Fostering a Culture of Appreciation in the Restaurant Industry

Employee Appreciation Day, observed on March 7, offers organizations in the restaurant industry a special chance to honor the incredible dedication, hard work, and unique talents of their team members. Restaurant employees are the heart of the dining experience, and their commitment keeps the industry thriving.

Working in a restaurant is no small feat. It’s a demanding profession that requires adaptability, resilience and the ability to excel in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment. Day in and day out, restaurant employees are on their feet—cooking, serving, bartending, cleaning, and ensuring every guest has a memorable experience, all while often working unusual schedules or long hours.

When recognition becomes a natural, consistent part of your workplace, everyone benefits.

Research has proven that employees who feel appreciated are more loyal to their employers. An Aon Hewitt study found that turnover was reduced by 31 percent at companies with a strong culture of employee appreciation compared to businesses with weaker recognition programs.

That’s what makes this day even more important. In an industry known for its high turnover rates, it serves as a powerful reminder for restaurant employers to say “thank you” in ways that make employees feel valued, seen and motivated. By taking the time to celebrate their contributions, employers can strengthen the foundation of a supportive and engaged workplace.

With that said, employee recognition shouldn’t be limited to just one day. True appreciation should be an ongoing commitment. How can employers achieve this? The answer lies in fostering a culture that is centered on recognizing and valuing the contributions of its employees.

When recognition becomes a natural, consistent part of your workplace, everyone benefits. Establishing a strategic and thoughtful employee benefits package is an investment in your team’s well-being and the overall health of your restaurant and organization.

Don’t Understate the Significance of Company Culture

Company culture is a critical aspect of any business because it shapes an employee’s work environment and influences employee behavior. Ultimately, a vibrant culture can significantly impact various aspects of your business, including maximizing employee productivity and overall profitability. There are several key items that restaurant owners can implement to improve company culture, build a culture of appreciation and create a more inspiring workplace for its employees:

1. The Importance of Showing Year-Round Employee Recognition and Appreciation: Don’t just focus on March 7 and Employee Appreciation Day. Regularly recognizing and showing genuine appreciation to employees for their contributions goes a long way. This can be achieved in multiple ways, including formal recognition programs, surprise and delight events for teams, or simple gestures of gratitude or reward.

2. Employee Financial Wellness: Many restaurant employees are from the Generation Z or Millennial age groups. Offering benefits such as student loan repayment programs and financial counseling can be helpful to this population and support their economic well-being. Additionally, supporting employees outside of traditional benefits such as 401(k) retirement savings plans provides valuable resources to improve employees’ financial stability.

3. Variety of Voluntary Benefits: Voluntary benefits can include personal insurance policies like pet, travel, car and homeowners’ insurance, with a discount for enrolling in coverage. In fact, 69 percent of employees rank pet insurance as the most significant voluntary benefit an organization can offer.

When the financial landscape shifts, voluntary benefits offer a cost-effective means for employers to enhance their appeal and retain valuable talent. By providing a range of these benefits, employers can demonstrate their commitment to their employees’ personal and financial well-being and establish themselves as preferred employers in a competitive market.

4. Consider an Increase of Non-Healthcare Offerings: Many employers have historically offered health and wellness benefits to complement their employees’ health insurance coverage. However, the restaurant workforce tends to lean younger. This population tends to be more future-focused and will look to work for companies that provide expanded non-healthcare offerings like paid maternity leave, child and elder support, and additional PTO.

5. Know Your Workforce and Know Their Needs: Today’s workplaces often comprise of four generations—Baby Boomers, Generation X, Millennials and Generation Z—each with distinct values, preferences and expectations.

While it has been alluded to, employers should design benefits that appeal to their specific workforce. For instance, younger employees with student loan debt may value repayment assistance, whereas an older workforce may not. Striking this balance helps foster a positive environment that avoids resentment across generations.

6. Help Employees Grow Through Professional Development Opportunities: Provide opportunities for employees to hone their skills, develop new ones, and apply them to career growth. Investing in employee growth shows that the company values their development. 

Building a Culture of Appreciation is an Ongoing Process

Improving culture will always be an ongoing initiative that requires consistent effort and passion from leadership. The needs and desires of employees are constantly changing and evolving. To continue improving, it is essential to regularly seek employee feedback and make necessary adjustments based on their input. Employees are grateful when they feel their voices can be heard and that they can make a change for the better. By focusing on these elements, you can create a workplace environment where everyone is motivated to succeed.