Free restaurant template · Sheet
Restaurant pre-shift meeting template
Free to use and edit. These are starting drafts, not legal advice: have an employment attorney review any policy before you rely on it.
The template
[Restaurant name]
Pre-Shift Meeting Sheet
Date:
Shift:
Manager on duty:
Chef or kitchen lead:
Tonight
Covers booked:
Large parties (time, size, section):
VIPs, regulars and occasions:
Events or weather that change the night:
Menu
86'd or limited items:
Specials (name, price, how to describe it):
Allergens in the specials:
Wine, beer or cocktail to feature:
Floor plan and stations
| Section or station | Name | In time | Break or cut order |
|---|---|---|---|
One focus for this shift
Why it matters:
Recognition
Who, and for what:
Housekeeping
- Everyone clocked in before the meeting
- Uniform check
- Staff asked about allergies and menu questions
- Announcements (schedule, training, policy)
Notes for the next shift
Starting draft from Back of House Ops (backhousehr.com). Edit it to fit your restaurant. It is not legal advice.
Massachusetts rules
The rules that apply to this document
Are pre-shift meetings, orientation and required training paid time?
Yes, when you require them. In Massachusetts, working time includes all time an employee is required to be on the premises or on duty, before or after the shift. Required food-safety or allergen training for your own restaurant is working time.
Full answer and official sourceCan servers be paid $6.75 for prep, cleaning or other side work?
No. The Department of Labor Standards says hours a tipped employee spends on non-tipped work, such as kitchen prep or cleaning, must be paid at least the full $15.00, and tips earned during serving hours cannot be used to cover them.
Full answer and official sourceWhat are the food allergy rules for Massachusetts restaurants?
Restaurants must display the state-approved food allergen poster in the staff area, print "Before placing your order, please inform your server if a person in your party has a food allergy" on menus and menu boards, and have a certified food protection manager on staff who holds a Massachusetts allergen awareness certificate.
Full answer and official source
Rules checked against official sources on . General information, not legal or tax advice.
Where restaurants go wrong
- Holding pre-shift before clock-in. A required meeting is paid time.
- Reading the specials without their allergens. That is the question a guest will ask first.
- Using the meeting to correct one person in front of everyone. Do that privately and write it down.
Your restaurant remains the employer of record and approves payroll and employment decisions. BOHO is not a PEO, a staffing agency, or legal counsel. This template is a starting draft for you to edit. It does not decide how the rules apply to your restaurant, so have counsel review any policy or separation before you rely on it.
Want the numbers behind it? Try the restaurant calculators.
Rather have someone keep these documents current?
Your restaurant remains the employer of record and approves payroll and employment decisions. BOHO is not a PEO, a staffing agency, or legal counsel.