As summer rolls around, restaurants often experience a busy season: kids are off of school, families are vacationing, and warm weather means more get-togethers with friends and family. For many franchise owners, this means hiring seasonal staff to meet the surge in customer needs. While seasonal hiring can be a powerful strategy to ensure a smooth and profitable season, it also comes with unique challenges. Let’s explore seven tips to help you hire seasonal employees and provide a consistent customer experience, even when demand is at an all-time high. 

1. Iron out your processes

Before you start posting your seasonal jobs,  it's important to check in on your existing hiring and onboarding processes. Efficiency is the name of the game here. Consider implementing digital tools such as e-signatures for a simplified onboarding process. Automate as many HR tasks as possible, like resume screening, interview scheduling, background checks, and more. The goal is to make hiring and onboarding as efficient as possible so your seasonal staff can hit the ground running quickly.

2. Be clear about seasonality

Transparency is key when hiring seasonal staff. It's essential to clearly communicate in your job postings that the roles you're offering are temporary and tied to a specific season. Specify the start and end dates of the employment, giving applicants a clear understanding of the commitment involved.

If the position has the potential to become permanent, be upfront about it in the job description. Being candid about these details helps manage expectations and reduces the likelihood of conflicts arising later on. If you're looking to convert seasonal staff into full-time employees after the season ends, stating this upfront can attract applicants seeking long-term opportunities. 

3. Let staff do the training

Training seasonal employees doesn't have to be a burden; it can be an opportunity for existing team members to mentor and practice their leadership skills.  Not only does this ease the workload for your managers, but it also helps your employees grow in their careers (something that will also help with retention). By sharing the responsibility of training, you empower your team to take ownership and create a supportive atmosphere that benefits both the seasonal staff and your permanent employees.

4. Anticipate your hiring needs

Proactive planning is essential for successful seasonal staffing. Anticipate your hiring needs well in advance to avoid a last-minute scramble to fill open positions. This means understanding your historical staffing requirements, analyzing market trends, and forecasting demand.

Additionally, consider establishing a pool of pre-screened seasonal candidates who can be readily contacted when positions become available. Building relationships with local schools, community organizations, and online job boards can help you tap into a diverse pool of potential seasonal employees.

5. Offer competitive compensation

To attract top-notch seasonal talent, you need to offer competitive compensation packages. Seasonal workers often expect higher pay rates due to the temporary nature of their roles and the increased workload during peak seasons.

Conduct market research to determine the prevailing wages for similar positions in your industry (the Hourly Wage Index can help!). Offering competitive pay not only helps you secure quality staff but also motivates them to perform their best during the busy season. There are also additional benefits beyond wages that may appeal to seasonal workers. 

6. Provide a positive work environment

Creating a positive work environment is essential for both seasonal and permanent employees. Seasonal staff should feel valued and included in the workplace culture. Consider organizing team-building activities, providing clear communication channels, and offering opportunities for feedback.

Furthermore, prioritize workplace safety, especially during busy seasons when the risk of accidents can be higher. A safe and supportive work environment enhances morale and can lead to better overall performance.

7. Evaluate and adjust

After the busy season dies down, evaluate the effectiveness of your seasonal staffing strategy. Analyze key performance metrics, including turnover rates, productivity, and customer satisfaction. Use this data to identify areas for improvement and make adjustments for the next season.

Consider soliciting feedback from both seasonal and permanent staff to gain insights into their experiences and suggestions for improvement. Continuous refinement of your seasonal staffing approach will help you adapt to changing market conditions and ensure ongoing success.

Staff up smartly 

Seasonal staffing is a vital component of many businesses' strategies for handling increased demand during peak seasons. By following these seven tips, you can optimize your seasonal hiring strategy and ensure top-notch customer experiences without sacrificing your permanent team's bandwidth and energy.