Extras" in the restaurant business: how does it work?

For many restaurateurs, "extras" have become an essential solution to staff shortages, especially during busy periods. But what do these "extra" contracts actually involve? And how do you effectively recruit and manage these temporary resources? Here's everything you need to know about extras in the foodservice sector, and the solutions available to optimize recruitment.

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Definition: what are restaurant extras?

Restaurant extras are temporary workers hired for one-off, often short-term assignments. They support existing teams during busy periods, such as weekends, vacations or special events. Unlike permanent employees, extras do not have long-term contracts. They are hired on an as-needed basis, offering restaurateurs great flexibility.

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Why do restaurateurs use extras?

Supporting the sector's growth

According to a study published by Food Service Vision, by 2023 the number of independent restaurants will have increased by 4%, or around 4,600 additional openings, with a predominance in fast food. This increase means a greater need for flexibility in terms of staffing to meet demand. This partly explains why many restaurateurs are turning to extras to accommodate this rapid expansion.

Responding to seasonal peaks

During certain periods, such as the end-of-year festivities or the summer vacations, catering activity can experience a sudden peak. Calling in extras can reinforce teams to meet this increased demand, without overloading permanent staff. 

Making up for staff shortages

According toAtelier des Études Économiques, in January 2023, 77.4% of restaurateurs expressed recruitment difficulties, an increase of +11.6 points compared to January 2022 and +36.7 points compared to January 2019. With high turnover in the foodservice sector, it's not uncommon to face unexpected absences or sudden departures. Extras become a quick solution to fill a vacancy, ensuring continuity of service with no negative impact on the customer experience. 

Optimizing service quality

Hiring extras can dramatically improve service quality, especially during busy rush periods. This ensures an optimal customer experience, which is essential for building customer loyalty and maximizing sales.

👉 To go further: How to improve the customer experience in a restaurant?

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The extra contract in the restaurant business

The extra contract: a flexible framework

The extra contract in the catering industry is a type of fixed-term contract that offers employers great flexibility. This contract enables employees to be recruited for short assignments, ranging from one day to a few weeks, without being bound by the constraints of a conventional permanent contract.

Administrative formalities

Even with the flexibility of the extra contract, it is essential to comply with certain formalities in order to remain in line with legislation. The employer must guarantee that remuneration conditions comply with the minimum hourly rate in force. Likewise, the extra's salary must be at least equal to that of an employee with an open-ended contract for the same type of position and equal skills.

Rigorous management is essential to avoid any risk of litigation, particularly with regard to restaurant working hours.

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How can I find extras in the restaurant business?

Here are the different solutions for quickly recruiting extras in the restaurant business: 

1. Working through a temporary employment agency

Temporary staffing is a common solution for finding extras in the catering industry, but it has its advantages and disadvantages. Temporary staffing for catering extras is a fast, flexible solution for occasional needs. However, this solution can involve less qualified profiles, high turnover and a lack of commitment to your restaurant on the part of temps.

2. Specialized websites and recruitment agencies

In addition to traditional temporary employment agencies, restaurant owners have several other options for recruiting extras, such as online platforms specializing in profiles dedicated to the restaurant industry: 

• Extracadabra: Specializing in the rapid placement of qualified extras, this platform is particularly popular, with 5,400 searches per month.
• Brigad: Find flexible staff for short assignments in the catering and hotel industries.
• Cookorico: Job site specializing in hotel and restaurant recruitment, with a large pool of qualified candidates.

Alternatively, for restaurateurs who prefer a more traditional approach, specialized recruitment agencies offer a turnkey service for finding qualified extras.

3. Mobile applications to recruit your restaurant extras

Mobile apps are becoming increasingly popular for recruiting extras in record time. Here are some of the most popular:

• Gofer: Application dedicated to the catering industry, enabling rapid recruitment of qualified staff for temporary assignments.
• Temper: Application focused on one-off assignments with a "job matching" approach.
• Extra: An app that directly connects employers and extras, facilitating matching according to the specific needs of each establishment.

👉 To find out more: 7 best practices for training new catering recruits

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Optimize management of extras with digital solutions

Innovorder solutions meet the needs of restaurateurs who want to better manage busy periods, without relying exclusively on extras. Thanks to tools such as order terminals and tabletop ordering, customers can place their orders independently, reducing the workload on front-of-house staff.

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Are you a restaurant owner? Would you like to find digital solutions to help your teams?

Contact an Innovorder expert to find out how to put technology to work for you!