From the front to the back of the house, there are loads of different tasks that go into any restaurant’s daily operations. This is why having a solid restaurant operations checklist is so valuable.
Restaurant managers and staff should use checklists to start and close off their shifts, ensuring everything is in place and working smoothly. We’ll cover everything these checklists should include in the detailed guide below.
What Is a Restaurant Operations Checklist?
A restaurant operations checklist is like a to-do list for running a restaurant smoothly.
Restaurant checklists are simple documents that managers and staff use to make sure everything gets done properly. These checklists cover important tasks, such as:
- Opening and closing routines
- Assigning jobs to staff
- Making sure the kitchen is clean and stocked
- Checking that customers are happy
Each section and area of restaurant operations should have its own restaurant checklist.
Think of a restaurant checklist as a handy guide to ensure that nothing important is forgotten, making all restaurant operations better for customers and staff.
Why Should You Implement a Restaurant Operations Checklist?
Implementing a restaurant operations checklist is like having a reliable roadmap to success in the restaurant business.
It's a practical tool that helps managers and staff keep things in order. By using a checklist, restaurant managers and staff know their tasks, like opening and closing procedures, serving customers, and keeping things clean.
This simple system makes the restaurant run smoother, avoids mistakes, and ensures that every important job is done right. Restaurant checklists also ensure that operations are kept at a consistent level.
Types of Restaurant Operation Checklists
You can create a restaurant operations checklist for any area of running a restaurant business. Here are some of the main types that restaurants use.
Opening Checklist
A restaurant opening checklist is a fundamental tool for ensuring a smooth start to the day. This checklist covers a series of tasks that need attention before your doors open to the public.
These tasks may include unlocking doors and turning on lights, checking and replenishing inventory, setting up workstations, and making sure all your equipment is working.
By systematically addressing these items, restaurant opening checklists help prepare the restaurant for daily operations. This is important for a well-organized and efficient opening routine.
Closing Checklist
Equally important are closing checklists, which outline the necessary steps for properly ending off the day's operations.
This checklist includes tasks like settling cash registers, securing the premises, and conducting end-of-day cleaning and maintenance.
Restaurant opening and closing checklists should work together to ensure the business is safe, clean, fully stocked, and ready for smooth operations at the start of each shift.
Kitchen Operations Checklist
A kitchen operations checklist is designed for the heart of the restaurant – the kitchen. These checklists outline the daily tasks required for smooth kitchen functioning.
This could involve checking and restocking ingredients, following food safety and hygiene protocols, and maintaining the cleanliness and organization of kitchen spaces. This may also include a detailed equipment management checklist for the kitchen.
Proper kitchen checklists ensure kitchen staff consistently uphold high standards in food preparation, cleanliness, and organization.
Front-of-House Operations Checklist
Addressing the customer-facing aspects of restaurant operations, a front-of-house operations checklist is designed to enhance the overall dining experience.
This covers any tasks related to customer service, table setup, and maintaining a welcoming atmosphere in the dining area. This checklist ensures that front-of-house staff are well-prepared to provide excellent service.
Employee Training Checklist
A staff training checklist plays a crucial role in onboarding new employees. It guides the training process, ensuring that new staff members are familiar with the restaurant's procedures, safety protocols, and customer service standards.
By systematically covering these training elements, a good training checklist facilitates a consistent and thorough orientation for new team members. This means all staff are properly trained at the same standard.
Food Safety Checklist
Maintaining high standards of food safety is a top priority for any restaurant, and a food safety checklist is essential for achieving this goal.
This checklist covers tasks like regular temperature checks, proper food handling procedures, and monitoring product expiration dates.
Cleaning and Maintenance Checklist
Cleaning is an enormous part of running a restaurant business. So, restaurant opening and closing checklists should include a dedicated cleaning section.
A cleaning and maintenance checklist provides a detailed framework for daily, weekly, and monthly cleaning routines. From kitchen equipment to dining areas, this checklist ensures that all areas of the restaurant receive the attention they need.
Inventory Management Checklist
Efficient inventory management is critical to controlling costs and ensuring a steady supply of stock.
An inventory management checklist helps you consistently keep track of inventory levels. This means you can always order supplies as needed, and minimize waste. Your checklist might include tasks like organizing your restaurant’s stock, assigning a team to perform a regular and accurate stock take, and creating an inventory consumption sheet.
Marketing and Promotions Checklist
The success of a restaurant is not only about operations but also about attracting and retaining customers.
A marketing and promotions checklist will help to guide effective marketing strategies, promotions, and updating menus or displays. By regularly monitoring and ticking off marketing efforts, you can maintain a consistent and effective promotional strategy.
A marketing checklist for your restaurant might include updating and maintaining your professional website, engaging with local SEO, and staying active on social media.
Other Restaurant Checklists
As mentioned above, you can (and should) create checklists for absolutely any area of your restaurant operations. Some other common types of checklists to create can include:
- Financial audit checklist
- ADA compliance checklist
- POS system training checklist
- Restaurant startup checklist
- Pre-shift meeting checklist
- Restaurant SOP checklist
And so on.
All of these checklists are designed to cover your standard operating procedures in the most consistent and effective way possible. Basically, if you find that your restaurant has any kind of repetitive tasks, you can create a checklist to ensure you do these tasks properly every time.
Four Essential Checklist Templates for Your Restaurant
Whether you create a physical or digital restaurant checklist, you need to make sure it covers the right points. Here are some essential things to include when creating your restaurant checklist.
Front-Of-House Restaurant Opening
Creating a comprehensive restaurant opening checklist is essential for a smooth start to the day. While every restaurant is different, here's what this checklist should typically include:
- Unlocking and Lights: Unlock doors and turn on lights to welcome customers.
- Check Inventory: Ensure that all necessary items are in stock and ready for service.
- Set Up Workstations: Arrange tables, chairs, and other furniture to create a welcoming dining area.
- Cash Registers: Verify and prepare cash registers for the day's transactions.
- Review Daily Specials: Brief staff on any specials or promotions for the day.
- Customer Areas: Check and clean the dining area to provide a neat and inviting atmosphere.
- Assign Staff Roles: Clearly assign roles and responsibilities to staff members for a coordinated effort.
- Prepare Menus: Ensure that menus are ready and properly arranged for customers.
- Check Restrooms: Inspect and clean restrooms to maintain hygiene standards.
- Communication: Establish open communication among staff at the start of the day to address any issues efficiently.
Front-Of-House Restaurant Closing
Creating a solid front-of-house restaurant closing checklist is crucial for a smooth end to the day. Here's what this checklist should include:
- Cash Registers: Close and settle cash registers to complete financial transactions for the day.
- Clean Tables: Wipe down and clean tables to maintain a tidy dining area.
- Secure Premises: Lock doors and secure the restaurant to ensure everything is safe.
- Final Customer Service: Ensure all customers have been served and attended to before closing.
- Check Restrooms: Inspect and clean restrooms to start the next day fresh.
- Prepare for the Next Day: Set up for the next day by organizing menus and necessary items.
- Turn Off Lights: Turn off unnecessary lights to save energy.
- Review Specials and Promotions: Evaluate the success of the day's specials and promotions to plan for the next day.
- Secure Cash and Valuables: Safely store any cash and valuables.
Back-Of-House Checklists
A proper back-of-house checklist will keep the engine of your restaurant running smoothly. Here are some things these checklists typically include:
- Food Preparation: Outline tasks for preparing menu items, ensuring consistency and quality.
- Inventory Checks: Conduct regular checks to monitor and manage ingredient levels.
- Equipment Maintenance: Include tasks for cleaning and maintaining kitchen equipment to ensure everything’s working smoothly before each shift.
- Hygiene and Sanitation: Outline procedures for maintaining high cleanliness and sanitation standards.
- Staff Assignments: Clearly assign roles to kitchen staff for a coordinated and efficient workflow.
- Temperature Control: Monitor and maintain proper food storage temperatures to ensure safety.
- Special Orders: Detail procedures for handling special customer requests or dietary restrictions.
- Stock Rotation: Implement a system for rotating food stock to prevent spoilage and waste.
- Closing Procedures: Include tasks to properly close the kitchen at the end of the day. You can have separate opening and closing checklists for your kitchen and front-of-house.
Checklists for Managers
Restaurant managers need to have their own dedicated checklists, as they perform so many different tasks. Here are some common items to include in these checklists:
- Staff Assignments: Assign roles and responsibilities to ensure a well-coordinated team effort for the shift ahead.
- Inventory Management: Monitor and manage inventory levels, ordering supplies as needed.
- Financial Checks: Conduct regular financial checks, including cash register reconciliation and expense tracking.
- Customer Feedback: Review any customer feedback from the previous shift and address any concerns or suggestions.
- Compliance and Licensing: Ensure compliance with any relevant health and safety regulations and monitor license renewals.
- Staff Training: Oversee ongoing staff training and development initiatives.
- Communication with Staff: Set up open communication with staff to address concerns and maintain a positive work environment.
- Marketing and Promotions: Review and implement marketing strategies and promotions to help attract customers.
- Daily Operations Review: Assess the overall performance of daily operations and address any challenges.
- Problem Resolution: Develop strategies for resolving issues promptly and effectively.
Conclusion
Having the right checklists in place takes a lot of the hard work out of running a restaurant. The more detailed these checklists are, the easier it will be to ensure all your bases are covered. Creating and updating these should be a priority for any restaurant manager.
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