Keeping a restaurant open all the time is a bold decision and a real operational complexity.
Even though a 24/7 service can improve turnover and satisfy customers, the organization required is often invisible. The real challenge is to build a schedule that supports both the company and the team in the field.
Creating a sustainable schedule is not just about filling out time slots. Managers have to choose from hundreds of rotation models, and a bad decision can lead to scheduling holes, frustration, and high staff turnover. Managing night shifts and providing adequate rest time is also crucial to avoid fatigue and exhaustion.
Another difficulty: finding the balance between business needs, employee preferences, and compliance with labor laws. An imbalance can quickly cause motivation to drop and turn planning into a real headache.
In this article, we present the main challenges associated with 24/7 planning in catering and the concrete strategies to deal with them.
2. Shift types and rotation styles
Before setting up a 24/7 schedule, it is essential to understand the types of shifts and how to organize them. Each method has its advantages and limitations, especially when it comes to juggling schedule coverage, employee well-being, and operational performance.
Fixed quarters vs rotating quarters
One fixed shift means that the employee always works the same hours and days. This provides stability and allows staff to organize their personal lives. Customers see the same faces again, which promotes loyalty. But this can be a problem if an employee doesn't like their schedules and doesn't have the option to change.
Les rotating quarters distribute the burden more fairly. Employees alternate between morning, evening, and night shifts. This works well in restaurants that are open 18 to 24 hours a day, but can take a toll on health if rotations are too frequent.
Rotation types:
- Rapide : change every few days or every week (tiring)
- Lente : the same quarter for several weeks or months
- Weekend : rotation of the busiest quarters of the weekend
- Partial : part of the staff has a fixed schedule, the other part rotates
Length of the shift
The length of the shift has a direct impact on the number of employees needed and the mental load:
- 8 hours : the most common, easy to manage, requires 3 teams for 24 hours
- 10 am : reduces transitions but can be exhausting
- 12 hours : offers more rest days, but requires more stamina
Remember to include vacation days, breaks, and contingencies. Also, be sure to comply with local laws regarding rest and maximum working hours.
Catering-specific terms
- Night shift (Graveyard) : from night until early morning, difficult to fill
- Clopen : one person closes in the evening and opens early the next day (avoid)
- Split shift : work in the morning + return in the evening
3. Popular 24/7 schedule templates
There is no one-size-fits-all model. The right schedule depends on the number of employees, business hours and the desired level of flexibility. Here are the most common models:
a) 8-hour rotation (5‑2 model)
Structure: 5 days worked, 2 days off
Rotation between 3 teams: morning, evening, night
b) 10-hour shift (4‑3 or 4‑2‑4‑3 models)
Structure: 4 days worked, 3 or 2 days off
Example: work from Monday to Thursday, rest from Friday to Sunday
c) 12-hour rotation (DuPont model)
Cycle: 4 days ON, 3 OFF → 3 ON, 1 OFF → 3 ON, 3 OFF → 4 ON, 7 OFF
Ideal for long breaks but demanding
Pitman (12 p.m.)
Cycle: 2 days ON, 2 OFF, 3 ON, 2 OFF, etc.
Alternating between day and night every 2 weeks
d) Model 2‑2‑3
Structure: 2 days ON, 2 OFF, 3 ON, then reversal next week
Allows everyone to have free weekends in turn
e) Model 4‑ON/4‑OFF
4 consecutive 12-hour shifts → 4 days of rest
Rotation between teams day and night
4. Key tips
- Analyze your needs : identify peak times
- Maintain staff health : avoid long series without rest
- Respect the law : no clopen, respect for rest periods
- Offer flexibility : surveys, auto-planning, turnover
- Use software : to automate, adjust and visualize
- Collect feedback : and adjust the schedules regularly
5. Templates to download
Use these ready-to-use templates to schedule 24/7 shifts:
24-hour schedule template — 8-hour shifts
24-hour schedule template — 10-hour shifts
24-hour schedule template — 12-hour shifts (DuPont)
24-hour schedule template — 12-hour shifts (Pitman)
