Gen Z now makes up a growing share of the restaurant frontline. Like every generation before them, they work for a paycheck. But what sets them apart is the world they grew up in: the gig economy, rising living costs, side hustles, and juggling multiple jobs as the norm.
This reality makes Gen Z practical and results-focused, but also quick to move on when a job feels like a dead end. The paycheck may bring them through the door, but they need more to make them stay: growth, development, and purpose.
For restaurants where entire frontline teams can turn over more than once a year, meeting Gen Z’s expectations is an essential priority.
What Gen Z wants in the workplace
So, what do today’s Gen Z restaurant workers expect beyond a paycheck?
Research shows that while many take frontline jobs to get started in their careers, what keeps them is growth, culture, and values. Gen Z highly values skills development, as well as opportunities to grow into leadership roles like shift lead or assistant manager. They also respond strongly to training and development that feels transferable beyond a single job.
Culture is equally important. Gen Z restaurant employees prioritize recognition, flexibility, and inclusive team environments. They expect transparent communication and scheduling flexibility as a baseline.
Education is the new baseline
Tuition assistance and reimbursement programs were once a standout perk for restaurants, but not anymore. With more brands realizing the value of employer-sponsored education for their frontline teams, these offerings have shifted from differentiator to table stakes.
And it’s not just restaurants setting the bar higher. Gen Z frontline workers are weighing offers from retailers, logistics companies, and other employers that already provide education and career growth pathways. Education is now a core element in talent strategies across all industries.
To stay competitive, restaurants need to match or exceed what businesses across all sectors provide.
How employer-sponsored education supports retention and loyalty
The payoff from investing in development is straightforward. For most Gen Z workers, restaurants are an entry point rather than a destination. Clear career pathways and learning opportunities are what can change that story.
When employees feel supported in their growth, they repay it with loyalty. That loyalty fuels retention and engagement, which in turn drives better service, higher customer satisfaction, and repeat business.
Building an education strategy for restaurants
Designing an effective education program for your restaurant workforce doesn’t have to be complicated. Successful restaurant brands focus on three essentials:
- Accessibility: Remove financial barriers by covering tuition or training costs directly, rather than reimbursing employees after the fact.
- Relevance: Offer programs that build skills directly tied to restaurant careers, such as Shift Lead or Assistant Manager training, food safety certifications, ESL courses, and customer service development.
- Visibility: Promote these benefits early, from job postings to onboarding, so workers know they exist from day one.
When done right, education programs reduce turnover and promote a stronger leadership pipeline.
Ready for the next generation restaurant workforce?
The restaurant industry has always thrived on consistency: in food, in service, and in the people delivering them. For Gen Z, consistency comes from confidence that their employer is invested in their growth and future. Education isn’t just seasoning anymore, it’s a key ingredient.
Want more recipes for success? Download this 3-part talent playbook for more actionable tips on how to leverage education to build a stronger restaurant workforce.
