6 Signs It’s Time to Hire for a Busy Summer in Hospitality – and How to Prepare

As summer 2025 approaches, hospitality businesses across Canada are bracing for a surge in guests, events, and expectations. But is your team ready? Hiring too late can mean missed revenue, burnt-out staff, and poor guest reviews. Here are six signs it’s time to expand your hospitality team—plus how to prepare now for the busiest season of the year.

1. You’re Already Saying No to Business
If you’ve recently declined catering jobs, group reservations, or private events due to lack of staff, that’s a clear red flag. Every “no” is lost revenue—and a sign your current team can’t handle what’s coming. Hiring now ensures you say “yes” when it matters most.

2. Your Team is Stretched to the Limit
If employees are skipping breaks, staying late, or showing signs of burnout, it’s time to act. Overworked teams are more likely to make mistakes, call in sick, or quit mid-season. A few new hires can dramatically improve morale, efficiency, and retention.

3. Guests Are Noticing a Drop in Service
Longer wait times, slower service, or negative reviews? Don’t blame the team—blame the workload. High guest expectations in summer leave no room for errors. Boosting your staff count helps maintain the excellent experience that keeps guests coming back.

4. Your Summer Projections Are Big
Expecting higher traffic from tourists, patios, festivals, or promotions? Then you need to increase staffing before the rush. Hiring now gives you time to onboard and train, rather than scrambling during peak weeks.

5. You’re Handling Everything Yourself
Owners and managers shouldn’t be the only ones doing prep, running food, and answering phones. If you’re constantly in the weeds, you’re not focusing on growth, leadership, or strategy. Build a team that supports your business, not one that drains you.

6. Hiring Windows Are Closing Fast
The best seasonal talent gets scooped up early. If you wait until May or June, your hiring pool will shrink—and quality may suffer. Start now to secure your top picks and train them properly before the summer heat hits.

Here’s how to prepare:

• Map your schedule: Look at last year’s busy days and projected events to know when extra staff is needed.
• Audit your team: Who’s thriving? Who needs support? Where are your gaps?
• Post now: Don’t wait—start advertising roles early and reach out to top candidates directly.
• Train smart: Build short onboarding plans that cover service standards, upselling, and guest expectations.

At Pinnacle Hospitality Consulting & Recruiting Agency, we help restaurants, breweries, and cafés build winning summer teams with precision recruiting and hospitality expertise. Whether you need servers, managers, or kitchen support, we’ll help you hire smarter.

Ready to grow your team?
Email us at info@hospitalityconsulting.co for a free consultation and make this summer your most successful yet.