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Ensure your team is aligned on operations and logistics by using a pre-shift briefing checklist for hospitality.
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Published 9 Mar 2026
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4 min read
A pre-shift briefing checklist for hospitality is a structured document that aligns hospitality teams on logistics, daily operations, goals, and roles before the shift begins. Sometimes also called a pre-shift restaurant template, this document is designed to communicate information and processes to staff members, mitigate potential risks, and verify equipment safety.
A pre-shift briefing checklist for hospitality is essential for hospitality management to track and monitor activities before the shift begins, preventing miscommunication, mishaps, and accidents. By creating a systematic approach to organize pre-shift preparations, this checklist offers several key benefits:
Improves communication and teamwork: Using this checklist ensures that every team member is on the same page by enabling communication, allowing managers to provide feedback, and staff members to voice their concerns.
Drives operational excellence: Consistent checks help staff anticipate and identify the logistics needed for bookings and expected guests.
Prioritizes safety and standards: The checklist also reinforces the need for staff to consider sanitation, safety protocols, and cleaning standards.
Enhances team morale and motivation: Recognition of team and individual achievements from this checklist helps the team feel positive before the shift, boosting team morale.
Manages operational risks: By recognizing issues raised by team members, a checklist can provide the corrective measures needed to prevent disruptions and inconvenience.
An organized pre-shift restaurant template should include key components to verify the goals and service operations before the shift begins. Some of the key components are:
This section of the checklist reviews and monitors the logistics needed for the hospitality team's operations and services. These include:
Attendance and availability of staff members before the shift
Proper and clean staff uniforms and nameplates
Working equipment, tools, and other technological devices
Number of stocks for cleaning supplies, linens, and complimentary items for guests
Verification of guest reservations and VIP bookings
This component lists the menu or daily specials offered before the shift, so that both front-of-house and back-of-house staff members are on the same page. Some of these are:
Daily special offers and promotions
Pricing changes and 86’d menu items that are not available
Dietary and allergen updates for the guests
It focuses on the role designation for the hospitality team. It includes the following:
Confirmation of the manager or supervisor who’s on duty
Assignment of shift roles, including host, server, bartender, and runner
Orientation for new hires or temporary employees
Covering for employees who are absent or on break
Health and safety considerations are crucial for hospitality operations before shifts. This is why this section needs to consider checking the following:
Practice of personal and hand hygiene among employees
Availability of emergency exits, fire extinguishers, first-aid kits, and emergency routes
Training for fire and emergency drills
Identification of safety hazards
It gives staff members the opportunity to provide feedback and raise concerns that need to be addressed for the next shift. Corrective actions, on the other hand, are listed to mitigate potential risks during shifts.
Follow these steps to effectively use a pre-shift briefing checklist for hospitality to ensure operational alignment before each shift:
Provide the necessary details on the title page. This usually includes the manager or supervisor's name, the date, the time, and the location.
Verify and check all preparations and logistics, including attendance and opening procedures. Also, confirm the daily menu and special offerings for the guests.
Assign roles and responsibilities for the team across the front desk, housekeeping, and back-of-house departments.
Assess and evaluate the safety and functionality of the equipment and tools used.
Attach any media annotations and notes to provide feedback, concerns, or corrective actions for the hotel pre shift template.
Complete the pre-shift briefing checklist for hospitality with a sign-off.
For reference, here is a completed pre-shift briefing for hospitality report:
Preview Pre-Shift Briefing for Hospitality PDF Report
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