Identifying Job Motivation Factors of Restaurant Servers

Abstract

An exploratory qualitative research study was carried out among chain and independent restaurant workers to identify employee job motivation factors for remaining in jobs in the restaurant industry. Interviews with servers of both independent and chain restaurants were conducted in a metropolitan city located in the southeastern region of the United States. The results of these interviews indicate that motivation is influenced by both financial and non-financial incentives. Although compensation and monetary awards appear to be the most important factors (over 50% of sample) for both independent and chain restaurant employees in choosing to work in and remain in the industry, other important motivation factors were also discovered such as relationships with co-workers, flexible working hours, atmosphere of restaurant, etc. The information garnered from this study provides an entry point in the quest to better understand job motivation factors from the restaurant employee's viewpoint. It offers some insight in to the reasons why employees choose to work in the industry and what factors encourage long-term commitment.