Hospitality shift handover checklist

A useful handover gives the next person a clear place to start. It should explain what is still open, what matters next, and who owns it. It doesn’t need to retell the entire day.

Use the same four questions.

1. What changed? Flag changes to staffing, availability, equipment, or expected demand. Say what the change means for the next shift.
2. What is still open? Record unresolved guest requests, maintenance issues, orders, and follow-ups in the appropriate approved system. Avoid putting private guest details in a shared note.
3. What happens next? Give the next action and a sensible check-in time. “Waiting on a part; manager to confirm delivery by noon” is more useful than “maintenance issue.”
4. Who owns it? Assign a role or a named responsible person. Confirm that the person knows the item has passed to them.

End with a read-back.

Ask the incoming lead to name the top priority and the biggest watch item. That small check can reveal a misunderstanding while both people are still in the room.

Keep the routine short enough to survive a busy day. A consistent five-minute exchange is more useful than an elaborate form that nobody finishes.

Try it on the next shift.

Write four headings: Changed, Open, Next, Owner. Bring one real item to the handover. Refine the routine after the team has used it.

A restaurant handover example

This is an illustrative example. Use your own approved procedures, and keep sensitive details in the appropriate business system. For the conversation before service, use the hospitality pre-shift briefing template.