8 Easy Tips For Effectively Managing Staff in a Restaurant

Managing Staff January 12, 2023

Priyanka Bhadani

Writer

Introduction to Managing Staff

Successful restaurants operate with a diverse team of employees, ranging from hostesses, servers, to cooks. Operators and owners must follow key techniques for managing staff to ensure the business runs smoothly. This includes making sure communication is dependable and that all employees have a space to speak and feel heard. Currently, according to studies, the restaurant industry has a 75% turnover rate. With the right management methods, operators can also boost morale and employee retention.

8 Tips for Managing Staff Effectively in Your Restaurant

Managing staff in a restaurant can be difficult, considering the many teams and positions. On average, more than 9 out of 10 restaurants have fewer than 50 employees, according to statistics. But even with a smaller team, eatery operators still need to make sure their management is comprehensive and effective. Some best practices that restaurant owners can implement into their operations include the following.

1. Cultivate a Positive Work Culture

A positive work culture encompasses team spirit, values, rewards, and communication. Managers can first begin by getting to know all employees in the restaurant, such as their individual goals and interests. They should learn more about their challenges, what they like about their position, and ideas for improvement. This can best be done during one-on-one meetings or through surveys.

By having open communication, employees will feel valued and trusted. In turn, the company culture will enhance and overall team spirit will be positive. Additionally, restaurant executives can use these insights to improve their business and administration techniques. To further improve morale, management should promote team building activities. It is also important to remind staff about their meal breaks and vacation days so they can have time to recharge.

2. Establish Company Goals

Restaurant staff will be able to work efficiently and productively if they are knowledgeable about company goals. This is because establishing objectives will give teams direction. Management teams should also help employees identify their individual goals. For example, the kitchen crews' target may be to create high-quality food. While the wait staff's goals are to boost customer service ratings.

Managers can have separate team meetings and go over objectives. It may also be helpful to set key performance indicators (KPIs). These are measurable insights that will help individuals track and gauge their progress effectively. KPIs will also hold staff accountable for their responsibilities. By doing this, employees will be task-oriented and driven to achieve objectives.

3. Learn From Mistakes

Mistakes can happen while managing staff. For instance, executives may accidentally schedule too many employees for one shift and too little for another. It is important that they use these incidents as a learning experience. Managers should also take time to assess employee feedback and review resources to become familiar with restaurant processes.

4. Treat Teams With Respect

Although all employees have their own responsibilities and positions, everyone in the restaurant is a team. All staff and managers should treat each other with respect and help foster a warm and welcoming environment. Owners should have regular check-in meetings to listen to staff concerns and questions. Some businesses will also have after-work activities so the team can get to know each other better outside of the restaurant setting.

5. Use Communication Tools

Restaurant operators should implement the latest communication tools into their business to promote transparency. This includes instant messaging chats, mobile apps, and kitchen display systems. Restaurants can get loud and busy throughout the day and staff will need communication channels they can rely on. With these tools, the team will have clear instructions and they can prevent confusion and errors.

6. Immerse Oneself

Managers can better understand their staff's workload by immersing themselves in their position. For example, they can spend a few hours each day working in the kitchen or bar. They can help wait staff serve tables or assist hostesses with greeting guests. This will help managers highlight any areas for improvement in workflow and ensure overall efficiency.

7. Celebrate Accomplishments

Managers should celebrate their staff's accomplishments, no matter how small they may be. By showing appreciation and delight over their work, they will feel recognized and respected. This is a key component to employee management because it will help increase motivation and morale. Subsequently, staffers will work harder and more productively to get the appreciation they deserve. Additionally, they will be more likely to stay with the restaurant, rather than leave for another company.

8. Avoid Micromanaging

Micromanaging is when executives closely control and monitor their team members' work. This practice can negatively impact an employee's productivity, performance, and morale. Managers should, instead, give their staff members independence to complete their tasks without pressure. By showing more trust in employees, they will then have space to thrive and be innovative. It will also reduce workplace stress, which often results in dissatisfaction and turnover.

Key Takeaways to Managing Staff

Restaurants have many employees to manage; therefore, owners need to adopt best practices for overseeing staff.

Effective management of staff will improve company culture, boost morale, and increase workplace productivity.

Some top techniques that restaurant managers can use include establishing company goals, celebrating employee accomplishments, and avoiding micromanagement.