Templates
Restaurant manager opening and closing checklist

Restaurant manager opening and closing checklist

This checklist aids you in keeping daily operations organized and consistent. Use it to assign tasks, monitor progress, and follows critical procedures.

Use this template with Lumiform

  • Customize this template or build your own
  • Fill out templates via mobile app
  • Get reports and analyse your data
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or Download template as PDF
Restaurant manager opening and closing checklist

This checklist aids you in keeping daily operations organized and consistent. Use it to assign tasks, monitor progress, and follows critical procedures.

Use this template with Lumiform

  • Customize this template or build your own
  • Fill out templates via mobile app
  • Get reports and analyse your data
Prices start from ░░░ per month
Book a demo
Learn more
or Download template as PDF

Restaurant manager opening and closing checklist ensures your establishment runs like clockwork from the first customer to the final lock-up. This comprehensive template covers both front-of-house and back-of-house responsibilities, creating clear accountability for every task. You’ll find structured sections for equipment checks, inventory management, safety protocols, and staff coordination.

When your closing manager forgets to check refrigerator temperatures or your opening team misses restocking essential supplies, this checklist prevents those costly oversights that impact both customer satisfaction and your bottom line.

Related categories

Preview of the template
Page 1
Opening Checklist
Ensure all lights, equipment and appliances are working properly
Verify the temperature of the refrigerators and freezers are within the appropriate range
Check that the cash drawer has the correct starting balance
Ensure the dining area, restrooms and overall restaurant are thoroughly cleaned and stocked
Turn on and test all point-of-sale systems
Review the daily prep list and ensure all ingredients are available
Greet and brief the opening staff on the day's specials and any operational changes
Closing Checklist
Ensure all customers have vacated the premises
Reconcile the cash drawer and prepare the deposit
Verify that all food preparation surfaces have been thoroughly cleaned
Check that all kitchen equipment and appliances have been turned off
Ensure the dining area, restrooms and overall restaurant have been secured and locked
Review the day's sales and identify any issues or areas for improvement
Brief the closing staff on any updates or important information for the next day

Frequently asked questions

How can I customize this restaurant manager opening and closing checklist for my specific establishment?

Identify your restaurant’s unique operational needs by observing your current opening and closing processes for a week. Note recurring issues, staff questions, and bottlenecks. Then modify the template by adding establishment-specific equipment checks, menu prep requirements, and local compliance needs while maintaining the core structure for accountability.

What’s the best way to track completion of opening and closing checklist tasks?

Digital checklist solutions offer the most accountability by timestamping completions, allowing photo verification of completed tasks, and generating reports to identify patterns. If using paper checklists, implement a dual-signature system where both the employee completing tasks and a manager verify completion before filing in a dedicated binder.

Who should be responsible for verifying that opening and closing checklists are completed properly?

The shift manager or supervisor should verify checklist completion, but ultimate responsibility lies with the restaurant manager. Creating a verification hierarchy ensures accountability at multiple levels and prevents checklist completion from becoming a meaningless box-ticking exercise rather than a valuable operational tool.

What are best practices for staff briefings?

Conduct briefings at the start of each shift to discuss goals, updates, and any special instructions. Keep them short but informative, and encourage staff to ask questions and provide feedback. You can also use briefings to boost morale by recognizing achievements and addressing concerns constructively.

How do I evaluate the success of opening and closing procedures?

You can review checklists afterwards on the app to identify completed tasks and any discrepancies. Gather feedback from staff on what went smoothly and what could improve, and monitor customer feedback for insights into service quality. This information is invaluable for improving procedures and enhancing efficiency in future shifts.

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.