The Problem With Fixed-Time Notifications
It's 10:00 AM. Your compliance system sends a text to all your managers: "Time to complete today's micro-check!"
There's just one problem: Sarah, your closing manager, doesn't start her shift until 4:00 PM.
By the time she clocks in, that notification is buried under six hours of other messages. The check? It never gets done.
Sound familiar?
Most restaurant teams have managers working different shifts throughout the week. Opening managers start at 6 AM. Closing managers at 4 PM. Some stores have mid-shift managers. Others rotate schedules weekly.
Fixed-time notifications don't work when every manager has a different schedule.
Before Shift-Based Delivery:
- Notifications sent at arbitrary fixed times (e.g., 10 AM daily)
- Managers not on shift yet receive checks hours before they arrive
- Checks get lost in notification clutter by the time managers clock in
- Completion rates suffered because timing didn't match reality
The Solution: Shift-Aware Delivery
What if micro-checks were sent when managers actually started their shifts?
That's exactly what we built. Now, PeakOps monitors your 7shifts schedule in real-time and delivers micro-checks based on when each manager clocks in.
How It Works:
- Sarah starts her 4 PM shift → Check arrives at 4:05 PM (5 minutes after shift start)
- Mike opens at 6 AM → His check arrives at 6:10 AM (10 minutes after shift start)
- Each manager receives checks when they're actually on site and ready to complete them
The notification arrives when managers are mentally prepared to act on it, not hours before they even arrive.
How Shift-Based Delivery Works
Connect Your 7shifts Account
PeakOps syncs with your 7shifts schedule automatically. We pull shift times, employee roles, and store assignments in real-time.
Enable Shift-Based Delivery
In your delivery config, toggle on "Shift-based delivery" and set your delay (0-30 minutes after shift start). Most teams use a 5-10 minute delay.
Checks Schedule Automatically
At 8 AM daily, PeakOps creates scheduled assignments for managers with shifts that day. Each assignment is scheduled based on their individual shift start time plus your configured delay.
Checks Send When Managers Clock In
Every 15 minutes, PeakOps looks for assignments ready to send. When a manager's scheduled send time arrives (and they're still on shift), the notification goes out via SMS or email.
Smart Skip Logic
If a manager goes off-shift before their scheduled send time (shift change, early departure), PeakOps automatically skips sending. No wasted notifications.
Real-World Example: A Day in the Life
Let's say you run a quick-service restaurant with three managers working different shifts:
6:00 AM: Mike clocks in for opening shift
6:10 AM: PeakOps sends Mike's micro-check (10 min delay configured)
6:12 AM: Mike completes his check while coffee brews
10:00 AM: Jessica starts her mid shift
10:10 AM: Her micro-check arrives right on time
10:13 AM: Completed during the late-morning lull
4:00 PM: Sarah clocks in for the dinner rush
4:10 PM: Check notification arrives
4:11 PM: Sarah quickly completes it before rush starts
Each manager receives their check at the perfect time: when they're on site, mentally fresh, and ready to take action.
Key Features of Shift-Based Delivery
Configurable Delay
Set a 0-30 minute delay after shift start. Most teams choose 5-10 minutes to give managers time to settle in.
Smart Skip Logic
If a manager goes off-shift before their check sends, PeakOps automatically skips it. No notifications sent to managers who aren't working.
Works With Existing 7shifts Setup
No duplicate scheduling. PeakOps syncs automatically with your 7shifts data—employees, shifts, locations all updated in real-time.
Precision Timing
Checks are reviewed every 15 minutes by our scheduler. With 10-minute increment delivery times, your notifications arrive on schedule, every time.
Why Shift-Based Delivery Matters
Restaurant operations run on shift schedules, not fixed times. Your team's availability changes daily based on who's working when.
Traditional compliance systems ignore this reality. They send notifications at arbitrary times and hope someone's around to see them.
Shift-based delivery respects how your team actually works. It meets managers where they are, when they're ready to act.
The Result:
- Higher completion rates (checks arrive when managers can actually complete them)
- Less notification fatigue (no buried messages from hours-old alerts)
- Better data quality (checks completed when observations are fresh)
- Zero duplicate setup (syncs with your existing 7shifts schedule)
Common Questions
What if a manager's shift changes at the last minute?
PeakOps syncs with 7shifts continuously. If a shift time changes, the scheduled check automatically adjusts. If the shift is cancelled, the check is skipped.
Can I still use fixed-time delivery for some stores?
Yes. Shift-based delivery is configured per store. You can enable it for locations with variable schedules and keep fixed-time delivery for stores with consistent shift patterns.
What happens if a manager clocks in late?
The check is based on their scheduled shift start time in 7shifts, not when they actually clock in. If a manager is late, the check may already be waiting for them.
What if I don't use 7shifts?
Shift-based delivery requires a scheduling integration. We currently support 7shifts, with plans to add HotSchedules, Homebase, and other platforms soon.
How much does it cost?
Shift-based delivery is included with your PeakOps subscription at no additional cost. The only cost is standard SMS delivery (~$0.01 per message).
How to Enable Shift-Based Delivery
Already using PeakOps with 7shifts? Enabling shift-based delivery takes less than 2 minutes:
- Go to Settings → Schedule Configuration
- Toggle on "Shift-based delivery"
- Set your delay (0-30 minutes after shift start, recommend 5-10 min)
- Choose SMS or email delivery method
- Hit Save
That's it. Tomorrow, your managers will receive checks when they actually start their shifts.
How We Built It
Shift-based delivery uses a scheduled assignment system with strict enforcement:
- 8:00 AM daily: Create scheduled assignments for all managers with shifts today
- Every 15 minutes: Check for assignments ready to send based on shift start time + delay
- Before sending: Verify manager is still on-shift (strict enforcement prevents late sends)
- After sending: Track status (SENT, FAILED, SKIPPED) and link to shift reference for auditing
Try Shift-Based Delivery Free for 30 Days
See how shift-aware micro-checks increase completion rates and reduce notification fatigue.
No credit card required • Setup in 10 minutes • Cancel anytime
Built for How Restaurants Actually Work
Shift-based delivery isn't just a feature—it's a recognition that restaurant operations run on people, not clocks.
Your managers don't work 9-to-5. They work opening shifts, closing shifts, mid shifts, split shifts, weekend rotations. Their availability changes daily.
Traditional compliance software ignores this reality and sends notifications at arbitrary times, hoping someone sees them.
PeakOps respects your team's actual schedule. Checks arrive when managers are ready to act, not hours before they clock in or long after they've left.
The result? Higher completion rates. Better data. Less frustration. And a compliance system that actually fits into the rhythm of restaurant life.
Share This Post
Know a restaurant operator struggling with variable shift schedules?