At Francesca’s Pizza + Sandos, a quiet kitchen is a problem. In a fast-paced environment with hot ovens, sharp knives, and people moving quickly, constant communication isn't just polite, it's essential. It prevents accidents, ensures orders are correct, and keeps the whole team synchronised. We call this proactive communication style 'Francesca's Way'.

Think of it like a sports team. Players don't just run around silently. They call out their positions, signal for the ball, and confirm they've heard the play. We do the same. This isn't about small talk; it's about using specific, clear language to move as a single, efficient unit.

The foundation of Francesca's Way is a simple 'call and response' system. Every instruction or important piece of information must be acknowledged. The most common and crucial response you will use is one single word: "Heard".

When a manager or another team member gives you a task, like "Fire one large pepperoni!" or "Can you restock the mozzarella?", you must reply with a loud and clear "Heard". This tells the speaker two things: you heard them, and you are taking ownership of the task. Without that confirmation, they have to assume the instruction was lost in the noise. It closes the communication loop and prevents tasks from being forgotten.

The same applies when you read a new order from the ticket machine. You announce the key items to the team and acknowledge that it's in progress. For example, grabbing a new ticket, you'd call out, "Ticket! One pizza, one salad!" This lets the person at the salad station know they need to start working, and the pizza maker knows what's next in the queue.

The kitchen is a tight space. To avoid collisions, especially when your hands are full or you're carrying something hot, we use directional calls. These aren't suggestions; they are mandatory for everyone's safety.

• 'Behind': Say this loudly anytime you walk behind someone. This prevents them from stepping back suddenly into you.
• 'Corner': Announce this as you approach a blind corner. It warns anyone coming from the other direction.
• 'Hot behind' / 'Sharp behind': Use this when you are carrying something dangerous, like a fresh pizza from the oven or a knife. It adds a level of urgency and tells people not just that you're there, but to be extra careful.

Think of these calls as the verbal equivalent of a car's indicator. You are signalling your movement and your intentions to everyone around you. It quickly becomes second nature and is one of the most important habits of a professional kitchen brigade working in sync.

Good communication isn't just about what's happening right now; it's also about what's about to happen. A key part of Francesca's Way is announcing when supplies are running low before they run out. Running out of an ingredient mid-rush can bring the entire line to a halt.

When you notice you're down to the last few portions of an item, you need to call it out. For example, "Running low on pizza boxes!" or "I've got two meatballs left!". This gives the team a chance to restock or prepare more without interrupting service. It's your responsibility to monitor your station and give a heads-up. Waiting until you have none left is too late.

Using your voice to signal your movements and confirm you've received tasks is what separates a group of individuals from a true team. It ensures safety, speed, and accuracy, making everyone's job easier.