Shift Handover Log
Restaurant shift handover log: covers, 86 list, equipment issues, cash status, and dual manager sign-off between outgoing and incoming leads.
- Estimated time
- 10 min
- Frequency
- daily
- Business type
- restaurant
- Category
- audit
- Role
- manager
- Role
- shift lead
- Role
- kitchen manager
Purpose
Transfer operational context between managers without verbal-only handoffs that lose critical details.
Complete this shift handover log at every manager change: opening to mid, mid to close, or close to opening. Both outgoing and incoming managers sign before the handoff is complete.
Operations Summary
Summarize shift performance and menu status.
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Covers or tickets this shift
Range: ≥ 0
-
86 list updated and communicated
-
Special events, comps, or VIP notes (optional)
Note
Equipment & Maintenance
Flag issues for the next shift.
-
Equipment issues reported and pass
Pass / Fail
-
Maintenance vendor calls logged if applicable
Cash & Security
Confirm financial handoff status.
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Cash drawer reconciled per cash handling SOP
-
Bank deposit prepared or secured
Pass / Fail
Handoff Sign-Off
Both managers confirm the transfer.
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Outgoing manager signature
Signature
-
Incoming manager signature
Signature
-
Additional handover notes (optional)
Note
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is a restaurant shift handover log?
- A shift handover log documents what the outgoing manager passes to the incoming manager: sales volume, 86 items, equipment problems, cash status, and open issues. Both managers sign to confirm the transfer.
- Who should complete the shift handover?
- The outgoing shift lead or manager completes the log with the incoming manager present. Both sign before the outgoing manager leaves the building.
- What should be included in a shift handover?
- Cover count or ticket volume, updated 86 list, equipment or maintenance issues, cash drawer and deposit status, staffing notes, and any guest incidents that affect the next shift.
- How is a handover log different from opening and closing checklists?
- Opening and closing checklists verify tasks. A handover log transfers context between people: what happened on this shift that the next manager must know.
- Should ghost kitchens and QSR locations use handover logs?
- Yes. Delivery-only and high-volume kitchens benefit from written handoffs on platform outages, packaging shortages, and equipment downtime, not just full-service dining rooms.