Any restaurateur will tell you that one of their most difficult challenges is labor – especially recruiting and retaining great employees.
The reasons? For one, the prolonged economic expansion has led to a tighter labor market that is affecting many industries. According to the National Restaurant Association’s 2019 State of the Restaurant Industry Report, restaurant businesses face longer-term structural changes in the labor force, such as a declining number of younger workers. With restaurants poised to employ 16.9 million workers by 2029, an increase of 1.6 million over the 15.3 million employed today, recruiting and retaining employees could prove more difficult in the future.
To combat this challenge, the Association is working with the National Restaurant Association Showteam to present education, tips and tools to help restaurateurs understand the problem and find ways to attract the best candidates seeking employment.
Here is a snapshot of four educational sessions focusing on workforce development at this year’s Show, May 18-21, at McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago:
ServSuccess – Develop Your Team, Win the Future
Location: Learning Center: North Hall – Booth 7400
Date: May 18, 11 a.m.
Operators will learn about training strategies that impact front-line performance, leadership development, and the value of professional credentials. This new suite of workforce development programs, created by the National Restaurant Association’s workforce development team, could help improve employee recruitment, performance and engagement. Association Director of Workforce Development Sara Anderson will lead the discussion.
How to Become an Employer of Choice
Location: Learning Center: North Hall – Booth 7400
Date: May 18, 3 p.m.
This session will help operators understand what causes turnover to increase among hourly front-of-the-house and back-of-the-house employees and restaurant managers. It will also provide recruitment techniques and strategies that improve retention, as well as insights into the role employers of choice can have in creating business success. Victor Fernandez, Vice President of Insights & Knowledge for HR consultant TDn2K, will explain what the top performing restaurant chains are doing differently regarding recruitment and retention.
Igniting a Team of Top Performers
Location: BAR Stage: Lakeside Center – Booth 11262
Date: May 19, 1 p.m.
This session will offer insights into how to spend resources effectively on recruiting ideal candidates. Operators will learn about training techniques that motivate teams to improve service, build sales and raise profits. TJ Schier of SMART Restaurant Group leads the discussion.
Apprenticeship: NRAEF’s Successful Workforce Development Strategy
Location: Innovation Theater: North Hall – Booth 5575
Date: May 19, 4 p.m.
Members of the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation team, creators of the restaurant and hospitality sector’s first-ever apprenticeship initiative, will explain how the program was developed. They will share how employers can integrate apprenticeships as a workforce development tool. John Shortt, the NRAEF’s Director of Program Development, will moderate the session. Lettuce Entertain You Restaurants’ Lauren Strzepek and Izzy Shaindlin are panelists.
Be a part of the Centennial celebration. Attend the 100th National Restaurant Association Show. Register today
Source: National Restaurant Association
