National Waitstaff Day is coming up on Wednesday, May 21. Take the opportunity to let your servers know you appreciate all their hard work.

Make a point of doing something above and beyond any sales incentives you might offer for increased check averages. There are a lot of ways to reward staff for consistently providing good service. This simple act will help to attract and retain the best employees.

Look for the little things your staff does to improve your customer's dining experience and then let them know, in a variety of ways, that you appreciate their efforts. Most people are pleased to simply have some public recognition among their peers. An additional acknowledgement or gift for their hard work is a bonus. Following are some suggestions for employee rewards:

Recognize achievements right away. A quick response will encourage employees to repeat the behavior. Have some incentives on hand to give out on-the-spot when you catch an employee doing an extraordinary job. Lottery tickets, $5 gift cards or movie passes are inexpensive motivational tools to create a positive and rewarding work environment.

Be sure to match the reward to the accomplishment. Keep in mind, employees who solve major problems that could have been disastrous, should receive a more substantial reward than someone who merely agrees to cover an open shift on their day off.

Think about what matters most to your servers. It may not necessarily be dollars, so try to be thoughtful and creative. Call a server into your office just to say “good job” and don't discuss any other issues. Have a quick pre-shift meeting to read aloud a letter of praise or include a note with paychecks recognizing employees who've excelled during the pay period. Let them know you really appreciate their efforts.

It is also a good idea to acknowledge employees with a gift for each year of service. Not only does it recognize their long-term contribution, it tells new employees that their co-workers are in it for the long haul. What could be a better incentive for the entire staff?