It’s Friday night. The line’s backed up, and your strongest cook just called out. Again. Sound familiar? The staffing crunch is no joke. And when seasonal demand spikes, it can push even the most experienced teams to the brink. While the labor market may be out of your control, how you respond to it isn’t.
Grow the Talent You Have
Your current staff may be your most valuable, yet untapped, resource. Before burning energy on new hires, focus on training the people already on your roster. Cross-train wherever possible. Got a prep cook eager to learn grill? Let them shadow during slower shifts. A server curious about the kitchen? Start showing them the ropes. Make learning part of the culture. Reward new skills with recognition or small incentives. When employees feel valued and see a path forward, they’re far more likely to stick around.
Measure What Matters
Once you make changes, track your impact by monitoring ticket times, labor cost percentage, turnover rates, and customer satisfaction. When something works, document it. Create simple checklists so your most efficient processes survive staff changes and seasonal shifts.
Streamline Your Boh Flow
Wasted time is wasted labor. Take a step back and evaluate your systems: Are your stations organized for speed and flow? Are your prep steps essential or just habit? A cleaner, smarter setup helps your team move faster, with less stress and fewer mistakes.
Schedule Smarter, Not Longer
Not every shift needs to be eight hours. Peak periods often only require 4–6 hours of strong coverage. Try burst scheduling, staggered starts, or split shifts to stay efficient and reduce burnout. Consider bringing in culinary students for part-time support, and make it a real learning opportunity. If they feel mentored, not just used, they’ll come back and spread the word.
Let Tech Lighten the Load
Small tech investments can lead to big wins in efficiency, accuracy, and staff satisfaction. Try:
Scheduling Apps: Tools like 7shifts or Hot Schedules simplify shift planning and reduce the need for back-and-forth communication.
Group Messaging: Create a shift-swap chat so team members can manage coverage in real time.
Sales & Traffic Tracking: Use 90-day trend data to predict peak hours and schedule proactively, not reactively.
Kitchen Display Systems (KDS): Replace paper tickets, reduce errors, and improve BOH/FOH communication.
Tap into Sysco’s Support with Culinary Consultations
Need a fresh set of eyes on your kitchen? Sysco’s chefs and culinary consultants offer practical, tailored guidance to help you save time and labor without sacrificing quality. From refining mise en place to recommending labor-saving products, they’ll help you find fixes that fit your workflow.
