Chatting with SoMa Manager Hayden Burton: The Guy Who Does It All

Meet Hayden, the charismatic General Manager at Square Pie Guys SoMa, known for his infectious enthusiasm and exceptional leadership. With over two decades in the restaurant industry, he brings a wealth of experience and a passion for creating unique culinary experiences. We had the chance to sit down with him to explore his journey, management philosophy, and what keeps him inspired in the fast-paced world of pizza. Whether he’s diving into music forums or managing a busy shift, Hayden’s love for the craft truly embodies what it means to be a Square Pie Guy.

—

Hayden has been with us for over 2 years!

—

SPG: Alright, let’s start this off with a fun question. What’s your dream pie?

Hayden: Oh, that's a hilarious question! I’d probably go for a breakfast pizza. You know, back in the day when I worked at a pizza place, there was this restaurant down the street. The guy who ran it was a bit of a jerk, but he made this amazing breakfast pizza—just a basic pizza shell with olive oil, scrambled eggs, and a bunch of bacon. I thought, "Well, you’re being annoying, but this pizza is really good!" So yeah, I'd go for a classic breakfast pizza with fried eggs, crumbled bacon, and maybe some pecorino on top.

SPG: And for the sauce—keeping it traditional with red sauce, or going rogue?

Hayden: Oh, definitely going rogue! I mean, it’s breakfast! Maybe a drizzle of hot sauce for that kick, but no red sauce for me.

SPG: That sounds scrumptious. So, you’ve been in the pizza game for quite a while. What got you started?

Hayden: I kind of fell into it about 15-18 years ago. I was bartending and doing other random jobs when a friend invited me to work at a corporate pizza shop. I ended up managing there for six years! I’ve been involved in the restaurant industry for about 20-23 years, with pizza being my focus for the last 15.

SPG: Wow, that's impressive! And what keeps you coming back to pizza?

Hayden: The camaraderie for sure! I love focusing on one concept, and pizza gives you so much room to be creative. Plus, I believe pizza shouldn't have a lot of rules—it's a blank canvas for fun ingredients.

SPG: Very true. It sounds like you’ve been quite a frontier in the pizza world, can you tell us more about that?

Hayden: Yeah, I did some contract work helping pizza shops develop their third-party delivery systems before they were really a thing. I was navigating the early days of Postmates and even did some work with Yelp on a delivery platform that never took off. 

SPG: Talk about a true frontier! Now, shifting gears a bit—how do you balance being a fun and relaxed manager with the inevitable stress of the restaurant industry?
Hayden: I believe in not taking the stress too personally. Some days are great, some are tough, but I focus on the positive and try to foster a fun atmosphere. It's all about getting the job done while keeping things light. You can have fun and still be serious about customer service!

SPG: I absolutely love that philosophy. So, what drew you to Square Pie Guys? 
Hayden: I saw their marketing and was really attracted to what they were doing. I moved back to the Bay Area during the pandemic, not sure what I wanted to do, but after sending a couple of resumes to Square Pie Guys, I finally got a call from Chris. A little over two years later, here I am!

SPG: And we are so thankful to have you here. As a GM, you have plenty of responsibilities. Walk me through what a typical day looks like for you as GM.

Hayden: It varies, but I start by catching up with the team leads and checking in on everyone’s workload. I usually juggle admin tasks, manage the floor during busy times, and make sure we’re all set for catering or events. It’s a mix of communication, overseeing operations, and keeping everything running smoothly.

SPG: Sounds very busy! How do you unwind after hectic days? 

Hayden: After work, I like to listen to podcasts and do a bit of yoga. It helps me chill out. I’m all about random comedy podcasts. Plus, I’m a hobbyist musician, so I also dive into music forums and work on my ambient and electronic music on the side. It’s a fun creative outlet.

SPG: That’s so cool! Hopefully we can hear your music someday. As we wrap up, what’s kept you in the restaurant industry, and more specifically, Square Pie Guys for so long?

Hayden: Honestly, it’s the love for the craft and the people. I enjoy the fast-paced environment and the creativity that comes with it. Every day is different, and I get to work with amazing people who share the same passion.