How to Run a Pre-Shift Meeting
Last updated on 6/21/2023Pre-shift meetings are an essential part of running a successful restaurant. These meetings are held before each shift and involve all staff members, including managers, servers, chefs, and busboys. The purpose of a pre-shift meeting is to ensure that everyone is on the same page regarding the day's goals, expectations, and challenges.
What Is a Pre-Shift Meeting?
A pre-shift meeting, also known as a lineup or a huddle, is a brief meeting held before the start of each shift. During a pre-shift meeting, the team will typically review the day's specials, any menu changes, and important information about ingredients or preparation techniques. They may also discuss any reservations or private events that are scheduled for the day.
In addition to discussing the day's operations, pre-shift meetings are also a time for team members to share feedback and ideas. This can include discussing any challenges that arose during the previous shift or brainstorming ways to improve efficiency or handle potential customer complaints.
Why Are Pre-Shift Meetings Important?
Pre-shift meetings are crucial in the foodservice industry because they serve as a platform for managers and employees to communicate. These meetings allow managers to disseminate important information to all team members at once. This is also a time for front-of-house and back-of-house employees to come together and share concerns.
Pre-shift meetings have a positive impact on customer service. By discussing the day's specials and promotions, employees can better inform customers and make recommendations, which can lead to increased sales and customer satisfaction.
Pre-Shift Meeting Template
Using a template is an effective way to keep your meeting on track. You can use it to outline your agenda and then post it at the end of the meeting where all team members can refer back to it if needed. Check out our sample pre-shift meeting template to get started.
How to Hold a Pre-Shift Meeting
Structure and routine are two important components that contribute to a successful shift meeting. To create structure, you should have an agenda or checklist of topics to cover. Hold your pre-shift meeting in a quiet location away from guests, and start the meeting about 15 minutes before the shift. Keeping a routine ensures that your team members know when and where to gather for the meeting.
You can tailor your meetings to suit your needs, but these are some common pre-shift topics to cover:
1. General Information
Start the meeting off with some general information about the day ahead. This can include scheduling changes, team member roles, and any special events or reservations. It's also a good time to acknowledge any team birthdays or milestones.
2. Weather Implications
Weather can have a significant impact on your service, so it's important to discuss any potential weather implications. For example, if it's raining, you may need to adjust your outdoor seating arrangements. Or if it's extremely hot, you may need to adjust your menu or make sure your team is staying hydrated.
3. Expected Volume
Discussing the projected level of volume for the shift can help your team prepare and stay focused. Are you expecting a slow lunch rush or a busy dinner service? This information aids in prioritizing tasks and ensures all employees are ready for potential rushes.
4. Team Members on Duty
Collaboration and teamwork are important in a busy restaurant environment, but you would be surprised to learn that many team members don't even know each other's names! This is because of the large number of roles and shifts required to keep a restaurant operational. Take the time to acknowledge the team members on duty for the shift, including the back-of-house and front-of-house teams.
5. Menu Specials
A pre-shift meeting is a great time to talk about menu specials, what they taste like, and how to describe them to guests. Prepare small samples of any new menu items and share them with the team. By conducting taste tests during your pre-shift meetings, you can ensure that your specials meet the standards of your menu and satisfy your customers. Plus, it's a great way to get your staff members involved and invested in the success of your restaurant.
6. Safety and Sanitation
It's a good practice to provide daily reminders about food safety practices in your shift meetings. If there's a chicken special on the menu, go over the basics of safe defrosting, handling, and cooking. You can even provide demos on certain processes like washing hands at the correct sink or using a three-compartment sink the proper way. Everyone needs a gentle reminder to stay food-safe and sanitary at all times.
7. Giving Praise
Giving praise to employees in a pre-shift meeting is an effective way to motivate and engage your staff. keep in mind that praise should be genuine and sincere. Take the time to truly appreciate and acknowledge your employees' efforts, and they will be more likely to continue performing at a high level.
Fun Pre-Shift Ideas
A pre-shift huddle doesn't have to be boring! Make sure you leave room at the end of the meeting for something entertaining. Here are some fun pre-shift ideas to help you shake things up:
- Kitchen Slang: Sometimes it seems like kitchen staff members speak their own language. You can request that your back-of-house team members share a kitchen slang term and ask front-of-house staff to guess its meaning.
- Bilingual Lessons: With the help of your Spanish-speaking staff, create a short vocab list of kitchen Spanish phrases and share it with the team.
- Food Trivia: Ask a food-related trivia question at the end of every pre-shift meeting and give out candy or treats as prizes.
- Blind Taste Tests: Taste testing new menu items is already fun, but you can make it even more exciting by doing a blind taste test. Blindfold your team members and have them try a sampling of dishes.
- Guessing Games: Keep your employees engaged by taking guesses on the number of specials you'll sell, the volume of sales, or average ticket times for the shift. Record an ongoing tally of answers and award a winner at the end of the week.
Tips for a Successful Team Meeting
A great shift meeting should provide value for all your team members. Keep these tips in mind while you prepare your meeting agenda:
- Keep it brief: Pre-shift meetings should be short and to the point. Staff members are often busy getting ready for their shifts and don't have a lot of time to spare. Keep the meeting under 15 minutes and focus on the most important information.
- Be prepared: Create an agenda for the meeting and be prepared to cover all the topics you need to discuss. This will help keep the meeting on track and ensure that all important information is covered.
- Encourage participation: A pre-shift meeting should be a two-way conversation. Encourage staff members to ask questions or voice any concerns they may have. This helps create a sense of teamwork and cooperation.
- Focus on the day ahead: Use the pre-shift meeting to discuss any special events or promotions that are happening that day. This will help staff members prepare for any changes in workflow or menu items.
- Emphasize safety: Safety should always be a top priority in any restaurant. Use the pre-shift meeting to review any safety procedures or protocols that staff members need to be aware of. This will help keep everyone safe and prevent accidents from happening.
By following these tips, you can ensure that your pre-shift meetings are productive and effective. They will help set the tone for the day ahead and ensure that everyone is working together as a team.
Pre-Shift Meeting FAQ
We answer common questions about pre-shift meetings below:
Do You Need a Pre-Shift Meeting?
Yes, we think you do! Because there are many different roles in a busy restaurant, it can be challenging to disseminate info to every employee at the same time. A pre-shift meeting allows you to touch base with all team members and provide a forum for communication. Ultimately, a pre-shift huddle boosts morale and helps improve your workplace culture.
Who Should Attend a Pre-Shift Meeting?
All team members who are working that shift should attend the pre-shift meeting. This includes managers, servers, bartenders, chefs, and kitchen staff. It's important to ensure that everyone is on the same page and has a clear understanding of what's expected of them.
Who Runs a Pre-Shift Meeting?
A pre-shift meeting is run by the manager on duty, usually the front-of-house manager. If there is more than one manager during the shift, sometimes they will take turns running the meeting.
Overall, pre-shift meetings are a valuable tool for any restaurant looking to improve communication, safety, and teamwork among staff members. By making these meetings a regular part of the workday, restaurants can set themselves up for success and provide the best possible experience for their customers.
