Determinants of kitchen staff turnover in Cape Town central business district restaurants: A quantitative study

Orientation: The South African hospitality industry is highly dependent on skilled kitchen staff, yet it continues to experience persistent turnover that disrupts operational efficiency, service quality, and profitability. Although turnover in hotels has been the subject of international research, there is little empirical data specifically addressing restaurant kitchens in Africa. Research purpose: This study aimed to examine the extent, determinants, and consequences of kitchen staff turnover in restaurants located in Cape Town’s Central Business District (CBD). Motivation for the study: Employee retention in restaurant kitchens remains a critical human resource management challenge. The absence of context-specific empirical data limits the development of effective retention strategies in the South African hospitality sector. Research approach/design and method: A quantitative, correlational research design was adopted. Data were collected from 100 kitchen employees selected through systematic and convenience sampling across CBD restaurants. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS (v26), employing descriptive and inferential statistics. Main findings: Low pay, long working hours, poor working conditions, and limited career advancement opportunities were identified as key drivers of turnover, with significant differences observed across age and qualification levels. Practical/managerial implications: The findings offer evidence-based insights for restaurant managers and policymakers to design targeted interventions focusing on fair compensation, workload management, and career progression to improve employee retention. Contribution/value-add: Anchored in Job Embeddedness and Herzberg’s Motivation-Hygiene theories, the study contributes empirical evidence to the underexplored context of restaurant kitchens in South Africa and incorporates best practice models to enhance workforce stability within the hospitality industry.