HotSchedules Makes Restaurant Management Easy!
March 10, 2017
HotSchedules Makes Restaurant Management Easy!
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Overall Satisfaction with HotSchedules
In 2013, we purchased and opened our second location. Our first location was already busy and our managers used the paper Redbook. We knew we would have a challenge to keep both locations communicating with several managers across three shifts. I originally discussed the online tool at the NRA show and we knew this is what we truly needed to keep everyone in the loop of what was going on. Our first need was that of communication but after being shown the other modules, we knew we could benefit from most of the others. Scheduling was a major issue. With over 60 FOH employees, the little stack of shift change slips was getting out of control. My managers could never look back and go back to paper scheduling. For the record, we do have a backup spreadsheet that still documents all shifts, in case the internet ever goes down. Our Employee Handbook specfically addresses employee accountability to only use HotSchedules as the way to communicate and manage shift changes. Even last minute requests are allowed as long as they are done through HotSchedules. On the communication side for my managers, we use the LogBook and the Staff Journal. Every shift manager is required to put in shift notes and communicate all issues. My kitchen managers use the LogBook to communicate to the FOH any new specials to run, inventory issues, or other kitchen information that all managers need to be aware of. We use the Staff Journal to keep track of employees who are tardy, have performance issues as well as noting positive things such as great customer feedback or going above and beyond. We have used the Staff Journal as evidence in Unemployment disputes on how and why an employee was terminated. It's all documented. We also use HotSchedules Train, which we still refer to as Schoox. Our employees first day is spent watching videos we have created for orientation.
- Communication Tool - if you are struggling with keeping your managers or staff apprised of every little detail, then HotSchedules covers your communication needs. You can check all of this information on your phone, so you're never away from the store!
- Scheduling - if you are constantly trying to manage a paper schedule with many requests off, shift exchanges and accountability of when they made the request, scheduling is beneficial as it leaves an electronic trail of when the employee made the request.
- Train/Schoox- holding your staff accountable to ensure that information is distributed evenly to everyone is a great feature of Schoox. You have a record that the employee watched a video and they take a test to ensure that they understand the knowledge.
- The Staff Journal is an all or nothing area. As the GM I have to use a separate tool to document things on my managers, as they can see everyone in HotSchedules. Having a way to not have a manager see other manager's Staff Journals would be extremely beneficial to me.
- Being able to cherry-pick individuals' access. Right now I have about 5 managers access levels. Some levels don't allow managers to make approvals. One stops the notifications from popping up because that got annoying.
- Having 2 logins for ASC. I have 2 logins, one to login to HotSchedules and one to go to ASC. But then somehow my ASC login, is now a staff member in scheduling. On occasion when I do work the floor, my staff cannot schedule me as my ASC login is not a scheduled person. It's all confusing and no one can fix it. Plus then it never shows on my calendar that I have to work.
- I would like for both locations to somehow be integrated where if we grant access to the other location to a specific employee, they can see the schedule for the other location and easily pickup shifts.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Quick Resolution Knowledgeable team Immediate help available | Escalation required Need to explain problems multiple times |
I sometimes feel that certain support people might not be fully trained. I then escalate the issue to my customer service rep to confirm the answer I was given, especially if I feel that it doesn't make sense.