Podcast Summary: RESTAURANT STRATEGY

Host: Chip Klose
Episode: The Keys to a Successful Pre-Shift Meeting (ENCORE)
Date: October 20, 2025

Overview

This episode focuses on the importance of running effective pre-shift meetings (also known as pre-meal, lineup, huddle, or alley rally) in restaurants. Host Chip Klose shares best practices and common missteps, aiming to help restaurant owners maximize the impact of these meetings to ensure the whole team is aligned, motivated, and equipped for a successful shift.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Why Pre-Shift Meetings Matter

• Pre-shift meetings are crucial for "getting your team on the same page and keeping them on the same page." (00:00)
• It's the restaurant's version of a team huddle—a brief gathering to focus, inform, and energize the team for the shift ahead.

2. Common Mistakes in Pre-Shift Meetings

The "Wrong" Ways:

• Too Long: Meetings often drag on well past 15 minutes, which is a waste of valuable time and drains team morale.
  • "If they're going more than about 15 minutes, it's way too long, right?" (06:15)
• Wrong Tone: Meetings are often lectures instead of conversations, making staff feel talked at rather than included.
  • "No one wants to be lectured at for 25 minutes before they're ready to go into battle in a restaurant." (06:40)
• Lack of Structure: Disorganized meetings that jump from topic to topic cause confusion and disengagement.
• Skipping Meetings Altogether: Due to staggered start times and labor costs, some restaurants skip pre-shift meetings, which Chip says is a mistake.
  • "I know a lot of you have done away with pre-shift meetings entirely... I think that's a problem." (08:00)
• One Size Doesn't Fit All: Trying to emulate other restaurants' meeting structures without tailoring to your team's needs.

3. Adapting to Operational Realities

• Staggered start times are common due to labor constraints; Chip encourages running multiple brief meetings instead of abandoning them.
  • "Now you can do two pre-shift meetings... that's fine." (09:10)
• The goal is not to gather everyone at once, but to ensure everyone receives the vital information for their shift.

4. The Right Way to Run a Pre-Shift Meeting

A. Keep It Short

• Under 15 minutes is ideal; shoot for 10 minutes if possible.
  • "It's gotta be under 15 minutes. If you can make it 10 minutes, great, right?" (19:10)

B. Structure the Meeting

• Consistency is key: meetings should follow the same format every time.
• Example structure for a full-service restaurant:
  1. General Manager/Owner: Quick welcome and overarching announcements.
  2. Host: Overview of the reservation book (number of covers, VIPs, special events).
  3. Chef: Updates on menu changes, specials, 86s.
  4. Pastry Chef: Dessert updates or changes.
  5. Bar/Beverage: Any liquor 86s, featured cocktails, wines by the glass.
  6. Service Manager: Notes on weekly focus topics or service reminders.
  7. General Manager: Final thoughts, motivational notes, and send-off.
  • "There should be structure to it, right? Tonight is Thursday night. We have X number of covers coming in..." (26:24)

C. Change the Tone: Let the Team Speak

• Managers should only talk about 20% of the time, with 80% coming from team members.
  • "80% of the time during the meeting, you should not be speaking." (21:10)
• Staff from each department share relevant updates, creating ownership and engagement.
  • "Let the servers do it or the bartenders or the people. Let the hourly staff take ownership of it." (27:40)

D. Inspire and Motivate

• Include a positive, uplifting element at least once per meeting.
  • Share positive reviews, customer thank-yous, or recognize team members going "above and beyond."
  • "Make it cool to care, right? Make it cool for other people to acknowledge the great things that other people are doing." (36:15)
• Example: An "Above and Beyond" award, where one employee recognizes another for exceptional service.

E. Physical and Mental Engagement

• Encourage standing meetings to keep energy up; don't let meetings drag so long that people become disengaged.
  • "If you can keep people standing, it's great because it keeps them active." (39:00)

F. Documentation: Meeting Notes

• Distribute or post written notes so staff can reference key points later, especially if they were late or forget details.
  • "Always recommend having notes... so people can fold them up, put them in their pocket or they get posted in the back somewhere..." (41:05)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Chip Klose on meeting structure:
  "You want to talk about the right way? We're going to talk about the right way in just a second... You got to say the number one most important thing is to actually have a pre-shift meeting." (17:59)
• On splitting meetings for staggered shifts:
  "It's totally fine. You don't need an audience of 30 people to have a meeting. The meeting, the purpose of the meeting is to make sure everybody's on the same page." (12:34)
• On shifting the tone:
  "It's the staff trying to help each other. It's not managers lecturing or speaking at a staff. It's the staff, you know, really leading that meeting." (37:24)
• On recognition:
  "Make it cool to care, right? Make it cool for other people to acknowledge the great things that other people are doing that will help bring more positivity and optimism into your team." (36:15)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:00] – Introduction to the importance of pre-shift meetings
• [06:15] – Common mistakes: meetings too long and wrong tone
• [09:10] – Adapting to staggered shift times; alternative approaches
• [17:59] – Transition to "the right way" to run meetings
• [19:10] – Keep meetings under 15 minutes; focus on brevity
• [21:10] – The 80/20 rule: Letting staff take lead
• [26:24] – Structured meeting walkthrough
• [36:15] – Incorporating inspiration and recognition
• [37:24] – Staff-led engagement and peer-to-peer teaching
• [41:05] – Importance of meeting notes

Final Thoughts

Chip Klose concludes by urging listeners to rethink or reinstate their pre-shift meetings, stressing that a well-structured, engaging, and brief meeting can dramatically enhance team morale and effectiveness. He suggests that small weekly improvements, especially in communication practices, can help drive restaurants toward consistent, predictable profitability.

For owners and managers:
If you’ve abandoned or let your pre-shift meetings bloat and lose purpose, this episode offers a practical, actionable reset that could have an outsized impact on your team's focus, engagement, and culture.