Importance of restaurant training

Developing a thorough restaurant training program is time-consuming, but it pays off by producing a staff that’s prepared to deliver. Some benefits of having a high-quality training program include:

• Consistent service and performance from all employees
• Confident, prepared employees who know how to handle various situations
• Efficient, smooth service
• Higher customer satisfaction
• Safer work environment
• Improved employee retention

Training methods and tools

Having a variety of training methods and tools creates a well-rounded training program with methods that appeal to different people. It gives them more ways to interact with the training material to learn it more effectively. Here are some methods to consider.

Classroom training

Some information is best taught in a traditional classroom setting. Compliance and safety topics are examples. Your employees need to learn the facts quickly and easily. If you don’t have a large training space, schedule these training sessions before or after hours and use the dining room as a classroom.

Online learning

Online or video learning lets each employee learn at their own pace. It can be easier than in-person classroom training if space is limited or when you only have one or two new employees at a time. It can also be more efficient for the person who trains because they can record the lessons once and reuse them for every employee.

Gamification

A newer training strategy is gamification, where you add a game-like element to the process. This makes learning more interesting and can incorporate a friendly competition aspect. An example of gamification for a restaurant setting is a video game-style simulation. Another option is to create badges that employees earn as they complete or pass various training sessions.

For established employees, you can incorporate gamification through competitions. Employees might earn points when they implement a specific skill or procedure you’re emphasizing, for example. The person or team with the most points at the end of the week earns a small prize.

Training manual or employee handbook

A training manual and the employee handbook are good references for your new staff, but they shouldn’t be the only source of training. You can’t guarantee your new hires will read the manual carefully or understand the information fully. It can be difficult for people to absorb the information and apply it in a real-life setting.

Use the manual or handbook as part of your in-person or online training. Expand on what’s written and give employees real-world examples, along with practice opportunities. Review your manual to ensure it’s up-to-date and includes all relevant topics.

Role-playing

This option lets new employees test out different skills. This can be especially effective for hosts and servers if they don’t have previous experience. Role-playing lets the employees learn and perfect specific procedures you use at your restaurant. Make the role-playing scenarios as realistic as possible. If you’re working on serving food, have trainees role-play with trays of real food.

Job shadowing

Another effective method of new employee training on your restaurant procedures is through a job shadowing program. A new employee works closely with an experienced employee to learn on the job.

They often start by observing or helping with small tasks, such as handing out menus to guests. The new employee gradually takes over more of the duties, while the experienced employee shifts more to a supervisory role. This continues until the new employee is ready to go on their own.

Establish a new employee training program

Having a detailed onboarding process eases new restaurant employees into their jobs. This is a comprehensive new employee training that gives your new hires all the information they need to handle their job successfully. Onboarding also focuses on helping new employees fit into the culture and get to know their fellow employees. Establish a timeline for the onboarding process with key training sessions along the way.

Identify training topics

List all the topics you want to incorporate into your restaurant training program. Some topics will apply to everyone, while others are only relevant for specific positions. Training topics to consider include:

• Safety procedures: This includes things like personal hygiene, food safety, hazardous chemicals and building security. Tailor the safety topics to your restaurant.
• Kitchen safety: All employees should receive basic kitchen safety training, as most employees spend at least some time in the kitchen. Train employees about the potential dangers, where they can go and things they should avoid in the kitchen.
• Compliance: As a food service business, you have regulations your employees need to follow to keep the restaurant safe. If you serve alcohol, you have additional compliance issues.
• Restaurant technology: Train your employees on your ordering system and other technology you use in your restaurant, such as mobile ordering and payment options.
• Customer service: Even if new employees have previous restaurant experience, it’s important to train them on customer service topics. Incorporate your standards and expectations for customer service. Train employees on how to deal with difficult customers and handle other situations they might face.
• Menus: Cooks and servers need a solid understanding of the menu, so they can explain dishes to guests and make recommendations. Include training on ingredients in dishes and which menu items are suitable for various food allergies and preferences.
• Opening and closing procedures: Restaurant employees often work various shifts, which means they might need to open or close the restaurant. Review the procedures and checklists for those times.
• Etiquette: Teach your employees etiquette based on the type of restaurant you run. For example, a casual diner doesn’t need to have as formal etiquette as a fine dining establishment would.

Create position-specific training

All your employees need general restaurant training on policies, procedures, safety issues and compliance matters. This ensures everyone knows what’s expected and has that foundational knowledge about your restaurant.

You also need position-specific training for each role. Servers need to learn about the menu, specials, ordering systems and food handling. Bartenders are responsible for following laws pertaining to serving alcohol. They also need to know how to make specific drinks and input orders for food and drinks. Cooks need to know how the ordering system works, understand your menu and have basic cooking skills.

Write a training program for each role, incorporating a variety of training methods. Getting input from current employees helps you develop a comprehensive training program for each position.

Provide ongoing feedback

Training sessions are often limited, but continuing with feedback for new employees helps them improve. When employees learn a large amount of information in training, it’s difficult to remember everything. Constructive feedback as they start working in their positions helps employees recall those details and put them into practice. Don’t forget to point out what they’re doing well to encourage them as they learn.

Cross-train employees

Cross-training employees means you teach them how to do other jobs within the restaurant. This can help if you’re experiencing staffing shortages because your current staff can help out in other areas when needed. An example is training a server how to handle the host duties or the bartender duties. If your chefs work in specific stations, you might train them to work the other stations as well.

Additional training tips

Here are a few more tips that can help you improve your restaurant training:

• Quiz your employees: As you’re training your employees, incorporate little quizzes or checks to ensure they understand what you’re teaching.
• Avoid micromanaging: It’s easy to engage in workplace micromanagement when you hire new employees. Your employees reflect on your restaurant, so you want them to do well. However, giving them more space to manage their behaviors and figure things out on their own empowers your employees.
• Make it fun: Some restaurant topics are serious, but it’s possible to incorporate fun into the training process. Keep the training sessions interesting and engaging.
• Hold pre-shift meetings: Gathering your employees for a pre-shift or preopening meeting gives you a chance to review key training points. You might refresh employees on training issues you’re noticing while you observe your staff.
• Train for growth: Give your employees training opportunities that help them advance. You might hold leadership or management training sessions for employees who want to move into supervisory roles.

FAQs about restaurant training

Do restaurant employees need ongoing training?

Ongoing training is a good idea in any industry. Restaurant employees might slack on the procedures they learned in training as they get comfortable or forget the specifics of their training over time. A quick refresher course reminds them of the details they’ve forgotten. Safety and compliance issues are particularly important to reinforce to avoid incidents. You might be required to hold yearly training on certain topics to remain in compliance. Identify the topics that need to be reviewed periodically and schedule training on them throughout the year.

How do you handle an employee who doesn’t follow what they learn in training?

Training and employee onboarding programs help establish expectations and give all employees the same tools to perform well. If you have an employee who doesn’t follow the standards set in these sessions, additional training might be necessary. One-on-one training allows you to work closely with the individual. If they continue disregarding your procedures intentionally, disciplinary action might be necessary. If the employee is simply struggling with the tasks, give them more time to practice and provide supports as needed to help them improve.

How can you improve your restaurant training program?

Incorporate an employee feedback system into your restaurant training programs to evaluate how you’re doing. A survey at the end of the training is a simple feedback collection tool. This helps you identify ways you can change and improve the training process. Look at employee reviews and talk to managers to find out if employees consistently have the same issues that could be improved with proper training. As you change your procedures or incorporate new technology, add those things into your training program.