How do I decide which restaurant staff to keep on after I buy?
Do not decide on day one. Spend time in the restaurant first, watching who the kitchen and floor lean on, and ask the seller who holds the keys, recipes and supplier relationships. Meet each person, tell them where they stand early, and make changes gradually, starting with roles that matter most to guests.
Staff are part of what you are buying, and the quickest way to lose value is to lose the wrong person in the first weeks. Ask the seller for a staff list with roles, tenure, hours and pay. Then ask which people the seller depends on, and why.
Spend shifts working alongside the crew. Watch the line cook who keeps the pace steady, the server whom regulars ask for, and the person who quietly fixes problems. Skills that do not appear in a job title often turn out to be the most important.
Have a conversation with each person, one at a time. Say what is staying the same, what may change, and when you will know more. Uncertainty drives people to look for other jobs, so prompt, honest communication keeps good people. If you do need to let someone go, get advice from an employment lawyer first, because the rules about notice and pay can be complicated. Consider offering a retention arrangement for key people during the handover. Pay attention to attendance and attitude during the handover weeks, not only to skill. Write down what you promise anyone, so memories do not differ later.
Key takeaways
- Watch the team work before you decide, and ask the seller who is essential.
- Speak to each person early and honestly about what will change.
- Get legal advice before ending anyone’s employment.
- Watch reliability and attitude during the handover, as well as skill.
Related reading
13 pages on the same subject, grouped by topic.
Buying
- Expert answerHow do I decide what to offer for a business?
- Expert answerCan a buyer hire the seller’s staff if the deal falls through?
- Expert answerHow do I run the first staff meeting after buying a business?
- Expert answerWhat do I inherit if I hire the seller’s staff in British Columbia?
- Expert answerWhat termination clauses in staff contracts does a buyer inherit?
- Expert answerWill daycare staff stay after I buy the centre?
- Expert answerWill the fitters and staff stay after I buy a medical supply store?
- Expert answerWhat makes a diner different from other restaurants to own?
- Expert answerWhat staff roles keep a property management company running day to day?
Selling
Sources
This answer is checked against primary sources. Links were last confirmed on the dates shown.
- 01Restaurants CanadaIndustryRestaurants Canada - The Voice of Foodservice
- 02Business Development Bank of CanadaGovernmentHow to conduct due diligence when buying a business
- 03Business Development Bank of CanadaGovernmentAfter buying a business, what is the next step?
- 04Business Development Bank of CanadaGovernmentUnderstanding post-merger operational integration
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