While many American restaurants have been forced to navigate staff shortages and a hiring crisis, Shuckin’ Shack, a 16-unit seafood franchise, has been creative in attracting and retaining premier talent, setting a standard at its Wilmington, North Carolina location that others have begun to follow.

As a start, Shuckin’ Shack’s Wilmington location implemented $500 bonuses for employees available after two months of work and a $13 per hour starting wage for employees across a four-day work week. Additionally, employees are eligible for their $500 bonus if they call out of work less than four times during their first 60 days of employment.

“A key message we want to communicate is that we’re willing, open, and able to do untraditional things to hire and retain great people,” said Jonathan Weathington, CEO of Shuckin’ Shack. “Putting people first has always been a key component of this company. The right staff members will stay with our brand if they are prioritized and feel as though they are being invested in.”

Shuckin’ Shack’s hiring incentives have ensured the company is taking the time and effort to retain long-term employees, and it’s a method that is paying off: the Wilmington location was able to hire 30 new employees in a matter of weeks.

“We have been so excited to see the hiring success our Wilmington location had, and we’re equally pleased to see other locations following their lead,” Weathington said. “The past two years of restaurant management have brought several staffing challenges, but we are proud to see franchisees that have prioritized the satisfaction of their employees.

And the support seen across the Shuckin’ Shack system has trickled from the top down. At the peak of the hiring crisis when staffing shortages were heavy and customer demand was at an all-time high, Weathington and other members of the corporate team worked as runners and back-of-house staff in order to support existing employees and ensure a smooth customer experience. “It’s important to prioritize our customers’ experience, but it is just as important to ensure our employees are satisfied as they deliver a top-tier experience,” Weathington added.

“We make it a point to treat all of our employees like family,” said Don Marcum, owner of Shuckin’ Shacks in Greenville and Easley, South Carolina. “It’s part of the culture here and, as a result, we retain our employees incredibly well. We have several staff members who have been with us since we first opened six years ago. We prioritize our staff and promote from within whenever possible. Currently, both of our General Managers began with us as servers and now they have become integral members of our management team.” 

It is Shuckin’ Shack’s mission to value its employees at the top of its business model. The brand’s employee retention measures are put in place to ensure the company supports its franchisees and employees. As more locations adopt the brand's innovative retention strategies, Shuckin' Shack is continuing to create one of the best work environments in franchising for both employees and franchisees.

Startup costs for a Shuckin’ Shack franchise range from $352,700 to $1,128,252. Learn more about franchise opportunities here: https://shuckinshackfranchise.com/.