Create a hierarchy no matter how small you are. Start at your entrance and have this wait staff member check every single solitary area of your cafe to ensure that everything is in place and make all staff accountable to that person to correct immediately. Operate from a position of strength rather than fear. Get tough and keep the faith. Of course, as Ms. Hickton knows, owners are loathe to share this information with anyone except the most trusted employees.
Information is power, if used judiciously and effectively.
If an individual server's numbers are comparatively lower than all other wait staff, there is no one to blame, in this case, than the server in question or their manager for inadequate sales and management support. If, conversely, all numbers are spiraling down, there are other factors that need to be addressed which are beyond front of the house employee performance issues. Your wait staff can also offer many valuable observations and suggestions in these proactive meetings. The chef nixed two of the house favorites. Since the new road construction, it is hard to find a parking place.