Four Communications Solutions to Fast-Food Turnover

4 Min Read By Charles Lee

Panera bread loses about 100 percent of its workers every year, and according to Panera CFO Michael Bufano, that’s not unusual for the fast food industry. While the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that the turnover rate for the restaurant sector hovers around 82 percent, industry estimates are higher, with some restaurant chains experiencing a rate of 130 percent. The high turnover rate is one of the industry's top challenges because turnover is expensive. The National Restaurant Association estimates the turnover cost to be $2,000 per employee. In the past, high turnover was considered an unavoidable part of running a fast food restaurant, but that’s no longer the case. Companies are realizing that replacing their entire workforce every year is an unsupportable and unnecessary cost. Over the past few years, major chains have invested in creative and innovative efforts aimed at improving retention. 

Companies are realizing that replacing their entire workforce every…