Working Alone Means
To take customer orders, prepare the food, and serve the food.
Why and When
Your coworker is a few minutes late for work. Your coworker is on a bathroom break. Your coworker is on their 30 minute meal break. In some cases on some shifts in some stores, certain employees who have confidence in their skills, have agreed to work entire shift alone, rather than to see the store close for that shift.
Service We Provide (When working alone)
We provide dine-in, carryout, and delivery just like when there are two or more employees on duty. You may put out some closed table signs, or direct people where to sit, so that people are seated in a manageable area. If the store is too busy, you may ask management to pause the delivery tablet for a period of time.
How To Do It
You may close some tables using the table closed signs so people are seated in a manageable area. Locate the "Table Closed" signs. This can also be achieved by simply directing customers to certain seats.
Communication is key so you can handle multiple customers and orders. Continually inform customers where you're at. Examples:
- Hi, my coworker is on break so I am handling the front and back, I'll be right with you.
- Hi, having coffee?.
- Hi, I'm just taking this order and I'll be right with you
- Hi, I'll be right with you after I enter this order
- Hi, I'm just clearing this table, I'll be right with you
- Hi, I'm just preparing this order, I'll be right with you, having coffee?
Enter orders into the POS system just like if there are two of you, do
not just make food and then enter it.
You may get payment up front if you like. Explain "I'm working alone right now, my coworker stepped away for a moment, so would you mind if I go ahead and collect now?"
Awareness
- Always be aware of your surroundings
- Keep cell phone on you
- If customer makes you feel uncomfortable pretend coworker is in the back
- If multiple customers come in at once, get orders first, apologize in advance for any inconvenience and make order
- Don't be in break room stay up front.
Meal Break and Employee Meal
If you work alone for an entire shift, it will be unrealistic to take a full 30 minute meal break. So during the break window, order your meal on the POS system first, then make the food, then sit at a stool close to the action to eat your food. Under no circumstances can you take the food home with you at the end of the shift.
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