CDD Restauration Template for France

When you're operating a restaurant or hospitality business in France, you need proper employment contracts that comply with strict French labour laws. A CDD Restauration (Contrat à Durée Déterminée) is a fixed-term employment contract specifically tailored for the restaurant and hospitality sector, ensuring you meet all legal requirements while protecting both your business and your employees' rights.

When do you need this document?

You'll need a CDD Restauration when hiring temporary staff for your restaurant, café, or hospitality business. This contract is essential for seasonal workers during busy periods like summer tourism or holiday seasons, replacement staff covering for employees on leave, or additional personnel during special events or increased business activity. The restaurant industry's fluctuating demands make fixed-term contracts particularly valuable, allowing you to adjust your workforce legally while meeting customer service requirements. You must ensure the contract clearly states the specific reason for the temporary hiring, as French law requires justification for using fixed-term rather than permanent contracts.

Key legal considerations

Your CDD Restauration must include several critical elements to be legally valid. The contract must specify the precise reason for the temporary hiring, the exact duration or end date, and detailed job responsibilities. You're required to include trial period terms that comply with the Convention collective nationale HCR, salary details including any sector-specific bonuses or benefits, and working time arrangements that respect French labour law limits. The contract must also outline termination conditions and end-of-contract compensation rights. Be aware that you cannot use a CDD to replace an employee on strike or for inherently permanent positions. Failure to properly structure the contract can result in it being reclassified as a permanent employment contract by French courts.

Legal requirements in France

Under French law, your CDD Restauration must comply with Articles L1242-1 through L1242-2 of the Code du travail, which define when and how you can use fixed-term contracts. The contract duration cannot exceed 18 months including renewals, though specific exceptions may apply in the hospitality sector. You must provide written contracts before or on the employee's start date, and ensure compliance with working time regulations under Articles L3121-1 to L3121-49, including mandatory rest periods and overtime compensation. The Convention collective nationale HCR provides additional sector-specific requirements for wages, working conditions, and employee benefits. Upon contract termination, you must pay an end-of-contract indemnity equal to 10% of the total gross salary earned, unless the employee is offered a permanent position or the contract was for replacement purposes.