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
Download a ready-to-use Excel schedule to help you plan staff shifts across front of house and back of house—clearly, consistently, and with less stress.
What’s included in the free scheduling template:
A downloadable Excel spreadsheet you can customise to suit your restaurant’s needs
A full 7-day schedule layout, designed for both front of house and kitchen teams
Step-by-step instructions to help you get started quickly
How does staff scheduling work in a restaurant?
As covered in our guide to restaurant scheduling, a strong rota ensures the right number of staff are working at the right time—based on customer demand, shift patterns, and team capacity.
Getting this right requires thoughtful planning, a bit of trial and error, and regular adjustments. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach, but a well-structured rota template can save hours of admin work each week.
How do I create a restaurant staff rota?
Most restaurants in the UK schedule staff on a weekly basis, but your approach may differ depending on your size, service style, and team preferences.
Whatever format you choose, one key factor is rota lead time—how far in advance your team receives the schedule. Even a two-week rota can feel last-minute if Monday’s shifts are only posted on Sunday morning. Publishing your rota with enough notice helps improve communication, reduces shift confusion, and builds trust among your staff.
Download the free restaurant rota template
A poorly planned rota can create stress and confusion for your team. But when you get scheduling right, it helps your restaurant run more smoothly—and your staff feel more supported.
Use this template to plan and adjust weekly rotas in Excel. You can update the spreadsheet digitally and share it with your team via email or messaging app, or print it and post it in a shared staff area.
Disclaimer: The Restaurant Scheduling Template is provided for informational purposes only. While it’s designed to be helpful, we don’t guarantee its accuracy or suitability for your specific business. The template does not constitute financial, legal, or HR advice, and no support services are provided for its use.
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