Five Things You Can Do To Almost Guarantee a Dinner Rush Starts Up So You Get Slammed and Thrown In the Weeds
Spring has sprung! Already, we’re getting glimpses of the busy season as more and more vitamin-D-deprived office folk flock to the nearest patio on the slight chance the hint of the sun will stick around long enough so they can slam a glass of happy hour rose while impatiently waiting for warmer days.
Still, we have another month and a half before things kick off (at least in the northern parts of the U.S., but these tips will work almost anywhere)—so traffic can be hit or miss.
If you’re experiencing a lull, don’t fret. Follow these tried-and-true tricks, and you’ll conjure a dinner rush in no time.
5 Ways to Conjure a Dinner Rush
- Take a Break
Sit back, relax, order food, take out your phone, or step out for a smoke break. All of a sudden, BAM! Customers will be lining up at the host stand.
You’ll not only be blessed with a busy hour or two but with everyone coming in at the same time, there will be no way for the host to avoid triple seating you—taking you from pleasantly busy straight into the weeds. - Start the Most Tedious Side Task
If you have time to lean, you have time to clean, they say. Nothing conjures up the perfect storm of hangry guests more than starting that arduous task you’ve been putting off, like cleaning out the ice bins or the hood.
Get out that bucket and mop, and the serendipitous forces in hospitality work will sweep you away. - Ask To Get Cut
Or, tell someone else they’re going to get cut. Either way, as soon as the idea of an early night kicks in and work mode checks out, the masses will arrive.
This is a tricky business because it usually takes a minute to process what’s really going on. This can throw the whole team into the weeds as they desperately try to make do without whoever was cut. Eventually, the realization will kick in that you are not getting cut and will end up closing instead. But hey, you conjured a rush. - Invite Your Friends and Family
Nothing gets the madness going more than attempting to entertain, socialize, and impress friends or family visiting you at work. It’s like the universe doesn’t want you to talk to them…it wants you to watch them having a good time while you’re neck-deep in tickets and six-tops.
This one takes some forethought. Occasionally, a simple IG story telling folks to visit you while you’re closing can work, but it doesn’t trigger the dinner rush similarly. - Have All the Managers on the Floor at Once
It’s like the hospitality gods like to look down and watch us flounder as those higher-ups just watch—or worse, try to help out—as there is no better solution to a lull than having all the managers on the floor.
Once all captains are on deck, the guests just start pouring in.
Now that you know how to kick things into full speed—just be careful what you wish for and take care of yourself during those busy times! Drink water, sleep well, and schedule your monthly cry in the walk-in.
