When your pizzeria is operating smoothly, the synergy between the back of the house (BOH) and the front of the house (FOH) translates to happy staff, satisfied customers, and more sales. Encourage efficiency and consistency in your restaurant with these best practices for the front of the house.
Effective Tips for Hiring Front-of-House Restaurant Staff
Hosts, waitstaff, and bartenders are the face of your restaurant, so it’s essential to hire right. These key players create connections with customers and win your business positive reviews.
Try these tips for landing top FOH talent:
- Write clear job descriptions, highlight that these roles are customer-facing, and share schedule details (i.e., is this full-time? Weeknights only?)
- Look for critical skills like multi-tasking, the ability to keep up with a fast-paced working environment, effective communication skills, comfort with meeting new people, and a friendly, outgoing personality
- Ask how they handle customer complaints in the interview
- Invite your existing employees to refer new candidates (a referral program is a great place to start)
Train to Gain: Training Tips for Your Front-of-House Staff
Implement Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
Training materials—especially those with photos—are incredibly valuable, as they help maintain consistency, build server confidence, and make training easier.
SOPs for your restaurant’s front-of-house might include:
- Allergen charts
- Complaint script with sample responses
- Table reset procedures
- Dining room layout
- Uniform standards
- Table setting standards
- Emergency exit map
- Cleaning equipment guides
Encourage Memorization
You work hard to create a remarkable menu, so ask servers and bar staff to memorize your specials and classic customer favorites. Randomly quiz your staff and provide prizes like gift cards, cash, or extra break time for perfect scores.
Prevent Loss by Stressing Cash and Ingredient Control
During training, communicate that you (or your general manager) closely inventory the cash drawer and popular ingredients/toppings by using the POS system. In general, people respect what you inspect, and it goes a long way in loss prevention.
Be Transparent About Employee Surveillance
Every restaurant uses cameras for security, but cameras often get a bad reputation among employees. Position them as a way to keep everyone safe, not a way that you plan to spy on your staff. Be honest about where cameras are placed and how they’re used as tools for:
- Security: Cameras are ideal for deterring criminal activity and keeping employees safe during all shifts. They can also help settle employee disputes should any arise.
- Training: Seeing current practices in action often reveals opportunities for improvement in key areas like guest greeting/interactions, service times, and proper food handling.
- Customer safety and protection from liability: While most of the time entrances, exits, main traffic areas, and parking lots remain incident-free, video documentation comes in handy should an injury, accident, or other situation occur.
Lead by Example and Ask for Help
As the owner/operator, you’re often the face of the operation as well as the manager, bookkeeper, cheerleader, supply clerk … and the list goes on. It all adds up to long hours. Your team seeing you work hard inspires them to do the same, but don’t be afraid to show them it’s okay to ask for help. Hire a general manager for your restaurant. That way, you can leave your pizzeria in capable hands and stay in close contact without having to be physically in the shop.
Identify and Develop Each Employee’s Strengths
Employee development goes beyond technical skills. It’s about recognizing and nurturing the unique strengths each person brings to your team. If they’re a natural team player, let them plan team-building activities like a sports league or game night. If they pick up new skills quickly, reward them for each new one they master. And if they’re creative, give them opportunities to shine, whether it’s decorating the restaurant or designing your menu board.
More Hiring and Training Tips from Your Favorite Pizza Dough Supplier
Check out our back-of-house tips here—and that’s just the start. Keep your pizzeria running smoothly, even during labor shortages, with these restaurant hiring, training, and management strategies designed to help you attract, motivate, and retain top talent.
This blog was originally published on February 8, 2017, but was updated and republished on December 2, 2025.
