The Secret Ingredients for Building the Best Restaurant Employees

Do you ever wonder why some restaurant employees seem to thrive — while others seemingly fall flat on their faces? Some servers, hosts, bussers, chefs, and other food and beverage professionals seem born for their roles, while others look like they can’t wait to clock out the moment they clock in.

The U.S. restaurant industry employs about 15.7 million people, but that number fluctuates as the annual turnover rate hits an all-time high of 75 percent.

Over 90 percent of restaurants have fewer than 50 employees, and 45 percent of operators say they need more to support customer demand. Almost 30 percent of operators report that recruiting and retaining employees is their most substantial challenge, so how is that high turnover rate ever going to shift to a more positive number?

The secret to building and keeping the best restaurant team might be simpler than you think. A blend of consistent training, employee satisfaction, and smart automation can turn your staff into the dream team you never knew was possible.

Key Takeaways:

• Transforming average employees into top performers through effective training
• Boosting loyalty and satisfaction with a positive work culture
• Recognizing and rewarding employees to keep morale high
• Seamlessly integrating customer service training into daily routines
• Using automation to streamline training and track performance

What if I told you that most restaurant failures are not because of the food—but the service?

Training is the foundation of any successful restaurant operation. Despite that basic truth, up to 70 percent of restaurant workers report that they never get customer service training. Sure, lessons on safe food handling, food and wine pairing, and responsible alcohol service are important, but without satisfied customers, your restaurant is doomed.

A strong — and consistent —restaurant training program generates more than satisfied customers. It boosts staff morale, builds employee confidence, enhances your restaurant’s reputation, and drives higher profits.

If you think your employees don’t value training, think again. More than half of restaurant employees who receive regular training say it increases their loyalty to the company. Conversely, 62 percent of food and beverage employees say lack of training of any kind would influence their decision to leave a company.

Although it takes 19 days on average to get new restaurant employees trained, it’s certainly worth it. That’s because training both during onboarding, and at regular intervals, keeps employees sharp, helps them adapt to new processes, mitigates errors, and notably improves overall service quality.

We get it — finding time to adequately train your employees while running your restaurant is tough. That’s why using a customer intent platform and other automation tools to manage time-consuming tasks allows you to carve out the time to train your team. It’s a smart move that’ll pay off big time for your business.

Toxic workplaces are a recipe for disaster. Negativity leads to high absenteeism, low productivity, and soaring turnover. This often spills into bad customer service which can quickly eat away at your profits.

In the food and beverage industry, a negative work environment often stems from unclear job expectations, limited growth opportunities, poor pay, inefficient communication, and strained relationships with management.

High turnover rates can be a costly problem. According to the National Restaurant Association, it’s estimated that the average restaurant loses $150,000 yearly in staff turnover alone. Without a positive work culture, your employees are unlikely to feel valued or motivated to stay—let alone promote your brand.

Creating a positive environment for your employees starts with strong onboarding, regular training, and open communication. Beyond that, fostering a culture of innovation, encouraging teamwork, and providing growth opportunities are key.

The payoff? Satisfied and loyal employees, boosted productivity, reduced absenteeism, and increased profits. These are just a few of the rewards that come from cultivating a positive restaurant culture.

About 75 percent of operators say technology gives them a competitive edge. Using solutions that automate many of the stressful tasks for which your employees are responsible has the potential to enhance customer service, increase safety and efficiency, provide greater accuracy and quality, and reduce costs — key ingredients for a happier workplace.

Sometimes, a simple compliment is all it takes to make someone feel valued. It’s the same in the workplace, where restaurant employees often face low pay, long hours, unpredictable schedules, and the occasional unruly customer.

Regular recognition and meaningful rewards are essential for maintaining high morale and motivating staff to excel. When employees feel appreciated, they’re more likely to stay engaged and committed to delivering excellent service, which leads to better customer experiences and a stronger reputation for your restaurant. Remember, your employees are the face of your restaurant.

Half of employees would like more recognition for their work and want it from their immediate manager. Only 61 percent of employees feel appreciated at work, though, and roughly 80 percent of people who quit their jobs cite lack of appreciation as their reason for leaving.

Paying attention to your employees and rewarding them for their work doesn’t necessarily require monetary compensation. You could always consider giving that employee an extra day off or promoting them accordingly.

Whichever method you choose, you’re likely to see improvements in productivity and engagement. On top of that, you’ll benefit from reduced absenteeism, a stronger team culture, and lower turnover. Research has shown that companies with a culture of recognition have a 31 percent lower employee turnover rate.

How do you put your employees in the best position to receive such accolades? It’s essential that you set clear goals and expectations, consistently provide feedback, maintain open lines of communication, and equip them with the resources they need to be successful in their role.

By regularly assessing employee performance and identifying service gaps, you can implement targeted training and development initiatives that ensure consistency. Keep in mind that only one out of five employees strongly agree their performance is managed in a way that motivates them to do outstanding work. Addressing this and managing your team in a way that also works for them can help prevent issues from arising and will assist in keeping your team engaged.

Consistent, high-quality customer service is essential for any restaurant’s success. By integrating customer service training into your daily operations, you ensure your employees are always prepared to provide exceptional service, handle tricky situations, and meet customer expectations. Continuous improvement in this area can differentiate your restaurant from competitors and drive deep-rooted customer loyalty.

While adding another task to your plate might seem daunting, using a customer intent platform is a reliable way to streamline training and monitor employee performance. This allows you to focus more on the true star of your restaurant: the food.

Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither was your restaurant. Creating a culture that attracts, trains, retains and rewards qualified staff requires a proactive strategy — but it sure is worth it. That’s because companies that focus on building positive employee experiences are four times more profitable than their counterparts.

Are you ready to take your restaurant to the next level? Download our free eBook “Why Your Restaurant Is Empty on a Friday Night (When the Food is Good): 3 Strategies to Pack it Every Weekend” to discover the full recipe for filling your restaurant every weekend and boosting your bottom line.