What Restaurant Employees Really Need to Feel Engaged at Work

This post is adapted from our “What Restaurant Employees Want” report, originally published in May 2024. Visit our page to download the full report, which features insights from 1500 active restaurant employees and industry experts.

Engaging employees effectively is crucial for restaurant operators aiming to build a thriving and motivated workforce. To meet the challenge of employee retention, a more engaged team is more likely to stay and grow with you. There are countless ways to keep your team engaged — but what moves the needle the most? As part of our “What Employees Want” report, we learned what restaurant workers really need to feel a part of something bigger.

How operators can better engage their employees

More recognition from management

Even the most self-motivated among us enjoy recognition for hard work, and restaurant employees are no exception.

As Danny Meyer puts it: “Every restaurant has a culture, whether they work at it or not. The question is, is it an uplifting, intentional culture? Over many years, I’ve learned that if you want to have an intentional culture, you must start by naming the behaviors you want to see more of. You've got to champion and celebrate those behaviors when you see them and apply constant and gentle pressure when you don’t.”

More than half (64.3 percent) rated “More recognition from management” as something that would increase their engagement at work. However, when we asked how often they currently receive feedback (either positive or constructive), a quarter of all employees said they rarely received any at all. That means a quarter of all restaurant employees need more mentorship from their managers.

“Sometimes, it feels like every service is a battle for survival, and just getting to the end of the night is good enough to move on to the next day. Sometimes, it can feel like no employee does enough to keep services running smoothly. Recognizing the strain each employee endures and their struggles to make every service count should not be left to the wayside. Calling out employees for their wins, big or small, is essential to maintaining team spirit because each one contributes to a restaurant’s success,” says Ryan Whyte-Buck, a Restaurant Operations Consultant with US Foods.

Opportunities for growth

Restaurant work is often dismissed as a stepping stone to other things. For many, though, it’s a career — and restaurant operators can use this to their advantage, building up their top talent to succeed long-term. “Consider establishing clear benchmarks for pay increases and promotions that are attainable quickly and could result in frequent incremental pay and responsibility growth for motivated employees. One method of this for back-of-house employees is ‘station certification.’ An entry-level employee is offered a base pay and the opportunity to earn a marginal pay increase for each station where they have demonstrated mastery. Your management team should be agile in applying this testing/certifying practice,” says Jason Smith, Contract and Design Manager with US Foods.

At Felipe’s Taqueria, they have a “more you learn, the more you earn” program that encourages staff to learn new skills or roles to increase their wages. Owner Pike Howard discusses this in this episode of the Pre-Shift Podcast.

Same-day pay/tip payouts

When you can order nearly anything imaginable with same-day and next-day delivery, why wait two weeks to get what you have already worked for? In the gig economy, rideshare and food delivery drivers can cash out daily. Restaurants are taking note. Sometimes referred to as Earned Wage Access, future-thinking restaurants offer employees the ability to receive their checks at the end of their shifts. This can boost employee financial wellness, helping them avoid predatory payday loans. While it may not be suitable for every restaurant, one thing’s for sure — employees are all for it.

Perks (staff meals, discounts, etc.)

Simply put, one of the best benefits of working in restaurants is the ready access to food and drinks — especially when it’s on the house. Whether your business does a more formal family meal or allows employees to eat off the menu discounted, food is a key to employee happiness.

What’s less important

Tactics like these can be considered supplementary; they are still desired, but without more effective practices, they are unlikely to improve employee engagement and satisfaction significantly.

Open-book finance

Some owners opt to share details of the business’s finances to instill a sense of ownership in employees — and to great effect. However, as a relatively new practice for restaurants, it may not significantly affect employee engagement.

More huddles and meetings with management

While employees view in-person meetings as a preferred method of communication, more meetings aren’t always better.

Friendly competition and games

Similar to more meetings, friendly sales competitions can boost engagement — but they aren’t a substitute for some of the larger practices.

Take Action

1. Increase the frequency of recognition

Implement regular feedback sessions, both positive and constructive, to ensure employees feel valued and acknowledged. Develop a system for recognizing and celebrating employee achievements, as even small wins contribute to team spirit and overall success.

2. Leverage digital communication tools

While maintaining traditional communication methods, introduce team communication apps to deliver schedules and shift changes efficiently. Ensure all employees are comfortable with and have access to these digital tools to improve overall communication.

3. Provide opportunities for growth

Establish clear and attainable pay increases and promotions benchmarks to encourage long-term career growth. Introduce programs like ‘station certification’ to motivate employees and reward mastery of various roles.

4. Offer same-day pay or tip payouts

Consider implementing Earned Wage Access to allow employees to receive their earnings at the end of their shifts, boosting financial wellness and reducing reliance on payday loans. Evaluate the feasibility of this practice for your restaurant to enhance employee satisfaction. A product like 7shifts Tip Management can enable your team to get their tips at the end of every shift rather than wait for their next paycheck.

5. Enhance employee perks

Provide perks such as staff meals and discounts on menu items to increase employee happiness and loyalty. Make these perks a regular and appreciated part of the work culture, reinforcing the sense of community within the team.