1. Understand the Expected Business

Review and analyze:

• Expected sales
• Expected transactions
• Historical sales by hour
• Peak hours
• Expected dine-in business
• Delivery orders
• Promotions
• Events or holidays
• Weather impact (when relevant)
• Large bookings or groups
• Previous-day operational issues
• Product availability

2. Determine the Required Manpower

Set the right number of people for each period.

Key Principle: Manpower should follow workload.

3. Match Employees to Positions

The right person in the right position. Consider:

• Skill level
• Experience
• Product knowledge
• Speed
• Reliability
• Leadership ability
• Station certification/training
• Individual strengths and weaknesses

Example: During a busy period, place your fastest and most experienced employee on the most critical station.

4. Plan the Deployment

Decide where every employee will work during the shift.

• FOH: Cashier, Host, Service, Runner, Dining area
• BOH: Grill, Fryer, Preparation, Assembly, Dishwashing
• Support: Shift leader, Receiving, Cleaning, Delivery orders

5. Plan Around Peak Hours

Anticipate the rush before it happens.

• 17:00 – Preparation begins
• 18:00 – Additional employees deployed
• 18:30 – Critical products checked
• 19:00 – 21:00 – Peak operation
• 21:00 – Gradual reduction of manpower
• 22:00 – Closing preparation

6. Consider Employee Breaks

Breaks should be:

• Planned in advance
• Compliant with company policy and applicable regulations
• Staggered
• Avoided during critical periods (where possible)
• Covered by another employee

7. Prepare for Contingencies

Assume something may go wrong. Possible scenarios:

• Employee absence
• Late arrival
• Equipment breakdown
• Unexpected large order
• Delivery surge
• Product shortage
• Customer complaint
• Sudden sales increase

Have a basic backup plan. Use cross-training to cover critical stations when needed.

8. Conduct the Pre-Shift Briefing

Communicate the plan before operations begin. Today:

• Sales target
• Expected transactions
• Peak hours
• Staffing & deployment
• Promotions
• Critical products
• Service priorities
• Food-safety priorities
• Previous problems
• Individual responsibilities

The Goal: Everyone starts the shift knowing what is expected.

9. Monitor and Adjust the Plan

A shift plan is not a fixed document. Compare planned vs. actual workload.

If sales increase:

• Add support
• Reallocate employees
• Protect critical stations
• Increase preparation
• Monitor service time

If sales are lower:

• Reduce unnecessary deployment
• Adjust breaks
• Reallocate employees
• Control labor hours