We’re two on the line pushing 120 covers on Saturday, running sauté and grill with one expo, and ticket times are creeping no matter how tight we dance. I love the crew and we carry each other, but if they won’t add a body, is this just the grind or is it time to start staging elsewhere?
Ask for a 2‑service trial: bring in a $18/hr ‘floater’ to run apps/plate salads and track ticket times, comps, and your OT — if the numbers improve, that’s your case. If they still pass, start staging elsewhere so you’re not trying to bench 300 without a spotter.
@OP I stopped drowning by pre‑marking long‑cook proteins 70–80% during the lull and holding at 135–140°F, then finishing to temp on pick‑up; shaved 6–8 minutes off tickets without another body — just don’t do it for fish or true rare steaks. Can your expo call a 10‑minute seat hold when the rail hits 12?