What is the term for duties the staff must complete before opening the dining room to customers?

The term for duties the staff must complete before opening the dining room to customers is "side work." This encompasses a range of tasks that are essential for ensuring the dining area is ready for patrons, such as setting tables, refilling condiments, cleaning the dining area, and ensuring that the service stations are stocked and organized. Side work is critical for creating a positive dining experience, as it prepares the environment for efficient service and customer satisfaction.

Direct labor refers to the actual work done by staff during meal service and does not focus on pre-opening tasks. Food prep includes the activities related to preparing ingredients and dishes before they are needed for service but does not specifically relate to the readiness of the dining room. Service planning involves strategizing how to deliver service effectively, which may occur well before the dining room opens but does not pertain to the immediate duties required on-site for opening the dining area each day.