Restaurant Opening Checklist (Free Template)
The opening shift sets the tone for the whole day. Miss a walk-in temp or an unstocked station and you’re fighting it through the lunch rush. Here’s a complete opening checklist for front of house, bar, and kitchen — free to copy, print, or run live in standley.
Front of house — opening
Dining room
- Unlock, disarm the alarm, lights and HVAC to service levels
- Walk the dining room: chairs down, floors clean
- Wipe and level tables; check every one for stability
- Set tables to standard — silverware, napkins, condiments
- Stock the host stand: menus, charged tablets, waitlist ready
- Check restrooms: clean, stocked, and dry
- Fire up POS; confirm printers and card readers work
- Review reservations, large parties, and the 86 list
- Set patio: furniture out, umbrellas, surfaces clean
Bar — opening
Bar open
- Stock wells, juices, mixers, and ice
- Cut fruit and prep garnishes for the day
- Check kegs and CO2; pour-test each tap
- Wipe the bar, stools, and back bar
- Confirm bottle par and note anything running low
Kitchen — opening
Back of house open
- Turn on equipment and let it come to temperature
- Take and log walk-in and freezer temperatures
- Check deliveries received; put away and rotate FIFO
- Work the prep list against par
- Stock every station to par
- Make up sanitizer buckets; check the dish machine
- Confirm specials and the 86 list with front of house
Manager — open
Manager open
- Count and set the drawers
- Review reservations, events, and the day's staffing
- Confirm any callouts or covers are handled
- Walk the floor and the line — confirm ready for service
- Run pre-shift: specials, 86s, and the day's priorities
Turn a paper list into a routine that runs itself
Opening lists live and die on consistency — they only work if the same things happen every day, in every station, no matter who’s on. A short list per person beats one long one, proof beats trust, and a manager who can see what’s done from their phone beats one walking the floor with a clipboard.
In standley, opening tasks reset every morning and show up only for the crew that’s clocked in — with photo proof on the ones that matter, and completions you can watch land in real time. Pair it with the NFC time clock and the opening shift is on the record the moment it starts.