Talent Acquisition

Restaurant Recruitment Process: 7 Tips for 2025

Ian Cook

Published on:

November 21, 2025

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Updated on:

November 21, 2025

There's no sugar coating it - restaurant recruitment is tough.

With the hospitality industry, even in 2025, still feeling the effects of post-pandemic labor shortages, retaining top talent is just as important as attracting them.

According to the National Restaurant Association, the food service industry is expected to add over 500,000 new jobs in 2025 alone, but restaurants are already struggling to fill their current vacancies.

If your recruitment process still relies on static job postings and slow follow-ups, it's time for a hard reset.

In this practical recruitment guide, we'll walk through 7 essential tips to modernize your restaurant hiring approach, using tools like Vouch, a video solution trusted by household-name employers, to bring your brand to life and improve your entire hiring process.

Let's get started!
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TIP 1. Build Your Restaurant Employer Brand with Vouch

In the competitive hospitality sector, your employer brand can make or break your recruitment outcomes.

Candidates want to know what it's really like to work at your restaurant, before they even hit apply.

That's where Vouch comes in. With short-form video testimonials from your team, chefs, and managers, you can showcase your culture, team morale, and career growth opportunities in a way that resonates.

Why Vouch video works for employer branding:

Candidates trust real employee voices more than polished ads
It improves cultural fit from day one, as candidates can see what your culture is like
Visual content increases engagement on job portals and your careers page

Use case: Have your restaurant manager or sous chef explain how the kitchen runs, how they handle peak hours, or why your shift meals are a staff favourite. These real stories turn job seekers into applicants.
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TIP 2. Use Video in Your Restaurant Job Descriptions

Text-only job ads don't cut it anymore.

To stand out, you need dynamic job listings that show, not just tell.

Vouch's video job description tool helps you bring your listings to life. Video job ads give candidates a feel for the role, the vibe, and what a day looks like behind the scenes.

Include in your videos:

A walk-through of the kitchen or front of house
A quick intro from your hiring manager or team leaders
A breakdown of employee benefits and items like shift expectations

This not only boosts candidate experience, but helps reduce employee-initiated turnover - because people know what they're signing up for.

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TIP 3. Showcase Your Employee Value Propositions (EVPs)

EVPs answer the big question: "Why should I work for you instead of the café or restaurant down the street?"

Use Vouch's guide to effective EVP examples to frame your offer in a way that attracts top candidates.

Here's what to include in your EVPs:

Flexible staff scheduling, where possible, which is great for students or parents
Training programs and hospitality degree sponsorship
Opportunities to grow into restaurant management roles
Perks like employee discounts, shift meals, or menu tastings
Commitment to health and safety, and employee well-being

In a field where burnout and short-term roles are common, clear EVPs set you apart and encourage longer stays.
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TIP 4. Grow Your Employee Advocacy Program

Referrals are gold in restaurant hiring.

A strong employee referral program brings in higher-quality candidates faster. But what if your current team helped recruit without lifting a finger?

Vouch's employee advocacy platform makes it easy to turn your staff into authentic brand ambassadors.

Instead of relying on word of mouth, use video to let your team talk about:

Career progression and milestone stories
What makes the restaurant culture unique
How the team handles high-pressure service

Share these across your social media, job listings, or even in your recruitment agency briefs. Advocacy like this drives interest while boosting morale inside the team.
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TIP 5. Streamline Your Hiring & Onboarding Process

Nothing kills a candidate pipeline faster than a slow or confusing application process.

Start by reviewing your software and recruitment tools to ensure they are mobile-friendly, simple, and don't ask for irrelevant information from candidates.

Tools and tactics to streamline restaurant hiring include:

Use automated interview scheduling to save time
Offer short application forms with clear application questions
Pair Vouch with background check platforms like Xref or Certn
Create onboarding videos using Vouch to explain uniform expectations, hygiene protocols, and customer service standards

A clear, quick, and welcoming onboarding process reduces no-shows and sets expectations early.
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TIP 6. Focus on Communication from Day One

Great communication helps with retention, reduces ghosting, and improves your overall staff recruitment strategy.

According to Gallup, employees who feel informed and connected are 3.5x more likely to stay with their employer. Start early.

Use Vouch for internal communication to:

Send intro videos from the Restaurant Manager and team leaders before day one.
Share team update videos, internal staff training videos, or weekly specials over Vouch to drive communication and engagement
Gather team feedback with video polls and spotlight videos, like these.

Consistent, clear communication isn't just good management; it's part of a successful restaurant recruiting strategy.
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TIP 7. Partner with Specialized Restaurant Staffing Agencies If Needed

Sometimes, especially during peak hours or special events, you just need extra hands. That's where hospitality staffing partners come in.

3 leading restaurant recruitment agencies to consider:

Recruitment agencies are great for covering training expenses, reducing the cost of staffing, and managing fluctuating staff requirements without overburdening full-timers.

Sidekicker: A flexible staffing platform perfect for short-term or event needs: https://www.sidekicker.com
Jitjatjo: On-demand hospitality staff available 24/7: https://www.jitjatjo.com
HOSPO Agency: Focused on Australian hospitality staffing with deep market knowledge: https://www.hospoagency.com.au
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Who Are The Top 10 Global Restaurant Employers?

McDonald's – Over 2 million employees globally | $23B revenue: https://www.mcdonalds.com
Starbucks – 400,000+ employees | $36B revenue: https://www.starbucks.com
Yum! Brands (KFC, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut) – 350,000+ employees | $7B revenue: https://www.yum.com
Subway – 410,000 employees | Privately held: https://www.subway.com
Compass Group – 500,000+ employees | $25B revenue: https://www.compass-group.com
Darden Restaurants (Olive Garden, LongHorn) – 180,000+ employees | $10B revenue: https://www.darden.com
Chipotle Mexican Grill – 110,000+ employees | $8.6B revenue: https://www.chipotle.com
Aramark – 248,000+ employees | $17B revenue: https://www.aramark.com
Restaurant Brands International (Burger King, Tim Hortons) – 6,000+ employees (corporate) | $6B revenue: https://www.rbi.com
In-N-Out Burger – 27,000+ employees | $1B+ revenue: https://www.in-n-out.com
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FAQs

What's the most effective way to reduce employee turnover in restaurants?

To reduce staff turnover, try focusing on training, your internal communications, and cultural fit from the start, and use video and clear EVPs.

How do I create a job ad that stands out?

Use Vouch to embed short team videos and be transparent about shift expectations and benefits.

Should I use a recruitment agency for my restaurant?

Yes, especially during busy seasons or if you're facing consistent staffing challenges.

What's the best way to interview hospitality staff?

Use behavioral questionnaires and strategies like employee spotlight videos to assess customer service skills.

How do I ensure my application process is mobile-friendly?

Keep it short, use clear language, and integrate with platforms like Vouch or Sidekicker.

What's an EVP and why is it important?

It's your promise to employees, covering benefits, growth, and culture. It helps attract and retain talent.

How important is social media for restaurant hiring?

Crucial. Your candidates are likely on Instagram or TikTok before they ever reach your job listing.

Looking for more help with your restaurant hiring process?

Below are some guides and solutions we think you'll love:

See Why Restaurant Recruiters & Talent Teams Love Vouch!

Used by companies like Cisco, Aldi, Ericsson, Canva, Nike, Warner Bros. Discovery, HubSpot, Amazon, Mars and thousands more, modern recruiters love Vouch.

Simply book a Vouch demo today to see how Vouch can help!