A tactical pause could save you time, money, and sanity
Proper restauranting (it’s a verb) means working at a nonstop breakneck speed, right? It means chaotic lines with crazy speed of service, constant demands, and the make line churning nonstop, but to what end? I’ve learned from enough crazy rushes that when things start to pile on like the seventh level of Tetris, you have to take a moment to pause, regroup, and allow a moment of reflection about what is the most important thing to do in that moment, so you’re not just walking over people and moving inefficiently so you feel busy.
I’ve learned the best way is to do the following:
Call out to the team, “PAUSE. Everyone clean your station, and let’s assess where we are.” This is called a tactical pause in the military, and it has more purpose than just handling a rush properly. This can help in many more ways, I’ve learned.
Why Take a Tactical Pause?
The tactical pause isn’t about stepping out for a smoke break; it’s about creating a moment of clarity. In the heat of battle —or the Friday night dinner rush — it’s easy to ignore inefficiencies and push through simply because it’s what we’ve always done. However, pausing momentarily to assess the situation can prevent missteps and streamline ops.
For example, pausing for just 30 seconds when the line is chaotic can help identify who should be doing what. Tonight, one person is off their game on oven, or people are not calling out tickets, and even a minor reorganization of prep stations could clear up bottlenecks. That brief interruption in the action can save minutes — or even hours — down the line. It could mean the difference in a whole extra table turn.
Applying the Tactical Pause in the Kitchen
Here’s how a tactical pause might play out during service:
- Stop the Action: Take a step back, even if it’s for just half a minute.
- Assess the Situation: Ask yourself, “What’s working? What isn’t? Who’s struggling, what’s bottle necking and why?”
- Reorganize for Efficiency: Make quick adjustments. Shift tasks, streamline communication or if nothing else; physically clear space.
- Communicate the Plan: Briefly share the adjustments with your team to ensure alignment.
This doesn’t just reduce stress—it actively improves your output and sets the stage for a more seamless service.
Beyond the Line: Strategic Pauses in your day to day
The tactical pause isn’t limited to the kitchen. It’s valuable throughout your business. Are your social media efforts reaching your target audience? Is your financial strategy aligned with your growth goals? Are you running your systems as efficiently as possible or clinging to outdated processes?
Consider this: a restaurant unaware of its food costs is like a pilot flying blind. Stopping to evaluate your metrics, even if you’ve done it dozens of times before, might seem like a delay, but it actually can prevent waste and provide a new prospective. Reassessing data we assume to be set is extremely important to constantly do. That which is measured gets done.
Incorporating Tactical Pauses Into Your Workflow
Daily Operations: Start each shift with a 3-minute team huddle. Set clear objectives for the shift and go over outlier items of the day, like an 86 list or catering orders.
Weekly Reviews: Carve out time to truly analyze metrics like food cost, labor, average ticket value, p-mix, and customer feedback.
Big Picture Planning: Periodically reassess your long-term goals. Are you adapting to the world, or are you stuck on autopilot?
How to own the moment in a pause
A tactical pause shows you valuing correct action of wasted effort. It builds a culture of looking inward, where you address inefficiencies for constant improvement. It aligns with the principles of maximizing efficiency while reducing stress.
So next time there’s craziness in your restaurant, don’t blindly accept it. Stop. Think. Adjust. That tactical pause could save you time, money, and sanity.
Mike Bausch is the owner of Andolini’s Pizzeria in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Instagram: @mikeybausch