Balance tricky availability and busy shifts with better scheduling
Use the restaurant rota template to schedule staff shifts with ease. You can update the rota digitally each week, then either share it with your team online—via email or messaging app—or print it and post it in your staff area for easy access.
Free Restaurant Staff Rota Template for Hospitality Businesses
Download a clear, editable Excel schedule to help you plan staff shifts across the kitchen and front of house—designed for Irish restaurants, cafés, pubs, and hospitality venues.
What’s included in the free rota template:
A downloadable Excel spreadsheet you can customise for your own schedule
A full 7-day layout for planning front of house and kitchen shifts
Easy-to-follow instructions to help you get started
How does staff scheduling work in a restaurant?
As explained in our guide to restaurant scheduling, the goal of a rota is simple: match the right number of staff to the expected level of customer demand. But making it work in practice takes time, attention, and regular adjustments.
From lunch rushes to weekend cover, scheduling requires balancing business needs with staff availability. A rota template can make the process more efficient—helping you reduce last-minute gaps, avoid overstaffing, and create more reliable shift patterns.
How do I create a staff rota for a restaurant?
Many Irish restaurants plan their schedules weekly, though some venues prefer bi-weekly or monthly formats. The most important thing is to establish a rota that works for your team and gives everyone enough notice.
Pay attention to rota lead time—how far in advance staff receive their shifts. Even a two-week rota can cause issues if Monday’s schedule isn’t shared until Sunday. Providing notice not only helps your team prepare, it also supports better communication and fairness across shifts.
Download your free restaurant rota template
An unclear or inconsistent rota can lead to stress, missed shifts, and team frustration. But a well-planned schedule makes all the difference—especially in a fast-paced hospitality environment.
Use this free Excel rota to organise your weekly shifts. Update the spreadsheet digitally and share it with your team by email or messaging app, or print and post it in your staff area.
Disclaimer: This Restaurant Scheduling Template is intended for informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal, financial, or HR advice, and no support is provided for its use or any decisions made from it.
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