Operations / Opening & setup
New Restaurant Opening Checklist
Plan the work from business setup through soft opening, launch week, and the first review.
At a glance
Ready for the next shift
This is a project checklist for opening a new restaurant, cafe, bar, bakery, food truck, or other food business. It is different from the daily opening checklist: use it to plan the weeks and months before launch.
Best for
Owners, project leads, and opening managers
Format
Multi-stage printable checklist
Use
When opening a new food business
A4 / Letter friendly
Practical steps
How to use this resource
Follow these steps before putting the template into regular use.
Set dates and ownership
Set a target opening date and appoint one person to maintain the checklist.
Assign every task
Assign an owner and due date to every item that applies.
Verify local requirements
Use it alongside professional advice for licences, insurance, employment, building work, and food safety.
Test before opening
Run a test service before launch and record what needs changing.
Review after launch
Review the list after opening week while the details are fresh.
This template is a general operational resource. Licensing, food-safety, sanitation, employment, and record-keeping requirements vary by location and business. Verify the local requirements that apply to your operation.
Printable resource
New Restaurant Opening Checklist
Use the complete template below, or download the printable PDF for your operations binder.
Business setup
- Confirm business structure, insurance, and banking
- Set budget and opening timeline
- Confirm local licences and compliance requirements
Location, suppliers, and equipment
- Confirm utilities and internet
- Set up supplier accounts and delivery routine
- Install and test equipment
- Plan storage, packaging, and signage
Staffing and training
- Hire the opening team
- Create roles, rota, and key procedures
- Train staff on service, menu, cleaning, food safety, and handover
Menu, pricing, and payments
- Cost recipes and set prices
- Confirm menu descriptions, dietary information, and allergens
- Set up POS, card payments, receipts, and reporting
- Create opening stock and supplier order plan
Website and online presence
- Publish website and current menu
- Set up Google Business Profile and local discovery details
- Create and test QR codes
- Confirm delivery-platform and online-ordering details where used
Test service and launch
- Run a soft opening or test service
- Collect staff and guest feedback
- Prepare launch communications
- Check opening-week staffing, stock, and support
- Schedule a post-opening review
Project tracker
| Task | Status | Responsibility | Due date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Opening details
Target opening date
Owner
Manager
Location
Post-opening review date
Download the printable checklist
Print it for your manager station, opening folder, clipboard, or staff operations binder.
Nommy tools
Related tools and products
Use these Nommy tools and products alongside this resource.
Website
A professional, mobile-first website for food businesses
Digital Menu
Online menu with prices, photos, allergen info, and dietary labels
QR Code
Dynamic QR codes for menus, website, or any links
Menu Pricing Calculator
Calculate profitable menu prices, food costs, and margins in seconds.
Recipe Cost Calculator
Add ingredients, set portions, and see recipe cost, cost per portion, and a suggested selling price.
Restaurant Operations Kit
Keep every routine
within reach
Download ready-to-use restaurant checklists, logs, trackers, and worksheets that help your team run smoother shifts.
Download Operations KitMore resources
Related resources
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Restaurant Opening Checklist
Work through the essential front-of-house, kitchen, menu, and team checks before service begins.
Restaurant Cleaning Checklist
Plan and record practical cleaning tasks by frequency, area, and assigned person.
Restaurant Supplier Order Sheet
Prepare supplier orders with current stock, par levels, delivery details, and a record of follow-up.
Restaurant Menu Update Checklist
Check the content, operations, and every customer-facing channel when a menu changes.