How to run a pre-shift that actually lands

Five minutes, the whole team in one place, right before the doors open. It's the highest-leverage moment of the night, and most restaurants waste it reading the 86 list in a monotone.

Give them one thing

A team can't hold ten priorities. Pick one focus for the shift — the first 90 seconds, check-back timing, selling the by-the-glass list — and make it the lens for the night.

Make it specific and make it human

• Name a win from last service. Specific, by name. People repeat what gets noticed.
• Run the one thing as a quick rep, not a lecture. Say the line. Let them say it back.
• End on the standard, not the schedule. The last thing they hear should be about the guest.

Do that consistently and pre-shift stops being a ritual people endure and becomes the place the standard actually gets set.