What an Opening & Closing Restaurant Checklist Should Include

Running a restaurant is already demanding. But without a reliable system for opening and closing, things can spiral fast. That’s where a good checklist comes in—not just as a to-do list, but as a tool to keep your team on track, reduce risk, and save labor hours.

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Key Takeaways

• Create separate checklists for FOH, BOH, and managers.
• Use digital or paper formats everyone can easily access.
• Build tasks into daily routines for labor efficiency.
• Include cleaning, safety, restocking, and communication duties.
• Customize by type of restaurant and shift expectations.

Why Every Restaurant Needs Opening and Closing Checklists

A restaurant opening and closing checklist isn’t just about checking boxes—it’s about protecting your bottom line. These lists help reduce inventory risk, improve staff accountability, and keep your team working efficiently. Even small oversights can snowball into bigger issues, especially when you're juggling high turnover and tight labor 

These checklists also play a key role in controlling labor costs. OpsAnalitica clients report labor cost reductions of 3–4% simply by holding teams accountable to daily SOPs using the platform. In one case, a client saved $5,000 per week by enforcing proper clock-out procedures, reducing unnecessary payroll overages. When your team follows a structured system, it’s not just about efficiency—it’s about real dollars saved.

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Related: Restaurant Management Checklist Examples

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What Should Be On an Opening Checklist for Restaurants?

An opening checklist should focus on tasks that prepare the space for a smooth and efficient start to service, from unlocking doors to organizing prep stations. This process ensures that each team member knows their responsibilities, reducing the risk of overlap or missed steps. A well-organized opening routine helps streamline operations and keeps labor hours productive from the start.

Opening Checklist for FOH (Front-of-House)

• Unlock doors, lights, music
• Wipe down tables and chairs
• Restock napkins, menus, condiments
• Set up POS terminals
• Double-check reservation list
• Inspect bathrooms
• Walk the floor for cleanliness and hazards

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Following these steps ensures staff can move smoothly into service mode without wasting time or guessing what needs to be done. With everything in place, they can focus on guests instead of troubleshooting setup issues. It also helps reduce stress during shift transitions, especially in busy environments.

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Opening Checklist for BOH (Back-of-House)

• Turn on kitchen equipment
• Take temperature logs of fridges/freezers
• Prep mise en place
• Restock ingredients
• Check sanitation stations
• Review prep list with kitchen team

Proper kitchen prep at the start of the day lays the groundwork for a smoother, less reactive service. It helps the team stay ahead, reducing the chances of scrambling during a lunch or dinner rush. Investing time upfront minimizes stress and keeps the pace manageable throughout the shift.

Opening Duties for Managers

• Review labor schedule
• Assign station responsibilities
• Confirm inventory deliveries
• Brief staff on daily specials or issues
• Review yesterday’s shift notes

Managers can use restaurant opening duties checklist templates to keep track of responsibilities in a clear and consistent way. These templates simplify oversight and reduce miscommunication by providing a shared reference point across the team. When tasks are organized and visible, it’s easier to stay on schedule and catch issues before they become bigger problems.

What Should Be On a Closing Checklist?

A closing checklist helps return the restaurant to a clean and organized state while setting it up for a smooth opening the next day. It consolidates tasks tied to cleanliness, safety, and energy savings into one routine, making end-of-shift transitions more consistent. When done properly, it also supports cost control by avoiding unnecessary rework, hazards, or utility waste.

Closing Checklist for FOH

• Clean and sanitize all tables
• Tuck chairs in
• Count cash and match with POS
• Secure windows and doors
• Turn off lights, A/C, music

Closing Checklist for BOH

• Label, date, and store food
• Clean and sanitize prep surfaces
• Shut down equipment
• Remove trash and recycling
• Check pest control traps

Closing Duties for Managers

• Review closing reports
• Log performance notes
• Lock POS terminals
• Check security cameras
• Make nightly deposit

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Related: Food Safety Audit Examples

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Restaurant Opening and Closing Checklist Template

Creating an opening and closing checklist for restaurants can be as straightforward as using a spreadsheet or form tailored to your operations. Many teams start with a restaurant opening and closing checklist Excel file, which offers flexibility and ease of use. This approach allows staff to track tasks clearly while adapting the format to fit different roles and shifts.

Columns usually include:

• Task
• Assigned person
• Completed (checkbox or initials)
• Notes

Templates can be adjusted for:

• FOH
• BOH
• Managers
• Shifts (AM/PM)
• Locations (kitchen, patio, bar)

This flexible format scales easily, making it suitable for everything from small cafes and local diners to large dining halls or multi-unit operations. Whether you're managing a single location or overseeing several, the same structure can be adapted to your specific needs. It offers consistency across teams while allowing room for location-specific tweaks.

Many teams start with a restaurant opening and closing checklist Excel file, which offers flexibility and ease of use. Others take it a step further by using tools like the OpsAnalitica restaurant operations platform, which digitizes checklists and ensures real-time accountability across teams and locations.

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Why Labor Efficiency Matters

Labor costs are one of the biggest overheads in hospitality. Every missed task during opening or closing adds to rework, delays, or safety hazards. A clean, simple opening and closing checklist can streamline shifts and avoid labor waste.

Beyond reducing delays and rework, OpsAnalitica acts as a job aid, helping new team members get up to speed faster. With micro-training built directly into checklists, teams don’t have to memorize every procedure or rely on a manager—they have clear, in-the-moment guidance at their fingertips.

Linking Checklists to Food and Inventory Risks

Checklists don’t just boost efficiency—they help minimize food safety risk, especially when staff rotate across shifts. Tasks like logging fridge temps or discarding expired items aren’t always second nature.

And when it comes to inventory? Proper opening and closing checklists help reduce inventory risk by tracking what comes in, what goes out, and what gets wasted.

With OpsAnalitica’s revenue optimization features, teams are automatically reminded to complete these tasks, reducing inventory shrinkage and compliance gaps.

What Type of Restaurants Use These Checklists?

Every type of operation benefits from checklists, whether it’s quick service, fine dining, or a large franchise model. Even ghost kitchens and food trucks have their own versions to help maintain consistency in fast-paced environments. Regardless of size or format, these tools support structure and reduce variability across shifts.

Here’s how restaurants that run efficiently handle it:

• Built-in checklist apps or integrations
• Manager walkthroughs before opening
• Nightly sign-offs

If your goal is to run a successful restaurant, then adopting these checklist habits is essential—not optional., then adopting these checklist habits is essential—not optional. They create the structure teams rely on, especially during high-stress or high-volume shifts. Over time, these simple routines become the backbone of consistency, safety, and smoother operations.

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Don’t Reinvent the Wheel

For inspiration or a head start, take a look at this restaurant checklist, which outlines daily tasks for opening and closing., which outlines daily tasks for opening and closing. It’s a helpful example that can be adapted to different restaurant styles and team structures. Even if your setup is unique, reviewing how others approach their routines can spark useful ideas.

Want to Streamline Your Opening & Closing Process?

Explore tools built to save labor hours and reduce the hassle of staying compliant with daily procedures. You can start by reviewing the OpsAnalitica checklist guide or explore their broader suite designed specifically for restaurants. These resources offer practical ways to tighten your workflow without adding extra complexity.

Final Thoughts

Restaurant life is busy, but opening and closing don’t have to be chaotic. With the right checklist, you gain time, reduce mistakes, and support your staff. Whether you’re a corner cafe or a full-scale chain, a smart opening and closing system is one of the easiest ways to boost consistency, safety, and labor efficiency.

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