Managing Holiday Restaurant Scheduling and Staffing Issues

It’s no secret that the COVID lockdowns had a detrimental effect on several industries. Among the hardest hit was the restaurant industry. CNBC reported in September that restaurants were experiencing worse working conditions than before the pandemic.

 

These problems can make employee scheduling feel impossible for many managers. And as the holidays approach, the problem only worsens.

 

Fortunately, there are ways to make restaurant scheduling more manageable. Yes, you can do this! Were exploring the best ways to manage your staff scheduling issues below.

Attract More Seasonal Restaurant Employees

In 2019, Restaurant Business reported that most seasonal workers would prefer to work with a retail store than a restaurant. In the past, many people believed this was because retail stores offered merchandise discounts. However, new studies demonstrated that this was not the case.


Instead, seasonal workers identified two primary reasons they preferred to work in retail:

● increased schedule flexibility
● higher pay


You can use these desires to your advantage. First, work on providing flexible scheduling for your staff. The more employees you can draw, the easier this becomes. The fewer employees you have, the harder scheduling gets. Adequate staffing = scheduling flexibility.


Next, consider ways to pay your restaurant employees more. Many respondents in the Restaurant Business study wanted to make at least $13.21/hour. However, the average server makes approximately $12.15/hour.


You may wonder how you can afford to pay new employees this much. After all, you may struggle to pay your current employees!


However, remember that many people have grown frustrated with the long waits in restaurants. If your restaurant is the only one around with enough staffing, you can draw substantially more business. This additional business can help you pay the additional employees.

How To Avoid Restaurant Scheduling Issues

Creating a flexible schedule is much easier said than done, especially during the holidays. However, there are some tactics you can use to create that flexibility. 

 

First, try to plan everything ahead. Start developing a comprehensive recruitment plan well in advance of the holidays. Consider how many people you’ll need to hire and how many trainers you’ll need for the season.

 

Next, establish a good relationship with your employees throughout the year. These days, it’s hard to find workers who are willing to stay with a restaurant. So, thank your servers and respect the work they put in. 

Use Restaurant Management Software

Planning ahead can be a significant difficulty for managers doing it alone. Fortunately, you don’t have to do this by yourself!

 

Instead, you can use employee scheduling software to create your schedules. This software help you track when your servers are working. Then, you can easily identify shifts that have the least coverage.

 

This information can help you plan ahead for the coming seasons and keep consistent records. So, find the best restaurant management software for your needs!

Find the Best Restaurant Management Software

As you can see, restaurant scheduling can be a complex task. Fortunately, these tips can help you avoid the worst scheduling issues.

 
As mentioned before, restaurant management software can solve many problems. So, why not check out our software solution?


We provide top-grade back office systems to help your business grow. Working with us can help you manage several things, from staffing to payroll. Contact us today to learn more about our services!

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FAQ

Rest assured that our exceptional customer support is at your service round the clock, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We take great pride in providing you with unwavering assistance, ensuring that any issues or concerns you may encounter are swiftly and effectively addressed. Feel free to reach out to our dedicated support team whenever the need arises, as we are always here to provide you with prompt and reliable solutions.

Modisoft takes pride in providing a comprehensive suite of tools designed to facilitate seamless operations for your restaurant. With our powerful software, you can take advantage of a range of features tailored to enhance your efficiency and customer experience.

One of the standout features of Modisoft is the ability to view live sales data. This real-time visibility empowers you to monitor sales performance as it happens, allowing you to make informed decisions and swiftly address any issues that may arise.

Moreover, our software enables you to create customizable menus for ordering. You have the flexibility to design menus that align with your restaurant’s unique offerings, making it easier for customers to browse and select their desired items. This customization feature ensures a user-friendly ordering experience that caters to your specific requirements.

Additionally, Modisoft supports digital menu boards for pricing. By leveraging this functionality, you can easily update and display pricing information on digital screens within your restaurant. This dynamic approach eliminates the need for manual price changes and enhances the overall aesthetics of your establishment.

We’re pleased to announce that the cost to run the POS system aligns with the subscription for your back-office software. This streamlined approach simplifies your financial management, allowing you to enjoy a unified pricing structure that covers both the hardware and software components.

Maximize the potential of Cartzie Campaigns, our exceptional tool, by harnessing its features to create customer loyalty and drive repeat visits to your store. With Cartzie Campaigns, you can implement robust loyalty programs that incentivize customers to return, fostering a strong and lasting relationship with your brand.

Furthermore, take advantage of the automated customer outreach capabilities of Cartzie Campaigns through text messaging. This powerful feature allows you to engage with your customer base proactively, sending personalized messages, promotions, and updates directly to their mobile devices. By automating this process, you save time and effort while maintaining consistent and effective communication with your valued customers.

Additionally, our software empowers you to offer online ordering, opening up new avenues for sales and customer convenience.

By leveraging Cartzie Campaigns’ loyalty programs, automated customer outreach via text messaging, and online ordering capabilities, you can enhance customer engagement, increase sales, and deliver exceptional customer experiences. Embrace the full potential of these tools to grow your business and establish a strong presence in the digital realm.