now apply and be hired within 24 hours, compared to an average of 14 days using a manual approach. Putting more tech into hiring has also allowed restaurants to appeal to younger people who have different lifestyles and expectations when it comes to applying for jobs. According to the report, 38% of candidates apply outside the hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., for instance. “Being able to apply in the middle of the night or using a QR code, I think that certainly appeals to younger generations that are much more tech-savvy in general,” Moutray said. This has helped restaurants deepen the applicant pool. Chipotle has said that since launching Ava Cado late last year, applicant flow has nearly doubled and application completion rates have improved to 85%, from 50%. Restaurants are also using tech to support employees once they are hired. Onboarding
and orientation procedures can be digitized, and online surveys can be used to keep tabs on how newcomers are feeling. Potbelly Sandwich Shop sends out quarterly surveys called the Potbelly Pulse to gather employee feedback. The surveys help the company monitor morale and identify areas for improvement. Chief People Officer Pat Walsh called the Pulse a “major differentiator” for Potbelly. That said, operators also emphasized that hands-on management remains key to onboarding employees and keeping them around long-term. Several said new hires are paired with a mentor or buddy to help them navigate their first few months on the job. “No matter what technology you use, it’s important to have a human connection,” Jonathan Seyoum, a partner at the Original Pancake House, told the association. “This makes people feel comfortable and helps us connect with our new and current
employees.” In terms of the cost of all of this new technology, Moutray said he did not know what the actual dollar amount looks like for restaurants. But he said the benefits were clear. “I think certainly the payout there is that, again, the last thing you want as a restaurant is to be understaffed,” he said. He noted that some smaller operators are more resistant to moving away from the traditional hiring process. But overall, a good number of restaurants are exploring investments in this area. Last year, 37% said they had plans to invest in automated labor management, recruitment and scheduling systems, according to the association. The new report, titled Research Insight: Workforce Technology, was sponsored by Paradox, which makes conversational AI for hiring. Some of the restaurants featured in the report are Paradox customers.
THERE IS HOPE THAT AS CHATBOTS BECOME MORE SOPHISTICATED, THEY COULD TAKE ON AN EVEN BIGGER ROLE IN THE SCREENING PROCESS.
CHIPOTLE IS USING A CHATBOT TO HELP SCREEN APPLICANTS. | PHOTO COURTESY OF CHIPOTLE
APRIL 2025 RESTAURANT BUSINESS
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