The Four Day Workweek Could Seriously Increase Employee Retention

While the restaurant industry struggles with labor issues such as the worker shortage and rising wages, brands are doing everything they can to keep employees happy. Although the four-day workweek is far from achieving major popularity in the U.S., especially in the QSR segment, some franchisors are testing the waters. 

Earlier this year, Shake Shack announced that the four-day workweek was going to be a core strategy for the chain moving forward. After a successful test run in Las Vegas, Shake Shack is reportedly expanding the program and listening to managers to understand their lifestyles and the kind of things that they want. Now, one-third of Shake Shack’s U.S. restaurants offer four-day workweeks to managers. The company has also rolled out an equity program for general managers meant to help with turnover since it gives these employees a stake in the company.

The strategy behind the four-day workweek is to convince job seekers to apply to Shake Shack, as well as an attempt at giving managers an incentive to stay with the brand. Other benefits include less money spent on childcare and commuting.

Shake Shack is certainly not the only franchisor looking for ways to increase employee retention in the foodservice space. Papa John's is offering to cover tuition costs for corporate employees pursuing degrees online through Purdue University College. Last year, Chick-fil-A dished out $14.65 million in scholarships to more than 5,700 team members as part of the franchise's "Remarkable Futures" education initiative. Chipotle has also been increasing its incentives to include mental healthcare benefits.

While Shake Shack has yet to roll out the four-day workweek systemwide, the practice has been found to improve overall employee satisfaction by 5%, according to a study done by Fast Company. Aloha Hospitality, an innovative concept that owns about 10 sports-themed bars and fine-dining restaurants in Alabama, launched a four-day workweek for its restaurant managers in late 2018 to help increase morale, retention and boost a sense of team ownership. 

Ideally, the four-day workweek would increase productivity, result in better team building and reduce unemployment rates, although some franchisors worry it may be too expensive. Still, it may be worth the price—according to Microsoft Japan, the four-day workweek increased overall productivity by a whopping 40%.

Either way, as the trend picks up steam, a shorter workweek may be just what some franchisors need if they want to keep their employees from quitting.