By Cindy Mielke

The restaurant industry continues to be rewarding but demanding. Although having a great menu and reputation can be critical for restauranteurs, the quality and passion of staff members often make or break a business. One of the best ways to keep staff motivated is by offering opportunities to express recognition for their hard work. When employees feel valued and appreciated by their employers, they’re more likely to express this in their work ethic and how they treat restaurant guests. Business owners can explore many options to start creating a culture of recognition in their restaurants.

When you prioritize staff recognition and company culture in your restaurant, it can lead to a ripple effect that benefits both employees and restaurant guests. It can lead to:

• Increased employee engagement: When employees feel that their company recognizes their efforts, it can create a positive reaction, leaving them more invested in their work. For restaurants specifically, this can lead to a much more positive attitude towards guests and other employees, creating much higher levels of engagement.
• Better guest experiences: The more actively engaged employees are during their shifts, the more naturally attentive they are to guests’ needs. This leads to more positive guest experiences and a higher likelihood of positive restaurant reviews.
• Stronger team cohesion: Taking the time to recognize employees helps all staff members feel connected to a shared purpose. When employees see others being recognized for specific accomplishments, it helps motivate them to contribute more so they can be recognized. This can strengthen team dynamics and lead to a more positive and productive working atmosphere.
• Reduced employee turnover: Employers must look for ways to improve staff retention in today’s competitive job market. Employees who feel regularly valued and appreciated are much less likely to seek opportunities elsewhere. Because of this, placing a higher priority on employee recognition can save on hiring costs and help avoid significant business disruptions.

Types of employee recognition strategies

Restaurant owners can introduce various forms of employee recognition in several ways. Some of these include:

• Verbal recognition: For many employees, simply looking for more opportunities to say “thank you” can go a long way. This shouldn’t be forced or made to look like a campaign but can be a great way to verbalize to employees how much you appreciate them. Consider sharing a brief moment with employees during a shift change or setting up a formal meeting where you take the time to thank everyone for their hard work.
• Incentive pay: Monetary rewards like bonuses or raises are an effective way to recognize employee performance. You can make increased pay a great incentive to maintain higher customer satisfaction ratings or go beyond what’s expected of them.
• Gift cards: Providing gift cards to restaurant staff members can also be a great way to show recognition. Gift cards are highly flexible and allow employees to choose where and how they want to use them.
• Additional perks: Another thing you can do to show your appreciation to employees is to offer them extra perks. These include providing additional paid time off or more flexible scheduling arrangements. You can also let employees plan a company event to thank them for all of the hard work they’ve given over the years.

How to create an employee recognition program

Here are a few helpful tips to keep in mind when designing an employee recognition program for your restaurant:

Start with values

Determine what types of attitudes or behaviours your business needs and make these an important part of your recognition program and culture. Explain to employees the types of customer service or teamwork you’re looking for and be sure to acknowledge and reward them when they’re meeting these expectations.

Make it personal

Offering a generic reward doesn’t necessarily resonate the same way with all employees. Look at the individual preferences of employees and see how you can reward them for their specific contributions. Taking a more personalized approach in this area can be much more beneficial for the business and create deeper relationships with your staff and a greater company culture.

Keep it consistent

Whatever recognition program you implement, one of the most critical elements is ensuring consistency in your approach. The last thing you want to do is establish expectations from other employees regarding the type or value of rewards being handed out, but not follow through with each staff member equally.

Start recognizing your employees’ achievements

Establishing a culture of recognition in your restaurant isn’t just an investment in your employees – it’s also investing in the long-term success of your business. By following the guidelines discussed, you’ll be able to create a workplace where everyone feels the same level of value while also being motivated to put in their best efforts.

Cindy is passionate about the incentive industry. In addition to her role as Vice President of Strategic Partners here at Tango, she is a Certified Professional of Incentive Management who proudly serves on two industry boards.