Restaurant Operations Checklist

When it comes to running a restaurant, there’s a lot to keep track of. From purchasing and receiving to cleaning and maintenance, it can be hard to make sure everything gets done. Fortunately, a good restaurant operations checklist can solve this conundrum and ensure day-to-day operations run without a hitch.

What is a Restaurant Operations Checklist?

A restaurant operations checklist is a document that lists all the tasks you and your staff need to complete to run your restaurant on a daily basis. Because there are so many different tasks involved in day-to-day restaurant operations management, a restaurant operations checklist is often split up into smaller checklists that can be carried out by different teams.

What’s Included in a Typical Restaurant Operations Checklist

Because there is so much to do on any given day in a restaurant, an operations checklist is usually split up into several sections. Typically, an operations checklist will include individual checklists for those following:

• Purchasing: Tasks related to vendor management and purchasing ingredients.
• Receiving: Details related to receiving incoming orders, including confirming delivery times, checking products for consistently, and signing off on invoices.
• Front of House Opening Duties: A list of all the tasks FOH staff must carry out before the restaurant opens for the day.
• Back of House Opening Duties: A list of all the tasks BOH staff must carry out ahead of service.
• Kitchen Cleaning Checklist: An overview of all the items in a kitchen that need to be cleaned each day, including all prep areas, equipment such as grills and fryers, and ensuring all dishes are run through the dishwasher.
• Equipment Maintenance: A list of all equipment that must be regularly checked to keep restaurant tools and equipment in proper working order.
• Food Storage: Tasks for ensuring the proper storage of all ingredients and regular inventory management.
• Food Preparation: All the tasks that need to be completed to ensure the kitchen is ready to prepare food ahead of service.
• Service: Helpful reminders and tips for FOH staff during service.
• Manager’s Closing Duties: A list of all the tasks that must be completed by the restaurant manager before the venue is closed for the day.
• Catering: An overview of all the tasks involved in catering for an event, including confirming event details, placing orders with suppliers, and securing the final payment.
• Staff Onboarding: A list of all the steps involved in onboarding a new staff member, including collecting the necessary paperwork.

Benefits of Using Restaurant Operations Checklists

Perhaps the biggest benefit of using a checklist for restaurant operations is that it gives you a very clear list of instructions for all the different aspects of restaurant management. But there are also many other big benefits for your business.

1. Standardize Your Processes

A restaurant operation checklist PDF can play a huge role in standardizing day-to-day operations in your restaurant. If all staff are following the same checklists, then you can ensure that all necessary tasks will be completed and documented.

A restaurant operations checklist can be especially beneficial if you run multiple venues. If you use the same checklist at each location, you can ensure staff are following the same protocols and fulfilling the same necessary duties each day.

2. Increase Staff Productivity

Aside from keeping your staff organized, a restaurant operations checklist can also help improve productivity. A checklist allows staff to focus on the tasks that need to be completed and ensure that nothing is overlooked. And when staff spend less time trying to figure out what needs to be done, they can spend more time actually completing their work.

3. Improve Safety

There are also major safety benefits that come with using a checklist for restaurant operations. These checklists remind staff to regularly check equipment for damage, to turn off appliances like gas stoves at the end of the day, and to secure the restaurant itself by locking the doors and windows after closing.

4. Save Money

Lastly, a restaurant operations checklist can save you money. Regularly keeping up with your restaurant cleaning and kitchen equipment maintenance can ensure that your business isn’t hit with hefty fines that put a huge dent in your budget. With your handy restaurant operation checklist PDF, you can ensure your venue is always inspection-ready.

To start using streamlining operations in your own business, download TouchBistro’s restaurant operations checklists today.