 Retaining staff is more difficult in an environment that is especially rewarding for the voluntary quitter: Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics found that as of February, people who switched jobs saw their pay increase by 7.7 percent (compared to a 5.6 percent rise for staff who stayed in their role). While it’s true that people who switch jobs generally gain in pay, the increase is normally around .7 percentage points – not 2.1. So getting staff to stick around is more challenging now. However, retaining these people may have just as much to do with communication as with wages. To smooth relations with your team, make sure you have a vehicle for communicating with them in a timely way about everything from shift updates to menu changes so they aren’t caught by surprise – particularly if you’re operating several restaurants and have staff working at a combination of them. The Rail also suggests restaurants keep all policies, procedures in a digital format so information is easy to access and doesn’t fall through the cracks or get misinterpreted. Then provide some outlets to allow your managers to focus on the individual: Have a weekly or monthly one-on-one chat with each employee in neutral territory so they feel free to voice any concerns and discuss development opportunities. At the same time, also provide a means of allowing staff to share a problem anonymously via a physical or virtual suggestion box. Finally, encourage a fun, communal spirit on your team by gathering them for regular meals where you can set the scene for people to get to know others outside of their roles on staff.
 More restaurants are taking some of the lessons learned during the pandemic and turning them into permanent efforts to drive revenue through new income streams. Case in point: new subscription offers have been popping up across restaurant categories, whether they be for unlimited coffee and tea from quick-service brands, or meal kits, cocktail kits, CSA boxes or high-end retail food products from fine dining restaurants. These offers can provide restaurants with some income stability and an opportunity to deliver perceived value to guests. Can you put together a subscription that offers value and also entices customers to tack on additional items when they order?
 The job market is booming – especially for the hospitality sector. The January jobs report indicated that the U.S. economy added 517,000 jobs in January, marking the lowest unemployment rate in 50 years and dissolving lingering worries about a recession. So how do you keep the talent you’re able to attract? Max Wesman, CEO at GoodHire, told QSR web that setting goals is critical – along with providing rewards when those goals are achieved. That could involve setting a specific target for preparation speed, order accuracy, or some marker of customer service provided, then providing an incentive for staff to come together and achieve the goal over a set time period. What motivates your team might be a cash reward or simply getting priority in selecting shifts for the next month or quarter. Assess your biggest pain points and biggest team motivators to make the best matches between goals and rewards.
 The FDA recently announced its final rule for food traceability, which establishes new requirements for additional traceability records for certain foods. This is being done to facilitate the identification and removal of potentially contaminated food from the supply chain. The FDA will enforce compliance beginning January 20, 2026 but organizations throughout the food supply chain – including restaurants – will need to make operational changes leading up to that time to prepare to carefully track foods on the traceability list. It’s a change that will require adjustments in how labor is trained and allocated at the supplier level, how restaurants communicate with suppliers, and how restaurants store the data they must retain for two years as part of the rule. In a recent webinar from the National Restaurant Association, Laurie Williams, a consumer safety officer at the FDA, addressed broadly how the rule will impact restaurants and also pointed to several online tools that can help restaurant operators navigate the changes and prepare for compliance on a store-by-store basis. Google these two resources for more information: the Food Traceability Final Rule (Federal Register) and search for “restaurant" to zero in on aspects of the rule that apply to restaurants, and the FSMA Final Rule on Requirements for Additional Traceability Records for Certain Foods. The latter resource is on a page of the FDA website that also includes frequently asked questions (you can submit your own queries too) and a tool that helps you determine if you have a restaurant location that is exempt from the rule.
 As the pandemic demonstrated, businesses gain strength from each other when they collaborate. Looking at your business, where are there opportunities for you to broaden your reach in the local community? As the warmer months approach and people are gathering over food at festivals, charity events and other occasions, think about how you can gain traction for your business through local partnerships. In addition to helping you strengthen word-of-mouth and online marketing of your business, your local partnerships can help staff morale and give them an opportunity to learn new skills and share ideas. Consider local wineries or breweries. Or businesses outside of the hospitality sector whose values complement those of your business or who offer experiences that can be enjoyed alongside the experience of enjoying your food. If you have a lot of local parents in your loyalty program, consider donating food or gift certificates to end-of-year school fundraising events. It isn’t always about stepping outside of your restaurant either. Consider offering apprenticeships to local high schools or colleges, partnering with your local chamber of commerce or with large employers in your neighborhood to offer meeting or event space, or setting up an ongoing food donation to support local people in need. You’re not just generating opportunities for your business – you’re also building a larger support system.
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