In the restaurant industry, hiring, training, and retaining staff are critical factors that can significantly impact the business’s success. It is essential for restaurant owners and managers to invest time and resources into hiring the right people, providing comprehensive training, and implementing effective retention strategies.
Petpooja hosted a webinar on How To Hire, Train & Retain Your Restaurant Staff with Suril Udeshi. He explored some essential tips and strategies for hiring, training, and retaining staff in the restaurant industry.
Suril Udeshi is a smart & skilled restaurant consultant with expertise in setting up fine-dine and busy restaurants. Based in Ahmedabad, he has provided his services to some of the most revered restaurants in the city, including Under the Neem Tree, @Mango, Sun Solace, and many others. Suril’s exceptional skills and knowledge in restaurant consulting have not gone unnoticed, as he has been awarded the Best Restaurant Consultant Award by Gujarat Tourism 2023.
And here’s what Suril has to offer for hiring, training, and retaining restaurant staff.
Restaurant Consultant’s Guide on Managing Restaurant Staff
1. Hiring Staff
According to Suril, hiring the right employees is arguably the most critical aspect of running a successful outlet.
Hiring For New Restaurants
Suril advises restaurants to create a restaurant staff budget, considering all restaurant expenses. Creating a staff budget and plan is critical to running a successful restaurant. It involves identifying the specific roles required, such as different types of chefs, restaurant managers, housekeeping staff, and other support staff.
It is essential to conduct market research to identify the cuisine that sells the most in a particular locality and hire chefs accordingly. The process will help create a realistic plan for the staff required in each department.
Ways to find staff are through:
- Acquaintances, referrals from industry professionals, or by posting vacancies using hashtags on social media platforms.
- Restaurants can also use creative posters outside the restaurant to advertise vacancies, similar to how large chains like McDonald’s and Domino’s do.
- Another option is to contact hotel management institutes and send emails to their recruitment cells directly.
It is necessary to consider the budget, type of restaurant, and locality while creating a staff budget and plan. Hiring consultants or recruitment agencies can be an option, but it may be more expensive. Restaurant consultants can also help restaurants with other aspects of opening a restaurant.
Weigh the pros and cons of each option and decide based on the restaurant’s specific needs. A well-planned staffing budget and plan can ensure that the restaurant has the right team to provide exceptional customer experiences, maintain quality standards, and operate efficiently.
Hiring For Existing Restaurants
As restaurants continue to perform better post-lockdown, there is a growing demand for staff. However, there is a supply-demand mismatch as younger generations view restaurant work as extremely demanding. Existing restaurants need help finding and retaining employees. To address this issue, Suril highlights how existing restaurants can utilize the techniques mentioned above and more.
One way for existing restaurants to find potential employees is to tap into their rich database of job applicants. Even if a candidate is not selected, you can keep their details and use them to reach out to those candidates in the future. Networking is another effective strategy. Attending industry events, connecting with people, and joining groups can provide leads for hire. WhatsApp groups can also be an efficient way to find potential employees.
Existing staff members can also be a great resource. By reaching out to them, internal promotions and communications can generate support and referrals. External references are another way for existing restaurants to find suitable candidates. Restaurateurs can tap into a more comprehensive network of potential employees by contacting industry professionals without hesitation.
What to Keep in Mind while Hiring
As restaurants gear up to hire, Suril shares vital factors to keep in mind. Firstly, check qualifications and skills according to the work requirements. For example, when hiring a tandoor chef, their English and body language may need to be more relevant, but the quality of their naan and kebabs is critical. Food trials are also essential to determine if the chef’s style works for the restaurant.
Reference checks are a crucial step in the hiring process. By calling the candidate’s last place of work, the restaurant can learn more about their experience, work ethic, and reliability. Soft skills are also critical, especially for senior positions. Consider factors like grooming, communication, and body language.
Also, evaluate hard skills during the interview process. For example, a restaurant manager should be able to create standard operating procedures and deal with staff and seniors effectively. Similarly, ask chefs to present their dishes to assess their cooking skills.
Salary should be determined based on the candidate’s CV, past experiences, and skills. Give adequate time for the hiring process and all pre-setup processes to ensure the best results. All necessary documents, including CVs, identification, photographs, and certificates, should be obtained and maintained in files for accuracy and precision.
2. Staff Training
Restaurant staff training helps create a well-trained, knowledgeable, and confident team that can deliver excellent service to customers and contribute to the business’s overall success.
According to Suril, providing induction and ongoing staff training is crucial to ensure your staff has the necessary skills and knowledge to perform their job effectively. Introducing new staff to the team and sharing your restaurant’s vision and plans will help them feel part of the team and understand the business’s goals. Moreover, daily briefings help keep everyone informed and on the same page.
Training for hard and soft skills is essential, and inviting professionals to provide this training can be helpful. There are two types of training – on-job and classroom training. Your on-job training should be polite and constructive. Conduct classroom training during off hours or dull hours. Refreshing staff knowledge about essential matters can help prevent monotony and ensure everyone is up-to-date with changes and new developments in the industry.
3. Retaining Staff
Staff retention helps maintain a restaurant’s reputation, provide consistent service, and grow and thrive in the long run.
Suril shares how it is essential to share the restaurant’s vision with the staff to know what they can expect from the job and what they can achieve in the long run. When the team sees growth potential, they will likely stay with you longer.
Respecting the staff and valuing their contribution to the restaurant’s success is essential in building a positive work environment. Mistakes are inevitable, especially in the beginning, so practice patience and forgiveness. It is crucial to deliver salaries on time, provide incentives such as bonuses, and appreciate the staff for their hard work.
Additionally, celebrating small wins, birthdays, and restaurant anniversaries and conducting staff activities can help create a positive culture and foster a sense of community within the workplace. Motivating and empowering staff by providing growth opportunities and decision-making power can help increase job satisfaction and loyalty. By implementing these practices, restaurants can build a dedicated and skilled team that will contribute to the restaurant’s success in the long run.
You can watch the whole webinar on this link. Also, if you want to become one of our thousand active webinar audience & connect with such amazing then you can join us here for immediate Petpooja webinar alters!
Hiring, training, and retaining staff are crucial components for the success of any restaurant. It’s important to carefully select candidates who align with your restaurant’s values and provide comprehensive training to ensure they can perform their duties effectively. Retaining staff is equally essential, saving time and resources otherwise spent on recruitment and training.
We hope this blog helps you hire, train, and retain. Follow us on Instagram for regular restaurant industry updates.
