Are you a quick service restaurant (QSR) manager or owner who is always looking for ways to get the most out of your staff? Are you hiring for a new restaurant or struggling with putting together a “Dream Team” that will take your QSR business to the next level? This blog post will tell you all about hiring for a restaurant.
Read on as we explore how to build an effective QSR workforce. Learn what strategies are best for creating and sustaining an engaged, harmonious, and productive work environment where employees thrive. Discover new and effective ways to find, motivate, train, and reward high-performing employees — so you can turn your establishment into the successful business it deserves to be!
Creating Quality QSR Job Descriptions
When hiring for different positions in a restaurant, having clear and concise QSR job descriptions is key. Writing clear expectations will save time, money, and frustration. Include the job title, duties, qualifications, and any other pertinent information for each of the fast food roles within your restaurant.
Once you’ve completed your QSR job description for each position you need to fill, start looking for candidates through referrals, online job boards, or hiring agencies. Make sure that candidate resumes and references match the qualifications outlined in the QSR job descriptions. It is also important to make sure they are legally eligible to work in the United States. Employers must do this every time they hire someone new.
What Is the Golden Rule of Hiring?
The hiring process is one of the most important steps to building a successful QSR Dream Team. It’s essential to attract the right people who are a good fit for each of the fast food roles in your restaurant—and who have the skills you need.
Before hiring staff for a new restaurant, create a company profile that outlines the job duties, qualifications, and responsibilities expected of each employee position. This process will help you decide which candidates are best suited for each position.
But always remember to follow the Golden Rule of Hiring. Treat your employee candidates as you would like to be treated. Respect their time. And provide feedback that is honest, clear, and fair. Doing so will help you create a positive first impression which can result in better candidates in the future for your QSR Dream Team.
Staffing for Fine Dining Establishments vs QSR Restaurants
As a restaurant owner or manager, you know the importance of having quality staff members. But you must also know the key qualifications for many different jobs from waitstaff to back of house positions in a restaurant
Whether it’s fine dining establishments that offer a more luxurious experience or quick service restaurants (QSRs) designed to serve up meals in a hurry, both require experienced and professional staff members who provide top-notch customer experience and consistently boost customer satisfaction levels.
However, there are key differences in staffing techniques for these two types of restaurants, from hiring strategies to team roles and employee qualifications. Let’s explore what makes QSR staffing unique compared to fine dining establishments.
Restaurant Assistant Manager
At the heart of restaurant staffing is the Assistant Manager. They are responsible for leading and managing restaurant staff, overseeing daily operations, and ensuring customer satisfaction. In addition to these duties, a restaurant assistant manager must also be proficient in:
- Leadership capabilities
- Communication skills—among staff as well as customers
- Customer service
- Cash handling
- Scheduling shifts
- Interviewing potential employees
- Developing restaurant policies and procedures
- Training restaurant staff quickly and efficiently
- And so much more
When hiring an assistant restaurant manager for a QSR specifically, you should look for candidates who have experience in managing fast-paced environments while providing superior customer service with a smile. They should also be well-versed in health and safety regulations while also being knowledgeable about food preparation techniques.
Front-of-house Dining Room Managers
One of the key roles in restaurant staffing is the front-of-house dining room manager. The candidate should excel at cash handling procedures, effective problem solving on their feet, and motivating restaurant employees to deliver first-rate customer experiences. Other responsibilities for QSR front-of-house dining room managers include:
- Supervising and training restaurant staff
- Ensuring customer satisfaction
- Bussing and cleaning the dining room
- Cashiering
- Helping with food preparation tasks as needed
- Working closely with restaurant assistant managers
- Creating a pleasant restaurant atmosphere
- Conducting weekly restaurant meetings
- Inventory management and ordering supplies
- Restaurant policies and procedures
- And so much more
When hiring front-of-house dining room managers—specifically for a QSR restaurant—look for candidates with experience in similar fast-paced environments. The prospective employee should be familiar with cash handling procedures, understand how to effectively problem solve at a moment’s notice, and manage customer complaints efficiently.
Executive Chef vs. Kitchen Manager
What’s the difference between Executive Chefs of fine dining establishments and Kitchen Managers of a QSR? While the Executive Chef is responsible for creating restaurant-unique menus, overseeing food preparation, and presentation skills of fine dining server staff, the Kitchen Manager has a more hands-on role. A QSR Kitchen Manager’s responsibilities include:
- Overseeing restaurant staff responsible for food assembly
- Preparing orders according to customer specifications
- Being knowledgeable in food safety regulations
- Ensuring that all back-of-house positions in a restaurant adhere to company policies and procedures
- Inventory management
- Cost-saving initiatives
- Equipment maintenance
- Using kitchen equipment safely and efficiently
- Ordering supplies and managing restaurant inventory
- Creating an efficient workflow for restaurant staff
- Ensuring restaurant cleanliness meets health department standards
- And so much more
The Kitchen Manager of a QSR is one of the most important restaurant job titles because this person typically monitors and oversees all other back of house positions in a restaurant. Look for someone with experience in staffing, management, and customer service. The ideal candidate should be able to manage ready-to-day operations quickly and efficiently while also providing excellent customer service at the same time.
How to Hire Restaurant Staff?
Hiring for a new restaurant is both an art and a science. While hiring restaurant staff has traditionally required businesses to advertise in local newspapers or job boards, the rise of internet-based recruiting tools has made it easier to find qualified employees quickly and easily. Modern methods for restaurant staffing include:
- Posting open positions online on digital job boards
- Utilizing social media sites, such as LinkedIn and Facebook, to attract potential recruits
- Using online recruitment services, such as Indeed and ZipRecruiter
- Conducting interviews via video conferencing software, like Skype and Zoom
- Organizing virtual job fairs for restaurant applicants
- And so much more
No matter how you choose to hire restaurant staff, it’s important to have a comprehensive recruitment strategy in place. From creating job postings to conducting background checks, restaurant staffing requires an organized and detailed approach. For more information on how to streamline your restaurant screening process, contact KarmaCheck today.
