From hosts that greet guests at the door to chefs that cook up a storm all night, human capital is the most important resource a restaurant business can have. Staying on top of your business’ people management can help you ensure that your workforce is organized and engaged. However, having multiple locations to oversee can be a challenging task, and people management can easily be overlooked or forgotten. Streamlining your people management across these locations is the key to unlocking the potential for consistency and efficiency, which contributes to the overall success of your business. Each location must seamlessly function as an extension of the others, sharing a common goal and brand identity. 

In this article, we will explore actionable tips to help streamline people management across multiple restaurant locations, enabling smooth and efficient operations. 

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What is people management?

People management, also known as human resource management, refers to the strategic and operational activities related to the workforce of an organization. It encompasses a broad range of responsibilities, such as recruitment, training, performance evaluation, compensation, employee relations, and compliance with labor laws. 

The main goal of people management is to attract, retain, and develop a talented and motivated workforce. Successful people management in the restaurant industry not only improves operational efficiency but also focuses on building a loyal and motivated workforce. Fostering a positive work environment and investing in the well-being and professional growth of employees can enhance productivity and boost employee satisfaction, which ultimately helps to achieve business goals. 

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8 Ways to Streamline People Management Across Multiple Locations

Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s explore the 8 ways to streamline your people management operations across multiple restaurant locations.

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1. Centralized Human Resources (HR) System

A cloud-based centralized HR system can be a game-changer in streamlining people management across multiple restaurant locations. This system consolidates all human resources functions into a unified platform to manage employee information, payroll, schedules, and other HR-related tasks in one place. A centralized HR system can also help simplify processes like recruitment, training, and performance evaluation, promoting consistency and efficiency. Additionally, a centralized HR system enables better analytics and data-driven decision-making.

Overall, implementing a centralized HR system ensures uniformity and simplifies HR processes across all locations of your business. Streamlining people management has never been more accessible and effective than with Push, making it an ideal solution for any restaurant business seeking an easy-to-use platform for HR needs. 

2. Standardized Job Descriptions and Training

Standardized job descriptions and training ensure consistency in roles and expectations across multiple locations, which plays a pivotal role in streamlining people management. It creates an objective unified framework for hiring, onboarding, and performance evaluation to reduce any ambiguity. 

Standardized job descriptions make hiring more efficient as managers use consistent criteria to assess candidates and it ensures fair treatment amongst applicants. For example, the job description for a server should be the same across all restaurant locations, so candidates are evaluated based on the same requirements no matter which location they apply to. Standardized training programs ensure that all staff members receive comprehensive training, regardless of their location. This allows for consistent service quality, enhances customer experiences, and minimizes errors and inefficiencies. Additionally, standardized training helps new employees to integrate quicker, thereby reducing the time required for onboarding.

This approach fosters a cohesive workforce and a seamless customer experience. 

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3. Performance Management 

Implementing standardized performance management across locations enables objective evaluation of employees' productivity, leading to streamlined people management. By setting clear performance goals, providing regular feedback, and recognizing achievements, businesses can enhance accountability and productivity across all locations. 

Performance management also helps to identify high-performing individuals to facilitate talent recognition and promotion planning. On the contrary, performance management can also help identify underperforming employees, allowing you to address their performance issues promptly. Quick intervention and support for struggling employees can prevent further setbacks and improve team efficiency. 

Overall, this approach cultivates a culture of continuous improvement, which ultimately leads to better business performance and employee retention. 

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4. Cross-Training and Mobility

Cross-training and mobility within your workforce are valuable assets, especially within the restaurant industry. Not only will your employees have the ability to handle multiple tasks at work, but they can also work at different locations if needed. This ensures that you are never short-staffed, while providing your team with additional flexibility in where and when they work. 

By equipping your employees with diverse skills and knowledge, your business can effortlessly fill staffing gaps, optimize resource allocation, and create a versatile workforce that’s capable of handling various roles across all locations.

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5. Standardized Processes and Checklists

Standardized processes and checklists play an important role in streamlining people management across multiple locations. Creating SOPs (standard operating procedures) for various tasks, such as opening and closing procedures, food preparation, and safety protocols, ensures consistency. Whereas checklists act as valuable tools for tracking and monitoring tasks and responsibilities. They serve as reminders for employees to complete essential duties, and managers can quickly identify any missed steps. SOPs should also be incorporated into employee training and onboarding to help new staff members grasp their roles and responsibilities faster, leading to a smoother onboarding experience.

By providing clear guidelines, employees will know exactly what is expected of them and how to effectively complete their tasks, which will reduce errors, save time, and ensure uniform operating procedures.

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6. Employee Incentive Programs

Given that 69% of employees say they would work harder if they felt their efforts were better recognized, restaurant businesses should consider using employee incentive programs to boost employee morale and loyalty. Rewarding exceptional performance encourages healthy competition while developing teamwork and a positive work culture. As employees strive to earn incentives, they’re more likely to participate in self-improvement opportunities, leading to a more skilled workforce. An extension of an employee incentive program is to offer an employee referral bonus to further streamline recruitment efforts. 

Implementing targeted reward and recognition programs drives productivity, reduces turnover, and aligns employees' efforts with the organization's goals, leading to increased operational efficiency.

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7. Shared Knowledge Base

Creating a cloud-based shared knowledge base streamlines people management by ensuring that staff members across all locations have access to up-to-date and consistent information on policies, procedures, training materials, and best practices. By providing easy access to essential information, the shared knowledge base streamlines the onboarding process for new employees, enabling them to quickly become familiar with the company's values, standards, and expectations. It also serves as a valuable resource for existing staff, empowering them to find answers to common questions and resolve issues on their own. 

Overall, it promotes team collaboration and empowers employees to make informed decisions, resulting in a more cohesive and knowledgeable workforce.

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8. Management Training

According to Udemy, nearly half of employees said they’ve quit a job because of a bad manager — and 56% think managers are promoted prematurely, while 60% think managers need managerial training. This just shows the importance of investing in proper management training across all your locations. Management training enables managers to make informed choices that align with the business’ goals and values, while ensuring that all managers treat their staff with respect. It also provides the opportunity to learn the necessary skills to effectively communicate, delegate, and motivate their teams. Additionally, management training ensures that managers are well-versed in compliance, safety, and legal requirements, reducing the risk of violations and potential legal issues.

Well-trained managers can navigate challenges, handle employee relations, and optimize performance, cultivating a cohesive and efficient workforce for operational success.

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Final Thoughts on Streamlining People Management

In conclusion, streamlining people management across multiple restaurant locations is the linchpin of success in such a highly competitive industry. By implementing streamlining efforts, restaurant owners can create an integrated and efficient operation that goes beyond location-based boundaries. Effective people management nurtures a dedicated and motivated workforce, ensuring consistency in service quality, brand identity, and customer experience across all locations. As a result, this strategic approach not only saves time and resources, but also unlocks the full potential for growth, profitability, and long-term sustainability in the world of restaurant chain management.

Ready to take the first step towards streamlining your restaurant’s people management? Book a demo with us at Push to see how easy and seamless it can be to integrate a centralized HR platform for your business. 

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