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The hospitality sector across the UK can experience a noticeable slowdown from early January to late February. After the festive season, people often focus on tightening their budgets or sticking to new-year resolutions, meaning they dine out less frequently. According to Big Hospitality, some venues in London report a significant drop in footfall at the start of the year (source).
It is crucial to understand why things slow down. When you identify these triggers, you can better adapt your strategy:
In these conditions, staff can feel the dip too—lower tips, fewer tables, and a drop in the enjoyable hustle can deflate enthusiasm. So how do you, as a restaurant owner, prevent low footfall from translating into low morale?
Your servers, kitchen staff, and managers are the heart of your establishment. If their motivation wanes, it can affect the overall guest experience. Let’s see why staff may lose steam during quieter winter shifts:
By acknowledging these challenges, you take the first step towards implementing robust, human-centred solutions. The quieter season can be turned into a time for reflection, growth, and training—so your team emerges even stronger once spring arrives.
Motivation starts with leadership and the environment you create. If your team sees you taking care of their well-being and growth, it adds spice to an otherwise bland winter. Consider these ideas:
It may sound obvious, but often gets overlooked. Organise short, frequent conversations over a cup of tea or coffee. Ask your employees how they are coping, gather feedback, and explore ways to address concerns. By doing so, you show genuine care for their work-life balance. You might be surprised at the creative ideas staff offer to improve the restaurant’s performance or the customer experience.
In colder months, staff might have spare mental bandwidth. Tap into that surplus of creativity. Invite them to brainstorm new menu ideas, propose seasonal promotions, or experiment with plating styles. Feeling actively involved in decision-making can reignite their passion and sense of responsibility.
Did a server find a way to upsell a winter special effectively? Did a junior chef perfect a new dessert? Recognise these achievements, no matter how small. A simple announcement before opening or a shared message in your staff communication channel can highlight their effort and boost morale.
Quiet times present an excellent opportunity to sharpen your team’s skills. Instead of letting staff watch the clock, turn slow hours into constructive learning moments:
When staff see you investing in their professional development, they feel valued. This investment often pays off in loyalty and productivity once the busy season rolls in again.
Sometimes, a quiet dining room benefits from fresh flavours or a comforting menu adaptation. Embrace the season’s best produce and local favourites:
When staff feel excited about the food and drinks they serve, it radiates through their service. This added enthusiasm can help them remain motivated, since there is fresh material to discuss with diners. A new winter menu not only entices customers to visit but also allows your team to stay engaged, learning fresh prep methods and plating ideas.
Morale is influenced not only by pay and footfall but also by aspects of well-being. Showing genuine care for your employees goes a long way. Remember, a happy team leads to satisfied guests. Here are some ways to prioritise well-being:
Winter can be especially challenging for those juggling parenting duties, studying, or second jobs. Providing flexible shifts, rotating who works weekends, or reducing cut hours encourages fairness. Employees who feel their personal lives are respected tend to bring more positivity to work.
Consider partnering with local gyms or yoga studios to provide discounted membership for staff. Alternatively, introduce an end-of-shift stretch routine or mindfulness break. Even a short group walk around the block on a crisp afternoon can rejuvenate team spirit.
Brighten winter days with treats. Occasionally, organise a staff bake-off, or provide warm beverages on the house. If your budget allows, small gift cards for local coffee shops or covering a staff meal can be a sweet pick-me-up. These gestures remind your team that you see them not as cogs in a machine, but as individuals.
One of the hidden stressors for restaurant workers is handling awkward payment processes during quiet times. When transactions slow down, employees can become lax or bored, but the moment a small rush appears—nobody wants to fumble with outdated systems.
That’s where a reliable, user-friendly digital payment method can help. If your restaurant currently uses old card readers, you might consider upgrading to a more modern platform to keep things running smoothly. For example, sunday allows guests to:
The result? Your team can minimise idle time or frustration with old-school systems. They remain sharp, because they can focus on delivering excellent service and building genuine relationships with customers, even if the numbers are smaller than usual.
The climate doesn’t have to be dreary inside your restaurant. Introducing a few motivational games or competitions can provide staff with new goals to chase:
A dash of friendly competition can keep the entire squad engaged, turning those slower days into a chance to bond. Employees will be more inclined to chat, share knowledge, and be proactive in improving services.
Winter diners might need an extra nudge to leave the comfort of their homes. Offer promotions smartly to entice bookings and give your team that bustle they crave:
A busier dining room recharges the workforce. Employee satisfaction often piggybacks on guest volume and energy. With creative marketing, you can keep your team happily on their toes, generating the buzz that fosters job satisfaction.
When your team does something great—like a revised menu launch or a successful community event—shout about it. Encourage your team to share on social media, and let them take pride in their work:
Positive public attention and community involvement often create pride among your staff. Individuals want to feel that they are part of something bigger—something that does good beyond just serving food.
Facilitate open brainstorming sessions or forums for employees to voice ideas on efficiency and service improvements. You might unearth game-changing suggestions for:
When employees have a tangible impact on improving the restaurant, it reaffirms their sense of purpose. They will bring more energy to service, even during those quiet Tuesday afternoons.
Restaurant work can be transient for many—just a stepping stone on a longer path. However, if you invest in employees’ careers, they are more likely to stay and remain engaged. How can you do this, especially when business is slow?
Empowering staff with career progression signals that you see them as partners in the business, not just short-term resources.
Even with the best intentions, team members can argue, especially when finances, tips, or job security feel uncertain. In colder months, personal stress or seasonal depression can intensify feelings. Defuse conflicts by:
A harmonious, supportive work environment lifts everyone’s mood, ensuring your team keeps its zest for delivering fantastic service.
If your team is used to summertime socials, replicate that fun during the slower months. A staff game night or a casual potluck can replace the bigger restaurant parties that might be scheduled for busier seasons. By investing in bonding experiences:
These gatherings let the team blow off steam and fortify connections that translate into better service on the floor.
Finally, encourage your servers to invite diners to leave a positive review on Google or social media if they enjoyed their experience. Tools like sunday streamline this process—guests can scan, pay, tip, and then quickly drop a short review without extra friction. Why does this matter for motivation?
When employees feel connected to the restaurant’s reputation, they put heart into their work—and that resonates with every guest they serve, even during off-peak times.
A: Aim for rotational fairness and open communication. If you need to reduce hours, share future plans, like upcoming events or promotions, so employees see light on the horizon. Consider partial cross-training to keep them active in other roles.
A: Absolutely. Winter is an ideal time to develop staff skills, because they have more time to absorb new knowledge. Improved skills often translate into a more capable and engaged team, ready to handle the rush when it returns.
A: Perks don’t have to be expensive—start small. Even a weekly treat from local bakeries, flexible shift swaps, or sincere recognition of good work are powerful. The key is consistency and authenticity in showing that you value your team.
A: Using a user-friendly payment platform, like sunday, can streamline tasks. Faster checkouts, clear tipping options, and less stress at closing time preserve staff energy and maintain a comfortable pace, boosting overall morale.
A: Yes, they can encourage guests to revisit. Pair them with creative marketing—like themed events or social media offers—to give a sense of exclusivity. More customers mean livelier shifts, which helps keep morale high.
