You Have Great People, But Are They in the Right Places?

 Your team is your restaurant’s most valuable asset. But even if you have top-tier employees, placing them in the wrong roles can hinder productivity, morale, and ultimately, profitability. The right person in the right position can mean the difference between a thriving, efficient operation and a struggling one.

1. The Impact of Misaligned Roles

If employees aren’t positioned according to their strengths, your restaurant could face:

  • High Turnover Rates: Employees who feel underutilized or overwhelmed are more likely to leave.

  • Decreased Efficiency: Misplaced team members struggle with their responsibilities, slowing down service.

  • Low Morale: A frustrated team member can impact the entire staff, creating a negative work environment.

  • Lost Revenue Opportunities: A great cashier might be a poor kitchen worker, leading to lost upsell potential or longer service times.

Action Item: Evaluate whether each employee is working in a role that matches their skills, experience, and strengths.

2. Assessing Your Team’s Strengths

To ensure everyone is in the right role, take the time to assess individual skills and attributes. Consider the following:

  • Who thrives under pressure? They may be best suited for busy kitchen or drive-thru operations.

  • Who has the best customer service skills? Put them in front-facing roles like cashier or counter service.

  • Who is detail-oriented? A precise and organized team member might excel in food prep or inventory management.

  • Who is a natural leader? Identify those who can be groomed for supervisory or management positions.

Action Item: Conduct employee assessments through observation, one-on-one discussions, and skills testing.

3. The Importance of Cross-Training

Having flexible employees who can step into different roles when needed can improve efficiency and reduce stress on your team. Cross-training benefits include:

  • Better shift coverage: Employees can fill in where needed without a drop in service quality.

  • Improved teamwork: Staff members understand each other’s roles and can collaborate more effectively.

  • Higher job satisfaction: Employees feel more valued and engaged when they learn new skills.

Action Item: Develop a cross-training plan where employees rotate through different positions over time.

4. Leveraging Technology to Optimize Scheduling

Using employee scheduling software can help align the right people with the right shifts and tasks. Consider platforms such as:

  • 7shifts – Ideal for labor forecasting and scheduling optimization.

  • HotSchedules – Helps automate shift management and improve staff efficiency.

  • Deputy – A great tool for managing compliance and tracking employee performance.

  • When I Work – Simplifies scheduling and helps prevent overstaffing or understaffing.

Action Item: Implement a scheduling tool to ensure the most qualified employees are working the right shifts.

5. Promoting from Within and Employee Growth

Identifying potential leaders within your team can improve retention and operational stability. Look for:

  • Employees who take initiative and go beyond their regular duties.

  • Team members who mentor or train others naturally.

  • Staff with strong problem-solving and conflict-resolution skills.

Action Item: Establish a leadership development program that prepares high-potential employees for management roles.

6. Recognizing and Addressing Role Misalignment

It’s essential to identify when an employee is in the wrong position and make adjustments. Signs include:

  • Consistently poor performance despite training and support.

  • Expressions of frustration or disengagement.

  • Frequent mistakes or slow service times.

  • Feedback from other team members about inefficiencies.

Action Item: If an employee is struggling in their role, consider moving them to a different position that better fits their skills.

7. Real-World Example: The Power of Role Realignment

A quick service restaurant noticed that one of their cashiers was underperforming, often seeming distracted and unengaged. Instead of terminating the employee, management reassessed their strengths and moved them into a kitchen prep role. The result?

  • The employee thrived in a back-of-house position where they could focus without customer interaction.

  • Service speed improved because the new cashier was better suited to engaging with customers.

  • Employee morale increased because the staff member felt valued in a role that fit their strengths.

Final Thoughts

Your restaurant’s success depends not just on having great people, but ensuring they’re in the right places. By assessing employee strengths, cross-training, utilizing scheduling technology, and recognizing leadership potential, you can create a more efficient, motivated, and profitable team.

Need help optimizing your restaurant’s staffing strategy? Contact Bill@PrecisionConsulting.US for expert guidance.

Have you experienced the benefits of putting the right people in the right roles? Comment below and share your insights!

#PrecisionConsulting.US

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