebrating impact. Here’s a look back at what we accomplished together.

Taking Action Through Service: Volunteering Locally and Virtually

Toasters volunteered with 60 hunger relief organizations worldwide—supporting food banks, meal distribution sites, soup kitchens, and more. From sorting groceries to packing meals to rescuing surplus food, our efforts directly supported those facing food insecurity.

We also partnered with Hunger Free America to support families potentially impacted by the SNAP benefits gap. Toasters joined virtual volunteer sessions to update critical information for their national hunger hotline, helping ensure families could access up-to-date food assistance resources.

Together, these efforts demonstrated the power of showing up for our communities—both in person and from home.

Giving That Multiplied Impact

This year marked our first month-long double match for donations to hunger relief organizations, amplifying the support Toasters provided during a time of heightened need.

2,200+ Toasters donated
$192,000 contributed across donations, matches, and rewards
1,400 hunger-related causes supported around the world

Every dollar went further thanks to Toast.org’s match, ensuring more families had access to essential nutrition throughout November.

This Season of Giving, Toasters helped extend our impact beyond our own giving by supporting fundraising efforts at Toast-powered restaurants. Throughout November,

Toast.org matched $50,000 in guest contributions made through Toast Fundraising campaigns organized by participating restaurants.

By pairing our platform innovation with community generosity, we helped restaurant partners amplify support for nonprofits working to end hunger—turning everyday dining moments into opportunities to give back.

Toasters also earned and redeemed:

$25 in global donation rewards, gifted to Toasters to use by the end of the year
$10 per hour volunteered for November events

Our Global Virtual Food Drive was another matching opportunity, where grocery items and meal kits were doubled and sent directly to local food banks. Together, these giving opportunities turned moments of generosity into meaningful, sustained impact.

Directing Local Support Through Hometown Grants

Across dozens of cities around the world, Toast.org Local Committee Chairs curated hometown grant ballots, made up of hunger relief organizations for Toasters to vote on. Through this process, Toasters helped direct $500,000 in Hometown Grants to impactful nonprofits addressing food insecurity close to home.

This local-first approach helps ensure Toasters can fuel change where it matters most—in their own communities.

Celebrating Changemakers and Community Leaders

This year we refreshed and expanded the Global Impact Awards (formerly the Toast.org Impact Awards) to honor Toasters who lead through service, inclusion, and community spirit. Nearly 150 nominations were submitted—highlighting individuals and teams who demonstrate exceptional leadership, collaboration, and commitment to building a healthier, more sustainable, and equitable world.

We also launched the inaugural Toast Changemakers Program, awarding 15 U.S. restaurants $10,000 grants to amplify their hunger relief work. These restaurants are reshaping what community impact looks like in the food service industry, and we’re proud to celebrate their leadership. Meet the 2025 grant recipients here.

Educating Toasters and their Families

Families also joined in through our Food Insecurity Impact Kits, engaging our croutons with creative activities that help build empathy and awareness about hunger in our world.

A Month of Collective Impact

From global volunteering to matched donations to shared learning and celebration, Season of Giving 2025 reflected the very best of Toast: a team that shows up for each other and for our communities.

Together, Toasters worldwide:

Volunteered with 60 hunger relief organizations
Contributed $192,000 to hunger relief causes
Supported 1,400 nonprofits
Activated donation rewards and double matches for greater impact
Joined virtual volunteer sessions to help families navigating food assistance changes
Directed $500,000 in Hometown Grants to local partners
Celebrated extraordinary Toasters and restaurants through our Global Impact Awards and Changemakers Program

Looking Ahead

The need remains great—but so is our capacity to make a difference. Season of Giving 2025 showed how powerful our community can be when we come together with purpose.

Thank you to every Toaster who donated, volunteered, learned, led, and showed up. Your actions—big and small—help make the world a healthier, more sustainable, and equitable place. Here’s to another year of giving, growing, and serving—together.

Toast in the Big Apple

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 17:34:35 +0000

Paige M.

Toast is thrilled to announce the opening of our first New York City office! After years of supporting remote employees in NYC, we are excited to create a purposeful, unique space where Toasters can gather.

“My team and I were really excited by the announcement that Toast would be opening its first office in New York City,” reflected Mark C., District Sales Manager. “From the outset, the office has fostered meaningful cross-departmental connections, which is what excites me most. Gaining insight into how other teams contribute to Toast’s continued growth and support of our customers has been incredibly valuable. The informal, day-to-day interactions with colleagues across the business help strengthen relationships and truly bring the Toast value of ‘We’re One Team’ to life.”

Located in Flatiron, steps from Union Square’s convenient subway station and popular restaurants, the office was designed with Toasters and our customers in mind. We have an array of meeting spaces, from open-concept areas to soundproofed phone booths, and a fully stocked kitchen to keep teams fueled throughout the day. We also have a demo room that showcases the latest and greatest in Toast technology, so local customers and prospects can come in to see all that we have to offer.

“After years of tracking down Toasters at coffee shops and coworking spaces, it’s great to have a dedicated space where we can come together in person! I’ve already made new connections and been able to dream up new ways to collaborate with Toasters I’ve met in the office and, perhaps most importantly, Flatiron has some of the most perfect lunch options,” said Emily B., PR and Communications Senior Manager.

The opening of the office was a three day event with catered food from local customers, a ribbon cutting ceremony with leaders, and social hours where Toasters could get to know their teammates. We also hosted a volunteer event with City Harvest. Our goal was to pack 300 pounds worth of snack packs for neighbors in need, but Toasters exceeded this and packed almost 350 pounds. Over 100 packs were filled with nourishing snacks and beverages!

"I am so excited that we now have an office for my team, Toast IQ, to meet other Toasters and collaborate! Given New York is arguably the hospitality capital of the US, having this office will be a game-changer for attracting customers and top talent,” shared Sonora B., Director of Product. “ I'm personally already seeing a massive positive impact of working alongside my other colleagues and learning about other parts of the organization every day."

We are looking forward to this next chapter in New York City, and we can’t wait to continue to welcome Toasters from NYC, New Jersey, and around the world into this space.

Want to join the team that’s powering the hospitality industry? Check out our open roles here!

Meet the Leader: Noel O'Connell, Regional Vice President - Australia

Tue, 24 Feb 2026 17:00:00 +0000

Toast Careers

Tell us a little bit about your background.

I grew up on a farm in the beautiful Irish countryside in the county of Tipperary, Ireland. I am the second youngest of ten siblings. From an early age, I was out working on the farm with my father and brothers. It's a world away from what I am doing now!

In college, I studied commerce. In order to pay for my rent and living expenses, I worked in a call centre selling A.O.L minutes to the American and English markets. This was my first brush with sales and I was pretty decent at it.

After college, I moved to the United States and lived there for two years. I worked for a furniture company that was based in Boston but I was able to travel all over hauling furniture. I made lots of new friends, and saw vast amounts of America.

When I returned home to Ireland, I went back into sales, selling everything from advertising space to gardening products! After Ireland was hit by the financial crash, I emigrated to the Netherlands to find work. Then I moved to the UK where I was part of the go-to-market team of Groupon. This is where I caught the GTM bug.

I later moved back to Ireland to take a position as the founding Irish Account Executive for OpenTable, starting my career in hospitality technology. I stayed at OpenTable for ten years. During this time, I travelled a huge amount to the States, which is when I first became aware of Toast. I was hugely impressed by the system and what Toast had to offer. I always said that when Toast came to Ireland/Europe, I would make it my business to work for them. Sure enough, Toast opened a GTM team in Dublin. The rest, as they say, is history.

I have been happily married to my wife Aisling for 14 years. I am a proud girl dad to Ada, Annie, and Bonnie. They are my motivation for everything. Without my girls I don't know where I would be!

Tell us about your transition into the Regional Vice President of Australia role. It must be exciting to be a founding member for Toast in a new region!

After I had been at Toast for about two years, the opportunity presented itself to become the Regional Vice President of Australia in early 2025. Bolstered by the support of my wife I applied for the role. I was successful and could not wait for the opportunity to set Toast up, down under!

I believe I was selected for the role in large part because of the teams in Dublin. The dedication and hard work of the sales, onboarding, and field technician teams made Toast a success in Ireland. They did so much of the hard yards while I made sure that everything stayed between the ditches. Also during this time, I was able to grow my leadership skills because of great coaching from many leaders across Toast.

I have been down in Australia for the past six months and we have had amazing success building out our sales and onboarding teams. They have been outstanding and smashed our 2025 sales and go-live targets.

In your experience, how does Toast’s product innovation and the caliber of people here create a competitive advantage that you haven't seen elsewhere?

Having spent over 13 years in hospitality tech, I can honestly say there is nothing quite like what we have here at Toast.

On the product side, the innovation is simply a game changer. In my previous life, I saw restaurateurs struggling to stitch together five or six different systems just to get through a service. It was a headache for them. Toast coming in with a true "all-in-one" platform changed the conversation entirely. Seeing that impact firsthand is what made me fall in love with the company in the first place.

However, you can have the best technology in the world, but it means nothing without the right people behind it. That is the real secret sauce at Toast. The caliber of people I get to work with, from the product teams in Boston and India, to our sales and onboarding teams in Dublin, and now the team here in Australia, is unmatched.

There is a genuine passion here that I haven't seen elsewhere. Toasters don't just "work" in tech; they truly care about the restaurant community. When you combine a product that actually solves problems with a team willing to do the hard work to ensure our customers succeed, you get a competitive advantage that is very hard to beat. It’s that combination of world-class tech and world-class people that makes me proud to wear the Toast logo every day.

What is your favorite part of working with our customers, and what unique potential do you see in the Australia hospitality scene?

I love working in hospitality because I don't think you will find more passionate people in any other walk of life. It is truly infectious. Every single restaurant is unique and has a story to tell; in many ways, the venue is an extension of the owners and their dreams. No day is ever really the same, so things are always fresh and new, which keeps me on my toes!

Regarding the potential down under: it is massive. The standard of hospitality in Australia is first-rate, and the food and coffee culture here is second to none. Because of that high standard, the operators are incredibly tech-focused and savvy. They understand that technology is more than a tool; it's a way to deliver better guest experiences.

While there are many quality competitors in the market, there is no one providing the full "all-in-one" partnership that Toast can offer a restaurant. We have a real opportunity to change the game here.

I am beyond excited to spread the good word of Toast with my teams in 2026. We are going to paint the country orange!

Which Toast value does your team bring to life most?

I love our Toast values; they are the compass for everything we do. I consider myself very lucky to work with a team down here that truly lives and breathes "raise the bar."

We have worked hard to create a culture where we can give each other open and honest feedback. It’s not about criticism; it’s about ensuring that as a unit, we all grow, learn, and unlock our potential together.

For the Australia team, "Raising the Bar" means there are absolutely no shortcuts. We are disciplined in following the Sandler methodology to ensure we are focused and productive every single day.

What advice would you give to a sales professional in Australia who is considering their next career opportunity, and why should they consider joining the Toast team?

My advice is simple: Master your current role first. You have to do the hard yards and prove yourself where you are before looking at what is next. Be a sponge for feedback, be a team player, and always look for those additional projects that will stretch your potential.

Crucially, if you want to excel in a GTM environment like ours, you have to accept and enjoy the ambiguity. Things change fast, and you have to be adaptable. That is where the real learning happens.

As for why you should join Toast right now? It is the best of both worlds. You get the backing and product power of a successful global company, but here in Australia, you get the energy and excitement of a startup. You have the chance to come in on the ground floor and help build the legacy of Toast in this region.

How Toast Empowers the Entrepreneurial Spirit

Thu, 19 Mar 2026 14:29:43 +0000

Ava R.

Adam D. does it all! At Toast, Adam leads a team of engineers dedicated to maintaining and improving the industry-leading Toast Kitchen Display Screen (KDS). However, his expertise does not stop at the screen. Not only is Adam a Toast Staff Software Engineer and Tech Lead, but he brings his technical lens to the charm of his Woburn, MA-based eatery, The Fox Den, a restaurant he opened in 2022. Adam offers a unique perspective on career growth and entrepreneurship. Follow along as we dive into Adam’s entrepreneurship journey, his tips for starting a career in tech, and how to embrace every path to success.

What initially drew you to Toast, and how has the company supported your transition into a Staff Software Engineer and Tech Lead role?

There were two primary things that drove me to Toast back in 2017:

First, working on an innovative, Android-driven Point of Sale was big for me as a long-time Android fan. The restaurant industry was waiting for innovation, and I was excited to be able to join that mission.

Second, my family grew up in and around the food service industry, and my brother had been cheffing for a while. I was interested in helping to foster his knowledge and getting deep into restaurant technology to help him take the leap towards his own restaurant.

With the unique perspective of being both a Toaster and a Toast customer, how does using the product in your own restaurant influence the way you lead your engineering team and approach innovation at Toast?

My five-year sabbatical actually almost aligned with The Fox Den opening, so I spent a good chunk of that time in the restaurant: working on the menu, cooking, serving, running, and expediting food. At this point, most of my involvement in the restaurant is through Toast, working with cash flow, sales summaries, product reports, and payroll. This has given me a broader view than when I was just on the kitchen team.

Actually utilizing our product helped me understand where the KDS fits within the greater Toast ecosystem, see how data is used between all the various product areas, and provide some of that context and customer empathy with my team.

Personally, I find that the closer I am to the user of the software, the more I understand what is important. Owning a restaurant certainly helps to shed light on how our software is used and what's really important to our users.

I'm also excited to be a part of our "Owners Table" Employee Resource Group community here at Toast, which is a group of Toasters who are also business owners. The existence of this group highlights the importance of having subject matter experts at all levels across the company. By being both a restaurant owner and a Toast employee, it has given me an intuition for what feels like the right solution, both as owner as well as employee.

Can you share more about how the Toast Kitchen Display System helps restaurants thrive.

A kitchen specifically can be a very chaotic environment. On our KDS, we have a feature called Item Fire By Prep Time. On paper, you know the burger takes 6 minutes to cook, the salad takes 2 minutes to prepare, and the fries take 4 minutes.

Item Fire By Prep Time controls when those items show on each KDS device so that each item should finish at the same time. In reality, if the item that takes the longest isn't started immediately, then all the other items will be put up to the expediter before the longest prep time item is completed. Knowing when items are started becomes crucial to ensuring that the system adapts to changes in the "on paper" calculations, and ensures that the kitchen staff don't need to work harder because of a feature that was meant to make their lives easier.

I'm a big proponent using the products you make. This can be tough when you're making products for businesses and not people, but this experience gives me a direct line of feedback from the restaurant staff, guests, and other owners as we continue to build out great features here at Toast.

Looking ahead, what opportunities do you see for Toast to continue empowering customers?

Honestly, there's so much! But what I worked on last year was bringing kitchen fulfillment data to our owners and operators via Toast IQ, and I think that getting kitchen efficiency data in a more accessible manner is going to be a huge win for restaurants. From a customer perspective, Toast IQ being able to tie data from all of our data sources together is going to really provide insights that used to take me hours and many excel macros to piece together.

What would you tell a prospective Toaster about the growth potential here? Why is now an exciting time to be part of the Toast journey?

The growth I‘ve seen on the Android App team since joining Toast has been incredible. Teams that were once solely focused on mobile now have growth opportunities in web services, AI tools, and web front end. My general guidance for more junior engineers is to try everything, find out what you like, and dive deep into it. I think with the general opportunity at Toast now, that's not only reserved for junior engineers. As Toast branches off to Retail and beyond, the scope of interesting problems to innovate on only increases.

Toast’s New Bangalore Office

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 16:00:00 +0000

Paige M.

Toasters in India started off 2026 by celebrating the opening of our newest Bangalore office!

Our new office, located in the RMZ Ecoworld Campus, offers an exciting, refreshed space for our employees. The office is central to many nearby amenities, including expansive cuisine options. Employees will be able to enjoy a variety of quiet working spots, communal gathering areas, and spaces for socializing. We invite employees to partake in some friendly competition with foosball and table tennis, or to wind down in our wellness rooms. We are also in the process of building an experience center, which will be set up as a mock restaurant filled with Toast devices. We look forward to seeing Toasters learn more about our products in this space!

The opening festivities ran throughout the day, including a ribbon cutting ceremony with leaders from around the world. Toasters were encouraged to take pictures in our photobooth and to show off their new Toast gear. We also hosted a team wide meeting, where employees were able to hear from Co-Founder Steve F., SVP India Site Lead Kavita V., and Murali V., Area Vice President of People, APAC.

"It's awesome to see the energy and vibe of our new Bangalore office,” shared Murali V.. “Having a larger space isn’t just about accommodating headcount—it’s a tangible signal that Toast is serious about India as a long-term capability and innovation hub."

Additionally, 50 Toasters came together to pack 400 nutrition kits for local government school children. This heart-warming initiative, powered by Toast’s Season of Giving grants, brought the team together in a spirit of camaraderie and excitement. Each child received a reusable bag filled with healthy essentials like seeds, nuts, nutritious jaggery snacks, and millet malt, along with a new water bottle. It was a meaningful way to mark the start of our journey in this new office by giving back to our local community.

We are excited for the continued success of our Bangalore team! If you’re interested in joining us, see our open positions here!

Life At Toast

Embracing a Hospitality Mindset: From Hotels to Restaurant Tech

“As Toasters, we’re incredibly

passionate about our customers

and the experiences we create.”

Congratulations to the 2022 Founders Awards winners

Toast.org’s A Toast to the Earth

Empowering restaurants as an Account Executive

Growing a family while growing a career

Toaster Spotlight: Randy, Sr. Software Engineer Team Lead

Built In Honors Toast in Its 2022 LGBTQIA+ Advocacy Awards

Driven with Purpose: How our configuration centers ensure our customers thrive

Meet the Toasters behind the work

4 Tips to uplevel your self reflection and performance conversations

Toasting to our new office on St. Stephen’s Green

“Over the last several years, we’ve come to reap so many more benefits from our strategic investment here–ease of collaboration with other Toast teams, Irish hospitality, and more. We look forward to more fruitful days to come for Toast in Ireland."

Toaster Spotlight: Olivia S., Customer Care Specialist

Celebrating National Intern Day

“I remember feeling like a trusted member of the team because I was handed some meaty projects,” Sam said. “I wasn’t showing up and standing in front of the copy machine and stapler all day. I was brought in to metric reviews and brainstorming sessions and actively asked for my input.”

Enhancing our work spaces for collaboration

And to further my thought on how we all bring different perspectives, I believe now is one of the most exciting times to be in real estate and workplace experience.

Reflections from the National Restaurant Association Show

Toast is on the rise in Omaha!

Out & Equal: Fostering an Inclusive Community at Toast

If we can use our platforms to help lift each other up, tell each other's stories and even provide a bit more confidence in the work you’re doing - then that's a win for me. I would have to say, that’s my why.

3 Tips for Writing Impactful OKRs

Better Together: How Mentorship Sets the Sales Team Up for Success

Hear more about the value of this program from a few of our Sales team members:

From Woburn to Nashville- Toast is on a roll!

“This move has helped me to be more vocal and recognize my potential,” Nisha said. “Toast has supported me in my professional growth since the day I started.”

Tips from Toasters: Wellbeing for working parents

BEST PRACTICE TIPS:

Get familiar with your employer’s caregiver benefits

Be transparent with your manager or team

Create a schedule for you and your croutons

Working with your manager to plan ahead for parental leave and returning to work

Take a walk/snack/silence break when needed

Enjoy time with your family

Take pictures

Be gracious with yourself

Share and seek support with your colleagues

Toasting Around the World

I greatly enjoyed my time in the Dublin office, but recently, I was offered the adventure of a lifetime: helping to build out our office location in Bangalore.

How to Kickoff Your Job Search

Establish your core values

Create a list

Pro Tip #1: Websites like Glassdoor and Comparably are great places to search for companies. When you find a company that matches your needs, add it to a list. From there you can add interesting job postings that come up at each company and keep track of when you apply to specific openings.

Build up your LinkedIn

Meet the Leader: Lou Orfanos, SVP, GM of Commerce

You grew up in the Greek immigrant community and around restaurants in Boston. How has that experience impacted your decision to join Toast?

You’ve jumped into a lot of projects since you’ve joined Toast. What type of work do you do day-to-day?

In what ways do you think about scaling monetization within our platform of products?

How do you see product, engineering, and design working together when building products?

How has your work prior to Toast helped you hit the ground running?

What do you do outside of work/do for fun? What are some of your hobbies and general interests?

What excites you about the future of Toast?

How a customer-centric mindset helps me thrive at Toast

And lastly, I’ve never stopped being customer obsessed. Without loyal customers, the restaurant or bar or software company cannot be successful, which is why it is so important to provide the best customer experience possible each and every time.

Celebrating Hispanic/ Latinx Heritage Month with the Emerging Markets Team

“In the Hispanic and Latinx cultures, familia has a super tight knit dynamic, and that is what you will get at Toast with Emerging Markets.”

Leveraging your Professional Development Stipend for Career Growth

Be part of the equity equation: National Disability Employment Awareness Month

For folks who are looking to support co-workers with disabilities (whether they be permanent, temporary, or situational), here is my advice:

Have an open mind.

Ask questions respectfully.

"Disabled" is not a bad word. The disability community works hard to take back pride in that word and to combat ableism. But not everyone's the same, so ask people what they prefer when the time is right.

The disability community is incredibly diverse. It intersects with every other identity! And it is the only historically marginalized group that anyone can become a member of at any time.

Remember that each person's journey is unique. Meet the person where they are.

Meet the Leader: Ritika Butani, VP - Corporate Development

Toaster Spotlight: Lexi H., Director, Customer Care

Care is a phenomenal place to start a career. One of my favorite parts of this job is watching people come into the Care organization, get really good at what they do, and then bring those skills to other teams and areas of Toast.

Driven with Purpose: Serving Our Local Communities

Day in the Life of a Senior Territory Account Executive

A Toast to Our Growing Team in India

Meet the Leader: Jehad Affoneh, Chief Design Officer

How we build inclusive experiences is core to how we think of design.

Celebrating NDEAM with Second to Naan

Welcome to the first Customer Care class in our new Omaha space

Hacking for Innovation

“It's just a matter of time before one of these exciting hacks is a product that creates a flourishing food system for people and the planet!” - Ani B., New Ventures Lead, Toast.org