Thanksgiving is the unofficial start of the holiday season, full of family and friends, group gatherings, and sharing gratitude with others. Restaurant operators have the opportunity to drive traffic through the holidays, but that often means taking staff away from their own family gatherings to serve busy holiday dining rooms. Manage motivation Balancing increased traffic […]
By Sarah Beth Stranges Busy service has always been part of restaurant life, but the pressure behind it has changed. Tourism surges, major events, shifting work patterns, and persistent staffing gaps can push dining rooms to full capacity with little warning. At the same time, operators continue to manage rising costs and high guest expectations. […]
With the holidays on the horizon, it’s a great time to start planning for your seasonal staffing needs. With labour shortages and high turnover, competition will be fierce among operators looking to add and manage staff to help through the busiest season. Starting early means creating a strategy for success, and there are several steps […]
Labour is one of the highest restaurant expenses, accounting for between 25 and 35 per cent of total operating costs, and it is a challenge to manage these costs (among everything else) for many of today’s restaurateurs. From hiring to training, scheduling, and retention, managing labour costs is a challenging endeavour for many operators. However, […]
By Kimberly Flear Building a culture of care isn’t about quick fixes or surface-level perks; it’s about embedding long-term strategies into the DNA of your business. Not only does a positive transparency foster loyalty, boost employee satisfaction, and encourage productivity, but it’s also great for business. Setting the tone at the top A thriving culture […]
By Shannon Walker The restaurant industry continues to shift its approach to the workplace, as employees scrutinize long hours, unpaid breaks, equitable wages, and more. For forward-thinking restaurants, this shift isn’t just an ethical imperative; it’s a competitive advantage. In an era where labour disputes can hinder a restaurant’s reputation, integrity through transparency has become […]
By Nathen Dube The Canadian hospitality industry is currently facing a significant ongoing challenge with labour shortages, a trend that has been particularly pronounced in recent years. According to Statistics Canada, 63.1 per cent of businesses in the accommodation and food services industry reported experiencing labour shortages in the fourth quarter of 2021, a stark […]
By Kimberly Flear The restaurant industry is a relentless beast. It thrives on adrenaline, high-stakes service, and a culture of “push through no matter what.” But beneath the sizzle and flair, there’s a grittier reality: burnout, turnover, and the silent destruction of incredible talent. This isn’t just a people problem; it’s a business one. Neglecting […]
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 […]
Celebrate the unofficial end of summer with Labour Day festivities that show your team how much you value their work! As traffic and sales increase for many operators and labour challenges persist, staff may be tired, stressed, and overworked after a busy summer season. Restaurants experienced an average turnover rate of 76.3 per cent in […]
