A good manager has the skills and knowledge to streamline operations, manage employees, and increase profits. Restaurant owners must have strategies to attract and retain top managers, and here are a few best practices to ensure your top managers stay engaged and motivated.
Offer Competitive Pay & Benefits
Compensation is a significant factor in attracting and retaining great managers for your restaurant. Offering competitive pay rates help attract talented people and shows current staff members that their efforts are valued and appreciated.
In addition, offering benefits such as vacation time, health insurance, and flexible work hours can help keep your team motivated over the long term.
Read our article, How to Develop A Restaurant Management Bonus Program and Keep Your Great Managers.
Encourage Professional Growth & Development
One of the best ways to engage your top managers is by investing in their professional growth and development. This investment could include allowing them to attend conferences or workshops related to their field or providing training opportunities within your establishment–like classes on customer service and cooking techniques.
Investing in employee development shows that you value their growth and the future of your business.
Devise a plan that uses your team’s skills, and be a good coach by asking more questions than giving instructions. Being a good coach to your management staff will help you track the number of wins your team enjoys rather than measuring the number of problems you may identify.
Encourage Teamwork
A positive team dynamic is essential for keeping great restaurant managers around in the long run. Encourage collaboration between staff members by having regular team meetings where everyone can contribute ideas and feedback on improving the organization.
Show appreciation for each individual’s contributions by recognizing their efforts through awards or thank-you notes. Your added effort will foster an environment where everyone feels comfortable working towards common goals, making it more likely that your top talent will stay with you for the long haul.
Create a Positive Work Environment
Your restaurant must have a positive work environment where employees feel respected, supported, and appreciated for their hard work. Make sure that management treats all employees with respect regardless of role or experience level; this will help foster an environment of trust throughout the organization, which is crucial for keeping great managers on board for years to come.
These are just a few best practices for retaining top restaurant managers. Owners have countless other strategies that they can use depending on the size of their organization and its specific needs.
No matter what strategy you choose, focus on creating an environment where employees feel valued and appreciated for their contributions—this will go a long way toward keeping great talent around!
Taking these steps now will help ensure that you continue to get the most out of every employee while also positioning yourself as an employer of choice in the industry.