How to Hire Gen Z for Your Restaurant

Restaurant operators listen up: by 2025, Gen Z and Millennials will outnumber all other generations in the workforce by 18 million. If your "Help Wanted" sign and job board posts aren't cutting it anymore, there's a good reason why.

Think about your last round of hiring. You probably received a decent volume of applications, you spent money boosting the ads, yet you’re left still looking for quality. How do you attract applicants that are excited to work for you, that fit your brand? The workforce has changed; the game has changed, and it's affecting your ability to effectively hire for your restaurant.

Today's young workforce (ages 13-28) and quickly behind, Gen Alpha, has been raised on smartphones. They’re comfortable telling technology pertinent information about themselves and then allowing technology to do the work on their behalf. Said another way: they don’t search. Period. Platforms like TikTok, YouTube, Amazon, Netflix, Stitch Fix, and DoorDash (this list could go on) already know their users, understand their preferences, and effortlessly deliver the next video, beauty gadget, movie, outfit, or meal tailored just for them.They don't flip through classifieds or even browse job boards the way we used to.

Let's put this in restaurant terms. Remember when guests used to walk in, grab a menu, and browse through every page? Now, they're on their phones before they arrive, checking your reviews, looking at food photos, and getting recommendations based on their past orders. Your future staff is doing the same thing with their job search.

The new generation of restaurant workers wants technology to do the heavy lifting. 

The new generation of restaurant workers wants technology to do the heavy lifting. 

Do you know that the number one job search in the world is a blank search? Effectively, the job seeker is saying “tell me, tell me what is available that I would be interested in.” 

That's right – a blank search. They expect jobs to find them, just like Netflix suggests their next show or DoorDash recommends their next meal.

Think about it like this: just as your POS system predicts your inventory needs based on past sales, today's job seekers expect platforms to understand their skills and interests, then match them with the right opportunities.

So how can you change up your hiring strategy to attract this workforce?

1. Your job posts need to be where Gen Z actually spends time – think TikTok, Instagram, and other app-first, social job platforms like Jobget

2. Traditional "Hiring Cooks" or "Servers Needed" job posts won't cut it anymore

3. You need to showcase your restaurant's culture and opportunities in visual, engaging ways

4. The application process needs to be as easy as placing a mobile order

Restaurants winning the hiring game right now are not afraid to shift budget away from traditional job boards, understanding that this generational shift is the new normal. They're creating short videos showing behind-the-scenes kitchen action, having current staff share their experiences on social media, and making the application process mobile-friendly and quick.

Here’s another important statistic: job seekers might not be actively searching for restaurant jobs, but they're absolutely interested in opportunities that align with their interests and values. Your job is to make sure your positions show up on their feed, just like that happy hour special.

What’s your hesitation in changing up your hiring strategy? Your next great team member isn't searching through job boards – they're scrolling through their phone, waiting for the right opportunity to find them. Make that opportunity your restaurant’s open roles.