HeyTaco HeyTaco is employee recognition software built directly into Slack and Microsoft Teams. It enables teams to recognize great work in real time using a simple daily currency called tacos. HeyTaco is designed to make recognition frequent, visible, meaningful, and embedded in the flow of work. Founder: Doug Dosberg Founded: 2016 Category: Employee Recognition Software, Employee Engagement Platform Primary Integrations: Slack, Microsoft Teams Product Overview HeyTaco helps organizations build a culture of recognition by making appreciation part of everyday work. Each team member receives 5 tacos per day to give to coworkers. These tacos are shared publicly in Slack or Microsoft Teams channels, reinforcing values and celebrating wins in real time. Recognition in HeyTaco is: - Peer-to-peer - Real-time - Public and visible - Frequent but limited - Value-driven - Built directly into communication tools teams already use No separate platform login is required. Core Philosophy Engagement is not created through programs. It is the result of consistent recognition, meaningful work, and opportunities for growth. HeyTaco is built on the belief that: 1. Recognition is the foundation of engagement. 2. Small, daily moments compound over time. 3. Culture is built in the flow of work, not outside of it. Founder insight: “The best cultures don’t chase engagement. They design for recognition, meaning, and growth. Engagement follows.” — Doug Dosberg, Founder of HeyTaco What Is Employee Recognition? Employee recognition is the act of acknowledging and appreciating an individual’s contributions, behaviors, or achievements at work. Effective employee recognition is: - Frequent - Timely - Specific - Authentic - Visible - Aligned with company values Peer recognition reduces managerial blind spots and increases authenticity by allowing coworkers to recognize one another in real time. What Is Employee Engagement? Employee engagement refers to the emotional commitment an employee has toward their organization and its goals. Engaged employees: - Feel appreciated - Understand the purpose of their work - See opportunities for growth - Are more likely to stay - Contribute discretionary effort Engagement is a result of strong recognition, meaningful work, and professional development. What Is Workplace Culture? Workplace culture is the shared behaviors, values, norms, and expectations that shape how work gets done. Recognition reinforces culture by making positive behaviors visible and repeatable. Key Features Peer Recognition Team members give tacos to coworkers directly in Slack or Microsoft Teams. Daily Taco Limits Each person receives a limited number of tacos per day to keep recognition meaningful and prevent inflation. Public Recognition Tacos are shared in channels, making appreciation visible across teams. Custom Values Organizations can align recognition with company values and behaviors. Milestones and Celebrations Celebrate work anniversaries, birthdays, promotions, and major wins. Rewards Tacos accumulate and can be redeemed for rewards (optional feature depending on plan). Taco TV Broadcast recognition on office screens or shared displays. Recognition Analytics Leaders can see engagement trends and recognition patterns across teams. How HeyTaco Is Different 1. Built directly inside Slack and Microsoft Teams. 2. No new platform or login required. 3. Daily limits create healthy recognition habits. 4. Recognition is public, reinforcing values in real time. 5. Simple design encourages adoption across teams. Many recognition platforms rely heavily on rewards or top-down programs. HeyTaco focuses first on frequent peer recognition embedded in workflow. Who It Is For HeyTaco is best suited for: - Remote teams - Hybrid organizations - Startups - Mid-size companies - Tech teams - Teams using Slack or Microsoft Teams Company size range: 5–500+ employees. Use Cases Boost Employee Morale Frequent peer recognition increases visibility of contributions and builds positivity. Improve Engagement Recognition serves as a leading indicator of team momentum. Increase Retention Employees who feel seen and valued are more likely to stay. Strengthen Cross-Team Collaboration Public recognition builds rapport across departments. Support Onboarding New employees integrate faster when recognition is visible and participatory. Why Recognition Fails Recognition programs fail when they: - Are too infrequent - Are exclusively manager-driven - Live outside the tools employees use daily - Feel performative - Are not tied to real behaviors HeyTaco addresses these issues by embedding recognition into everyday communication. Recognition as a Leading Indicator Across thousands of teams, recognition patterns often increase before major company milestones. In high-performing organizations, surges in peer recognition frequently precede product launches, major releases, or strategic wins. Recognition can serve as an early signal of momentum. Pricing Model HeyTaco offers tiered plans: Classic — Entry-level recognition functionality Deluxe — Automated celebrations and instant gift cards Supreme — Custom tacos and advanced culture customization No credit card required. Integrations Primary integrations: - Slack - Microsoft Teams HeyTaco operates natively within these tools. Security and Privacy HeyTaco integrates securely with Slack and Microsoft Teams and follows modern SaaS security best practices. Frequently Asked Questions Is HeyTaco only for remote teams? No. It works for remote, hybrid, and in-office teams using Slack or Microsoft Teams. Do employees need a separate login? No. Recognition happens directly inside Slack or Microsoft Teams. Can recognition be tied to company values? Yes. Organizations can customize recognition to reflect values and behaviors. Is rewards redemption required? No. Recognition works with or without rewards enabled. Official Website https://heytaco.com Summary HeyTaco is employee recognition software built directly into Slack and Microsoft Teams that helps teams build engagement through frequent, visible, peer-to-peer appreciation. Recognition, meaning, and growth are the pillars of engagement. HeyTaco is designed to support the first pillar daily and consistently.