Restaurant Host or Hostess Checklists
Free restaurant host or hostess checklists covering opening, hourly, guest greeting, reservation and weekly tasks, so every guest gets the same welcome.
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Opening 0/10
Every day, before the shift starts
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Arrive early and check in with the manager
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Turn on entrance and waiting area lights
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Clean and organize the host stand
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Stock menus, pens and the reservation book
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Check today's reservations
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Check tables match the floor plan
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Check the entrance, waiting area and restrooms
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Check high chairs and booster seats are clean
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Put up signs for events or promotions
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Learn the daily specials and menu changes
Every hour 0/4
Every hour during the shift
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Update the wait list and wait times
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Tidy the entrance and waiting area
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Check restrooms are tidy and stocked
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Check with the kitchen on sold-out items
During service 0/10
For every guest and booking
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Greet guests with a smile right away
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Ask if they have a reservation
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Give walk-ins an honest wait time
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Seat guests as soon as the table is ready
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Hand out menus and mention the specials
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Mark tables as occupied or free
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Tell servers about VIP and special requests
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Handle changes and cancellations promptly
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Coordinate large parties with servers
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Thank guests as they leave
Closing 0/10
Every day, at the end of the shift
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Tell late guests the last seating time
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Clean and organize the host stand
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Restock supplies for the next shift
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Update tomorrow's reservations
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Tidy the entrance and waiting area
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Turn off the music and adjust lighting
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Write the end-of-shift report
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Pass open issues to the next shift
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Secure cash and valuables
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Check the doors are locked
Weekly 0/6
Once a week
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Deep-clean the host stand
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Update seasonal decor and signs
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Update the staff contact list
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Review guest feedback
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Restock reservation cards and pens
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Review no-shows and cancellations
Monthly 0/5
Once a month
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Attend the monthly staff training
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Update the seating chart if needed
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Deep-clean all host area equipment
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Report equipment that needs repair
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Help plan upcoming events
In MaintainIQ a problem can become a follow-up task that stays open until it is fixed.
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These restaurant host or hostess checklists list what the host stand needs to do on every shift: open the stand, greet and seat guests, manage reservations and the wait list, keep the waiting area tidy, and close out cleanly. They keep service consistent and professional from the moment guests arrive until they leave, no matter who is working the door.
Download Option: A printable PDF version of these checklists is available in the download section for easy use in your restaurant.
Run these checklists on any phone or tablet with MaintainIQ, the checklist and maintenance app for single and multi-location operators.
Why Use Host/Hostess Checklists?
- Better first impressions for every guest
- Smoother seating and reservation management
- Consistent service quality from shift to shift
- A more efficient, organized host team
- Happier guests overall
Checklist Categories
Daily Checklists
Cover the essential tasks for opening, during service and closing, so daily operations run smoothly. They pair well with your restaurant opening and closing checklists.
Hourly Checklists
Keep the entrance and waiting area clean, wait times up to date, and communication with the floor steady throughout the shift. Keep entryway floors dry and clear, since wet floors are a common slip hazard covered by OSHA’s walking-working surfaces rules.
Guest Interaction Checklists
Give hosts clear steps for greeting, seating and thanking each guest, so everyone feels welcome.
Reservation Management Checklists
Make it easier to handle reservations, special requests and table management.
Weekly and Monthly Checklists
Focus on deeper cleaning, staff training and performance reviews to keep improving service quality.
What a Host Checks Each Shift
| When | Tasks |
|---|---|
| Before opening | Review reservations and large parties, set up the host stand, wipe down menus, check the entrance and waiting area |
| During service | Greet guests, quote wait times, seat in rotation, update the wait list, pass special requests to servers |
| Every hour | Tidy the entrance and waiting area, update wait times, check in with the floor on open tables |
| Closing | Clean the host stand and menus, restock supplies, note tomorrow’s reservations and any guest issues |
Key Areas Covered
- Guest Greeting and Seating
- Reservation Management
- Waiting Area Maintenance
- Communication with Kitchen and Servers (see our restaurant server checklist for the other side of the handoff)
- Handling Special Requests and Complaints
- Opening and Closing Procedures
Guest Interaction Guidelines
Our checklists include best practices for guest interactions, so your hosts and hostesses give excellent service:
- Keep a welcoming attitude
- Use guest names when possible
- Know the menu and restaurant policies
- Handle complaints professionally
- Anticipate and meet guest needs
Make the host stand part of your wider front-of-house checklists. With MaintainIQ, an operations app for single and multi-location operators, your hosts complete these checklists on a phone or tablet with due times, and managers see who completed each one and when. See how a digital checklist app keeps every location consistent.