One of the biggest challenges in running a restaurant is making sure the team is always ready to deliver exceptional service.
That's because several common problems get in the way of service quality, such as High employee turnover, frequent absences and demand peaks. In that scenario, hiring a freelance waiter can be an effective solution.
Below, check out our complete guide with everything you need to know to find the best professionals. Follow along!
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What is a freelance waiter?
A freelance waiter is a self-employed professional who provides customer service on a temporary basis, with no fixed employment relationship — that is, no formal employment contract.
Unlike waiters hired the traditional way, freelancers are paid by the hour, day or event, according to the restaurant's needs. Typically, a service agreement is drawn up to set the rules of the arrangement.
These professionals can be called in to work for different reasons:
- Periods of high demand, such as weekends and holidays;
- Special events, such as end-of-year parties;
- Temporary replacements, in case an employee is on vacation;
- Covering absences and no-shows.
So hiring freelance waiters can be a recurring or a one-off practice. It all depends on the venue's needs. Below, understand how to assess whether it makes sense for your business.
Is it worth hiring a freelance waiter?
The decision to hire a freelance waiter depends on your restaurant's specific needs.
In many cases, it can be an excellent way to better manage your human and financial resources. Still, it's important to weigh both the advantages and the disadvantages of this hiring model to make a well-informed decision.
To do that, consider the points below:
Advantages
- Flexibility: You can adjust your headcount to match demand, hiring more people during peak periods and scaling the team back when things are quieter.
- Savings: Since they aren't permanent employees, there's no need to pay benefits, vacation, the 13th salary and other payroll charges. That lets you optimize your operating costs.
- Diverse experience: Many freelance waiters bring broad experience picked up across different types of venues. That diversity can bring new perspectives and practices that benefit service and operations at your restaurant.
- Speed of hiring: Hiring freelancers is generally faster and less bureaucratic than hiring permanent staff. That's very useful in emergencies or last-minute events, for example.
Disadvantages
- Adaptation: Every restaurant has its particularities, and it can take a while before the freelancer is fully up to speed on your processes and service standards.
- Availability: Freelance waiters may have commitments to other venues, which can limit their availability at certain times. That calls for careful management and, often, keeping a list of trusted contacts.
- Consistency in service: Keeping a consistent service standard can be hard when different freelancers are hired frequently. Variation in service style and experience can affect how customers perceive the service.
- Lack of commitment: Since freelancers have no permanent tie to the restaurant, there may be less commitment to service quality and customer satisfaction. That's why you need to select responsible, dedicated professionals.
To make a good choice, think through each of these points, considering where your business is and what it needs. By weighing these advantages and disadvantages, you can map out an effective staffing plan and always be ready to handle the unexpected.
How much does a freelance waiter earn?
As we've seen, one of the advantages of hiring self-employed professionals for your restaurant is the savings. But to know the impact on your budget, you need to know how much a freelance waiter earns.
Hiring costs can vary significantly depending on the location, the type of event or venue and the professional's experience. But we can look at an average to get a general idea:
- Per day: A freelance waiter can earn between R$ 100 and R$ 250 per day, on average. That figure can vary with the location, the professional's experience and the occasion (events, weekends, etc.)
- Per hour: Hourly pay ranges from R$ 15 to R$ 35, depending on the same factors mentioned above. In metropolitan areas and upscale restaurants, for example, the rate is commonly higher.
Each professional sets their own rate. These amounts can be negotiated to reach an arrangement that works for both sides. Restaurants that hire a freelancer more often — every weekend, for example — generally get better rates.
Now that you know how much a waiter costs, check out our tips for finding the best professionals and delivering quality service!
7 tips for hiring a freelance waiter
A hiring of freelancers must be done carefully and with planning. That way, you can find the best professionals and avoid risks such as lack of availability and commitment.
See below 7 tips to get the choice right and count on the best professionals at your restaurant!
1. Size the team you need
Before starting the hiring process, it's essential to size your team correctly. Assess your restaurant's traffic, looking at the days and times with the highest demand, plus special events that may call for extra service staff.
Technology can help with this task. A restaurant management system like EPOC can forecast demand based on your history and information such as the weather forecast, for example.
This will help determine how many freelancers to hire, without the risk of ending up with idle staff because the crowd never showed. That way, you optimize your resources and gain more control over your operating costs.
2. Advertise the opening
Advertise the freelance waiter opening on the right channels, such as job boards, social media and hospitality professional groups in your city.
Make sure to clearly describe the responsibilities, the requirements and how pay works. The more detailed the description, the easier it will be to attract qualified candidates.
3. Look on freelancer platforms
There are several online platforms dedicated to hiring freelancers, such as GetNinjas. Elas permitem acessar uma ampla gama de profissionais disponíveis para trabalhos temporários.
Review the profiles, read ratings from other clients and reach out to those who best fit your needs.
4. Ask for referrals
Referrals from other restaurant managers or industry professionals can be a great way to find reliable, experienced freelance waiters who have already been tried and tested at other venues.
So don't hesitate to ask your network! Candidates referred by people you trust speed up the selection process, since you won't need to run such a rigorous evaluation.
5. Assess the professionals' qualifications
When selecting candidates, carefully check their qualifications and experience. Ask for references and contact previous employers to get feedback on the freelancer's performance.
On top of that, run interviews and, if needed, practical tests to assess their communication skills, professional demeanor and knowledge of the job.
6. Draw up a service agreement
Draft a service agreement detailing all the agreed terms, including how payment works, the duration of the work, the freelancer's responsibilities and any other relevant clause.
This will help avoid misunderstandings and ensure both sides are aligned.
The service agreement is essential for greater security, staying compliant with the law and avoiding an employment relationship.
7. Offer proper training
Even if the freelancer has experience, it's important to provide training specific to your restaurant's procedures and standards.
This includes guidance on the menu, the service standards, use of the POS system, among other processes.
Proper training helps ensure consistent, quality service. So it should be a management priority.
Five-star service for your restaurant
By following the tips in this guide, you'll be well prepared to find and hire the best freelance professionals for your restaurant, ensuring your customers always receive excellent service.
The key is sizing the need correctly, running a careful selection process and offering the support the freelancer needs to do their job as well as possible.
And to help you train your waiters, EPOC created a Customer Service Training Guide that covers everything. Get free access right now and learn how to prepare your team to deliver five-star service!
