Restaurant Checklist Template – Free PDF

Restaurant checklist

This restaurant checklist template supports you in maintaining consistent quality across all areas of your establishment. From external appearance to back-of-house operations, this customizable tool ensures that your inspections are clear and thorough.

The US National Restaurant Association found that 64% of full-service restaurant customers say their dining experience is more important than the price of their meal. The checklist helps you deliver that exceptional experience since you can systematically evaluating everything from staff presentation to food quality. When a customer complains about inconsistent service quality, use this template to identify gaps in your standards and implement immediate improvements.

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Preview of the template

Audit

EXTERNAL

Is the pavement and shop front clean

Are the awnings out and clean

Is the lighting on

Outside furniture well presented and clean

Windows clean

Menu box correct and well kept

Bay trees and flowers well presented and watered

If appropriate windows and doors open

INTERNAL

Shop display full and well presented

Tables clean and setup correctly

Hot desk clean and well presented

Lightbulbs all working

Fluid's cleaning standards met

Clean banquet seating and chairs

Fixtures, fittings and paintwork kept up to date

DINING EXPERIENCE

Lighting and music at correct levels

Restaurant temperature correct

Menus correct, clean and in good condition

Staff wearing correct uniforms and on the ball

SERVICE

FOH staff on duty

Order taken in good time

Sides offered

Menu knowledge (3 questions)

Correct Mise en Place

Check back completed

Good table engagement

FOOD

Food tasted

Time from order to delivery

Dishes well presented and to spec

BAR

Bar staff on duty

Well presented and clean displays

Clean; bar top, floor, fridges, coffee machine

Behind fridges clean

Date labels in use and in date

KITCHEN

Head chef on duty

Cleanliness

Date labels in use and in date

Stock rotation and storage correct

Cook line clean

Extraction clean

Chefs in correct uniform

Records correct

Food safety (3 questions)

BACK OF HOUSE

Toilets clean and well stocked

All corridors clean and clear

Store rooms clean and tidy

Office and store rooms locked

Staff room clean and tidy

Bin room clean

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Frequently asked questions

How can this restaurant checklist help improve your customer ratings?

The checklist helps you identify and address issues before they impact customer experiences by systematically evaluating touchpoints that influence satisfaction. Through regularly monitoring service timing, food presentation, cleanliness, and staff engagement, you can make targeted improvements that directly address common customer complaints. The structured format also improves accountability among staff so they can maintain consistent quality across all shifts.

Can you customize this restaurant checklist for your specific needs?

Yes, you can easily adapt this checklist to reflect your restaurant’s specific requirements, brand standards, or unique features. Consider adding sections for specialty equipment, seasonal offerings, or brand-specific standards. You might also adjust scoring methods or evaluation criteria to align with your priorities. The digital format makes customization simple while maintaining the structure of the original template.

What’s a good way to introduce this restaurant checklist to your team?

Introduce the checklist during a staff meeting, explaining its purpose as a tool for maintaining quality. Walk through each section with the relevant team members, clarifying expectations and answering questions. Emphasize how it benefits everyone by creating consistent standards and identifying areas where your team needs additional support or resources.

This template, developed by Lumiform employees, serves as a starting point for businesses using the Lumiform platform and is intended as a hypothetical example only. It does not replace professional advice. Companies should consult qualified professionals to assess the suitability and legality of using this template in their specific workplace or jurisdiction. Lumiform is not liable for any errors or omissions in this template or for any actions taken based on its content.