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Two parts: a filled-in example so you see what "good" looks like, then a blank version you customize for your restaurant. Prints to roughly 6–8 pages. Click Print, then choose "Save as PDF" if you want to keep a digital copy.

Free Template

Restaurant New Hire Welcome Packet

Everything a new hire needs to land softly on Day 1 — the welcome letter, the schedule, the team, the paperwork, the policies. Filled-in example first, then a blank version to customize.

Quick note: Federal forms (W-4, I-9) are required for every new hire in the U.S. State tax forms and additional notices vary by state. Use this template as a starting structure, not legal advice — confirm specifics with payroll or an employment attorney in your state.
Part 1
Example — Maritime Kitchen
A filled-in example using a fictional restaurant. Use it to see what each section looks like done well.

A note from the chef

Welcome to Maritime Kitchen. We're glad you're here. The first week is the most important one you'll spend with us, and we've designed it carefully — your job this week is to absorb, not perform. Ask every question that comes to mind. Forget the name of your trainer twice. Spit out the broth if it's too hot. The standard we hold the food to is high, and we'll teach it to you. The standard we hold each other to is higher, and that one starts the moment you walk in tomorrow.

Read this packet tonight. Tomorrow morning, find me at the side door at 9:00 a.m. sharp. I'll be the one with the coffee.

— Chef Sarah Chen, Maritime Kitchen

Day 1 schedule Times are exact — show up at every one
9:00 AM
Arrive at the side doorChef Sarah will meet you. Wear closed-toe shoes and a clean shirt — uniform comes after paperwork.
9:15 AM
Welcome talk + restaurant storyHow Maritime started, what we stand for, the line we don't cross. About 20 minutes.
10:00 AM
Full tourFOH, BOH, walk-in, dry storage, lockers, breakroom, where to park. Bring a pen.
11:00 AM
Paperwork in the officeW-4, I-9 (bring photo ID + Social Security card or passport), direct deposit, emergency contact, handbook acknowledgment.
12:30 PM
Tasting lunchEvery item on the menu, with Chef. This is the most important hour of your week.
2:00 PM
Shadow your trainerFOH hires: Marco. BOH hires: Diego. Watch service flow from the ticket up.
5:00 PM
Day 1 debrief15 minutes with Chef. What clicked, what didn't, what's on the schedule for Day 2.
Your team — who to ask about what Memorize these names before Day 2
Executive Chef
Sarah Chen
Menu, standards, the big picture. Ask about anything that affects what goes on a plate.
General Manager
Jamie Liu
Schedules, pay, time off, anything HR. The person to flag when something's wrong with a shift.
Sous Chef
Diego Park
BOH training, prep, station setup, line technique. Diego runs the kitchen when Chef is out.
FOH Lead
Marco Delgado
Floor procedures, POS, table maps, comps and voids. New servers shadow Marco for Days 3–5.
Bar Manager
Priya Singh
Cocktail spec, wine list, bar prep timing. Bartenders and barbacks report to Priya.
Pastry Lead
Theo Andrews
Dessert menu, allergens in baked goods, walk-in pastry shelf. Mornings only.
Logistics — pay, uniform, schedule Everything that affects your week-to-week
Pay schedule
Biweekly, every other Friday
First paycheck
Friday, May 30, 2026
Uniform
Black chef coat (provided), black pants (yours), black non-slip shoes (yours)
Lockers + storage
Locker assigned on Day 1 — bring your own lock
Parking
Street parking only; staff lot is full after 4 p.m.
Schedule access
Posted Sundays by 6 p.m. — request changes by Saturday noon
Breaks
30 min unpaid break on shifts over 6 hours
Family meal
Daily at 4:30 p.m. — included, free
Required paperwork (Day 1 morning) Bring photo ID + Social Security card or passport
Form W-4 — federal tax withholdingRequired by the IRS for every new hire. Determines how much federal tax is withheld from each paycheck.
Form I-9 — employment eligibility verificationRequired by USCIS. Must be completed within 3 business days of your start date. Bring acceptable ID documents.
State tax withholding formSpecific to your state. Your manager will hand you the correct one — same purpose as the W-4 but for state tax.
Direct deposit authorizationBring a voided check or your bank routing + account numbers. Paper checks add a one-week delay.
Emergency contact informationTwo contacts preferred. Phone numbers we can reach during your shift, not just home phone.
Employee handbook acknowledgmentYou'll get the handbook on Day 1, sign by end of Day 2. Read the harassment, allergen, and wage sections first.
Allergen training acknowledgmentShort video or in-person walk-through during Day 2 menu deep-dive. Sign at the end.
Code of conduct — the short version The full handbook covers the rest
1
Show up on time, in uniform, ready to work. Late twice in 30 days is a conversation. Late three times is a problem.
2
If you can't make a shift, call. Don't text. Don't ghost. Call your manager directly, ideally 4+ hours before.
3
Phones stay in the locker. Service is service. Family emergencies are handled through the manager line.
4
Allergens are not negotiable. If you can't confirm an ingredient is safe, find someone who can — every time.
5
Speak up when something's wrong. Anti-harassment policy is in the handbook. No retaliation. We mean it.
6
The team eats together at 4:30. Family meal is when the day actually starts.
Acknowledgment of receipt Sign on Day 1, copy goes in your file

I confirm I have received and read the Maritime Kitchen New Hire Welcome Packet. I understand the Day 1 schedule, my team contacts, the paperwork required, and the conduct rules above. I have had the opportunity to ask questions and will follow up with my manager about anything that is still unclear.

Employee signature + date
Manager signature + date
Part 2
Your packet — fill in the blanks
Same structure as Part 1, blank. Fill in once, then hand a copy to every new hire.

A note from the chef / owner

Welcome to ____________________________________. Two to three sentences about why you started the restaurant, what you stand for, and what the first week is for. Keep it human, not corporate.

Read this packet tonight. Tomorrow, find ____________________________________ at ____________________________________ at ______________ a.m.

— ____________________________________

Day 1 schedule Fill in 6–8 time blocks
_____ AM
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____ AM
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____ AM
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____ AM
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____ PM
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____ PM
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____ PM
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Your team — who to ask about what Fill in 4–6 roles, with what they own
Role
Ask about: _______________________________________________
Role
Ask about: _______________________________________________
Role
Ask about: _______________________________________________
Role
Ask about: _______________________________________________
Role
Ask about: _______________________________________________
Role
Ask about: _______________________________________________
Logistics — pay, uniform, schedule Update once per restaurant, reuse forever
Pay schedule
First paycheck date
Uniform
Lockers + storage
Parking
Schedule access
Breaks
Family meal
Required paperwork (Day 1 morning) Federal forms apply nationwide; state forms vary
Form W-4 — federal tax withholdingRequired by the IRS for every new hire.
Form I-9 — employment eligibility verificationRequired by USCIS. Must be completed within 3 business days of start.
State tax withholding formVaries by state. Confirm the correct form for your state.
Direct deposit authorizationVoided check or routing + account numbers.
Emergency contact informationTwo contacts preferred.
Employee handbook acknowledgmentSigned receipt of handbook + key policies.
Allergen training acknowledgmentIf applicable in your jurisdiction. Several states now require it.
Code of conduct — your short version 6 rules that capture your standards
1
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
2
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
3
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
4
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
5
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
6
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Acknowledgment of receipt Signed on Day 1, kept in employee file

I confirm I have received and read the ____________________________________ New Hire Welcome Packet. I understand the Day 1 schedule, my team contacts, the paperwork required, and the conduct rules above. I have had the opportunity to ask questions and will follow up with my manager about anything that is still unclear.

Employee signature + date
Manager signature + date
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