10 Ways to Hire and Retain Gen Z Talent in Your Food Establishment
There’s a quiet but powerful shift happening behind the counter in restaurants across North America. It’s not about the food. It’s not about the décor. It’s about who’s showing up to work the shift and who’s not.
Gen Z, born between 1997 and 2012, now makes up nearly half the foodservice workforce. By 2030, they’ll represent almost 58% of the global workforce alongside millennials. And with that comes a shift in how teams expect to be hired, trained, scheduled, and supported. This generation is looking for jobs that fit their lifestyle, align with their values, and respect their time and goals.
So, how can restaurants create an environment where Gen Z thrives?
Here’s how to build a Gen Z-friendly workplace and create a culture that keeps your next-gen team members engaged and excited to come back tomorrow.
10 Ways to Attract and Retain Gen Z Talent
1. Simplify the Hiring Experience
Your future employee just found your job post on their phone while scrolling TikTok in line for coffee. If your application takes more than a few minutes or requires downloading PDFs, they’re gone.
In fact, 56% of Gen Z won’t complete a job application if the process feels outdated. Make it quick, mobile-friendly, and accessible. Push offers digital onboarding and e-signature workflows, allowing new hires to apply, onboard, and schedule — all from their phones.
2. Flexibility is a Priority, not a Perk
Flexibility is non-negotiable. Between school, side gigs, family responsibilities, and mental health days, Gen Z values jobs that allow them to work smarter, not longer.
A recent study found that 49.7% of Gen Z say work-life balance is one of their top priorities. So, if your schedule is set in stone and shifts are handed out last-minute, you’re going to lose talent fast.
3. Pay Fairly and Transparently
Let’s be honest: no amount of pizza parties or ping pong tables can replace a fair paycheck.
Gen Z is practical. They want financial security and transparency about how pay is calculated, when it's paid out, and what they can expect. If your tip-out structure is confusing or your payroll is unpredictable, they’ll look elsewhere.
Offer digital tip payouts and communicate clearly about how wages, bonuses, and benefits are calculated. Better yet, involve them in conversations around pay structures.
4. Train Them Like They Matter, Because They Do
Training is about investing in their potential, rather than just telling people what to do.
Yet, 74% of restaurant workers receive less than the recommended amount of training. The result? Uncertainty, stress, and higher turnover. Gen Z thrives when they know what’s expected, have the tools to succeed, and feel confident from day one.
Create digital training modules or use checklists and task management tools to onboard staff effectively, helping managers ensure that new hires are set up for success without babysitting.
5. Create a Culture of Recognition
Think back to your first job. What made you want to stay? Chances are, someone noticed your hard work.
For Gen Z, recognition is fuel. A simple “thank you,” a shout-out in the team chat, or a personalized message after a tough shift can boost morale. According to one study, 44% of hospitality workers left their jobs because they didn’t feel recognized.
Build feedback into your weekly rhythm. Use shift notes to call out wins, and hold space for peer-to-peer shout-outs. These small gestures add up and make your Gen Z employees appreciative of the work culture, leading to higher employee retention.
6. Lead With Your Values
Gen Z wants their work to mean something. They care about what your brand stands for, how you treat people, and whether you're giving back. A report by US Foods found that Gen Z gravitates toward restaurants with philanthropic values and an upbeat culture.
So, if your business supports a local cause, donates leftovers to food banks, or uses sustainable packaging, don’t be shy. Let your team be part of the mission.
Share your values during interviews and training. Better yet, invite your team to contribute their own philanthropic ideas.
7. Design Schedules That Match Their Lives
For most Gen Z employees, a restaurant job isn’t their only commitment. Many are students juggling class schedules, others have family obligations, or freelance work on the side.
Rigid schedules, last-minute changes, and clunky communication are a recipe for burnout.
Use scheduling software that enables forecasting and flexibility. Push’s labor optimization features help you avoid overstaffing while giving employees more control over their hours. This isn't just about making them happy — it's about building a smarter business.
8. Go Where They Are (Yes, That Means Digital Communication)
No one’s checking a bulletin board for their schedule anymore.
If you're still texting shifts or printing out weekly rosters, it's time to evolve. Gen Z expects workplace communication to be organized, mobile, and responsive — just like the rest of their digital lives.
Use team communication tools, like Push Chat, to coordinate shifts, send announcements, and keep everyone in the loop without the group chat chaos.
9. Show Them a Path Forward
Here’s what many operators get wrong: assuming Gen Z doesn’t care about growth. The truth? They want to succeed on their own terms.
Whether it's mastering the barista station, training new hires, or becoming a shift lead, Gen Z values upward mobility. But they won’t stay if there’s no visible path forward.
Hold quarterly check-ins focused on personal goals. Promote from within when possible. Even a simple roadmap (“Here’s how to become a supervisor in 3 months”) can make a difference.
10. Listen. Then Actually Change.
It’s one thing to ask for feedback. It’s another to do something about it.
If your team tells you they’re overwhelmed, under-trained, or craving more communication, believe them. Creating space for Gen Z to speak up not only builds trust, it also gives you the insight you need to reduce turnover and build a better workplace.
Create a feedback loop using surveys, one-on-ones, or anonymous forms. And when you make a change based on their input, let them know. This way, you’ll build loyalty fast.
Final Thoughts: Gen Z Isn’t Just the Future…They’re the Right Now
If the last few years have taught the restaurant industry anything, it’s this: great teams build great businesses.
And Gen Z? They’re redefining what “great” looks like. They’re tech-native, values-driven, flexible, and fiercely smart. They expect more from their workplaces, not because of their entitlement, but because they believe work can be human, fair, and fulfilling.
You don’t need to overhaul your entire operation overnight. Start with one shift: digitize your scheduling, open up communication, recognize effort, or rethink your training approach.
In doing so, you’re not just keeping up with the times. You’re building a restaurant team ready for the future.
Looking to make Gen Z staffing a little less stressful?
Push helps restaurant operators manage hiring, onboarding, scheduling, payroll, and team communication all in one platform. Learn more about how Push can support your team.
