Temporary Restaurant Staffing Apps Solving Labor Shortages

“70% of hospitality operators report having job openings that are tough to fill, while 45% say they don’t have enough employees to support existing customer demand”, according to the National Restaurant Association.

Labor shortages aren’t as dire as they were in 2020 to 2022, but labor shortages are still “the No. 1 ranked priority for operators.” 

Temporary restaurant staffing apps solve these problems, either on a short-term, situational basis (e.g., a bar staff shift needs filling tonight!), or on a longer-term, operational basis. 

In this article, we examine the benefits of utilizing restaurant staffing apps to source both temporary and long-term staff, helping the hospitality sector address labor shortages.

Key Takeaways

1. Temporary staffing through gig apps helps restaurants fill shifts quickly. You don't need to hire permanent staff. 
2. Gig apps and hospitality hiring platforms connect you with verified, casual/flexible hospitality workers who are ready to work now. 
3. The flexibility of temporary staff with expertise in specific roles is essential for handling busy periods and unexpected shortages.

Challenges of Hiring Temporary Restaurant Staff

Temporary employees help you handle busy times and special events. But this approach comes with challenges that can affect how your business runs:

• Inconsistent quality
• Quick turnaround needs
• Integration with permanent staff
• Regulatory compliance

When you prepare for these challenges, you can plan better staffing solutions. You can reduce disruption and maintain great service levels.

How Gig Apps Overcome The Challenges of Hiring Temporary Restaurant Workers

Gig apps are not just a trend; they are here to stay. The gig economy isn’t going anywhere either, and the hospitality sector is making more use of both temp workers and gig economy apps.

Gig platforms give businesses better control, efficiency, and flexibility. All of this helps you handle today's more volatile labor market.

Here's why they matter for solving labor gaps.

Adapt to Industry Needs

Gig apps work well for the hospitality industry. Customer demand fluctuates based on seasonal changes or specific events.

Simplify the Hiring Process

Gig apps make hiring easier. They provide access to vetted, qualified workers who are ready to work. In many ways, it makes finding ready-to-work staff as easy as it is to order an Uber or Deliveroo, with comparable functionality and ease of use. 

Enhanced Workforce Flexibility

You can easily add or reduce staff according to demand. You don't have to deal with layoffs or pay for staff who have no work to do at night. 

Even if a shift looks like it would be busy with lots of covers, and then suddenly people cancel, you can move temp staff to another shift that is going to be busier. 

5 Top Apps for Finding Temporary Restaurant Workers

Restaurant gig apps help you find qualified staff quickly. You can keep service levels high during peak times with these solutions:

• shiftNOW
• Snagajob
• Hyer
• Instawork
• Wonolo

Tips for Hiring Temporary Restaurant Staff

Focus on the following core strategic areas:

• Assess what you need short-term, mid-term, and long-term, so you can plan ahead 
• Make onboarding and training for temp staff in various roles as easy as possible 
• Build a reliable talent pool. 

Once you’ve figured the above out, you can use temporary staff effectively to handle changing demands. You'll keep high service standards and customer satisfaction.

Assess Needs & Plan Ahead

• Review Seasonal Events: Look at past customer data. This helps you predict busy periods. Schedule extra staff for seasonal peaks or special events.
• Identify Front and Back of House Needs: Before you create schedules, figure out which specific roles you need. This helps you handle various tasks well.
• Create a Detailed Staffing Plan: Set clear shift schedules. Define responsibilities. Make sure you have coverage during peak hours.
• Prepare Contingency Plans for Unexpected Shortages: Create strategies for last-minute staffing problems. Partner with a gig platform that can quickly send you a qualified worker.

Streamline Training & Onboarding

• Develop User-Friendly Training Materials: Create step-by-step guides with pictures. This makes training more efficient.
• Conduct Orientation Sessions: Help new staff learn the layout. Show them the safety rules and restaurant standards.
• Provide Hands-on Training: Let new hires shadow experienced staff. Let them practice tasks. This builds confidence.

Build a Reliable Talent Pool

• Assess Cultural Fit: Use trial shifts. See how well a potential hire fits with your team. This affects teamwork and service.
• Competitive Wages and Incentives: Offer competitive pay rates. Offer possible bonuses for peak times. This attracts the best talent.
• Leverage Staffing Apps: Gig apps make finding and managing temporary staff easier. They simplify administrative tasks.

Transforming Restaurant Operations with Scheduling Tools

Restaurant staffing apps have changed how restaurant managers handle employee scheduling. Today's restaurant scheduling software goes far beyond simple spreadsheets. It offers complete solutions. 

Modern restaurant employee scheduling platforms know that restaurant staff need flexibility and clear communication. Employees can submit availability preferences using mobile apps. They can swap shifts with coworkers. Staff, whether temp or permanent, receive automatic shift reminders that reduce no-shows. 

When connected with payroll systems, employee scheduling software automatically calculates hours worked, overtime, and tip distributions. This removes manual scheduling conflict errors. Traditional scheduling methods have these errors. Restaurant operators manage multiple locations or deal with high turnover. These efficiencies lead directly to cost savings and smoother daily operations.

Choosing the Right Solution for Your Restaurant

The world of restaurant scheduling technology offers varied solutions. Each one is designed to address specific challenges. When you look at staffing app options, focus on platforms that offer mobile access. 

Also, look for compliance tracking. This makes sure you follow labor laws and meet requirements. The most effective employee scheduling software connects smoothly with existing payroll and point-of-sale (POS) systems. You can use this to create a unified system. Improve efficiency across every aspect of restaurant operations. 

Solve your restaurant's labor shortages with shiftNOW

Simplify your hiring process and ensure your restaurant runs smoothly with the right team in place. shiftNOW is here to make staffing simple, efficient, and effective. Give it a try and see the difference it can make for your restaurant.

Sign up for shiftNOW today and experience hassle-free staffing for your restaurant.

Request a Demo

See the shiftNOW platform in action and understand all of the benefits it has to offer your business.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How much does it cost to hire temporary restaurant workers through a gig app?

Many gig apps use a pay-as-you-go model. Some may charge a placement fee for workers hired off the platform. Even with these costs, they are usually still much more cost-effective than traditional hiring methods.

Can I find experienced hospitality workers through a gig app?

The majority of gig apps verify their workers. Some, like shiftNOW, go as far as using video profile hiring or the temp-to-hire approach to make sure that workers have relevant experience in the hospitality industry. This ensures that hospitality businesses consistently hire skilled temporary staff.

What roles can I hire for using gig apps?

Restaurants can use gig apps to hire various roles. This includes front-of-house, back-of-house, kitchens, bar, serving, and even managerial positions.

How do I get started with shiftNOW for restaurant staffing?

Hiring managers can create an account through the mobile app or web app. Post your first shift in under five minutes. Then connect with qualified hospitality workers.

What features should I look for in a restaurant scheduling app?

The most valuable features in restaurant scheduling software include automated shift scheduling. This is based on employee availability. 

Look for mobile app access for both managers and staff. You want integrated shift reminders via text or push notifications. Look for labor cost tracking and smooth payroll integration. Also, look for platforms that let restaurant workers swap shifts with manager approval. Make it easy to let workers request time off directly through the app. 

Workers should be able to view their work schedules in real time. Advanced restaurant employee scheduling tools also offer forecasting capabilities. These analyze past sales data, and using that, recommend the best staffing levels for peak and off-peak seasons. 

This approach helps restaurant operators balance labor costs with service demands. The best solutions provide conflict detection, alerting managers when double-bookings or understaffing happen. Making sure that every employee's schedule meets operational requirements. It also respects staff preferences.

How do restaurant staffing apps improve employee satisfaction?

Restaurant scheduling apps significantly boost employee satisfaction. They provide transparency and flexibility. Traditional paper schedules cannot match this. Restaurant staff can access their schedule through a mobile app anytime. 

Automatic shift reminders reduce the stress of forgetting shifts and losing earnings. This also makes it easier for restaurant and hospitality operators. Making them more confident that staff will turn up when they say. Fair, predictable staff scheduling helps restaurant workers manage their personal lives and other commitments more easily. Many platforms include features that prevent last-minute schedule changes. 

Can restaurant scheduling software really improve operational efficiency and reduce payroll costs?

Yes, definitely. Modern employee scheduling software enhances operational efficiency in the hospitality industry. It removes time-consuming manual scheduling tasks. 

Restaurant managers typically spend hours trying to schedule staff every week, and this gets even more confusing if you’re dealing with temp staff and agencies. Automated shift scheduling is based on projected demand.

At the same time, integration with payroll software removes double-entry errors, mistaken over-payments, or staff missing out on payments. It automatically tracks overtime. Many restaurant operators report that these platforms pay for themselves within months. This happens through reduced labor costs and administrative time savings. 

The data insights provided by restaurant scheduling software help identify patterns. You can see patterns in employee availability and performance. This enables smarter hiring decisions. You get more strategic staff scheduling. This aligns with actual business needs rather than guesswork.

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