Summer in the restaurant world means longer days, fuller books, and guests ready to soak in the season. It also means one very real challenge: staffing up and staying strong.
At EyeSpy, we’ve worked with hundreds of restaurants through every kind of season, and we’ve seen what works (and what falls apart) when the pressure’s on. Building a strong summer team doesn’t start with luck. It starts with strategy. If you want support on hiring up and training, get in touch – [email protected].
It begins with early recruiting. The restaurants that thrive in high season are the ones that start building their bench weeks—if not months—before summer hits. That means reaching out to previous seasonal staff, offering referral bonuses to current employees, and building connections with local hospitality schools or training programs. The goal is to get the right people in place before the patio fills up and your team is running at full tilt.
But hiring is only step one. What really sets your team apart is the way you train, communicate, and lead once they’re in the building. Clear expectations from day one help prevent misunderstandings and reduce turnover. Summer brings a mix of experience levels—veteran servers, college students on break, and first-time hosts. Your onboarding needs to meet them where they are. Walk-throughs, shadow shifts, and quick reference tools (like printed cheat sheets or videos) can help new hires get up to speed fast without slowing down your veterans. We advocate for training and testing team members using guest role play.
Culture matters, too. A busy summer shift can either feel like a high-energy team sport—or total chaos. Building a culture of collaboration, respect, and support starts from the top. That means managers who check in with their staff, respond to feedback, and lead by example. It also means celebrating wins, big and small. Did someone crush a double shift? Land a glowing Yelp mention? Help train a new hire? Recognize it. Your team needs to feel seen and valued if you want them to show up at their best when the pressure is on.
Schedules are another pain point that can make or break your summer team. Fair, transparent scheduling that honors availability and allows for rest is a major factor in retention. Use tech to make swaps easier, keep communication clear, and avoid burnout. A tired, overworked team is more likely to call out, check out, or move on.
And finally, don’t forget to lead with purpose. Remind your team why the work matters—why hospitality is about more than just turning tables. Give them a sense of ownership in creating an experience guests will remember. When staff feel connected to the mission, they show up with pride. And when the inevitable stress of summer hits, that pride is what carries your team through.
If you’re looking to strengthen your team before high season arrives, EyeSpy can help. From hiring strategies to leadership coaching, from training tools to mystery shops, we’re here to make sure your people—and your systems—are ready. Reach out at [email protected].
