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TLDR
James Beard Award-winning baker Don Guerra is expanding once again, this time with a brand-new drive-thru bakery, bagel, and pizza shop in Gilbert, Arizona. Known for his handcrafted, small-batch bread and innovative bagel collaborations, Guerra has built a devoted following across Arizona.
Previously, his bread was mostly available through pre-orders and weekly pickups, with customers ordering in advance and picking up on select days. His recent collaborations like the Sonoran bagels he developed with Chompie’s—have been just as successful. However, instead of planning ahead, customers will now be able to drive up and take home fresh bread, bagels, and pizza the same day.
To make this shift work, Guerra needed the right technology - something that could handle the fast-paced nature of a drive-thru while still offering a smooth and simple experience for both customers and staff. That’s why Guerra and his business partner, Oren Molovinsky, chose Square over any other point-of-sale system for the project. They also partnered with Per Diem, a mobile ordering app built specifically for bakeries and coffee shops.
Together, Square and Per Diem are helping Guerra modernize his bakery while keeping the quality and craftsmanship that made him famous.
Revolutionizing Convenience with Per Diem and Square
Guerra’s goal with this new venture is simple: make things easier for his customers while still delivering the delicious, high-quality products he’s known for. That’s why he has chosen Per Diem and Square for the project. The idea is to make ordering and picking up bakery items as simple as possible—without compromising on the experience.
Effortless Ordering, Anytime, Anywhere
When you’re craving a fresh loaf of bread, a bagel, or a slice of pizza, the last thing you want to do is wait around in line. With Per Diem, customers can now skip that step entirely. They can order ahead on the app, customize their order to fit their preferences, and even pay before they get there. Whether they’re in the car or relaxing at home, they can grab their favorite treats without the hassle of waiting.
Square’s Integration Makes It All Seamless
One of the reasons Guerra chose Square is because it integrates so well with the mobile ordering process. Once a customer places an order through Per Diem, it goes straight to Square’s POS system, so the bakery is ready to serve them the moment they arrive at the drive-thru window. This connection speeds things up, making the entire process feel effortless from start to finish—no more long waits or confusion at the counter.
Why Square? The Smart Choice for Bakeries
When you’re running a bakery, you need a system that’s fast, reliable, and easy to use. Square checked all the boxes for Guerra, offering a flexible, bakery-friendly solution that lets him focus on what he does best—baking great food. Here's why he made the switch from Toast to Square.
Simplicity and Efficiency at the Core
One of the reasons Guerra is such a big fan of Square is its user-friendly design. “The platform is straightforward and allows us to focus on what we do best—baking”, Guerra said. For a bakery that relies on speed and accuracy, Square’s easy-to-use system simplifies everything. Whether it’s processing orders at the counter or managing drive-thru pickups, the system helps keep everything running smoothly without the added complexity.
Tools for Customization and Personalization
Bakeries thrive on customization—whether it’s a customer with dietary restrictions, a specific topping request, or a custom-sized loaf of bread. Square understands this need, offering tools that allow businesses to take detailed special instructions. Square’s POS system lets Guerra’s team adjust orders with ease, ensuring that every customer gets exactly what they want, just the way they like it.
For customers, this means fewer mistakes and more personalized service, whether they’re ordering on the app or in-store. It’s a simple feature, but one that will make all the difference in ensuring customer satisfaction.
Smarter Inventory Management with Square
With automated stock tracking, the bakery can monitor ingredient levels, track sales trends, and prevent shortages before they happen. Whether it’s flour for bread, toppings for pizza, or cream cheese for bagels, Square’s system updates inventory across all sales channels, including in-store, drive-thru, and mobile orders. This means customers will never order something that’s already sold out, and the team can focus on baking instead of manual stock checks.
Enhancing the Drive-Thru Experience with Per Diem
An efficient drive-thru relies on effective order management, and the app plays a crucial role in making this possible. By allowing customers to place orders in advance, Per Diem helps streamline the experience and ensures that orders are ready to go when they pull up to the window. This makes the drive-thru process faster and more convenient for everyone involved. Here's how the app works in sync with the bakery's drive-thru concept.
Order Ahead for Fast, Convenient Pickup
With Per Diem, customers can browse the menu, customize their orders, and pay right from their phones. Whether they're craving a fresh loaf of bread, a bagel, or a pizza, the app allows them to place their order in advance and pick it up without delay. By ordering ahead, customers avoid waiting in line, which helps speed up the drive-thru service and minimizes long waits, especially during peak hours.
Customizable Orders Made Easy
Bakeries are known for their customizable options, and the app makes it simple for customers to tailor their orders. From choosing specific toppings on pizzas to adjusting bread options, the app allows for full personalization. This flexibility ensures that customers get exactly what they want without needing to make special requests at the window, saving time and reducing the chance for mistakes.
In-App Payments for Quick Transactions
One of the biggest time-savers for drive-thru operations is in-app payments. With Per Diem, customers can pay via Apple Pay, Google Pay, or credit cards in advance, meaning that when they reach the window, their payment is already processed. This eliminates the need to handle cash or swipe cards at the drive-thru, speeding up transactions and reducing friction during the pickup process.
Push Notifications for Promotions and Updates
Per Diem also makes it easy for the brand to engage customers with push notifications. These notifications can alert customers about new menu items, limited-time specials, or promotions. By keeping customers informed in real time, the bakery can drive more traffic, increase sales, and keep his bakery top of mind, all while giving customers the convenience of ordering exactly what they want, when they want it.
Real-Time Order Management for Staff Efficiency
On the back end, the Per Diem app integrates seamlessly with Square’s POS system, making it easy for staff to track orders and manage inventory in real-time. As soon as an order is placed through the app, it’s sent to the bakery for processing. This system helps staff stay organized, reducing confusion and ensuring that every order is prepared and ready when the customer arrives. The real-time syncing of orders with Square’s POS system also means that inventory is updated automatically, ensuring there are no discrepancies between available items and customer orders.
Final Thoughts
Guerra’s new drive-thru bakery is not just a place to grab a meal—it’s a community-centered concept designed to make high-quality baked goods more accessible. With Square and Per Diem, Guerra and Molovinsky have created a system that’s easy for customers, quick, and reliable, all while keeping the personal touch and care that they are known for. Their focus right now is on getting the Gilbert location up and running smoothly, but the partners have already hinted that he and Molovinsky are considering bringing this innovative idea to Tucson as well. For now, they’re committed to making their Gilbert drive-thru a place where the community can enjoy fresh, high-quality bread, bagels, and pizza with ease. It’s about creating a simple, fast experience without sacrificing the warmth and quality that the Barrio Bread brand has always stood for.
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