Having a great program in place for server training, can reduce your staff turnover and make your employees happier. As stated earlier, it will in turn help your restaurant exceed your patrons’ expectations.
Organize Your Training Process To Include The Following Details
- Job descriptions
- Server training checklists
- Menu abbreviations
- Assembling an order
- Check writing procedures
- Drink delivery
- Food running
- Basic training demonstrations – how te refill water glasses, serve cracked pepper, open and pour wine for tastings
- Tastings – let the chef present new menu items and describe the dishes
Effective Pre-Shift Meetings
Creating an effective pre-shift meeting enables being part of the team.
- Keep it short: Between 10 to 15 minutes
- Be organized
- Make eye contact
- Engage the staff by asking questions
- Never take for granted what your servers know
- Focus on “who, what and where” for the next couple of hours
- Steer clear of negatives or problems
- If you have staggering start times, include notes on bulletin board or dry-erase board for those coming in later to read
- Include compliments and stories of good guest interaction
- Discuss any previous shift questions and answers
- Remember to include back-of-the-house or do it separate from front-of-the-house
- Walk the line making announcements
- Invite them to taste new menu items
- Ask for suggestions
- Offer compliments
Upselling
- Utilize pre-shift meetings to talk about the specials of the day
- Ask each server to use adjectives to describe menu items
- Discuss pairings, whether it’s a beverage or an appetizer
- Allow the servers to taste new menu items
- Leverage the Recipe Cards in Sysco Studio to educate your staff on the menu items enabling upselling
