New industry commentary urges restaurant operators to rethink onboarding as a retention strategy rather than an administrative process
HOUSTON, Texas — Matt Umholtz, President and Chief Revenue Officer of AllianceHCM, is calling on restaurant operators to take a closer look at their onboarding processes as a critical factor in reducing employee turnover and improving workforce stability.
In a recent industry article published by QSRweb, Umholtz argues that many quick-service restaurant (QSR) operators focus heavily on recruiting while overlooking the employee experience that begins immediately after a hire is made. With restaurant turnover rates remaining among the highest of any industry, he believes onboarding represents one of the most overlooked opportunities to improve retention.
“Many operators invest significant time and resources into attracting talent, only to lose employees because the onboarding experience creates unnecessary friction,” said Umholtz. “The first few days and weeks of employment often determine whether a new hire sees a future with the organization.”
The article outlines several common onboarding challenges facing restaurant operators, including excessive paperwork, inconsistent training, unclear expectations, and limited communication during an employee’s first weeks on the job. According to Umholtz, these issues can create confusion and disengagement long before employees become productive members of the team.
Rather than treating onboarding as a one-time administrative task, Umholtz encourages restaurant leaders to view it as a structured process designed to improve employee confidence, accelerate productivity, and strengthen long-term retention.
Among the recommendations discussed are:
- Simplifying paperwork through digital onboarding tools
- Standardizing training across locations
- Setting clear expectations from day one
- Providing ongoing communication and feedback during the first several weeks of employment
- Measuring onboarding success through employee feedback and first-week surveys
As restaurant operators continue to face labor challenges, workforce shortages, and increasing competition for talent, Umholtz believes organizations that invest in a more intentional onboarding experience will be better positioned to retain employees and improve operational performance.
The full article, “Onboarding at Root of QSRs’ Turnover Problem; Here’s How to Fix It,” is available through QSRweb.
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