Running a restaurant is like orchestrating a well-rehearsed symphony. Each day begins and ends with a series of tasks that ensure your business runs smoothly and safely.
Whether you’re a seasoned restaurateur or just dipping your toes into the culinary world, here’s a comprehensive guide to help you start and end each day on the right foot.
Opening Checklist: Start Your Day Right
A smooth opening process ensures that your space is inviting, your team is prepared and you’re ready to deliver exceptional service to your guests. Here’s a detailed breakdown of what you need to do:
Arrive Early and Conduct a Walk-Through
Get there before opening time. Before unlocking the doors, do a quick walk-through. Ensure all entry points, including doors, windows and back entrances, are secure. Before entering the restaurant, check if the exterior is clean and welcoming.
Is the signage visible? Does the outside need sweeping? Fix whatever you can or delegate to staff once they arrive.
Turn On the Lights and Equipment
When you enter the premises, flip on the lights, including decorative and ambient lighting and disarm the security alarm. Boot up all point of sale (POS) systems and computers so they’re up and running when you host the first customer.
Confirm that the cameras are functioning correctly, as you never know when the footage might come in handy, and check the thermostat to ascertain that the internal temperature is comfortable.
Power up essential kitchen equipment like ovens, fryers and grills. This allows them to preheat before use, minimizing the time the chef has to wait before preparing the dishes. It also reduces the 20-minute window it takes for bacteria to become active when food is removed from the refrigerator before cooking.
Finally, turn on all fans and any digital menu boards and test the phone system so no incoming orders are lost due to a faulty line.
Inspect Food Storage and Stock Up
Check your refrigerator and freezer temperatures to ensure food safety, and don’t forget to keep a log for health inspections. Inspect other storage spaces and make sure they meet health and safety standards.
Next, assess your inventory. Remove expired products and highlight those close to their shelf life so they are used before contributing to the 15% of food refuse in landfills. If too many are close to their expiry date, consider donating to charities and food banks. Other than being good community stewards, it’s believed that every food-insecure American would have something to eat if just 30% of “waste” food from restaurants could be recycled.
Prep the Kitchen
Move to the cooking area and ensure the workstations are cleaned and set for efficiency. All appliances and utensils should be in their proper position. Confirm that the ones used daily are in proper working condition.
Front-of-House Setup
Next, focus on the areas your customers access, such as the dining rooms and bathrooms.
- Arrange tables, chairs and any outdoor seating, ensuring everything is clean and neatly placed.
- Set tables with clean linens, cutlery and glasses. Fill condiment containers and ensure napkin dispensers are full.
- Restock the bar with liquor, mixers and garnishes.
- Stock restrooms with supplies and clean them.
- Ensure the cash register has adequate change.
- Arrange decorations or fresh flowers if applicable.
- Turn on the music.
Maintaining hygiene in food establishments is nonnegotiable to keeping patrons healthy and guaranteeing compliance with safety standards. So, disinfect all high-touch surfaces, such as door handles, countertops, faucets and POS systems.
Brief Your Staff
Hold a quick meeting with your staff to discuss the day’s specials, reservations, and any other important updates. This will ensure everyone is on the same page and provide an opportunity to address any last-minute concerns.
Open Those Doors!
Flip that “Closed” sign to “Open” and ensure the host is ready at the front to welcome your first customers with a smile.
Closing Checklist: End the Day on a High Note
Closing time is just as important as opening. A thorough closing routine ensures that your restaurant is ready for the next day’s service. Here’s a detailed breakdown of your closing tasks.
Last Call
Inform customers about closing time — usually 30 minutes before the closing time. Wrap up any final orders and start pre-closing tasks in areas no longer in use.
Complete Sales Reports and Cash Reconciliation
Close out your POS system and generate daily sales reports. Count cash drawers and compare them against the sales totals. Secure cash in a safe place and prepare bank deposits if needed.
Properly Store Food and Dispose of Waste
Transfer leftovers into airtight containers and store them appropriately. Dispose of any waste correctly, separating recyclables when possible. Clean out trash bins and replace liners.
Clean and Sanitize
Start with the dining area — wipe down tables, chairs and menus. Wash and disinfect the kitchen thoroughly, including floors, countertops, equipment, cooking surfaces and sinks, and run the final load on the dishwasher. Turn off all kitchen equipment, unplug smaller appliances and make sure they’re stored neatly.
Sweep and mop floors throughout the restaurant, ensuring no food debris is left behind. And don’t forget to sanitize those high-touch areas.
Inspect and Lock All Entry Points
Before leaving, check all doors and windows to ensure they’re locked and secure. For added safety, consider installing a camera system to monitor activity during non-operating hours and complementing this with an alarm system. These security strategies also come in handy when you have to close for extended periods.
Review Next Day’s Prep List
Much like the doomsday prepper, planning is your friend for facing an uncertain tomorrow. Figure out what you need to do, like restocking your inventory and reviewing the next day’s menu.
Final Walk-Through
Do a final walk-through to make sure everything is clean, secure and ready for the next day. Double-check that all lights are off and that the security system is armed.
Keep Checklists to Stay Organized
A well-executed opening and closing routine can greatly impact your restaurant’s success. Following this checklist will keep operations smooth, your staff prepared and your customers happy.
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