Automation helps QSRs struggle less with hiring delays
Automation slashes hiring time and improves retention amidst labor shortages.
With QSRs facing an escalating staffing crisis, the need for faster, more efficient hiring has pushed many brands to adopt AI-driven recruitment strategies to remain competitive in a tight labor market.
"What we're really seeing now is more technology being used by both employers as well as candidates. The most recent data that's coming out indeed, is that a candidate is applying to 15 jobs at the exact same time," said Joshua Secrest, VP of Marketing & Client Advocacy at Paradox.
With candidates applying for multiple jobs at once, QSR operators must act quickly to secure top talent. AI-driven hiring solutions are enabling restaurant managers to screen, schedule interviews, and onboard employees automatically, helping businesses hire in three days instead of 21.
“During COVID, so many restaurants saw the impact on top and bottom lines from understaffing, and so it allowed for some of the biggest brands... to adopt really early some of this new emerging technology," Secrest explained.
Advancements in AI have made hiring cheaper, faster, and easier for restaurant managers, significantly reducing administrative burdens. "It's taking about 90 to 95% of the workload off the manager's plate,” said Secrest.
He added that AI-driven hiring has led to better retention and operational efficiency, allowing managers to focus on onboarding and spending more time with customers. Fully staffing a restaurant leads to shorter drive-thru wait times and faster service, directly impacting revenue.
"Across QSR research is saying that that's between $312 to $1,200 per day recouped if you're staffed versus understaffed," Secrest said. The cost savings are also significant, with AI-driven hiring reducing job advertising spend by 50%.
