Restaurant Host onboarding at a glance

Week one covers orientation, safety and shadowing. Days 1–30 build vocabulary and supervised practice on core procedures; days 31–60 move to independent work with competency sign-offs; days 61–90 focus on full productivity, cross-training and a credential plan.

Before day one

Confirm start date, schedule, pay and supervisor in writing
Verify required credentials: Hospitality training, Food handler card (as applicable)
Prepare equipment and access: openTable or Resy; waitlist apps; phones; menus
Assign a buddy or preceptor
Enroll the new hire in Restaurant Host training so foundations are covered before or during week one

Week one: orient and protect

Workplace tour, emergency procedures and incident reporting
Keep the entrance clear
Know emergency exits
Watch for allergies on notes
Handle cash safely
Shadow an experienced restaurant host through a full shift
Training modules 1–3: role foundations, a day on the job and essential vocabulary (15 terms)

Days 1–30: learn

Goal: perform core tasks safely under supervision.

Supervised practice: quote an honest wait time
Supervised practice: balance servers with seating rotation
Supervised practice: calm a guest upset about the wait
Training modules 4–7: duties, step-by-step tasks, tools and safety
30-day check-in: confidence, questions and early wins

Days 31–60: contribute

Goal: handle a regular workload independently.

Greet guests: independently
Manage reservations: independently
Run the waitlist: independently
Seat tables: independently
Competency sign-offs completed (see checklist below)
Training final knowledge check and certificate of completion
60-day check-in

Days 61–90: own

Goal: full productivity and a growth plan.

Meet productivity and quality targets for the role
Begin cross-training on a secondary task
Agree on a credential goal (for example, Hospitality training)
Discuss the career path: Host → Lead Host → Server
90-day review

Competency checklist

Skill or task	Trained	Observed	Signed off
Quote an Honest Wait Time
Balance Servers With Seating Rotation
Calm a Guest Upset About the Wait
Reservation systems
Waitlist management
Seating rotation
Phone etiquette

How to measure onboarding success

Days to independent shifts
Health inspection and audit results
Guest satisfaction and review scores
30- and 90-day retention

How Restaurant Host training maps to this plan

Introduction to the Restaurant Host Role
A Day on the Job
Essential Restaurant Host Vocabulary
Core Duties and Responsibilities
Common Tasks, Step by Step
Tools, Equipment and Technology
Safety, Compliance and Professional Standards
Skills Employers Look For
Launching Your Restaurant Host Career
Final Knowledge Check

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Restaurant Host Onboarding Plan (30-60-90 Days)