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Chat with Basil [Submit a Support Request ](https://trust20.co/contact-us) Trust20 Support Business Hours Monday - Friday, 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM EST Go Back [Career Development](https://trust20.co/blog/tag/career-development) # Preparing for the Holiday Rush: Best Practices for Restaurant Managers Posted by Oct 1, 2025 8:30:00 AM [Trust20 Contributors](https://trust20.co/blog/author/trust20-contributors) • 5 minute read Share: [![Share on facebook](https://7620253.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/7620253/Trust20/Images/Blog/facebook-color.svg) ](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://trust20.co/blog/guide-to-supporting-staff-through-the-holidays&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook) [![Share on twitter](https://trust20.co/hubfs/twitter-color.svg) ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https://trust20.co/blog/guide-to-supporting-staff-through-the-holidays&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&url=https://trust20.co/blog/guide-to-supporting-staff-through-the-holidays&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&source=tweetbutton&text=) [![Share on linkedin](https://7620253.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/7620253/Trust20/Images/Blog/linkedin-color.svg) ](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://trust20.co/blog/guide-to-supporting-staff-through-the-holidays&utm_medium=social&utm_source=linkedin) [![Support your team through the holidays.](https://trust20.co/hubfs/Supporting-Staff-Through-Holidays.jpg) ](https://trust20.co/blog/guide-to-supporting-staff-through-the-holidays) Foodservice workers often sacrifice time with their own families and friends to help others celebrate during the holiday season. Combine the FOMO and potential loneliness with the stress-inducing hustle and bustle of the season and you run the risk of tensions running high in the kitchen. In fact, according to the National Restaurant Association, nearly 63% of consumers will eat out during the next few weeks.1 With this in mind, there are a few things restaurant owners and operators can do to help make the holidays merry and bright for both staff and customers: [Be prepared ](https://trust20.co/blog/guide-to-supporting-staff-through-the-holidays#be-prepared) [Hire ahead of peak holiday seasons](https://trust20.co/blog/guide-to-supporting-staff-through-the-holidays#hire-ahead) [Support your team ](https://trust20.co/blog/guide-to-supporting-staff-through-the-holidays#support-team) [Provide training](https://trust20.co/blog/guide-to-supporting-staff-through-the-holidays#provide-training) [Consider holiday incentives ](https://trust20.co/blog/guide-to-supporting-staff-through-the-holidays#holiday-incentives) [Celebrate together ](https://trust20.co/blog/guide-to-supporting-staff-through-the-holidays#celebrate-together) [Encourage self-care](https://trust20.co/blog/guide-to-supporting-staff-through-the-holidays#celebrate-together) ### **Be prepared** During the holidays, many customers may want to book your restaurant for large parties or events. Be prepared to accommodate these groups by having enough staff and seating available. It is important to encourage customers to make reservations in advance to ensure they receive excellent service and give you the chance to make sure the necessary staff and resources are available. It's also wise to tighten up your practices in-house before the rush hits. Does your employee handbook or onboarding process need revising? How about your ordering processes? (Restaurants that streamline inventory management during peak seasons like this see significant reductions in food waste and spending).2 Even adopting a simple [FIFO system](https://trust20.co/blog/first-in-first-out-fifo) can be helpful. ### Hire ahead of peak holiday seasons Part of your preparation plans for the holiday season should include hiring long before the rush begins. Peak holiday seasons will be busier than usual, with an increase in local and visiting customers. Hire additional staff early to ensure that you have shifts covered and enough trained staff on hand as peak seasons begin. This early planning will also keep you from facing too much competition from other establishments looking to hire seasonally.  ### Support your team Make sure your team is well-trained and prepared to handle the increased customer traffic and demand that comes with the holiday season. Training can make it easier for staff to assist large parties and difficult customers by cultivating [skills like multitasking](https://trust20.co/blog/multitasking-musts-skills-every-food-handler-needs). Arrange for your team members to have access to the resources and support they need to meet the increased demand and customer traffic during the holidays.  ### Provide training Be sure to train your existing staff and any new seasonal hires ahead of peak holiday cycles. Training can make it easier for staff to assist large parties and difficult customers by cultivating [key skills, such as multitasking](https://resources.trust20.co/blog/multitasking-musts-skills-every-food-handler-needs). Cross-training your team where possible can also help prepare your staff ahead of the busy season. ### Consider holiday incentives  Many team members may have holiday plans and commitments, so offering flexible scheduling can help them balance their work and personal lives. Practice [cultural competency](https://trust20.co/blog/3-steps-to-better-cultural-competency-in-the-food-industry) by recognizing that all staff may not celebrate the same holidays and keep this in mind while allowing employees to express preferences about their schedules. Think about offering bonuses or incentives to your team as a way to [show appreciation](https://trust20.co/blog/5-easy-employee-appreciation-ideas) for their hard work during the busy holiday season. ### Celebrate together  Organizing team outings or events, such as a holiday party or team-building activities, can help boost morale and foster a sense of community among your team. You can even get staff involved in decorating the space with twinkling lights, festive centerpieces, and holiday-themed table settings. Some members of your team may not be able to celebrate the holidays with their family, and having a party or giving small gifts of appreciation can make them feel included in their work family.  ### Encourage self-care The holiday season can be stressful, so it's important to encourage your team to take care of themselves. This might include providing resources for stress management, offering time off for relaxation and rejuvenation, or simply reminding them to take breaks and stay hydrated. Overall, the key to preparing for the holidays as a restaurant is to plan ahead and make sure you are ready for the increase in customers and the demand that comes with this busy time of year. Show your appreciation for your team and support them in any way you can during the busy holiday season. By taking these steps, you can help ensure that your team is happy, healthy, and ready to provide the best possible service to your customers. ## FAQ ### What is the 30 30 30 rule for restaurants? The 30 30 30 rule is a restaurant management guideline suggesting 30% of revenue should go to food costs, 30% to labor, and 30% to overhead/operating expenses, leaving the remaining 10% for profit. It helps restaurant operators optimize pricing and forecasting, especially during the holiday rush. ### How far in advance should restaurants start preparing for the holiday rush? Best practices suggest starting holiday menu planning, staff scheduling, and inventory management at least 1-2 months ahead of peak season for seamless service during high-traffic periods. ### How do you handle working with a new team during the busiest time of year? Focus on comprehensive onboarding, ongoing staff training, and building camaraderie through team events. ### What are effective strategies for managing staff schedules during the holiday rush in a restaurant? Use forecasting and management systems to anticipate demand, offer flexible scheduling, and factor in staff’s personal holiday hours, ensuring coverage for special events, large groups, and holiday-themed promotions. ### How can restaurants use social media during the holiday season? Regularly post about holiday parties, seasonal menu items, gift cards, and special events on social media to engage guests, streamline communication, and boost sales throughout the festive season.   Sources: 1. National Restaurant Association: [Restaurants Ready for the Holiday Rush with More Consumers Planning to Dine Out](https://restaurant.org/research-and-media/media/press-releases/restaurants-ready-for-the-holiday-rush-with-more-consumers-planning-to-dine-out/) 2. National Restaurant Association: [Working to reduce food waste](https://restaurant.org/education-and-resources/resource-library/working-to-reduce-food-waste/) Recommended Articles [![How is Shigella Transmitted in Foodservice Settings?](https://trust20.co/hubfs/210.png) Food Safety June 17, 2026 How is Shigella Transmitted in Foodservice Settings? A Shigella outbreak generally doesn’t happen loudly, with a catastrophic contamination incident that can easily be traced. Instead, it starts covertly, without anyone realizing it. Continue Reading ](https://trust20.co/blog/shigella) [![Where Can I Find Practice Tests for Food Handler Assessments?](https://trust20.co/hubfs/209.png) Career Development June 12, 2026 Where Can I Find Practice Tests for Food Handler Assessments? Getting ready for your food safety training and assessment might feel a little nerve-wracking. You want to walk into the test feeling completely confident and ready to pass on your very first try, but you aren’t sure how to get the right level of preparation. Continue Reading ](https://trust20.co/blog/practice-tests-food-handler) [![What is GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe)?](https://trust20.co/hubfs/206.png) Food Safety June 10, 2026 What is GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe)? Walk through any grocery store, and you’ll likely see all kinds of labels promising cleaner ingredients, fewer additives, and simpler foods. But behind many packaged products sits a regulatory category most consumers have never heard about: GRAS, short for “Generally Recognized as Safe.” Continue Reading ](https://trust20.co/blog/what-is-gras-generally-recognized-as-safe) [![How Many Hours Can Food Be Held Without Temperature Control?](https://trust20.co/hubfs/207.png) Food Safety June 1, 2026 How Many Hours Can Food Be Held Without Temperature Control? In a perfect world, every hot food stays hot, and every cold food stays cold, for exactly as long as you need it to. But in reality, service gets busy, equipment gets overloaded, and food doesn’t always stay within the ideal temperature ranges. Continue Reading ](https://trust20.co/blog/how-many-hours-can-food-be-held-without-temperature-control) Open Sidebar Contact Support How can we help? We know this process can get complicated! Below are some options to get you started. Still need help? 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