Guide to restaurant opening and closing checklist

Introduction:

There are moments when handling the sheer volume of tasks in a restaurant seems impossible. Trying to perform multiple task, from prepping ingredients to setting up the tables in the middle of a lunch rush, can lead to challenges like restaurant staff overlooking some of them.

This is where restaurant opening and closing checklists come in handy. These checklists can help your restaurant management and staff keep track of critical tasks such as scheduling, opening and closing shifts, assessing restaurant employees, managing dining rooms, ensuring food safety, and standardizing daily processes to provide a consistent customer experience.

What are Restaurant Opening and Closing Checklists?

Restaurant opening and closing checklists are a key tool for restaurant managers. They are comprehensive lists of tasks that restaurant staff must complete by the start or end of the workday. They are mainly referred to as opening and closing checklists as they enable restaurants to list down tasks and streamline day-to-day operations. With such a checklist restaurant owners and managers can make sure they have a seamless workflow from opening the restaurant in the morning to closing up for the night. 

These opening and closing checklists can help enforce legal compliance, as they can be used for documenting food safety protocols.

What are the Benefits of using a Restaurant Opening and Closing Checklist for Restaurant Managers?

With opening and closing checklists in place, restaurants can keep every team member on the same page and work towards a common objective. Additionally, ascertain no tasks are forgotten, be they small or big. Here are some of the key benefits of using restaurant opening and closing checklists:

1. Improved efficiency and streamlined operations:

An opening and closing checklist
allow a restaurant manager and other staff to follow a predefined routine, ensuring that all crucial tasks are finished within the specified period. This way, your staff will spend less time recalling the next task and finish important work like equipment setup and safety checks on time.

2. Enhanced consistency and quality of service:

With standardized procedures in place, the quality of food and services remains consistent, no matter who is working, repetitive tasks like floor cleaning, inventory checks, and maintenance of equipment are carried out regularly, which helps deliver a quality dining experience consistently.

3. Reduced Risk of Errors and Omissions:

An ideal checklist consists of all crucial tasks, it reduces the possibility of missing out on vital tasks like restocking supplies. It’s regularly used and can help you as a restaurant manager verify completed work and swiftly detect and correct any oversights. Ensuring that every facet of running a restaurant is handled without fail.

4. Increased Staff Accountability:

Checklists specify tasks and responsibilities for every team member, be it serving food or handling cash. By using checklists, restaurant managers, can monitor the performance of their staff, find scope for improvement, and offer constructive feedback. When the staff knows that their tasks are being tracked, this can foster a sense of responsibility. 

5. Cleanliness & Sanitation:

An opening and closing checklist promotes clean and sanitary kitchen stations, food preparation areas, and dining rooms. As keeping a record of cleaning procedures is essential for health and safety regulations.

6. Reduced Costs:

Investing in your restaurant fixtures and fittings is a big cost. By implementing an opening and closing checklist, you can ensure your team members prioritise maintaining your equipment to increase longevity.

By using an opening and closing checklist, restaurants can achieve high efficiency, maintain high service standards, minimize work omissions, and inculcate a sense of accountability in their staff.

Restaurant Opening Checklists Across Departments

Each department will have different tasks to work on at the start of the day. By having a separate opening checklist for each department, a restaurant manager can make sure to foster a sense of accountability among staff. 

Here we have broken down the restaurant opening checklist into separate sections for management, front-of-house staff, and kitchen staff to ensure a smooth opening every single day:

1. A Restaurant Opening Checklist for Restaurant Management 

The restaurant opening checklist for restaurant managers should oversee all departmental tasks and assist each team member for the next day. This checklist should include tasks like:

• Review Staff Schedules
• Ensure that there is enough staffing for every shift.
• Check any last-ditch schedule changes or absences.
• Finalize menu items and daily specials.
• Update kitchen staff regarding unique ingredients.
• Check-up inventory. 
• Check food and beverages stock.
• Replenish depleted stock.
• Ensure proper storage. 
• Check deliveries received overnight.

2. Opening Checklist for Front-of-House Staff 

As soon as the restaurant opens, the Front of House (FOH) staff has to make sure that it is ready for customers. This checklist should include tasks like:

• Setting up the dining area.
• Make sure the napkins, utensils, and glassware are clean.
• Ensure chairs are arranged properly.
• Wipe down tables and chairs. 
• Refill condiment containers.
• Ensure menus are available at each table.
• Restock items such as to-go containers and napkins.
• Prepare the seating chart. 
• Prepare hostess/host station.
• Make sure the reservation book is up-to-date.
• Empty trash bins and restock supplies.
• Make sure restrooms are clean.
• Check lighting and music settings are correct.

3. Opening Checklist for Kitchen Staff 

Using a restaurant manager’s opening checklist can help kitchen staff effectively cook and serve meals on time and ensure customer satisfaction. The kitchen staff opening checklist should include:

• Check if all kitchen equipment is functioning properly.
• Assemble cooking stations equipped with the required tools.
• Ensure all ingredients needed are fresh.
• Check ingredients needed for daily specials.
• Sanitize utensils and cutting boards.
• Ensure stored food is properly labelled and dated.
• Check handwashing stations are stocked with soap and napkins.
• Chop veggies, marinate meat, and prepare sauces.
• Ensure prepped items are stored properly.
• Verify any menu changes with management.
• Coordinate with F.O.H staff to deliver seamless service.

By following these extensive opening checklists, restaurants can guarantee a smooth start to the day.

Restaurant Closing Checklists Across Departments

Closing a restaurant properly is essential for a seamless start the next day. Use these checklists to make sure every task in your restaurant is done before you shut down.

Here we have broken down a restaurant closing checklist for management, front-of-house staff, and kitchen staff:

1. Closing Checklist for Restaurant Management

A restaurant manager’s key closing tasks include communicating with team members to record information about various activities throughout the day. This checklist should include:

• Make sure all staff are done with their tasks and clocked out.
• Address any feedback or issues from the day.
• Check the next day’s schedule and inform changes to staff.
• Inspect the dining areas and kitchen for cleanliness.
• Confirm that all non-essential equipment is turned off.
• Ensure all doors are locked.
• Review inventory levels.
• Make a note of any supplies that are running low.
• Check the storage areas for cleanliness.
• Ensure cash registers are properly secured.
• Verify that the alarm system is operating as intended.
• Confirm that valuables are stored securely.Closing Checklist for Front-of-House Staff

2. Closing Checklist for Front-of-House Staff

The FOH’s closing work involves tasks that help ensure the restaurant is clean and prepared for the next day. The following chores ought to be on this checklist:

• Make sure all place settings are prepared for the next service.
• Set up any special seating arrangements for the next day.
• Ensure POS systems are shut down.
• Sanitize credit card machines and any other payment systems.
• Ensure the coffee machine is clean and empty.
• Turn off coffee machines and lights.
• Clean all tables. 
• Clean soda taps.
• Mop and sanitize the surface.
• Throw out trash. 
• Clean restroom.
• Toilet paper should be stocked in restrooms.
• Check and address maintenance issues.

3. Closing Checklist for Kitchen Staff 

A closing checklist can enable kitchen staff to prevent missing out on food preparation tasks for the following day. For an efficient kitchen, the closing checklist includes:

• Clean ovens, fryers, grills, etc.
• Wipe down all surfaces.
• Make sure all small appliances are stored properly.
• Get ready for the next day’s ingredients.
• Check that all prep work areas are clean.
• Make sure all food items are stored at the right temperature.
• Label stored food to ensure freshness.
• Check that all refrigerators and freezers are working properly.
• Make sure trash bins are clean and empty.
• Dispose of food waste as per safety guidelines.
• Clean trash areas to prevent pests.
• Turn off all kitchen equipment.
• Ensure all lights are turned off.

By adhering to these detailed restaurant closing checklists, restaurants can ensure a smooth transition to the next day and consistently offer a high-quality dining experience to their customers.

Digitize Restaurant Checklists with the KNOW App

Digital tools like the KNOW app offer an innovative solution by digitizing these essential checklists. Designed particularly for the restaurant industry, KNOW streamlines the monitoring of opening and closing tasks, offering real-time updates, easy customization, and better accountability.

It enables restaurants to transition from paper checklists to a digital platform, the app helps ensure that each task is done on time and accurately, enhancing overall service quality.

Here are some key features of the KNOW app that help you manage your restaurant from opening to closing:

• Eliminates Reliance on Memory: KNOW offers customizable, user-friendly digital checklists accessible through any mobile device. Enabling staff to easily see their assigned work and complete it directly from the app. As well, the app can send automated reminders to team members to ensure each task gets done on time. This way, you can prevent last-minute scrambling.
• Provides Evidence of Completion: Know what happened and when. With KNOW, you can capture photos and timestamps with every completed task. This digital record provides proof of completed work, promotes accountability, and can also help ensure compliance with food safety regulations.
• Ensures Accountability:Detect potential issues swiftly. KNOW empowers managers by sending them alerts if any task is missed. This enables quick intervention and helps managers deal with hiccups before they turn into bigger problems. This way, issues with staff can be addressed in real-time and help foster a culture of accountability. 
• Improves Compliance: Maintain consistency across multiple locations. The app allows you to develop standardized checklists and implement them across your restaurant outlets. This ensures that requirements are met consistently and at the same level everywhere. The key to offering a positive customer experience, regardless of location, is consistency.

With these amazing features, KNOW enables restaurants to streamline their operations, nurture accountability among team members, and ensure consistent compliance across multiple outlets. Ready to discover the KNOW difference? Sign up for a free trial right now to see how our app can enhance your restaurant’s productivity. Use it to tailor your restaurant opening checklist to the specific tasks you do on your restaurant premises.

Conclusion: Streamline Your Restaurant Operations with Confidence.

To run a successful restaurant with efficiency and clear communication – the consistent execution of tasks are paramount. A restaurant checklist proves to be a useful tool for achieving these objectives, making sure tasks from prep work to taking care of the restaurant’s finances. But traditional paper checklists can be prone to human error.

KNOW helps you take your checklist digital and create a foolproof way to provide a consistent and quality customer experience across multiple locations.

With KNOW, you can free your staff from the trouble of memorizing tasks, provide a clear audit trail for completed tasks, promote ownership, and standardize processes.