Host / Seating SOP
Daily host and seating SOP: floor plan, reservations, guest greeting, table readiness, and server notification.
- Estimated time
- 10 min
- Frequency
- daily
- Business type
- restaurant
- Category
- training
- Role
- host
- Role
- floor manager
- Role
- shift lead
Purpose
Seat every guest consistently with accurate wait times, clean tables, and smooth server handoff.
Hosts follow this seating SOP every shift. Review the floor plan and reservations at pre-shift, greet guests within 30 seconds, and confirm the table is ready before walking the party.
Pre-Shift
Prepare floor plan and systems before doors open.
-
Floor plan and section assignments reviewed
-
Reservations loaded in the system
-
Waitlist system ready and tested
Pass / Fail
Guest Arrival
Greet and qualify every arriving party.
-
Party greeted within 30 seconds
-
Party size confirmed
-
Accurate wait time communicated
Seating
Seat the party and hand off to the server.
-
Table clean and ready before seating
Pass / Fail
-
Assigned server notified
-
Menus presented to the table
-
Special requests or notes (optional)
Note
Frequently Asked Questions
- How quickly should hosts greet arriving guests?
- Greet every party within 30 seconds of arrival, even if you cannot seat them immediately. Acknowledge them, confirm party size, and communicate wait time.
- What should hosts check before seating a table?
- Confirm the table is clean, set with menus, and the previous party has cleared. Never seat a dirty or uncleared table.
- How do hosts communicate with servers when seating?
- Notify the assigned server by name or section before the party sits. Note special requests: highchair, allergy flag, celebration: on the seating notes field.
- Should hosts manage the waitlist during rush?
- Yes. Update wait times every 10–15 minutes during rush and text guests if your system supports it. Keep the waitlist system ready at pre-shift.
- Who signs off on the host seating SOP?
- The floor manager reviews pre-shift setup and spot-checks greeting and seating during service. Sign off at mid-shift or close.