How Per Diem Helps Barrio Bagel and Slice Serve Faster and Smarter

TLDR

When baker Don Guerra opened Barrio Bagel and Slice in Gilbert’s East Valley with restaurant veteran Oren Molovinsky, he wanted to create something familiar yet forward-looking. Guerra, known as the James Beard Award-winning baker behind Barrio Bread, has always believed that bread connects people. His next step was to take that belief into a café where heritage grains, local ingredients, and everyday convenience come together naturally.

Since opening in April 2025, Barrio Bagel and Slice has become a steady part of local routines. Families stop by for weekend bagels, commuters swing through for coffee before work, and regulars pick up their favorite breads each Friday. Partnering with Per Diem in March 2025 made this rhythm even smoother. Customers could now order ahead through the Per Diem app, skip the line, and enjoy their food exactly when they needed it.

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The Story Behind the Shop

Guerra’s story begins long before Gilbert. Years ago, he started baking in his Tucson garage, testing small batches of bread made from local grains. That small start grew into Barrio Bread, a bakery that earned national recognition for reviving heritage grains and building community around food. When Guerra teamed up with Molovinsky, who brought years of restaurant experience, they imagined a neighborhood café that served that same quality in new forms.

At Barrio Bagel and Slice, everything begins with care and purpose. The team works with Arizona farmers to source grains and ingredients that tell a story of the region. Their menu blends comfort and craft: hand-rolled bagels, wood-fired pizza slices, and breads that highlight sustainable farming and local flavor.

But beyond the craft, the team saw an opportunity to make life easier for their guests. People wanted good food without the stress of waiting or rushing. Parents could order breakfast while packing lunches, and workers could grab a meal between meetings. Guerra and Molovinsky focused on creating that ease without losing the heart of their bakery.

How Per Diem Helps Barrio Serve Faster and Smarter

When the team at Barrio Bagel and Slice introduced Per Diem’s mobile ordering, the change was immediate. Customers could browse the menu, order from anywhere, and choose how they wanted to pick up their food. The system brought new options like curbside pickup, drive-through, and delivery, giving guests full control over how they visit the bakery.

One of the most popular features is the weekly bread pre-order. Customers can place their order anytime from Saturday through Wednesday and pick up their loaves on Fridays between 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. It’s a simple schedule, but it works. Staff can plan production efficiently, avoid waste, and focus on baking quality bread. Customers get guaranteed access to their favorite items without worrying about sellouts.

Data from their dashboard shows that pickup orders make up the largest share of Barrio’s mobile sales, followed by delivery and curbside. This reflects what the team sees every day: regulars who value convenience but still want that personal connection. With the app handling the busywork, staff have more time to greet customers, keep service smooth, and focus on the details that make the bakery special.

A recent industry report found that six in ten diners now use mobile ordering weekly. Barrio Bagel and Slice stands out by using that trend to strengthen, not replace, community ties. It’s a bakery that feels traditional but runs with the rhythm of modern life.

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Building Better Experiences for Customers and Staff

For Guerra and Molovinsky, good food is only part of what makes a great bakery. How guests feel when they visit matters just as much. With Per Diem, they noticed changes that went beyond speed. Regular customers began using the app as part of their weekly routine. People place breakfast orders before the morning rush, and commuters grab coffee without waiting in line. Bread lovers secure their Friday loaves days ahead of time. Each small improvement adds up to a smoother, more personal experience.

For the staff, the difference is clear behind the counter too. Mobile orders arrive with full details, so the team can stay organized during busy hours. Having one pickup day for preorders keeps the workday balanced and predictable. Fewer last-minute calls mean bakers can focus on quality, and front-of-house staff can spend more time connecting with guests. The Per Diem dashboard makes it simple to track every order type in one place, giving the team confidence that nothing gets missed.

This setup has also helped the bakery keep operations efficient. With consistent digital ordering, the team can better predict demand and reduce waste, staying aligned with their sustainability values. What started as a way to make things easier for customers has turned into a reliable system that supports both staff and business growth.

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Final Thoughts

At Barrio Bagel and Slice, Per Diem has become part of how the bakery runs each day. The system has helped the team keep up with demand, stay organized, and meet customers exactly where they are. Guests can place an order, choose how they want to pick it up, and get their food when it fits their schedule.

For the owners, that balance matters. They can plan better, reduce wait times, and keep their focus on quality. Staff have clearer workflows, customers get faster service, and the whole operation moves with less stress.

Looking ahead, the team sees mobile ordering as a permanent part of the bakery’s future. The consistency it brings has already improved service and customer satisfaction. It’s a model that works for busy neighborhoods and independent operators alike.

Per Diem has shown the team that technology can support hospitality instead of replacing it. At Barrio Bagel and Slice, every order through the app still starts with the same care that goes into every loaf and bagel — simple, local, and made to fit modern life.

Let’s make service effortless. See how Per Diem can help your restaurant run smarter and serve faster. Schedule a Demo