Is Your Team Ready For The Grand Opening?

I have read numerous articles here in the Phoenix area about all the new restaurants that are opening next month. I think that is great however I always wonder how prepared their teams are for this grand opening. I have gone to many restaurants shortly after they have opened and see many employees who lack training. Why would you open your doors without well-trained employees? Many owners think that delaying an opening will hurt their business however I can tell you that opening the doors with employees who lack good training is way worse!

This happens more in the restaurant industry but it can happen in any industry. I have gone to some well-known restaurants shortly after they opened that I will never return. I don't blame the employees I blame management. Of course, the other problem is how many of those employees will quit the first week because it is too stressful and they receive no help. Training should take a minimum of one to two weeks.

Let's look at some ways you can prepare your team for the Grand Opening

• Strategically hire customer-focused people - you can always train skills but you cannot train someone who has no innate customer service skills for front of the house
• Review job descriptions with candidates before you hire them - have paperwork to give them with this information. Ask them pointed questions in their interviews to determine their level of skill and ask them to provide examples.?
• Supply all new hires with an employee handbook at orientation
• Always train the sequence of service - this means the process starts with the welcome greeting
• Cross-train if possible or at least let employees know how they can help another employee - such as picking up plates, bussing a table, if retail bag items. Foster a strong one-team. one-goal culture.
• Make sure that the trainers are qualified and empathetic - it's always good to have employees come from other locations who have trained before
• Review all products and if possible show pictures - if you are a restaurant, have tastings of all menu items so they can make suggestions to customers
• At the end of training either have an oral or written test with questions that were taught in training - this is a great way to see if more training is needed
• Keep trainers on the floor for a couple of weeks after opening - this means new employees will have someone they can ask questions of
• Remember if the new hire isn't ready when you open the doors either let them go or give more training
• Management should be on the floor during all the busy times
• Listen to customers for feedback on service and employees

These are just a few ways to make grand openings run smoother.

Always let your new employees know the importance of teamwork. If everyone works together service will run smoother in any industry. Many times I have seen employees standing around while others are running crazy.

We at The Hart Experience have shopped many new locations and have been able to give some great feedback on our customized reports. If you are opening a new location and would like to find out how well employees have retained the information that was trained contact Debbie at 602.717.3271

LET'S MAKE YOUR GRAND OPENING A SUCCESS!

https://www.thehartexperience.com