If you have walked into any store recently, you have likely noticed all of the back to school gear lining the aisles and greeting you around every turn. If you haven’t been out lately, then it is very likely that you have seen the ads online that are constantly reminding us that a new season is upon us and before long, school will be back in session. It’s true, students will be returning to the classroom, but what does this have to do with running a restaurant and why should managers be paying attention to this particular time of year? We are so glad you asked!
First let’s talk about labor scheduling. Back to school could mean a huge shift in availability for your restaurant staff. Many high school or college students may have been working more hours during the summer, but now that school is starting back up, they will be limited on the times they are available. Does your restaurant have a labor scheduling system in place that allows your team to easily adjust to schedule changes and give you accurate metrics for optimized schedules? Being able to manage your labor in an efficient way will save you time and money, and having a way for people to easily swap shifts and have mobile access to communicate with their team and check their schedules may even entice employees to stick around and work even while they are going to school. Be aware of the upcoming changes in your schedule and your projected sales forecast, so you can make educated decisions that will set your restaurant up for success.
Promotional Opportunities
It’s 2024, so a social media back to school giveaway is a great way to promote your restaurant, and also give back to the community! There are a number of ways to go about this, so get creative and don’t overthink it! When school starts up, families definitely feel the rush of this season and would be grateful to win a free meal or gift card to your restaurant. You could also choose a local school to donate school supplies to and include your restaurant’s logo and information somewhere on the supplies. Magnets or stickers with your restaurant information is always a good idea. If you are a college town, you can promote a student discount on certain nights of the week or a small percentage off every order with a student or teacher ID. Running a special on your snack and drink items for the first hour or two that school lets out is likely to bring in more customers who are looking for something to hold them over. However you choose to capitalize on this opportunity is up to you.
Back to school can be stressful as families and students navigate getting back into a routine. This leaves a great opportunity for restaurants to step in and show how stopping in for a quick meal can add convenience and alleviate a little stress. Managers should be aware of staff members returning to school so they can plan accordingly. Technology used to manage your labor scheduling can make this process smooth and painless, so if you are not already utilizing a labor scheduling system, there is no better time than the present!
