How to Improve Employee Restaurant Communication

When you’re juggling orders, managing a team, and ensuring customers leave happy, it’s easy for restaurant communication to fall by the wayside. But effective communication is the backbone of a successful restaurant. Without it, you’re looking at a recipe for chaos, misunderstandings, and unhappy guests. 

Effective communication ensures seamless operations. It involves clarity, timeliness, and mutual understanding among staff. It’s not just about talking—it's about ensuring everyone from the kitchen to the front of the house is on the same page. Whether it’s a last-minute menu change, a shift swap, or handling a customer complaint, clear communication is key. Here’s how you can improve communication with your restaurant team. 

What is restaurant communication?

Restaurant owners know their businesses can’t thrive without great communication. Yet, it’s not always easy to know what good employee communication should look like. 

While a restaurant’s management team leads communication efforts, they may not always understand the importance of great communication as an employee training and development tool. Effective communication is a big part of creating a great team culture and a thriving, successful restaurant business.

Understanding the different types of communication within a restaurant can help you address specific pain points and improve overall efficiency. Here are two types of restaurant communication to keep in mind.

Internal communication.

Internal communication happens among your team members. It includes:

• Employee communication: From conversations between your front of house and back of house staff, to managers allocating shifts, to notes in your restaurant, any communication between members of your teams is internal communication. 
• Staff memos and meetings: Restaurant worker meetings in the form of regular staff meetings ensure everyone knows their roles and responsibilities. Use memos for important updates.
• Digital communication tools: Apps like Homebase streamline communication, making it easy to send updates, shift changes, and reminders.

External communication.

External communication involves interactions with your customers and the public. This includes:

• Customer interactions: Clear communication with customers ensures they know what to expect, from wait times to menu items.
• Marketing and public relations: Your restaurant’s social media, website, and PR efforts also fall under this category. Transparent communication here builds trust and a positive reputation.

Benefits of effective restaurant communication.

As you can see, communication makes up almost everything you do at your restaurant. But why should you care about improving communication in your restaurant? Here’re a few reasons:

• Improve operational efficiency. Clear team communications in restaurants reduces the chances of errors and misunderstandings. For example, if a server communicates a customer’s dietary restrictions clearly to the kitchen, it avoids potential costly or dangerous mistakes.
• Enhance employee morale. When employees feel heard and valued, they’re more likely to be engaged and motivated. A positive work environment also evokes a sense of belonging and reduces the chance of staff turnover. A recent LinkedIn survey shows that 94% of employees would stay at a job longer if the business invested in their development, and the first step to developing your employees is communicating with them. 
• Create bettercustomer experience. Clear communication with customers about wait times, menu items, and service expectations can ensure a satisfying dining experience. And when those customers feel valued and informed, they’re more likely to return.
• Manage crises effectively. Whether it’s a health emergency or a negative review, transparent communication is crucial for managing the situation effectively. When you provide clear instructions and updates, you maintain trust with both employees and customers alike. 

Practical tips for improving communication in restaurants.

Effective communication isn’t just a buzzword; it’s the secret sauce that keeps your restaurant running smoothly. Here are some practical tips to build a restaurant communication system and get your team communicating like pros.

Implement regular staff meetings.

Regular staff meetings are crucial for ensuring everyone is on the same page. These meetings can be quick huddles before a shift or more detailed weekly sessions. Use this time to:

• Discuss daily specials and menu changes.
• Address any issues or concerns.
• Share customer feedback and reviews.
• Update everyone on upcoming events or promotions.

Use digital communication tools.

According to Pew Research Centre, 98% of Americans now own cellphones, so gone are the days of sticky notes and paper schedules. Digital tools like Homebase can streamline your communication:

• Send real-time updates and reminders.
• Allow staff to request shift swaps and communicate availability.
• Share important announcements instantly.

Foster an open communication culture.

Encourage your team to speak up and share their thoughts. An open communication culture fosters trust and collaboration. Here’s how to do it:

• Have an open-door policy where staff feel comfortable sharing concerns.
• Regularly ask for feedback and suggestions.
• Recognize and reward employees who communicate effectively.

Provide clear instructions and expectations

Clarity is key. Make sure your team knows exactly what is expected of them:

• Use detailed job descriptions and training manuals.
• Provide step-by-step instructions for complex tasks.
• Regularly update staff on any changes to procedures or policies.

By implementing these tips, you can create a more cohesive and efficient team, ensuring your restaurant runs like a well-oiled machine.

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How to measure the effectiveness of communication strategies

You’ve implemented a new restaurant communication strategy, but how do you know if it's working? Here’s how to measure its effectiveness:

• Use feedback surveys and suggestion boxes: Regularly collect feedback from your staff and customers. This can provide valuable insights into what’s working and what needs improvement.
• Monitor staff performance and customer satisfaction: Track key metrics such as employee turnover rates, customer complaints, and satisfaction scores.
• Track communication-related metrics: Use tools to monitor communication metrics such as message response times and read receipts.
• Adjust strategies based on data and feedback: Use the data collected to continuously improve your communication strategies. Be open to making changes and trying new approaches.

Measuring the effectiveness of your communication strategies ensures that you’re always moving in the right direction.

Enhance restaurant communication with Homebase.

Now that you know why restaurant communication is important, it’s time to take action. But implementing all these steps can be overwhelming without help. That’s why Homebase is made for restaurant owners like you. 

Our all-in-one platform is designed to make small business teams unstoppable. With our team communication app, Homebase allows for real-time messaging in-app so that everyone is on the same page. You can send updates, announcements, and reminders directly to your team’s phones.

Our communication app also integrates seamlessly with our scheduling and payroll tools, ensuring that communication about shifts, pay, and availability is smooth and efficient. And with features like shift reminders and availability updates, Homebase ensures that everyone knows what’s happening, reducing the chances of miscommunication.

Get started today to improve your internal communication, foster a positive work environment, and enhance the overall dining experience for your customers.