If you’ve eaten a meal at a quick-service restaurant in the past month, you may have seen “Now Hiring” signs in the window. Why? Because this industry is one of the fastest-growing in the country. With the majority (84%) of Americans wanting to eat more meals outside their homes, there’s a clear need for more fast-casual and quick-service restaurants where consumers can get meals quickly and get back to their busy lives.
The rise of fast-casual dining and the increasing popularity of quick and affordable food options have put a significant strain on restaurant owners and managers when it comes to finding and retaining quality employees. In this article, we’ll review several challenges that come with hiring in the quick-service restaurant industry and cover how to remedy these challenges to achieve more efficient hiring and fully staff your restaurants.
What is a Quick-Service Restaurant?
Quick-service restaurants have grown in popularity in recent years as demand for fast food options has risen. These types of restaurants take orders and deliver food to consumers in a matter of minutes, and typically hire hourly employees for roles such as food preparer, cashier, line cook, and others.
Challenges Faced by Quick-Service Restaurant Hiring
1. High Turnover Rates
One of the biggest challenges in the quick-service restaurant industry is high turnover. According to a report by Restaurant Dive, 54% of restaurant workers quit within 90 days of starting a job in 2022. As a result, recruiting teams and restaurant managers struggle to maintain a consistent and reliable workforce.
2. Time-Consuming Hiring Processes
Another challenge is a time-consuming and often inefficient hiring process. With large amounts of applications feeding into ATSes built for corporate hiring, recruiting teams struggle to efficiently source, screen, and hire candidates at the pace they need.
3. Increased Competition
Quick-service restaurants face stiff competition when it comes to hiring. Many hourly job seekers are applying for multiple jobs at the same time and tend to accept the first job offer they receive. This makes it challenging for restaurants to attract and retain quality employees if they’re not quick to extend an offer.
Talent Optimization Solutions
1. Implement Predictive Hiring Tools
Utilizing predictive hiring tools, such as behavioral and cognitive assessments, can streamline the hiring process by identifying candidates who are not only qualified but also fit well with the team and culture. These tools can predict job performance and retention, ensuring that you hire employees who are likely to stay longer and perform better.
2. Develop a Strong Onboarding Program
A well-structured onboarding program can significantly reduce turnover rates by making new hires feel welcomed, valued, and prepared for their roles. Providing clear expectations, training, and mentorship during the onboarding process can help new employees acclimate quickly and effectively.
3. Offer Career Pathing and Development Opportunities
Investing in your employees' career growth can improve retention and job satisfaction. Create clear career pathways and provide ongoing training and development opportunities. By showing employees that they have a future within your organization, you can reduce turnover and build a more committed workforce.
Conclusion
You are not alone in facing these challenges. While the process might seem daunting, there are proven strategies to overcome these hurdles. Remember, it’s your people that tie everything together and keep clients coming back. With the right tools and strategies, you can build a team that excels and thrives in your restaurant. Reach out to us, and let's solve this problem together—once and for all.
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