This week, we’re exploring the difference a knowledgeable staff makes and how to help them achieve the level of understanding that makes a significant difference to your customers, your bottom line, and their tips.
Let’s start by saying that if you’re still handing out booklets or your training consists of shadowing a fellow employee for a shift, it’s time for a change.
Here, we’ll explore one of the companies gaining tremendous ground in this area and, in the process, enhancing your staff’s knowledge and elevating the guest experience. It’s called 1Huddle.
Communication in the Restaurant Industry
Football teams go into a huddle to communicate, strategize, and ensure everyone is aligned with their next move. If one team member is not on the same page, the results can be disastrous or at least a game-changer. It’s an essential communication tactic that could serve your restaurant well.
Effective communication builds that team camaraderie you can feel as soon as you walk into a restaurant. It leads to higher staff retention while enhancing the dining experience. It’s essential in restaurants that want to take their brand to the next level.
How 1Huddle Helps
Essentially, 1Huddle makes learning fun.
The University of South Florida’s Muma College of Business conducted a research study on the effectiveness of 1Huddle versus traditional video-based learning. The results? Participants using 1Huddle learned 45% faster. Why?
Numerous studies back up the fact that learning that’s fun and engaging improves memory retention while increasing active participation and motivation. 1Huddle has created a platform that your staff wants to engage with. What do they do at the end of a shift or on their days off? They play 1Huddle and discover how to create higher check averages and be part of an efficient, slightly competitive team.
How 1Huddle Works
1 Huddle is about gamification. Businesses and corporations around the globe use gamification as a tool to increase their employees’ motivation and engagement. It transforms traditional learning into an interactive experience that encourages participation through competition, like leaderboards, badges, and points.
1Huddle is incredibly engaging. Some even call it addicting.
According to recent Restaurant Employee Demographics data by the National Restaurant Association, 40% of restaurant and foodservice workers are under 25, and 60% are under 35. That means that most of our employees are Gen Z and Millennials.
Studies show that Gen Z has the highest rate of digital gaming penetration, one that’s expected to reach 75% by 2027. According to 1Huddle, the average millennial will play 10,000 hours of games before they reach 21. And are they competitive? Absolutely.
How Restaurants Use 1Huddle
From independent operators to mega brands, restaurants across the board are using 1Huddle’s AI-empowered games. Here are just a few of the many examples.
- New servers at FB Society’s Sixty Vines play a 5-day series of games.
- Dog Haus supports new franchisees by providing employees with 1Huddle games that train them on menu ingredients, SOP, reputation management, and more.
- Tao Group Hospitality uses 1Huddle to train FOH, BOH, and corporate employees. Concept-specific training includes POS systems, menus, and service steps.
The 1Huddle dashboard tracks three stages of employee performance: engagement, interests, and skills. This information gives employees the opportunity to reward top performers and support staff who can use more coaching.
And when a management role becomes available, the 1Huddle platform offers keen insights into your best options. Restaurants that promote their employees internally find greater retention and brand loyalty. It’s one of the reasons that, in 2024, 85% of Chipotle’s management roles were internal promotions.
The Results
Imagine a workforce that’s engaged, knowledgeable, and competing with fellow employees in a fun and friendly manner. When this happens, you have a team that’s on fire.
You’ll notice a new sense of camaraderie and higher check averages from improved customer service. FOH and BOH KNOW the menu, from ingredients to sourcing, including LTO’s and seasonals. And what about backstories and brand awareness that entice customers to try something new and elevate their experience?
With 1Huddle, you can create customized games on any type of content in minutes using their Mobile Game Builder.
Are you ready to transform your workforce? 1Huddle can help.
At EMERGING Fund, we invest in restaurant technology, such as 1Huddle, that’s reshaping our industry. As a strategic growth partner, we have access to influential industry leaders to scale and partner, delivering asymmetric returns.
To learn more about our growing portfolio and the difference that companies like 1Huddle are making in our industry, contact EMERGING.
