What are employee rewards?
Employee rewards are the extra pay, perks, schedule benefits, and recognition you give staff when they meet clear goals, such as higher sales, faster service, better cleanliness, or strong guest reviews, to motivate consistent performance and keep good employees longer.
A Practical Guide to Employee Rewards in Restaurants
Overview
Most restaurant owners want the same thing- a crew that cares. You want servers who suggest add-ons, cooks who move tickets fast, and hosts who make guests feel welcome. But with rising costs and constant staffing issues, it's hard to keep people motivated day after day.
Employee rewards can help, but only if they are clear and fair. When people know exactly what actions lead to rewards, they understand what matters in your restaurant. Instead of guessing, they can focus on the behaviors you want - like upselling, keeping sections clean, and earning positive guest reviews.
Many reward programs fail because they feel random. One person gets noticed; another does not. Over time, this feels unfair and people stop trying. The aim is straightforward- turn everyday good work into better performance for your team and your restaurant.
What Do You Actually Want More Of?
Before you think about prizes, gift cards, or bonuses, you need to answer one simple question-what do you actually want more of? If this part is fuzzy, your reward program will feel fuzzy too.
Start by picking a small list of results that really matter to your restaurant. For example -
- Higher average check (more add-ons, desserts, or drinks sold)
- Faster service times (shorter ticket times, quicker table turns)
- Cleaner dining room, restrooms, or kitchen
- Better guest feedback (more 5-star reviews, fewer complaints)
Now turn each goal into something you can measure. Instead of saying "better service," define it in numbers -
- "Average check of $18 at lunch and $24 at dinner"
- "95% of tickets out in under 12 minutes"
- "Dining room and restrooms pass all daily checklist checks"
- "At least 20 five-star reviews per month and fewer than 3 serious complaints"
Next, make sure the goals are in your team's control. Staff can't control food prices or rent, but they can control how often they offer add-ons, how quickly they start tickets, and how carefully they clean.
Limit yourself to 3-5 main goals at first. Too many targets will confuse people and dilute effort. You can always add more later.
When your goals are clear and measurable, rewards become simple - "Hit this number, get this reward." That's when the program starts to feel fair, and people know exactly what they're working toward.
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Link Rewards to Specific Behaviors
Most owners say they want a good attitude. The problem is everyone has a different idea of what that means. One manager might reward the loud, outgoing server. Another might reward the quiet, steady one. This feels random and unfair.
To avoid this, tie your employee rewards to clear behaviors your team can see and measure.
Here are four good places to start -
1. Upselling and check average - Decide what "good" looks like. For example, "Servers who keep an average check of $20 or higher this week earn a reward." Show them how to get there- suggest appetizers, desserts, and drinks. Track it in your POS and share the numbers.
2. Speed of service - Guests hate waiting. Set a simple target, like "90% of tickets out in under 12 minutes" or "Drive-thru orders under 4 minutes." Reward the kitchen or shift when they hit the goal for the week. This keeps cooks and expeditors focused on moving food without cutting corners.
3. Cleanliness and checklists - Use your opening, mid-shift, and closing checklists. For example, "If all checklist items are completed and pass manager inspection every day this week, the closing team earns a reward." This turns basic tasks into a team goal.
4. Guest reviews and feedback - Pick a review score or number of 5-star reviews per month. Reward the team when they reach it. You can also reward specific shout-outs by name- if a guest mentions an employee in a positive review, that person earns a small bonus.
When rewards are tied to clear actions like these, people stop guessing. They know exactly what to do to earn more, and you get more of the behavior your restaurant needs.
Simple Numbers You Can Track Weekly
Once you know which behaviors you want, you need a few simple numbers to track them. If the tracking is confusing or takes too long, the reward program will fade out fast. Your goal is to pick easy numbers you can pull the same way every week.
Here are some examples.
For upselling and sales
Use reports from your POS -
- Average check per server or per shift
- Items per ticket (for example, main + drink + side)
- Dessert or appetizer attach rate (how often they're added)
You don't need fancy math. Just compare this week to last week, or one server to the team average.
For speed of service
Speed numbers can usually be pulled from your POS or kitchen display -
- Average ticket time (order to food out)
- Drive-thru or pickup times
- % of tickets under your target time (for example, 90% under 12 minutes)
Pick one main number and stick with it.
For cleanliness and checklists
Use tools you already have -
- Daily checklist completion (yes/no)
- Simple cleanliness score from manager walk-throughs (for example, 0-10)
- Number of "misses" found on inspections
Keep it clear - "All checklists done and passing every day this week = reward."
For guest reviews and feedback
Grab numbers from review sites or surveys -
- Number of 5-star reviews this week
- Average rating
- Number of named shout-outs for staff
Whatever metrics you choose, use them the same way every week, share them with the team, and explain how they connect to rewards. Simple, honest numbers build trust and keep everyone focused.
Designing Reward Types
Once your goals and metrics are clear, you need to decide how you'll reward people. Not everyone is motivated by the same thing, so it helps to mix a few different reward types. Think in three buckets- money, time, and recognition.
1. Money-based rewards
These are simple and direct -
- Small cash bonuses for hitting weekly or monthly targets
- Gift cards (grocery, gas, or local shops)
- Upgraded staff meals or free add-ons
Money is easy to understand, but it can get expensive if the program is not planned. Use it for bigger wins or monthly goals, not every small action.
2. Time and schedule rewards
For many employees, time is just as valuable as cash -
- Preferred shifts (no more stuck on slow nights if they're top performers)
- First choice of days off when the schedule is made
- Option to leave early or start late after a strong week
- Extra break time on certain days
These rewards cost you little cash, but they feel big to your team. Just make sure the rules are clear so other staff don't feel it's "favoritism."
3. Recognition and status
Some people are strongly motivated by being seen -
- "Employee of the week" board with a photo and short note
- Shout-outs in pre-shift meetings or group chats
- Simple certificates or handwritten thank-you notes
- A special pin, badge, or uniform item for top performers
Recognition works best when it's specific - "Maria increased her check average by $3 this week," not "Maria did a good job."
The best reward systems use a mix- small, frequent recognition; schedule perks; and occasional financial rewards. Keep it simple, make it fair, and always tie the reward back to the behavior you want more of.
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Individual vs Team Rewards
A common problem with employee rewards is drama. One person wins, others feel ignored. Or the same "favorite" people get rewarded every time. To avoid this, you need a balance between individual and team rewards.
Individual rewards work well when you want people to push their own performance -
- Highest check average
- Most add-ons sold
- Best cleanliness score for a station
- Most positive mentions by name in reviews
These rewards are clear and easy to measure. The risk is that others may feel they "never have a chance," especially newer staff or those in slower sections. To help with this, you can -
- Reward the top 3, not just 1
- Rotate sections and stations so everyone gets fair traffic
- Use goals based on improvement, not just the highest number ("Anyone who raises their check average by $2 gets a reward.")
Team rewards are great for building cooperation -
- Whole shift hits ticket time goals = shift reward
- BOH keeps zero missed items for the week = team reward
- Restaurant hits monthly review score target = everyone gets a small reward
Team rewards remind people that they win together. FOH and BOH start to see how their work affects each other.
A simple structure is -
- Use individual rewards for behaviors each person controls directly (upselling, cleanliness of their section).
- Use team rewards for shared results (ticket times, complaints, overall reviews).
This mix reduces jealousy, encourages people to help each other, and keeps your reward system from feeling like a constant competition that only a few can win.
Rollout, Communication, and Fairness
Even a good employee rewards plan can fail if the rollout is messy. If people don't understand the rules, or think the system is rigged, they will tune out fast. Your job is to make the program simple, clear, and consistent.
Start by putting everything on one page. Include -
- The goals (for example. higher check average, better reviews, cleaner store)
- The metrics you'll use (which reports, which checklists, which review sites)
- The time frame (weekly, monthly, or both)
- The rewards (what people get and how often)
Share this in a pre-shift or short team meeting. Walk through real examples - "If our average check hits $20 this week, everyone on those shifts gets X." Encourage questions. If something sounds confusing in the meeting, it will be even more confusing later.
Post the rules where everyone can see them- the break room, by the schedule, or in your team chat. This reduces "I didn't know" and keeps things transparent.
Fairness is huge. Staff will ask themselves -
- "Do I really have a chance to win?"
- "Are the numbers real?"
- "Will they actually pay the rewards?"
To keep trust -
- Pull numbers the same way every time
- Pay rewards when you say you will
- Make sure part-time and BOH staff also have ways to earn
A simple scoreboard or leaderboard helps. It could be a whiteboard with weekly numbers or a basic spreadsheet printed and posted. When people can see progress, they believe the program is real and worth their effort.
Review, Adjust, and Keep It Sustainable
A reward program is not "set it and forget it." Your restaurant changes with seasons, menus, and staff. Your employee rewards should change too. The key is to review the program on a regular schedule and make small, clear adjustments instead of big, random changes.
Pick a review cycle- once a month is a good start. Ask three basic questions -
1. Are the numbers improving? - Look at the same metrics you tied to rewards- check average, ticket times, cleanliness scores, reviews, and turnover. If nothing is moving, the rewards may be too small, too confusing, or tied to the wrong behaviors.
2. Does the team understand the system? - Ask a few staff members to explain the rules back to you. If they can't, it's a sign the program is too complex or not communicated enough.
3. Is the program worth the cost and effort? - Compare what you spend on rewards to what you gain in sales, guest satisfaction, and lower turnover. You may find that even small improvements more than pay for the rewards.
When you adjust the program, be clear and honest. For example -
- "We're changing the check average target from $20 to $18 so more people can hit it."
- "We're adding a team reward for ticket times because the kitchen has been working hard."
- "We're moving from weekly to monthly rewards so we can offer slightly bigger prizes."
Avoid changing rules in the middle of a reward period. Finish the week or month, then announce the new version before the next cycle starts.
Over time, your goal is a simple, stable system - a few clear goals, fair rules, easy tracking, and rewards that show your team their effort matters. When that happens, you don't just "thank" people - you build a place where good work turns into better performance, day after day.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How can I make the reward program feel fair?
Write the rules down, use the same reports every time, share results openly, and pay rewards when promised. Include part-time staff and BOH so everyone has a real chance to earn.
How often should I give employee rewards?
Weekly or monthly works best. Weekly rewards keep people engaged with short-term goals. Monthly rewards can be slightly bigger and tied to larger targets. Many owners use a mix of both.
Why should I use employee rewards in my restaurant?
Rewards help focus your team on the behaviors that matter most. When staff know exactly what's rewarded, they work with more effort, care, and consistency, which supports sales, service, and retention.
How do I decide what to reward in my restaurant?
Start with what you want more of- higher check averages, faster ticket times, cleaner stations, or better reviews. Turn each goal into a simple number you can track weekly, then tie rewards to hitting those numbers.
