Lumiform
Features Solutions Resources Templates Enterprise Pricing
Select a language
Englishen
Deutschde
Françaisfr
Españoles
Português (BR)pt-BR
en
Contact salesLog in
Sign up
Back
Englishen
Deutschde
Françaisfr
Españoles
Português (BR)pt-BR
Features Solutions Resources Templates Enterprise Pricing
Free demo
Log in
en
Book a personal demoView video demoContact sales
Explore
Resource hubCentral repository for all Lumiform resourcesCustomer storiesReal-world successes and experiences with Lumiform.
Learn
Template collectionsComprehensive collections of best practice templates.Topic guidesComprehensive safety, quality, and excellence insights.LexiconDefinitions key to quality, safety, and compliance.
Support
Developer's guideTechnical documentation for developers.Help centerAssistance with onboarding and platform mastery.
Featured reads
Explore our collection of 38 free preventive maintenance checklists

Template collection

Explore our collection of 38 free preventive maintenance checklists

Start reading
Your guide to performing and documenting efficient child care observation

Topic guide

Your guide to performing and documenting efficient child care observation

Start reading
Lumiform as customer journey mapping tool in gastronomy

Success story

Lumiform as customer journey mapping tool in gastronomy

Start reading
Book a personal demoView video demoContact sales
By industry
Food and hospitalityManufacturingConstructionRetailTransport and logisticsFacility managementView all industries
By business needs
Health and safetyQualityOperational excellenceRisk management and complianceView all business needs
By use case
Safety management softwareEnergy audit appForklift inspection appBuilding management softwareVehicle inspection appQMS appKaizen method appProperty inspection appRestaurant inspection appElevator management appProject management softwareFire inspection app
View all app uses
Book a personal demoView video demoContact sales
Overview
Template libraryDiscover over 12,000 free, ready-made and expert proofed templates.
Use cases
CleaningMaintenanceRisk assessmentSupply chainIncident management
Business needs
Health and safety managementQuality managementOperational excellenceRisk management and compliance
Industries
Food and hospitalityManufacturingRetailTransport and logisticsConstructionFacility management
Book a personal demoView video demoContact sales
Overview
Product overviewAll features
Capabilities
Digitize
Form builderMobile AppActions
Automate
Workflow automationApprovalsIntegrations
Transparency and accountability
ReportsAnalytics
Orchestrate
Administration
Book a personal demoView video demoContact sales
Templates
Restaurant opening checklist

Restaurant opening checklist

Prepare your restaurant for a smooth opening with this checklist. You can assign tasks, track progress, and maintain high standards from the front of house to the kitchen.

Use this template
or download pdf
Restaurant opening checklist

Prepare your restaurant for a smooth opening with this checklist. You can assign tasks, track progress, and maintain high standards from the front of house to the kitchen.

Use this template
or download pdf

About the Restaurant opening checklist

Opening a restaurant is filled with multiple tasks that need to be coordinated smoothly. From seating arrangements to ensuring the kitchen is fully stocked, there are countless details to keep track of. Our restaurant opening checklist template gives you a clear, structured way to manage these essential tasks efficiently.

By using this template, you’ll have a reliable guide to streamline your team’s preparation and get your restaurant ready for a successful day of service. It focuses on areas like cleanliness, table settings, and equipment functionality, ensuring everything is in order before the doors open.

How to use the restaurant opening checklist

Here’s how to put this checklist to work:

  1. Set up and customize the template. Once you’ve accessed the template in the Lumiform app, edit it to reflect the specific needs of your restaurant. Add or remove tasks based on your setup, such as adjusting seating arrangements or updating inventory checks.
  2. Assign roles to your team. You can use Lumiform’s role assignment feature to designate who is responsible for tasks like inspecting glassware or preparing mise-en-place. This helps avoid confusion and ensures accountability.
  3. Track progress in real-time. As tasks are completed, your team can mark items off directly in the app, allowing you to track their progress live. This real-time tracking feature ensures that nothing gets overlooked and that any issues can be addressed immediately.
  4. Encourage photo documentation. For tasks that require attention to detail, encourage your team to upload photos directly into the checklist. This visual evidence makes sure everything meets your restaurant’s standards before service starts.
  5. Analyze and improve over time. After the shift, use Lumiform’s analytics to review how the checklist was completed. Look for patterns or areas where delays occurred, and make adjustments to streamline future openings.

Best practices for using the restaurant opening checklist

To get the most out of the restaurant opening checklist, you can follow the tips below.

First, customize the checklist to fit your restaurant’s specific needs. The template covers the essentials, but each restaurant is unique in its layout, menu, and priorities. Adjust the template to reflect these details, whether it’s adding tasks for inventory checks or specialized equipment.

Consider incorporating visual aids like photos into the checklist for tasks that require quality control. For example, adding images of how table settings should look can help guide staff, making it easier to identify and maintain your restaurant’s standards.

Encourage staff to communicate any issues found during their checks as well. Whether it’s a broken chair or low stock, fostering open communication ensures that small problems are addressed promptly. Your staff can also note these as comments in the checklist.

Download Lumiform’s restaurant opening checklist today

Keep your restaurant’s opening process smooth and consistent by making this restaurant opening checklist part of your routine. From organizing seating arrangements to ensuring quality control, this customizable template gives your team the clarity they need to operate efficiently every day. Try the template now to simplify daily tasks, track progress, and boost accountability.

Related categories

  • Operational excellence templates
  • Hospitality templates
  • Quality assurance templates
  • Templates for business processes
Preview of the template
Audit
Opening Checklist
Seating arrangement has been done as required
All linen is cleaned, ironed & folded as per the standard
Adequate mise-en-place has been stacked
Check for table/ chair wobbling
Check for cleanliness & proper lay-out of table
Check quality of glassware and discard chipped glasses, crockery, cutlery checked for cleanliness
REFERENCE: Clean and no chipped glasses [This is an example of how you can use Lumiform to include best practice reference images in your templates to assist with inspections]
Ensure floor is clean and polished
Walls, curtains are checked for any visible spots
Check for used bulbs and follow up with the maintenance
All lights and electrical points operational
Air-conditioning operational
Check for the proper stacking of mineral water/soft drinks
Ensure the side station is stacked properly as per the standard
Check that the water cooler is functioning properly
Check Ice cube machine
Ensure that the POS system is working properly
Ensure that the non-available Item list is written on the board & everybody is aware
Check if telephone is working
Ensure that everybody has service kit & is properly groomed
Brief the staff for the operation & up-selling
Allocate the staff to their respective areas
Completion
Recommendations
Full Name and Signature of Inspector
This template was downloaded 217 times

More templates like this

Restaurant manager duties checklist
Restaurant manager duties checklist
Use this checklist to track essential tasks like customer service, and daily operations. Stay organized by documenting key responsibilities, ensuring smooth restaurant performance every shift.
Leadership and management templates
Restaurant closing checklist
Restaurant closing checklist
Use this restaurant closing checklist to streamline end-of-day tasks, track cleaning duties, and conduct inventory checks so you can transition smoothly from closing to the next day’s operations.
Quality assurance templates
Daily restaurant checklist
Daily restaurant checklist
Make the most of your daily restaurant operations with a fully customizable checklist that covers everything from opening tasks to inventory management.
Food safety templates
Restaurant health inspection checklist
Restaurant health inspection checklist
This checklist is designed to guide your team through inspections so you can maintain food safety and compliance across all areas of your restaurant.
Food safety templates
Restaurant maintenance checklist
Restaurant maintenance checklist
Use this restaurant maintenance template to simplify regular inspections of equipment, dining areas, and restrooms.
Maintenance templates
Restaurant audit checklist
Restaurant audit checklist
Boost your restaurant’s standards with this audit checklist. Tailored for detailed inspections, it helps you maintain impeccable quality and safety in every corner of your establishment.
Quality assurance templates

Related resources

Access a complete set of resources aimed at maximizing safety, quality, and operational excellence, including detailed guides, related templates, and real-world use cases.

Topic guides

Read in-depth guides covering key topics related to this article.

Food waste management: A comprehensive guideHospitality management: Key skills and careersHow To Achieve Commercial Kitchen Hygiene
See all topic guides

Template collections

See comprehensive collections of best practice templates related to this topic.

27 free restaurant checklists3 Free Restaurant SOP Templates4 free restaurant audit checklists
See all template collections

Use cases

Check out how the Lumiform software can be utilized for related use cases.

Restaurant inspection appStandout service every time with a customer journey mapping toolHospitality management software
See all use cases

Other resources

Explore all the additional resources we offer to assist you in mastering this topic.

5 reasons workflow automation improves food safetyModernize your restaurant technology with digitalization5 ways to achieve continuous improvement in your hospitality businessUsing technology to improve hospitality management

Frequently asked questions

What should I prioritize during a restaurant opening routine?

During the restaurant opening routine, prioritize cleanliness, inventory checks, and equipment functionality. Start with high-impact areas like the dining room, kitchen, and customer service points. Check for table settings, kitchen prep, and POS system readiness. Anything that could affect guest experience—like malfunctioning equipment or poor sanitation—should be tackled first to prevent delays.

What are some common mistakes to avoid when opening a restaurant for the day?

A common mistake is rushing through the checklist without thoroughly inspecting key areas like kitchen equipment or dining room cleanliness. Skipping communication between staff can also lead to confusion and missed tasks. Another pitfall is failing to update the checklist regularly, leaving out important adjustments that might reflect changes in your restaurant’s operations or layout.

How can I maintain quality control across multiple restaurant locations?

To maintain consistent quality across multiple locations, implement a standardized opening checklist across all branches, but allow flexibility for site-specific adjustments. You can also use periodic audits and spot checks to track performance. Encourage each manager to provide feedback on recurring issues, and centralize quality control data to identify trends or areas needing improvement.

How can I train new staff to follow the restaurant opening procedures efficiently?

Training new staff starts with clear, step-by-step guidance. Pair them with experienced team members to walk them through the checklist in action. Use visual aids, like photos or diagrams, for tasks that require more precision, such as setting up the dining room or checking kitchen stations. Regularly check in on their progress and provide constructive feedback.


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.
Lumiform logo
Platform
HomeSign upProductAll featuresPricingEnterpriseTrust and securityCustomer success offeringsDownload the app
Solutions
IndustriesFood and hospitalityManufacturingConstructionRetailTransport and logisticsFacility management
Business needsHealth and safetyQualityOperational excellenceRisk management and compliance
Uses cases
Learn
Template collectionsTopic guidesLexiconHelp centerJournalInfographicsVideos
Resources
Lumiform templatesby industryby use caseby business needAll categories
Customer storiesDeveloper APIResource hubIntegrations
Company
AboutJobsLegalBook a demoContact sales
© 2025 LumiformTerms and conditionsPrivacyData processingSitemap
App StoreGoogle play