Ever walked into your shift and found the freezer broken, half the wine stock missing, no update on last night’s guest complaint, and a late supplier delivery no one mentioned? In hospitality, one messy handover can throw the entire day into chaos. This is why a proper shift handover template is essential in making sure that nothing falls through the cracks, whether it’s guest requests, inventory levels, or equipment issues.
For example, according to HSE UK, poor communication during shift transitions is one of the most common causes of operational failure in complex environments. Restaurants and hotels are no exception and are often more vulnerable due to overlapping departments and jobs and service demands.
Here’s a free shift handover template your team can start using today for better transitions between shifts to reduce stress and maximize performance. Below, you’ll also find a simple guide on how to use it effectively.
Why It’s Important to Have a Shift Handover Template for Restaurants and Hotels
In hospitality, timing is everything. Guests don’t care who’s on shift, but expect a seamless experience. That’s where a shift handover template comes in:
Avoids Miscommunication
Without a central record, crucial details get lost: dietary needs, room change requests, late check-outs, or delivery delays. A written template ensures nothing is left to memory or misheard across a noisy floor.
Maintains Continuity
Whether it’s a hotel front desk or a restaurant kitchen, continuity between shifts minimizes disruption. Incoming staff can instantly get up to speed on what’s been done, what’s still pending, and any critical issues to monitor.
Provides Accountability
Templates create a clear log of who handed off what and when. This reduces finger-pointing, reinforces responsibility, and helps managers identify where issues happen.
Improves Efficiency
A checklist and fielded template eliminate unnecessary back-and-forth during changeovers. The team can jump right into action instead of piecing together scraps of info from texts, whiteboards, or verbal briefings.
How to Use Our Shift Handover Template
We’ve created two PDF shift handover templates, one for restaurants and one for hotels. They’re simple to fill out and easy to implement:
- Download the template by clicking the button at the end of this article.
- Fill out the header section (date, shift times, names) as soon as the shift begins.
- Summarize key events: reservations, VIP guests, room turnovers, guest feedback.
- Flag ongoing tasks or unresolved issues: equipment problems, housekeeping backlogs, stock shortages.
- Log incidents clearly: Who, what, when, and any resolution steps.
- Complete checklist: POS closures, cash floats, key logs, cleaning routines.
- Sign off: Outgoing and incoming staff confirm everything’s recorded.
Download the Shift Handover Template
Use this free shift handover template to bring structure and consistency to your daily operations, whether you’re managing a hotel or a restaurant.
It’s easy to implement and works seamlessly with Code of Talent’s free trial, a digital training platform built specifically for hospitality teams. You can use it to onboard new employees faster, deliver hospitality skills training, or keep staff up to date on menu and service standards—all in bite-sized, mobile-friendly modules.
Download the shift handover template and start using it alongside Code of Talent’s microlearning platform to support better handovers, stronger teams, and more confident service from day one!
