A high restaurant employee turnover rate creates substantial operational disruptions for businesses already struggling to succeed in an increasingly competitive restaurant industry, especially for brands operating multiple sites in far-flung locations. The restaurant industry faced severe challenges due to the coronavirus pandemic. By the spring of 2021, around 90,000 restaurants— had closed. The National Restaurant Association reported a worsening situation, with a record 1.7 million job openings by mid-2021, marking the highest number in the association’s 20-year history of data collection.
Fast forward to today, and restaurant staff turnover remains high, with competition for experienced staff more fierce than ever. Many restaurants are left struggling to recruit and retain qualified employees. Those who stay are often seeking clarity, stability, and a positive work environment. It’s become essential to offer workers more than just a paycheck. Structured workflows, consistent training, and clear communication through checklists can provide the support employees need, helping restaurants create a more stable and satisfied workforce.
How Checklists Lower Your Restaurant Employee Turnover Rate
Checklists might seem like a simple tool, but don’t underestimate them. They have the potential to transform operations and reduce your restaurant employee turnover rate. Here’s how:
- Clear Expectations: A lack of clarity is one of the most common reasons employees leave their jobs. When team members don’t know what’s expected of them or feel unsupported in meeting those expectations, they quickly become overwhelmed. Checklists create clear, actionable steps for employees, ensuring that everyone understands their role and what’s required each shift.
- Improved Employee Training: Consistent training is essential to reducing turnover, especially for new hires. A detailed employee training checklist helps standardize onboarding across all locations, making sure every employee learns the necessary skills in a structured manner. When new hires feel well-trained and confident, they are more likely to stay longer.
- Consistency Across Multiple Locations: An identical customer experience across locations is vital for multi-unit organizations. A standardized checklist ensures that employees at all locations adhere to the same operational guidelines. When employees move between locations, they won’t be blindsided by different expectations or processes, resulting in a more adaptable and content workforce.
- Greater Accountability: Checklists create a culture of accountability by tracking daily tasks and responsibilities. When employees know their tasks are being documented and reviewed, it adds a layer of transparency. This can reduce friction between employees and management while promoting a sense of accomplishment as tasks are completed.
- Minimal Stress: Restaurant jobs can be chaotic, but checklists help reduce this chaos by providing a clear roadmap for daily responsibilities. This sense of organization can minimize employee stress, helping them focus on their tasks rather than worrying about what might have been missed.
Best Practices for Restaurant Checklist Implementation
Managers should follow these best practices to fully leverage the power of checklists in reducing their restaurant employee turnover rate:
- Start with core operations: Begin by implementing checklists for the most critical areas, such as daily operations and health and safety. Once those are established, expand into more specialized lists like inventory and equipment maintenance.
- Make checklists accessible: Ensure that checklists are easy for employees to access. A digital platform like DailyChex makes it convenient for employees to use your checklists from any device – and for managers to spot trends and share reports with just a click.
- Train staff on checklist usage: Simply creating a checklist and telling staff to use it won’t do the job. Employees should be trained on why checklists are important and how to use them effectively, as well as being encouraged to ask questions or provide feedback.
- Regularly review and update checklists: As your restaurant evolves, so should your checklists. Regularly review and update them to ensure they reflect current best practices and operational needs.
- Celebrate completion: Acknowledgment goes a long way in building morale and cultivating a positive workplace culture. Recognize employees for completing checklists thoroughly and on time.
Five Key Checklists You Should Implement Now
Not all checklists are created equal. To reduce restaurant employee turnover rate effectively, managers should prioritize specific checklists that target the key operational areas most likely to affect employee satisfaction and performance. Here are the most critical checklists every restaurant should implement:
1. Daily Operations Checklist
Daily operations checklists help employees stay on track and ensure that no critical tasks are overlooked. Having them in place reduces the stress of remembering multiple responsibilities and enables employees to complete their work efficiently. Create a detailed checklist of essential tasks that need to be completed during each shift, from cleaning and restocking to food prep and equipment checks.
2. Staff Training Checklist
Consistency in training is key to keeping employees engaged. A training checklist should include everything from food safety protocols to customer service standards. This ensures that new employees are given the tools they need to succeed and are confident in their roles, reducing the likelihood that they’ll feel overwhelmed and quit early.
3. Health and Safety Checklist
Post-pandemic, health and safety are more important than ever. When employees feel safe and secure at work, they’re more likely to remain in their positions. A dedicated health and safety checklist ensures that sanitation protocols, employee wellness checks, and compliance with health regulations are always followed.
4. Inventory Checklist
A well-structured inventory checklist helps avoid the stress that comes with missing ingredients or supplies during service. Employees can feel frustrated when they don’t have the tools they need to do their job effectively, but with an inventory checklist, stock levels are maintained, and shortages are avoided.
5. Equipment Maintenance Checklist
Maintaining the proper functioning of equipment is critical to smooth restaurant operations. A restaurant maintenance checklist ensures that machinery and appliances are regularly serviced, preventing breakdowns that can disrupt shifts and cause frustration. Well-maintained equipment leads to better job satisfaction and reduces stress for employees.
The Benefits of a Digital Checklist Solution
Outdated pen-and-paper checklist systems pose significant issues to managers, such as “pencil whipping,” when employees mark tasks as complete without actually performing them. Once complete (if they were actually completed at all), they’re typically filed away in binders that sit ignored on shelves. It’s difficult to spot trends, share reports, or implement changes. Digital checklists, like DailyChex by MeazureUp, provide a more efficient and reliable alternative. These cutting-edge solutions allow managers to create, customize, and track checklist completion in real-time across multiple locations, ensuring greater accountability, accuracy, and follow-up.
The many benefits of digital checklists include:
- Real-time tracking: Monitor the completion of checklists from any location, ensuring that critical tasks are completed on time.
- Customizable templates: Tailor checklists to the specific needs of each location, while still maintaining overall consistency.
- Data analysis: Gain insights into operational performance that enable you to identify areas that need improvement or additional training.
- Full Accountability: Foster a culture of responsibility by tracking which employees completed which tasks and when.
Leverage Digital Checklists to Lower Your Restaurant Employee Turnover Rate
In the post-pandemic business environment, restaurant employee turnover rate remains a persistent challenge for managers and owners. Checklists provide a simple but powerful solution to improving operations and retaining staff. By opting for digital checklists to clarify expectations, streamline training, and promote accountability, companies create a more supportive, structured work environment that reduces turnover and keeps employees satisfied.
MeazureUp’s DailyChex ensures consistency and accountability across multiple locations. With a simple, portable digital solution in place, you’ll be able to track task completion, streamline operations, and ensure every employee knows exactly what’s expected of them. For even greater impact, pair DailyChex with AuditApp to uphold brand standards and drive revenue by increasing brand loyalty.
Ready to learn more about reducing your restaurant employee turnover rate and keeping your operations running smoothly? Schedule a demo today.
