Employee Perks

The job market is tough, I don’t need to tell you that. Between rising labor costs and a noticeably thin labor pool, it can be difficult to source (and retain) good talent. Next to food costs, turnover is one of the highest expenses businesses face. The amount of hours spent to source and train employees can seriously drain your bottom line. So how do you combat that?

Offer perks that make people want to stay.

Admittedly perks alone won’t keep employees at your business; other considerations like providing a safe and harassment-free workplace, being a good leader, etc. will weigh heavily on that decision. However, if you’re already doing that (which is the bare minimum), consider what additional perks you can offer to employees to sweeten the deal. Providing health insurance is one of the best benefits you can extend to all of your employees, from dishwasher to server to chef. But it’s also extremely costly. While you might not be able to provide full coverage to employees, there are other benefits you can offer that will keep people happy, increase retention, and reduce your costs.

1. Make it Easier to Get to Work

Not only is it getting more expensive to secure restaurant space, it’s also become more expensive for your employees to live. Between living and transportation expenses, help ease the burden on employees by offering a free bus pass or a monthly stipend to make it a little easier for them to get to work. It might also make them show up on time too!

2. Free Shift Meal

This should be a no brainer, but in an attempt to reduce costs amidst rising pressures like high rents and labor costs, shift meals might face the chopping block. And if you can, try not to discount the shift meal. A discounted meal might help you get closer to cost, but employees won’t find much of the value in it anyways if a portion of their paycheck is going back to you for the meal. Suck up the cost and give them a free meal. Not only will it make for happier employees, but they’ll have the energy to keep that positivity going throughout their entire shift!

3. Childcare

Like healthcare, childcare is an extremely heavy financial burden that many employees carry. Offering a stipend to contribute to childcare costs will earn the loyalty of many parents who struggle with the expense. Plus, you may also come to find that employees will be less likely to bail on shifts because they’ll have the extra coverage they need.

4. Close for 1 Day and Have a Party

You’ve heard the feel good press of businesses closing their doors completely on Thanksgiving or Christmas. It might not be feasible for you to close on a big holiday, but that doesn’t mean you can’t take a look at the other 300 or so days of the year to give staff a well-deserved break—and party. Show your employees you appreciate them by kicking back with some food, drinks, and maybe a fun activity like a ropes course or bowling.

5. Plan a Daily Group Activity

Retention is one of the biggest challenges in the restaurant business, mostly due to the fact that the labor pool is young and the hours aren’t always ideal. Building camaraderie with all of your employees gets easier with a planned, daily activity. Whether it’s going for a hike, volunteering at a shelter nearby, close the restaurant for 2 hours and round up everyone from the front to back of house for some serious bonding.

About Natalie Fauble

Natalie Fauble is the Online Marketing Manager - Content & SEO for Tundra Restaurant Supply. As a digital marketer with a passion for the restaurant industry, Natalie helps companies shape their brand through thoughtful, fun and innovative content strategies. When she isn't blogging for Tundra Restaurant Supply you can find her in her vegetable garden or in the kitchen whipping up one of her favorite dishes.

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2 comments

  1. Girl, I love your articles! I check in once in a while, because I love everything that Tundra does. I love reading your tips and process articles. I’m watching “Kitchen Nightmares” tonight and was reminded on how much some restaurant owners don’t know, but following a blog like this can teach them and remind them of tbings to do. Keep up the good work!

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