Keep Power Above 60%
Power is your lifeline. Without sufficient power, you'll lose lights, cameras, and critical systems. The golden rule: never let power drop below 60%.
Power Management Strategies
- Monitor Constantly: Check your power level between every customer
- 60% Threshold: When power hits 60%, prioritize conservation over speed
- Emergency Protocols: If power drops below 60%, reduce non-essential operations
- Power Sources: Know where to find power restoration items if available
- System Priority: Lights and cameras are more critical than other systems
Many beginners focus on serving customers and forget to monitor power until it's too late. Set a mental reminder to check power levels regularly. Running out of power during a critical moment can be fatal.
Maintain a Buffer of ≥6 Meat Pieces
Running out of meat during a busy period is a disaster. Always maintain a buffer of at least 6 meat pieces ready to use:
Meat Buffer Management
- Minimum Buffer: Always keep 6+ pieces of meat ready
- Cut During Lulls: Use quiet periods to cut more meat
- Monitor Stock: Check meat count after every few orders
- Emergency Cutting: If buffer drops below 6, prioritize cutting over serving
- Quality Matters: Ensure meat is properly cut and ready to use
The key to maintaining your meat buffer is proactive management. Don't wait until you're down to 2-3 pieces before cutting more. Use every quiet moment to prepare additional meat. This buffer will save you during busy periods when you can't afford to stop and cut meat.
Cut During Lulls
Time management is crucial. Use quiet periods effectively to prepare for busy times:
- Identify Lulls: Recognize when there are no customers or long gaps between orders
- Prioritize Preparation: Use lulls for cutting meat, organizing supplies, and checking systems
- Don't Waste Time: Every quiet moment is an opportunity to prepare
- Balance Act: Don't cut meat when a customer is waiting, but do it between orders
- Multi-tasking: Check cameras and power levels while cutting meat
Beginners often stand idle during quiet periods, then panic when they run out of meat during a rush. Develop the habit of using every spare moment productively.
Stage Wraps/Sauces for Speed and Stability
Pre-staging supplies can dramatically improve your speed and reduce mistakes during busy periods:
Staging Strategy
- Lavash Ready: Keep lavash wraps easily accessible near the preparation board
- Sauce Preparation: Have sauces ready to apply quickly
- Cheese Access: Position cheese within easy reach
- Salad Ready: Keep salad ingredients prepared and accessible
- Workflow Optimization: Arrange items in the order you use them
Staging doesn't just mean having items available—it means having them in the right place at the right time. Organize your workspace so that every ingredient is within easy reach, reducing movement and saving precious seconds with each order.
Resource Monitoring Routine
Develop a routine for checking your resources regularly:
Between-Customer Checklist
- Check power level (must be above 60%)
- Count meat pieces (maintain 6+ buffer)
- Verify wraps and sauces are staged
- Check camera system functionality
- Assess if you need to cut more meat
- Prepare for next customer
This routine should become automatic. After serving each customer, quickly run through this checklist. It only takes a few seconds but can prevent critical resource failures.
Resource Emergency Protocols
Know what to do when resources are critically low:
Low Power Protocol (Below 60%)
- Immediately reduce non-essential power usage
- Prioritize cameras and lights over other systems
- Consider closing window temporarily to conserve power
- Look for power restoration opportunities
- Prepare for potential system failures
Low Meat Protocol (Below 6 pieces)
- Stop serving new customers if possible
- Immediately cut more meat
- Use any available lull to rebuild buffer
- Prioritize meat cutting over other tasks
- Consider closing window briefly to cut meat safely
Common Resource Management Mistakes
Avoid these common mistakes that lead to resource failures:
- Ignoring Power: Forgetting to monitor power until it's critical
- No Meat Buffer: Cutting meat only when you run out
- Wasting Lulls: Standing idle instead of preparing supplies
- Poor Staging: Having supplies scattered and hard to reach
- Reactive Management: Only managing resources when problems occur
- No Emergency Plan: Not knowing what to do when resources are low
Conclusion
Resource management is about proactive planning and constant monitoring. Keep power above 60%, maintain a meat buffer of 6+ pieces, cut during lulls, and stage your supplies for speed. Develop a routine for checking resources between customers, and always have emergency protocols ready. Good resource management won't just help you survive longer—it will make your entire shift smoother and less stressful. Master these basics, and you'll have a solid foundation for handling more complex situations as you progress.