Managing a restaurant demands hard work. There are so many moving parts that need to come together for a great customer experience. One of the most important aspects is scheduling your staff efficiently.
Manually managing this with pen and paper can be challenging. This is why an increasing number of restaurants are adopting scheduling software. Continue reading to discover how this technology can transform your restaurant’s success.
| Feature | Pen and Paper Scheduling | Scheduling Software |
| Schedule Creation | Slow, manual process | Fast bulk scheduling |
| Shift Management | Rigid, hard to adjust | Flexible, real-time changes |
| Analytics | No insights | Labor cost & sales reports |
| Notifications | None | Auto reminders & alerts |
| Access | Confined to office | Mobile app & web access |
Streamline Scheduling to Save Time
Scheduling workers used to be a slow, manual process. Managers would use paper calendars, excel spreadsheets, or offline software.
This takes up a ton of time and energy. Scheduling software automates much of the process for you. It lets you schedule in bulk across multiple locations quickly. You can also set up recurring shifts. This saves managers several hours per week.
With the time savings, managers can focus on more important things. Greeting customers, training employees, or developing new menu items.
Workers also get their schedule faster instead of waiting for managers to post it. Overall, digital scheduling improves restaurant efficiency. Investing in the best restaurant scheduling software can maximize these time-saving benefits.
Flexible Shift Management Improves Operations
Paper schedules are rigid and tough to adjust. Online software makes shift management flexible for both managers and workers. Managers can easily assign last-minute shift changes or extra coverage. Workers can conveniently pick up, drop, or swap shifts.
Real-time shift flexibility addresses operational gaps as they arise. Did a worker call in sick unexpectedly? Quickly fill their shift with staff who have indicated they want extra hours.
Do you have a big catering order coming in last minute? Easily extend schedules to accommodate. Scheduling software gives you the agility to handle daily restaurant needs.
Analytics Provide Insights to Optimize Staff Levels
Old-school scheduling makes it hard to analyze shifts and staffing. There’s no quick way to see patterns or trends. Scheduling systems capture tons of data that managers can turn into valuable insights.
View reports on sales data, labor costs, peak times, and more. See which days you are overstaffed or understaffed. Adjust schedules based on sales forecasts to optimize labor budgets. Utilize reports to make informed staffing decisions that reduce costs while maintaining excellent service.
Automated Reminders and Notifications Reduce No-Shows
Restaurant workers, especially part-time staff, are notorious for shift no-shows. This wreaks havoc on daily operations. Scheduling software nearly eliminates no-shows with automated notifications.
Workers get shift reminders and schedule change alerts directly to their smartphones. The software also reminds them to log and clock in. This simple automation drastically reduces shift confusion. Employees arrive as scheduled. Operations run smoothly without unexpected gaps.
Instant Shift Trading Increases Engagement
Allowing shift trades among employees is an effective engagement strategy. But the old pen and paper method is clumsy. Workers submit shift requests and hope managers approve them. Scheduling software makes shift trades instant.
Employees simply log into the app and claim open shifts or swap with coworkers. Trades auto-approve based on your policies. This gives workers freedom and flexibility over their schedule. Happier employees means higher retention rates for your restaurant.
Simplified Compliance Reduces Violations
Restaurant labor laws are complicated. OSHA requirements, overtime rules, break laws, and more need to be followed. Traditional scheduling makes compliance difficult. The software simplifies it in several ways.
Configurable shift rules and policies prevent illegal scheduling like overtime violations. Alerts notify about upcoming breaks or max shift lengths. Built-in time tracking means no relying on error-prone manual records. These features minimize compliance issues and legal risks for your restaurant.
Anywhere Access via Web and Mobile
Old-school scheduling ties managers to the office. They have to be present to update schedules, answer questions, approve requests, etc. Cloud-based scheduling software enables anywhere access.
Managers and employees can access schedules, request time off, pick up shifts and more – anytime from their smartphone, tablet, or computer. No more playing “schedule phone tag.” Issues get resolved faster, leading to smoother daily operations.
Powerful Integrations With Restaurant Tech Stack
Scheduling software works even better when integrated with your other restaurant platforms. Look for systems that sync with inventory management, payroll systems, POS software, HR platforms, and more.
These deep integrations allow you to schedule based on up-to-date inventory data. Punch clocks integrate with schedules for seamless time tracking and payroll. POS data links to schedules to improve forecasting and staffing. These integrations build a robust technology stack for your restaurant.
Features That Drive Employee Engagement
Relying on old-fashioned schedules and paper requests can lead to staff dissatisfaction. They feel frustrated and powerless. Modern scheduling software has features that empower employees.
Self-service shift trading puts workers in charge of their own schedule changes. Communication tools let them send shift requests to managers easily.
The mobile app gives them access anytime. Reporting gives them insights into their time worked, leave balances, etc. These features lead to higher engagement and retention.
Take Your Restaurant to the Next Level
Old pen and paper scheduling methods simply can’t keep up with the needs of today’s restaurants. Adopting modern workforce management technology is crucial for saving time, optimizing operations, and driving profitability.
Investing in scheduling software will future-proof your restaurant with tools that empower your managers and employees. This leads to efficiency gains, happier staff, and better customer experiences. It’s a high-return investment that elevates your restaurant operations to the next level.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How does the software help me schedule my workers?
The software lets you easily create schedules for your staff. You can add shifts for one worker or many workers at the same time. It saves you time compared to using paper calendars or spreadsheets.
2. Can my workers switch shifts in the software?
Yes! The software allows your workers to pick up open shifts or swap shifts with co-workers. This makes it easy for them to change the schedule when needed.
3. Does the software work on mobile phones?
Definitely. The scheduling software has iPhone and Android apps. This allows you and your workers to view schedules, request time off, and make shift changes from your smartphones.
4. How does the software help me know when a worker doesn’t show up?
The software sends automatic reminders and alerts to your staff before their shifts. This helps reduce no-shows. It also tracks when workers clock in, so you know if someone doesn’t arrive on time.
5. Is the software hard to learn?
Not at all! The software is designed to be very easy to use. You and your staff can quickly learn to use all the features that help manage scheduling for your restaurant.