Smart Cookie Newsletter - Issue #7

Why Don’t Bakery Owners and Operators Invest in Their People?

Author

Jimmy MacMillan
August 4th, 2025

Why Don’t Bakery Owners and Operators Invest in Their People?

Welcome, bakery owners and operators, to a critical conversation about what’s holding your business back. Labor shortages, skyrocketing turnover, and burnout are becoming the new normal in the baking industry, but much of the pain is avoidable.

Why, then, do so many bakery leaders struggle to invest wisely in their most important asset: their people? Let’s uncover the truth behind the hesitation and outline how you can build a bakery that thrives without constantly operating in crisis mode.

The Short-Term Trap: “We Can’t Afford to Slow Down”.

Most bakery owners and operators believe every hour must be dedicated to production, sales, or catching up on orders. The thought of pulling staff for training, cross-skilling, or investing time in development sounds risky, especially during a busy season. But this mindset traps your business in permanent “react mode” and sabotages your ability to grow.

The True Cost of Avoidance Turnover Hurts: Every time you lose a key team member, you pay in job ads, interviews, lost productivity, and even unhappy customers. If you think you can’t afford to train, remember you’re paying more every time someone walks out the door.

Quality Slips: Training Isn’t Just for New Hires. Without upskilling, even your best staff will plateau, and overworked leaders will make more mistakes, ultimately costing your bakery its reputation.

The 5-Step Strategy for Bakery Owners & Operators

  1. Map Every Role and Process

    • List out every function: baking, decorating, customer service, cleaning, ordering.

    • Build simple checklists or video guides—so nobody keeps secrets and everyone can help.

  2. Cross-Train Every Team Member

    • Every baker and decorator should be familiar with at least three core roles.

    • Rotate responsibilities, so one absence never halts operations.

  3. Track Scheduling and Prevent Overtime Burnout

    • Maintain consistent shifts (35–45 hours). Chronic overtime is a warning sign—don’t ignore it.

    • Hire or reorganize early—don’t wait until staff reach their breaking point.

  4. Invest in Training, Recognition, and Career Paths

    • Short, regular in-house workshops. Celebrate new certifications with bonuses and recognition.

    • Create advancement opportunities. Show new hires a clear path to supervisor or senior creative roles.

  5. Review, Listen, and Adapt

    • Quarterly workflow reviews. Encourage your team to flag bottlenecks and propose improvements.

    • Be open: a suggestion box or anonymous survey can spark significant breakthroughs.

Take Action: Shift the Mindset, Reap the Rewards

If you want to deliver consistently high quality and end costly rehiring cycles, the path is clear: start viewing people as your critical investment, not just a line item.

Are you ready to break the “hero” cycle and lead your bakery into sustainable, people-powered success?

Share your challenges or victories with The Smart Cookie. Let’s build a movement of bakery operators who put people—and lasting success—first.

Keep rising,

Jimmy MacMillan

Principal Chef, Consultant, Successful Bakery

P.S. If you found this helpful, forward it to another bakery owner who could benefit from it. Growing together makes us all stronger.