Any restaurant owners and managers in would agree that staff is a company’s most important asset. As such, hiring restaurant staff in Kenya is one of the core elements that determine the success or failure of any restaurant. Picture your staff like the engine of your car. It is the most vital part of your car, and without it, you couldn’t drive. Just as you rely on that car to get you from point A to point B, you need your staff to do the same.
When it comes to business decision-making, hiring restaurant employees is one of the most important decisions you will make. After all, your staff is the livelihood of your restaurant. Restaurant customer service is the foundation of your business. When was the last time someone commended you on a waiter or waitress? Think about how much you owe to your chefs and kitchen staff when a busy night runs smoothly. One good employee and you can create a customer for a lifetime; one bad employee can lead to a potential reputation problem.
When it comes to business decision-making, hiring restaurant employees is one of the most important decisions you will make.
That’s why your staff needs care. No matter if you are managing a skeleton crew or a fleet, it takes time, effort, and care. But first, you need to know how to hiring restaurant staff in Kenya for restaurant success.
Challenges Facing Hiring Restaurant Staff in Kenya
When it comes to hiring great restaurant employees, from waiters to management to chefs, there exists a universal truth: It is not easy. Even harder than that? Employee retention.
Recent restaurant statistics show that restaurants are facing hiring challenges.
- 50 percent of restaurants cite employee turnover as a problem.
- The average turn rate for employees is two years. After two years, only 25 percent of the staff you spent the time to recruit and train will still be employed with you.
- The cost of employee turnover is high. A lot of money is spent in recruiting and training restaurant employees.
- There is a 73 percent turnover rate in the restaurant industry.
Now, more than ever, a strong restaurant hiring process and interview strategy are your best strategies for overcoming these challenges.
How to Hire Restaurant Employees
Restaurant employees can make or break your ability to improve customer retention and increase sales. When it was time to hire the folks that you trust today, how did you go about the process? We bet there was an interview process, but did you think it through as it related to your restaurant specifically?
Time constraints in a fast-paced environment like yours can make it hard to feel like you have the ability to maintain consistency. But with the right interview process and questions in place, you can consistently get an upper hand in hiring restaurant staff in Kenya.
Top Three Questions for Hiring Restaurant Staff
There are a number of insights about how to identify candidates that will be a great fit for your restaurant, but we have three key questions that we think can help spot the winners:
Can you give an example of how you provide assistance to someone in need?
Someone who is applying for a job in the industry likely has some experience as a waiter or restaurant employee. This person will know how to handle customers; but asking them how they handle providing assistance, in general, can provide insight into their temperament.
What is your strategy for bringing back loyal guests?
Building relationships, being approachable, and providing attention is one way to bring back loyal guests. What’s better is knowing which menu items to recommend based on client preferences, understanding special events, and upselling items that will bring high satisfaction.
When you approach the table and learn a customer is a first-time guest, what do you suggest?
An employee that might suggest a low-cost item or an item that is not a hit with everyone (simply because they enjoy it), is not going to have an easy time with building customer loyalty or driving sales.
Other than specific answers, you want to be sure that you get a good vibe from your interviewees. Namely, your ideal candidate should have a positive attitude and friendly demeanor. They should be easy going and kind so they will be able to take care of customers with diverse backgrounds, and stay cool and collected should a problem arise.