Burr attorneys Amy Jordan Wilkes and Mckenzy Smith authored an article for Modern Restaurant Management examining strategies for managing employee retention and reducing legal risk in the quick-service restaurant (QSR) industry.

In the article, “Managing Employee Morale and Avoiding Lawsuits in High-Turnover Workplaces: A Roadmap for Quick-Service Restaurant Operators,” Wilkes and Smith outline nine practical recommendations for QSR professionals to increase employee retention and satisfaction while maintaining compliance with employment laws.

The authors discuss key considerations such as labor law compliance, effective hiring practices, employee training, and workplace recognition programs. They emphasize the importance of adhering to federal and state requirements governing breaks, scheduling, and child labor, while also fostering a workplace culture that supports employee development through accessible training, rewards, and promotions.

Wilkes and Smith also highlight the effectiveness of training managers to handle workplace conflicts better so that issues are resolved before they escalate. They explain that pairing enhanced training with consistent documentation and enforcement creates a more stable, productive, and legally compliant environment.

The article concludes that addressing the QSR industry's demanding work environments and high turnover rates does not require sacrificing operational efficiency. Instead, the strategies outlined by Wilkes and Smith demonstrate that investing in effective employee engagement and management can help operators maintain operational consistency, which is critical in a fast-paced industry. As labor challenges continue to affect quick-service restaurants nationwide, these recommendations provide a valuable framework for balancing legal compliance with sustainable growth.

Read the full article here.