West Coast Franchise Law - September 2023

Keep Yourself Safe While Traveling Alone

CHECK IN THE SMART WAY. When you check in to your hotel, always ask for two room keys — this way, hotel staff and anyone else in earshot will automatically assume someone else is traveling with you. If they ask how many guests will be staying with you, don’t admit you are alone. If you have the option, request a room that isn’t on the ground floor, as research shows they are the easiest to break into! INSPECT YOUR ROOM. As soon as you enter the room, make a quick sweep to ensure no one is present in closets, in the shower, or under the bed and that nothing appears to be amiss. It’s always best to be safe rather than sorry! KEEP YOUR EYES PEELED. Any time you leave your room, even if it’s just to scope out the vending machines, be alert for anyone watching or following

you, and always keep your room number discreet. If you ever feel like someone is following you, get off on a different floor and avoid going to your room. USE THE DEADBOLT. If the door in your room comes equipped with a deadbolt, use it! This extra safety measure keeps even those with a key from entering your room without your knowing! SHARE THE HOTEL INFORMATION. Let your family and friends know where you are staying! Provide them with the hotel name, address, and phone number in case an emergency arises! Traveling solo is a thrilling experience, but it comes with some extra steps to stay safe! Trust your instincts and use these tips to ensure your trip goes down in the memory books as safe and exciting!

Traveling alone can be a memorable and adventurous experience — it’s a great way to step outside your comfort zone and continue learning about yourself. While solo travel is chock-full of exciting perks, staying alone in a hotel can be dangerous if you aren’t careful to take certain safety precautions. The next time you take a trip by yourself, keep these tips in mind!

Tap Into a Forgotten Labor Pool

HOW RETIREES CAN FILL STAFFING GAPS

RETENTION Younger generations are more prone to job-hopping than older ones, meaning that statistically, a baby boomer will stick around longer than a member of Gen Z. Younger workers are usually focused on building a career. Many will go on to buy homes, have children, and, in many cases, move away from the quick-serve restaurant industry. No one can continue working forever, so older workers will eventually retire, but they are still likely to give you more value for money in terms of hiring and training costs. If you’re struggling with staffing and not currently targeting retirees, it’s time to reconsider. The team you need could be ready and waiting — but first, you must go looking for them.

Where have all the workers gone? In most cases, they’ve moved on to different industries or retired. But recent statistics show that older adults who retired during the pandemic are reentering the workforce — often in the form of part-time work — and they could be the answer to many staffing woes at quick-serve restaurants. The industry has traditionally targeted young workers who want flexibility and lack higher- paying options. But older workers who want to make extra cash, stay busy, and interact with people might be an increasingly good fit. While people of any age have their own qualities, there are many benefits people often overlook in this hiring pool. AVAILABILITY Evenings and weekends are the best times for most teens, college students, and other

young adults, but day shifts still need to be filled. Without school or child care responsibilities, older adults are more likely to be available to fill morning and afternoon weekday time slots. If you can offer a semi- consistent schedule, many older workers will also consider it a great draw. EXPERIENCE Some older workers might not have experience working in the restaurant industry, but they do have decades of experience participating in the workforce. Younger workers often have to learn professional skills on the job, but older workers already have many of them down. They generally know how to accept feedback, manage conflict, arrive on time, and provide good customer service. Those skills are some of the most challenging to teach, and learning to operate the register is a breeze by comparison.

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