Did you know it's President's Day? Restaurant operators do - they were very busy yesterday. That surge of guests were the couples that took advantage of being off today and stayed out late last night on Valentine's Day, or they wanted to see Kobe one last time in the All-Star game. Almost every government employee, banker, and 35% of American businesses are closed today. To the rest of us, it's Monday.

Many people have had three holidays this year already - New Year's, Dr. King, and today. I frequently get prospective candidates that tell me they want a job like many of these - Monday through Friday from 9-5. With President's Day off.

At the store level - general manager and assistant manager - the turnover rate is 30% and has been for as long as I have been doing recruiting. That means you know every third guy is leaving within twelve months, and you're going to need to start looking before he quits or gets fired. Then you have to pay him to learn how to manage your restaurant.

Overpaying works sometimes, but I like a different approach. Everyone talks about dream jobs. Why don't you look at it candidly, and ask: How can I make a dream job for a restaurant manager?

(1) I refer to these as raises without money. Are you not calling your top assistant an AGM? That costs bonus, nothing upfront. A few years ago, I saw every GM for a fast casual chain in the Metroplex at the TRA expo. They were so thrilled to be out of the store and they felt important, valued. Some of them probably still have the lanyard hanging off their rear view mirror. If you trade $50 bar tabs with a nearby place once a week, you know where your managers and you see the best (and the worst) of someone else's team. Maybe you'll like one enough to keep. That PM GM from previous posts? Tell him his family can come see him at work once a week on the house, no booze.

It costs a lot more to train someone you barely know for two months at 900 a week than it is to drop a little bit on people you like already.

(2) In my hometown of San Antonio, there is a company that mows the yards and cleans the houses of the general managers. They drive restaurant branded corporate vehicles and have a dry cleaning chain that on the owners dime, and the maid service does their other laundry. Ownership's line of thinking is - why would they ever leave? That GM does not care that he is working on Columbus Day.

While that is very generous and more than I would ever offer, someone opening a new store or getting crushed with business because they are going a good job could always use help at home. He or she might be putting in 65-70 hours a week in running your business and might really appreciate the $30 you paid a lawn service.

(3) Some holidays are greater than others. Columbus Day and President's Day don't have any meaning. Most of us are conditioned to working New Year's Eve, Day, and the 4th of July. There's two big dogs and nobody likes running a shift on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. If you're closed those two, completely, congratulations. You are an employer of choice in our business. Being open 363 days a year is enough. Some places have to be open on those days - I understand - but that's when all the hourlies call in (or no show) and things go to hell.

This also means two days of bliss for you to spend time with your family and not your phone, your restaurant, or any of the bad stuff that comes with running a million dollar business on a skeleton crew of your worst people on a holiday.

While a dream job might not exist in this business, you can make the one your people have now better. Maybe you should.

Thank you for reading! If I can help you find a new job or some restaurant management talent - please email me at jack@hprosearch.com. You can also see our available opportunities at http://www.hprosearch.com.