At Tech on Toast, we’re always excited to highlight how hospitality businesses keep their teams engaged and operations running smoothly.
Recently, we spoke with Oli Cavaliero, Head of People and Engagement at Pizza Pilgrims, about their latest addition to the team—Joshua. However, Joshua isn’t your typical new recruit.
He’s a highly intelligent AI tool that’s swiftly becoming a key player in Pizza Pilgrims’ operations.
Enter Joshua: The AI Sidekick
So, what exactly is Joshua? Oli puts it simply, “You can ask Joshua anything about Pizza Pilgrims, and he should have the answer.” Need to know how to make the perfect margarita? Joshua’s got your back. Want to find out who’s running the Kingly Court branch? No problem—Joshua knows.
It’s like having the world’s most efficient (and least annoying) co-worker on hand 24/7. “We built Joshua to ensure that our staff have access to everything they need, from menu recipes to career paths, right at their fingertips,” explains Oli. But Joshua doesn’t just spout out facts and recipes—he’s become a bit of a superstar when it comes to team engagement too.
Pizza Pilgrims introduced Joshua to help make sure open shifts get covered more easily. Instead of frantic last-minute calls or texts, Joshua sends out a shift forecast three times a week, letting staff know which shifts are up for grabs. And the results? Pretty impressive. “We’ve reduced open shifts by 30% in just three months,” Oli shares, sounding equal parts proud and relieved.
"There's so much to learn when you're starting a new job. Half of it is all this information that's been just flooded to you and all the menu specs and standards expectations This other part of like values and behaviours and knowing what is right? What's wrong potentially? But then you're going to an environment which is completely new. There's so much to take in, and Joshua can help"
Joshua Cares About The Team
Joshua also has a talent for the little things that make the team feel appreciated. “On a Monday, Joshua sends reminders to managers about their team’s birthdays,” says Oli. “It’s the small touches—making sure a team member gets a message, a gift, or even just the day off—that really matter.”
Who knew an AI could be so thoughtful?
But wait, it gets better. Joshua isn’t just functional; he’s got a fun side too. At Pizza Pilgrims’ Fragosto summer party, Joshua even took a turn as DJ. Yep, you read that right—the AI was curating the playlist! “We asked the team to submit their favourite songs, and Joshua created the opening playlist for the event,” says Oli, laughing. “He was rebranded as DJ Pizza Face for the night.” Who knew AI could have such a good sense of rhythm?
A Bright, AI-Enhanced Future
While Joshua’s current duties might seem like the height of innovation, Pizza Pilgrims is already planning phase two of their AI wonder. Soon, Joshua will be able to pull up live data like how many pizzas have been sold that day, offering managers real-time insights without lifting a finger.
“We’re moving towards Joshua being able to provide live data at any moment, so if someone asks, ‘How many pizzas have we sold today?’, Joshua will give them the answer instantly,” Oli explains. Talk about next-level pizza tracking!
Putting The Team Back On The Floor
Joshua will save the team time, and put the managers where they need to be, on the floor with their team and their customers.
And there’s even more to come. Oli hints at the potential for Joshua to take on even bigger tasks in the future, like posting job ads or tracking applicants—basically becoming the ultimate multi-tasker. “I’d love to get to a point where a manager can ask Joshua to post a job ad on Indeed, and it’s done in minutes,” he says.
With that kind of future on the horizon, Joshua might just be the most overachieving employee in Pizza Pilgrims’ history!
All this tech talk might sound serious, but there’s a real sense of fun in how Pizza Pilgrims is using Joshua to keep things light and engaging. Whether it’s DJing at the summer party, reminding managers to celebrate their team, or helping shy new recruits learn recipes without having to ask, Joshua is proving that technology can be a game-changer for hospitality, all while keeping things fun.
In the end, Joshua isn’t just an AI—he’s a part of the team. And as Pizza Pilgrims continues to grow, there’s no doubt that Joshua will keep evolving right along with them, helping the team work smarter, not harder, and keeping the pizza (and the good vibes) flowing.
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