Is Your Team in the Right Place at the Right Time?
Welcome to the sixth installment of our 13-part blog series, a resource library for independent restaurant operators. Today’s topic focuses on Mastering Kitchen Staffing Strategy—an often-overlooked yet critical element for balancing labor costs and operational efficiency.
In our previous post, we explored the importance of Time Management Efficiency and leveraging off-peak shifts. This post builds upon that concept by addressing how to strategically place your team for maximum productivity. Stay tuned for the next post, where we’ll cover Inventory Management Essentials to complement your labor strategies.
Why Strategic Staffing Matters
Labor costs often account for 30-35% of a restaurant’s revenue (I know a lot of you will say it should be 11%, but that’s too lean my friend :)), making Mastering Kitchen Staffing Strategy a key driver of profitability. Mismanagement in scheduling can lead to:
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Overspending during slow hours.
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Inadequate coverage during busy shifts.
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Burnout among team members.
A smart staffing strategy ensures the right people are in the right places at the right times, leading to:
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Better guest experiences.
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Improved team morale.
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Optimized labor costs.
How to Assess Your Staffing Strategy
Follow this step-by-step process to evaluate your current staffing approach:
Analyze Sales Data: Use POS data to identify peak and off-peak periods. Look for patterns over weeks and months to inform scheduling.
Evaluate Placement: Are “aces in places” during critical service windows? Are your most skilled team members assigned to high-impact tasks?
Observe Team Dynamics: Is there unnecessary downtime for some staff during shifts? Are team members working together efficiently?
Review Overtime Trends: Are you relying on overtime due to scheduling inefficiencies? Identify patterns that could be solved with better planning.
Strategic Solutions for Optimized Staffing
Forecast Demand: Use forecasting tools or historical data to predict sales volume and customer flow. Schedule staff based on anticipated demand, avoiding over- or under-staffing.
Implement Cross-Training: Train team members to handle multiple roles, providing flexibility during busy shifts. Example: A prep cook who can assist on the line during peak hours.
Create Shift Tiers: Divide shifts into tiers: opening, peak, and closing. Assign staff to shifts where their skills are most needed.
Streamline Scheduling: Use software tools like 7shifts or HotSchedules to automate schedule creation. Ensure schedules are published in advance to reduce last-minute changes.
Actionable Steps for Strategic Staffing
Monthly Schedule Reviews: Set aside time each month to review schedules and make adjustments based on sales trends.
Track Key Metrics: Monitor labor as a percentage of sales and adjust staffing levels accordingly.
Conduct Team Feedback Sessions: Ask staff for insights on where coverage may be lacking or overdone.
Reward Flexibility: Incentivize team members who take on cross-trained roles or adjust to schedule changes.
Free Resource for Mastering Kitchen Staffing Strategy
Start optimizing your staffing strategy with our FREE Staffing Optimization Worksheet, designed to help you align schedules with operational needs.
This resource includes:
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A guide for analyzing sales data to forecast staffing needs.
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A customizable template to evaluate team placement and efficiency.
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Tips for reducing labor costs without sacrificing service quality.
Download the FREE Staffing Optimization Worksheet Here
Chefxpertise specializes in crafting customized staffing strategies for independent restaurants. From labor cost analysis to creating cross-training plans, we’ll help you fine-tune your approach for maximum efficiency and profitability.
Schedule a Free 13-Point Assessment to unlock new opportunities for labor optimization.
Missed the last post? Check out Boosting Kitchen Productivity by Maximizing “Off-Peak Shifts” to Boost Kitchen Productivity for tips on leveraging downtime. Stay tuned for our next post, where we’ll discuss Inventory Management Essentials to keep your operations running smoothly.
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