Lucas Group Reports Specific Hiring Trends in the Restaurant Industry

Business Wire, Feb 5, 2007

ATLANTA -- Lucas Group, an executive search firm, today reports employment trends in the restaurant industry.

A growing trend for businesses in the restaurant industry is to hire candidates with multi-unit management experience. Candidates with this experience typically have the soft skills needed in the business: multi-tasking, delegating responsibility, organizational skills and time management.

"Companies are interested in employees with multi-unit management experience because they know how to hire, train and coach a team of people," said Reg duDomaine, associate partner and restaurant recruiter for Lucas Group. "Multi-unit managers work hard and are used to long and odd hours, which can be a key causing factor for industry turnover."

Retention is also a very high priority for companies. It is more difficult now than ever to find great candidates who are dedicated to the demands of the restaurant industry. Mid-to-upper level managers are leaving the hospitality industry to go into other industries after learning the great systems, disciplines and transferable skills from these demanding jobs. Many companies are seeking outside professional hiring help from recruiting firms or other third parties.

"Retention is critical to the profit of this business," said duDomaine. "When you lose a manager, you lose employees and customers, and then sales suffer and profit drops. The cost of hiring and training new employees is lofty, and companies will suffer if their turnover is high. The restaurant industry is very competitive but very rewarding. It is imperative that companies put measures in place to attract and maintain successful employees to stay ahead."

About Lucas Group

Lucas Group is one of the nation's largest executive recruitment firms that has built a reputation for successfully providing human capital placements in multiple markets and industries. The search firm has increased its reach, while maintaining a commitment to high performance and unsurpassed industry knowledge. Lucas Group focuses on recruiting top executives in management, advertising/marketing, sales, accounting, manufacturing, legal, military personnel transitioning and technical positions across all major industries. With offices nationwide and its expansion into Europe, Lucas Group performs search assignments for Fortune 100+ companies, as well as regional businesses and entrepreneurial firms.