Looking to Grow Your Restaurant Team? Follow These 8 Tips

The pandemic forced several brick-and-mortar stores to shut down globally, including restaurants. This meant a severe staff shortage as the services resumed, putting pressure on the restaurant owners to onboard new people to their team. Several cities have allowed restaurants to operate at full capacity, and restaurants have started competing with each other to attract as many new customers as possible. How do you ensure you hire the right staff for your team in these challenging times? These eight tips will help.

Define Your Requirements

Figure out answers to these questions;

• What positions do you need to fill?
• How many employees do you need to hire?
• When do you need them?
• What are the must-haves and nice-to-haves for each role?

Once you have a clear understanding of your staffing needs, you can move on to the next step: writing effective job descriptions.

Write Effective Job Descriptions

When writing a job description, be as specific as possible. Include a list of responsibilities and expectations for each role you’re looking to fill. This will help ensure that only qualified candidates apply for the position.

It’s also important to include information about your restaurant in the job descriptions. Mention your restaurant’s concept, style, and culture to help candidates get a better idea of whether or not your restaurant is the right fit for them.

Utilise Job Boards and Social Media

Many job boards, such as Indeed and Glassdoor, are free to use and allow you to reach a large pool of candidates. Social media platforms, such as LinkedIn and Facebook, are great places to post job openings. Be sure to include links to your restaurant’s website and online application. This will make it easy for candidates to apply for the open positions.

Hold Open Interviews

Open interviews are a great way to meet many candidates in a short period. They also take the pressure off you and the candidates, as it’s not a formal interview setting. Announce the date, time, and location of the event on your restaurant’s website and social media platforms. Then, on the day of the event, have candidates fill out an application and conduct a brief interview.

Incorporate Pre-Employment Testing

Pre-employment testing can help you identify which candidates have the skills and personality traits you’re looking for. There are a variety of tests available, such as aptitude tests and personality assessments. Consider using pre-employment testing services for various tests that can be tailored to your specific needs.

Outsource Payroll

Chances are, you might have to do the hiring yourself. This can add to the hassle because you need to manage the restaurant and hire simultaneously. That’s why it makes sense to consider payroll outsourcing. A professional payroll agency will cover all the details for you, from hiring new workers to calculating taxes. Payroll outsourcing can be a great way to free up your time so you can focus on running your business. Visit for more info. 

Review Your Process Regularly

This Regular process review will help you identify any areas that need improvement. For example, you might find that your job descriptions are too vague or that your pre-employment testing isn’t effective. By reviewing your process regularly, you can make the necessary changes to ensure you’re hiring the best candidates for your team.

Hire For Attitude

In the hospitality industry, attitude is everything. You can train your employees on the technical skills they need to do their job, but you can’t train them on how to be friendly and personable.

When interviewing candidates, pay close attention to how they approach difficult questions. Does it match your restaurant’s culture? Do they seem like they would be a good fit for your team?

Hire based on how well a candidate can deal with stressful and challenging situations.

Final Word

By following these tips, you’ll be on your way to growing your restaurant team. Just remember to take your time, be as specific as possible, and hire for attitude. With a little effort, you’ll be able to find the perfect candidates for your team.