How employee workload affects the restaurant business model -> And how to manage it in order to lower turnover.

A quick 3 minute read today.

Does your restaurant have a workload issue? Take this quiz!

If you have followed any of my content over the last couple of years, you have likely heard me talk about employee workload, and how it pertains to the restaurant industry.

(ps. thank you for following)

You have probably also heard me talk about the ways that unsustainable workload affects mental health, team cohesion, burnout, and turnover.

Turnover is a silent killer in the restaurant industry, and if a business can't get ahead of it, chances are it will be very difficult to succeed.

However, because workload and turnover are directly connected, if you can solve the workload issue, you can solve the turnover issue.

I always start by considering the impacts, so are the top 3 ways that unsustainable workload affects the business model of a restaurant.

1. Employee Burnout: Excessive workload, can lead directly to employee burnout. When staff members are consistently overworked and stressed, it can result in physical and mental exhaustion, reduced job satisfaction, and a high turnover rate. Constantly hiring and training new employees to replace those who leave is costly and disrupts the continuity of service, impacting the overall customer experience.
2. Decline in Guest Experience: Unsustainable workload levels can lead to rushed and stressed employees, which can compromise the quality of service provided to customers. It often also directly impacts guest spending habits and can lower average guest spend dramatically. Servers, cooks, and other staff may make more mistakes, leading to errors in orders, longer wait times, and customer dissatisfaction. Over time, this can damage the restaurant's reputation and result in a decline in customer loyalty and revenue.
3. Increased Operational Costs: Unsustainable workloads can also result in increased operational costs. Overtime pay for employees, particularly if they are required to work longer hours to meet demands, can significantly impact labor expenses. Additionally, high employee turnover leads to recruitment and training expenses. Poor service quality may lead to wasted ingredients and customer refunds, further affecting the bottom line.

The concept of workload management isn't complicated, and it actually isn't about task lists, duties, or the specific work that any individual is responsible for.

It is about understanding how hard the team has to work in order to accomplish the goals of the business. After all, there is a difference between hard work, and having to work too hard.

The right approach to employee workload will ensure that the entire team is operating within a sustainable workload level, allowing them to execute at a higher level, provide better guest experience, and for employee retention numbers to increase.

Click here and I will help you understand if I have a workload issue in your business.

One way to reduce workload in your restaurant is to remove tedious tasks from people's plates.

An easy way to do that is by using a platform called BlackFox | Restaurant Daily Cash-Out Application - which makes your restaurant Cash-Out process faster and more accurate.

Imagine the time that cash outs take, and the amount of energy used to fix errors... Well BlackFox eliminates those challenges and you can access them here.

Another way to support the elimination of certain duties, and to manage workload, while also driving traffic is to ensure that you have strong, strategic, local marketing campaigns.

Adam Lamb and I had a chance to discuss this topic with Matthew Marx, CEO of Evocalize on Turning the Table Podcast last week.

They are the best in the business when it comes to this type of targeted, specific, and even menu item driven marketing. His advice was direct, thought provoking and incredibly valuable.

Check out the industry changing stuff that they are doing right here.

PS. Whenever you are ready here are a few other ways I help restaurateurs every day.

• Answer a few questions HERE and we will determine if workload is hurting your business.
• As I mentioned above, take a minute to JOIN ME HERE in order to become a smarter restaurant manager in just 5 minutes per week. No matter what level you are at, what country, state, or concept.
• If you are a restaurant operator or owner who realizes that increased productivity, improved employee workload, and lower turnover are the only responsible ways to succeed in our industry these days... I've got you covered. Let's connect for a discussion. To make it as easy as possible, just text me at 6047898991.

(Don't worry, I won't try to sell you anything.)

• If you are a consultant, or service provider to the restaurant industry and you are wondering how to create opportunity, looking to build your business in 2023, or find it to be lonely as a solo-preneur there is a spot for you right?here?and I would love to meet you.

Until next week.

Jim

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