There are so many components that go into running a restaurant, and they all intertwine somewhere along the way. Restaurant management software has played a key role in advancing the way business is run, but managers still want to do a thorough job of making sure everything runs smoothly. Chances are if there is a kink in the chain, it will cause a domino effect resulting in even more disorder and disruption to business. Restaurant operations is anything that involves how you run your restaurant from finances, inventory, staff, kitchen prep, cleanup, etc. With so many moving parts in running a restaurant, how does one keep it all straight? The most important ingredient in restaurant operations is to have a system in place for every aspect of your business and equip your staff with the knowledge and tools to execute that system effectively. Here are some practical ideas to get you moving in the right direction.
Training
A lot about how an employee performs can be traced back to how well they were trained. Yes, there are a few that can rise to the occasion no matter how little information they have been given, but most people need to be well trained in order to perform to the best of their ability. When they know exactly what is expected of them and how to execute it, you are eliminating barriers that keep them from doing their job well. Clearly state what is expected, give them examples of problems that could arise and walk them through how to solve those challenges. Doing this not only builds better employees, but also gives staff more confidence and makes them more likely to stick around.
Checklists
Everything should have a checklist. When someone opens a restaurant, there should be a checklist of what they need to do before the first customer even walks in the door. There should be a checklist for cleaning that is checked off every hour to make sure the restaurant is regularly cleaned and presentable for customers. Having a checklist for kitchen staff who prep, cook and clean helps keep everyone and everything in order and operating at high standards. Good habits are formed with checklists.
Procedures
Clearly write out the process to specific restaurant procedures for your staff. This eliminates confusion and uncertainty amongst your employees. What are your kitchen procedures? What about food safety? After inventory arrives, who is responsible for putting it where it belongs? Have you walked your staff through customer service procedures and how to handle specific situations? Clearly outline what kind of experience you want your customers to have and train your staff to respond to any problems that arise with a customer focused resolution. When employees feel confident in handling situations that arise, you will have happier customers as well as a stronger and healthier staff. Take the time to write out these procedures so people can refer to them as needed.
Even though running a restaurant is now easier than ever before thanks to restaurant management software, that doesn’t mean that managers no longer need thorough training, checklists and procedures in place. If you want to see your operations soar, start implementing these simple steps and watch your business grow.
