As a restaurant grows its brand, the reality of onboarding every new hire can become a daunting task. A restaurant training program improves this experience to ensure every employee receives an equitable educational experience, but at times, there are lingering questions after the training is over. Restaurant workers need a resource to consult in order to remind them of some of the finer points they might have forgotten from their training. For everything from company values to the dress code to the menu, this is where a restaurant handbook comes in. With a restaurant handbook at your employees’ fingertips, there can be no discrepancies between what a restaurant intends and what the employees provide in return.

 

Here are just a few things you can expect when you provide your employees with a handbook as a part of a restaurant training program:

 

Upholding of Company Values

A company handbook can provide new employees with helpful information about your restaurant’s history, and any major changes it has undergone over time. Beyond that, it helps set standards for your restaurant’s culture. Keeping your restaurant’s mission statement in mind can be helpful for a newcomer trying to get a feel for the ideal guest experience. Don’t have a mission statement yet? See these tips for crafting one.

 

 

A Unified Guest Experience

There are certain communication strategies all employees will need to know: how to greet guests, how to take their order, and how often to check in with them. A handbook can clearly outline these expectations. Beyond that, you can even give guidance for above-and-beyond services, like how to handle special occasions such as birthdays or anniversaries. Restaurants are more than just places to have a meal; they are places where couples and families and friends make memories for years to come. The atmosphere of a restaurant, as conveyed by its employees, can set a positive tone for human interaction. Danny Meyer, CEO of New York City’s Union Square Hospitality Group, speaks to this point in his book, Setting the Table: “In the end, what’s most meaningful is creating positive, uplifting outcomes for human experiences and human relationships.”

 

Better Working Knowledge of the Restaurant

One of the most exciting things about working at a restaurant is an ever-changing menu. From the cooks to the waitstaff, it is essential that all players in a restaurant know the menu inside and out, right down to each unique ingredient. A handbook is a perfect place for new employees to be able to study the menu and feel more confident informing guests about their culinary decisions. Celebrity chef Emeril Legasse once said, “My philosophy from day one is that I can sleep better at night if I can improve an individual’s knowledge about food and wine, and do it on a daily basis.” Spreading this valuable knowledge can provide motivation for employees to consult the handbook. Beyond the menu, the handbook is also a great place to show the restaurant layout and some of the technical ins and outs of the restaurant’s POS program.

 

Clearer Policies

With a handbook, there can be no question about the rules surrounding scheduling changes, time-off requests, and the dress code. A company handbook is also a proactive place to give the protocol for asking for a raise, which has the potential to prevent awkwardness if employees know the procedures ahead of time. When policies are written down, employers can ensure fair treatment and even avoid future complaints and lawsuits.

Dental, medical, paid time off, 401K…these are the usual benefits you might see listed on a job ad. However, as more and more companies compete for top talent, extra incentives are increasing. Many employers are now offering their staff additional perks such as tuition reimbursement, flexible work schedules, on-site gyms, and free meals, to name a few.

Corporate perks are not only a way to attract good candidates, but it can define your company culture—its values and what it stands for. Many companies want to create a nurturing work environment that balances work and life while promoting positivity and productivity. One specific element that employers like to incorporate into their company culture is health and wellness.

Don’t just take our word for it—studies have shown a correlation between employee wellness and productivity. Research suggests that employers save on average $3.48 in reduced health care costs and $5.82 in lower absenteeism costs for every dollar spent on employee wellness. A study of nearly 20,000 surveyed participants revealed that “…employees who rarely eat fruits, vegetables and other low-fat foods at work were 93 percent more likely to have a higher loss in productivity. Additionally, those who did not believe their workplace environment would support them in becoming physically and emotionally healthier were more likely to have a drop in productivity levels.”

There are various ways in which companies incorporate healthy eating at their offices. Some employers may simply stock the office kitchen with healthier food options like fruits and vegetables. Others may go as far as implementing a full-fledged cafeteria with chef-manned stations serving an array of healthy dining options. Some new trends we’ve seen include automated specialty food kiosks like Leanbox and Smartbox that offer fresh meals, fruit, and water on-demand. Let’s say your company doesn’t have the space for a kitchen or even a vending machine. “Virtual cafeterias” are another benefit you can offer workers. EAT Club is a service that allows employees to choose their favorite lunch from a curated menu developed by award-winning chefs. After choosing, the meals are delivered to the office all at once.

Whichever route you choose for meal perks, it’s important to remember to include a variety of healthy choices, options for those with allergies and dietary restrictions (I.e., gluten-free and non-dairy), as well as vegan and vegetarian choices. If you’re unsure where to begin, please contact Synergy so we can assess the best and most efficient option for your organization.