Seven Essential Elements of a Strong Restaurant Training Program
A 2 min read.
It's no secret that the restaurant industry has witnessed unprecedented levels of turnover in recent years. In 2020, the industry saw a staggering loss of six million jobs, and although many of those positions have since been recovered, full-service restaurants still face challenges in this regard. A significant portion of the newcomers to the industry lacks prior experience and demands more comprehensive training than ever before.
Training has always played a pivotal role in the success of any business, but it has become especially vital in the context of the hospitality industry today. In this discussion, I will present seven strategies to help you improve or establish a training program. I'll also provide guidance on how to implement these methods without increasing your workload, but instead, fostering the growth of your team.
Customized training programs are imperative within a restaurant setting, tailored to suit the requirements of each individual position. Consequently, it may be necessary to develop over ten distinct training packages for a single location, encompassing roles such as bussers, hosts, food runners, servers, bartenders, prep cooks, line cooks, dishwashers, and managers. Each of these roles demands a specific skill set to ensure success in their responsibilities and maintain the seamless operation of your establishment.
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Creating such a comprehensive array of training materials can seem like a daunting undertaking, and it's often most feasible to establish them prior to the restaurant's opening. However, for existing restaurants, I will later discuss how you can construct the necessary training resources by harnessing the expertise of the professionals within your team.
You have the flexibility to add as much detail as you prefer to your program, but every training program should, at a minimum, encompass the following components:
Orientation
Provide your team with an overview of the concept, owners, vendors, all training materials, and their training schedule.
Floor Chart
Include table numbers, bar seats, and position numbers. These are easily created using tools like Google Docs.
Menu Descriptions
Offer comprehensive descriptions for all food and beverage items, covering ingredients, preparation methods, vendors, and allergen information.
Steps of Service
Clearly define expectations for your team, including actions such as greeting a table within 30 seconds, inquiring if the guests have dined at the restaurant previously, and offering cocktails, wine, beer, or mocktails.
Daily Checklist
Provide a structured list of what the trainer needs to cover and what the trainee is expected to learn. This checklist helps maintain a sense of organization in daily training sessions and enables trainers to tailor the training pace to the trainee's learning style.
Evaluation
Implement a testing mechanism to gauge the effectiveness of your training program. This step is crucial for ensuring accountability among both trainers and trainees.
Ongoing Training
Recognize that retention may wane within 3-7 days of initial training. Conduct regular meetings, line-ups, or staff training sessions to ensure your team can confidently discuss every facet of your menu, from vendor information to production methods and execution procedures. This ongoing training is vital for maintaining a well-informed team.
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Within each of your restaurants, you'll find experts in each of the aforementioned areas. Involving your team members in the development or enhancement of a training program for your restaurant represents an excellent way to empower them to think like owners. It demonstrates that you appreciate their input and dedication, ultimately leading to streamlined operations, an enhanced guest experience, and a more robust bottom line.
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Don't hesitate to start the conversation with your top-performing employees today, asking them if they'd be willing to contribute to the improvement of the business by taking on this vital responsibility.
If this is your first training program, don't stress about achieving perfection in every detail. The key is to establish a strong foundation, and you can refine and expand from there. Rest assured that your training team will provide valuable feedback to help identify areas for improvement.
Additionally, be cautious not to let technology become an obstacle. I've effectively managed restaurant training programs with nothing more than a binder located by the POS station.
In the restaurant industry, each day brings unique challenges, but one aspect you can consistently control and manage effectively is your training. The stronger your training program and trainers, the more confidence your new hires will gain. This, in turn, provides them with the space they need to build connections with their guests, ultimately leading to increased productivity and fewer order errors, positively impacting your bottom line.
Just as you craft a memorable experience for your guests, it's equally important to create a nurturing environment for your team. By establishing a robust foundation, you enable your team to thrive.
Maintaining consistency throughout your restaurant operations allows you to focus your time and energy where you want to, rather than where you have to. This sustains the restaurant's success and helps you direct your efforts to areas of strategic importance.
If you want to discuss this topic further, let’s start a conversation.
P.S.
Whenever you are ready, here are several additional ways I provide daily support to hospitality leaders.
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If you are a restaurant owner looking for a strategic partner to scale your business, retain and develop your managers, let's connect. Email me at christinlmarvin@gmail.com or you can even text me at 719-494-6074.
(Rest assured, I won't attempt to sell you anything.)
If you are a hospitality leader looking to level up and position yourself for career advancement without sacrificing work-life balance, let’s start a conversation. Email me at christinlmarvin@gmail.com
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Love, Christin
