Ever wondered how servers don’t get burned out by doing the same thing over and over again? Any experienced server will tell you that a shift is only as smooth as the side work that goes into it. Although there’s nothing complicated about it, without it, the entire service could come to a halt.
Think about it. What makes for a slowed-down service? When napkins aren’t on the table, silverware is either missing a spoon, a fork, or the entire set, or maybe the tables are not cleared fast enough for the next customers to be seated.
All of these inconsistencies may not cost you a customer, but wait times caused by delayed sidework usually end up with panicked servers, and the entirety of the shift feels like trying to run a race against yourself.
While doing side work isn’t exactly “extra” work, it is what makes a restaurant function efficiently.
Unfortunately, rushed sidework, lack of sidework, or sidework split between workers are all too common practices in a disorganized restaurant. What happens is that some shifts inherit a mess from the one before them while others chase up to the middle to restock the basics that should have been present in the first place.
So the need for a good, clear, organized sidework system cannot be overstated
A good sidework checklist ensures that:
- Every shift starts and ends on the right foot—no surprises, no scrambling.
- Servers aren’t overloaded—everyone knows exactly what they’re responsible for.
- The guest experience stays seamless—because when sidework is done right, service flows effortlessly.
This guide will walk you through a structured, easy-to-implement sidework system that ensures tasks get done, correctly and consistently—without cutting into valuable service time.
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What is Server Sidework and Why it Actually Matters
Sidework is a term used for work that servers and other staff do before, during, or after their shifts to keep operations running smoothly. These are not part of directly serving the food but they are needed to keep the restaurant running.
But for servers, sidework usually requires putting out tables, moving supplies, cleaning up, and organizing if there is a server station. The work that goes behind the scenes allows the front-of-house staff to offer outstanding service.
A few server-side work includes sending out task-based responsibilities to given front-of-house staff to be done before the end of the shift. Many of these tasks, also considered chores, are important to running the food service smoothly and efficiently.
Activities such as restocking supplies, cleaning menus, and refilling salt shakers are all referred to as side work and are utilized to better the dining experience for everyone who steps foot through the door.
It Keeps Service Fast and Efficient
No one likes searching for clean silverware while a table waits for their food. Good sidework prevents mid-shift panic. When stations are stocked and everything is in its place, servers can focus on guests, not on hunting for missing supplies.
It Creates Smoother Shift Transitions
Ever started a shift only to find the last crew left behind a disaster?
When sidework isn’t completed, the next team suffers. Having a structured system means that items are prepped and ready on every shift and they are not clutter left for the next team to clean up.
It Reduces Stress and Prevents Mistakes
A server’s job is already demanding, and unorganized sidework just adds to the stress. Running low on essential items mid-service creates unnecessary chaos. When side work is done consistently, servers spend less time fixing problems and more time delivering great service.
Server Side Work Tasks in a Restaurant
Side work in a restaurant is a collection of important but necessary tasks that shape the flow of work and further its smooth operation. The servers often perform these tasks to keep the kitchen and dining areas neat throughout the day so that both areas are ready when service begins.
The Essential Server Sidework Checklist
The most common tool to make sure that everything is ready and prepared the way it should be before customers start queuing up is a server-side work checklist.
It ensures that the servers are always on top of their game making sure the restaurant runs smoothly and offering guests an environment that is clean, welcoming, and easy on the eyes.
A sidework system is usually very robust where tasks are divided by shift so that nothing is forgotten.
Here is what a daily server side work checklist looks like:
Opening Shift
The opening shift is responsible for setting the restaurant up for success. A slow or sloppy start leads to a rough service.
Station Setup
- Stock all server stations with silverware, napkins, condiments, and checkbooks.
- Make sure salt, pepper, and sugar holders are full and clean.
- Prepare coffee, iced tea, and water stations.
Pre-Shift Inventory Check
- Verify plates, glassware, and utensils are stocked.
- Ensure ice bins, soda machines, and bar stations are full.
- Confirm that menus are clean and available.
Morning Cleaning
- Wipe down tables, chairs, and booths.
- Sanitize condiment holders and shared surfaces.
- Sweep and mop service areas.
Pre-Service
Before guests arrive, the last few minutes should be spent checking that everything is truly ready.
- Confirm all server stations are fully stocked.
- Double-check that beverage stations are refreshed.
- Make sure the kitchen has everything they need for a smooth start.
- Review any daily specials or menu changes to avoid confusion later.
Tip: Use QR code videos at key stations for quick refreshers on proper setup, cleaning procedures, and side work tasks. This allows staff to easily access visual demonstrations, reinforcing training and ensuring consistency in performance.
On top of that, QR code videos can also be used for
- New Employee Onboarding: Provide easy access to essential training content such as restaurant policies, customer service standards, and emergency procedures.
- Video Tutorials: Use it to create time-saving guides for tasks including folding napkins, setting up condiment stations, restocking supplies, or any other task that requires training.
- Uniformity Across Shifts: Deliver video reminders of daily side work, cleaning routines, and table presentation for uniform service standards.
- Speeding Up Staff Training: Streamline the staff training process by directing new hires to short informative videos that they can watch at their own pace and speed.
During Service
Here’s a list of server-side working tasks to keep the restaurant running smoothly.
Front Of House Station
- Bring glasses and tableware from the back of the house to the front: Always have enough clean glassware and tableware in storage ready to take from the back of the house to the front of the house.
- Wipe down tables after each customer: Immediately clear plates right after customers finish their meals, prepping the table for the next.
- Wipe down countertops: Regularly remove all spills, stains, and crumbs from countertops.
- Disinfect menus and bill folders: All menus and bill folders must receive disinfection treatment after each time they are used.
- Replenish tabletop necessities: Inspect salt shakers, napkin holders, etc. to make sure neither is running low.
- Notify the manager of low inventory: Always keep the restaurant manager informed when essential items reach low inventory levels including condiments and napkins along with utensils.
Salad Bar Station
- Restock silverware and plates: A sufficient amount of clean plates and silverware must be available for guests to use at the salad bar station.
- Restock salad bar items: Maintain fresh salad bar selections. Constantly restock items for an attractive display to customers.
- Ensure the salad bar station is clean: Regularly cleaning the salad bar area maintains a presentable appearance that attracts all guests.
Drink Station
- Restock silverware and glassware: The drink service requires uninterrupted access to clean silverware and glassware so maintain adequate inventories at all times.
- Restock coffee station necessities: The coffee station requires essential supplies which need to be continuously kept at full capacity along with coffee beans sugar creamer napkins cups and spoons.
- Refill ice: Regular topping off of the ice bins is key for maintaining an adequate supply for drink service.
- Ensure the coffee and drink station is clean: The coffee and drink station needs to be cleaned frequently so operations flow smoothly during busy times.
Dessert Station
- Restock silverware and plates: The dessert service requires always having silverware and plates ready for dessert service.
- Restock cakes and pastries: Replenish the dessert selection to ensure a fresh variety for guests.
- Ensure the dessert station is clean: Keep the dessert space clean to make sure it looks appetizing and welcoming.
Shift Change Checklist
Shift managers need to collaborate at the end of their duty to ensure a proper transition for the incoming shift. The following restaurant manager checklist provides a guide to check integral points:
- Review completed tasks: Confirm which side work server tasks have been completed, from cleaning to restocking.
- Communicate any unusual activity: If there were any issues such as staff shortages or inventory shortages, make sure to relay this information.
- Discuss actions for the next shift: Highlight any critical actions the incoming team will need to address to keep operations running smoothly.
Closing Shift Tasks
It is essential to have a strong closing shift to ensure that nothing is opened, out of order, or is running low for the next day. The following checklist outlines responsibilities for closing duties:
Front of House Tasks
- Switch the Door Sign: Change the door sign from "Open" to "Closed" to signal that the restaurant is officially done for the day.
- Turn Off Ovens and Heaters: Switch off all appliances including ovens, gas stoves, and heaters.
- Clean Tables, Booths, and Chairs: Clean all seating areas with wipes to uphold hygiene standards.
- Empty Trash Bins: Take out the trash so you're not dealing with leftovers the next day.
- Store Remaining Food: Ensure no food is left out. Label and refrigerate the remaining prep ingredients for freshness.
- Secure Windows and Doors: The final step involves turning off all lights and then securing the restaurant through complete locking up.
Common Sidework Mistakes to Avoid
Even with a checklist, small mistakes can still disrupt service. Here’s what to avoid:
1. Skipping Restocking During Slow Periods
Skipping restocking leads to mid-shift panic when supplies run out. Restock during slower times to stay prepared for busy moments.
2. Leaving Things “Almost Done”
Leaving tasks incomplete, like half-empty ketchup bottles or messy stations, creates extra work later. Finish each task fully to avoid piling up work.
3. Relying on Verbal Instructions
Verbal instructions lead to forgotten tasks. Use a written server sidework checklist to stay on track.
4. Rushing Through Closing
Rushing through closing tasks causes issues for the next shift. Complete closing tasks properly to avoid headaches the next day.
5. Not Communicating with the Team
Missing or duplicate tasks occur due to a lack of communication. Keep the team on one page by sharing updates.
Managing Sidework with Xenia
Sidework is essential, but it’s often a challenge to keep things running smoothly, especially with paper checklists and outdated processes. Xenia brings a fresh new take on how server sidework is handled! It has changed the game by turning individual tasks into a streamlined, manageable, and accountable system.
Here's how Xenia elevates the standard for side work management:
Modern Digital Checklists
- Mobile-First Access: The world is going paperless and so should you! Xenia puts a modern spin on paper checklists and replaces them with digital versions that can be accessed from any mobile device. With Xenia, staff can easily view their tasks directly from their phones, eliminating the need for paper forms and ensuring everything is done correctly and efficiently.
- 60-Second Instructional Videos: Make sidework a piece of cake with clear and simple 60-second instructional videos. Each task is shown in under a minute so that the servers can recreate it with precision without having to go back and forth.
- Multi-Language Options: With a built-in translation feature, Xenia allows you to break down language barriers and have everyone onboard with the task at hand.
Real-Time Tracking and Accountability
- Instant Progress Updates: Managers get live updates on task completion status, which ensures that everything is on track and nothing is overlooked.
- Photo Proof of Completion: Encourage staff to take photos to ensure that sidework is performed correctly and also maintain proof of work.
- Alerts for Incomplete Tasks: Getting alerts on missed or incomplete tasks automatically, boosts accountability and ensures that the staff and managers are on the same page.
Consistency Across Shifts and Locations
- Standardized Processes: Standardization has never been so easy thanks to Xenia! Team members have a digital playbook in the form of AI-generated SOPs to follow uniform steps, no matter where or when they work.
- Automated Reminders: Prevent tasks from slipping through the cracks with automated reminders for some sidework details during the shift.
- Scalable for Multi-Location Use: Xenia is scalable for a single, or a chain of restaurants, with centralized, easy-to-manage task and training tracking, uniform across multi-location use.
Data-Driven Insights for Performance Improvement
- Real-Time Performance Metrics: Managers get a real-time window into the quality of the employee’s work on each of the tasks, and the time it took to complete them.
- Custom Reports: Generate tailored reports that help identify patterns in task completion, performance gaps, and areas for improvement.
Continuous Engagement and Training
- Interactive Learning: This involves interactive quizzes and tasks so that staff can actively interact with training to grasp side work processes and retain them.
- Seamless Integration into Operations: Xenia is easily integrated into your operational workflow, allowing staff to complete sidework and training on the same day without interruption.
Wrapping Up
Server side work or daily tasks checklist is essential to identify what needs to be checked by the server each day to keep the restaurant clean, safe, and running at maximum efficiency.
These tasks are often restocking condiments, setting tables, reloading drinks, etc but the combined impact these tasks have on operational efficiency cannot be overstated.
Consistently following a server sidework checklist will boost efficiency, minimize costly delays, and help keep operations running smoothly all day long from opening to closing.
Bid paper checklists goodbye, get Xenia. Achieve higher productivity, reduce paper costs, and simplify your internal restaurant processes.
Schedule a demo and see how digital checklists can transform your restaurant.
Streamline Food Safety, Maintenance and Daily Operations with Xenia
Xenia unifies food and beverage operations with tools to standardize, track and measure work across every team, asset and facility.
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Our customers love Xenia's robust use cases including:
Food Safety Management
🌡️ Automatic Temperature Monitoring
Xenia leverages temperature sensors that utilize both Bluetooth and LoRaWAN technology to transmit data reliably to your Xenia account. The monitors work continuously in a range of 40°C to 125°C and an accuracy of +/- 0.4°C. When an temperature deviates from a pre-set acceptable range, management is notified to investigate and resolve.
🔎 Smart Inspection Workflows
Xenia's operations template builder has built in conditional logic into each step. This allows you to trigger actions based on a form response such as creating a corrective action on a failed inspection step, sending a notification to management for out of range meter readings, and much more.
✨ Corrective Actions
Operationalize inspections with fast work order assignment arising from a failed inspection step. All corrective data is stored in the checklist submission for auditing and accountability.
📋 Compliance Reports
View live dashboard summaries of tasks, employee performance, template submissions and more. Filter, organize and export compliance reports to PDF and Excel formats to simplify compliance management.
Maintenance Management
🛠️ Work Orders
Create work orders with associated team, asset, location, priority, category and due date. View live progress reports on each work order, chat with teams, and review resulting template submission, images and notes to improve operations.
🧰 Preventive Maintenance
Create a preventive maintenance calendar to ensure asset uptime is not compromised. Attach images, templates, videos and notes to every task and assign to a team or individual for completion.
📲 QR Codes
Generate and attach QR codes to equipment and facility locations to enable fast and accurate inspections and data logs.
📁 Equipment Work History
View work history for every asset and sub asset in Xenia. Review performance data and enable corrective actions to improve your operation.
Daily Operations
✔️ Checklists & SOPs
Create checklists, SOPs, Inspections and Data Logs to power accountability, training and staff clarity on every task.
📆 Recurring Tasks
Create recurring schedules for review meetings, inspections, cleanings and more.
💪 Team Accountability
Defeat pencil whipping and disorganized responsibility assessments by standardizing operations with Xenia. Track time, collect photos, send messages and ensure high quality work.
📊 Team Performance Reporting
Use Xenia's analytics dashboards to view staff work reports. Filter by asset, location, category or due date and export the report in PDF or Excel
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