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Restaurant SOP Example and Free Template

Updated 2026-10-30

Restaurants run on routines that every shift has to repeat the same way. Below is a complete opening-procedure SOP you can copy, followed by a generator that writes one for your own restaurant in seconds.

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What a good restaurant SOP covers

  • Who opens, and who signs off that opening is complete
  • Food safety checks: cooler and freezer temperatures, date labels, sanitizer strength
  • Front-of-house readiness: dining room, restrooms, POS and payment devices
  • What to do and whom to call when a check fails

Example SOP

Restaurant Opening Procedure SOP

Purpose
Open the restaurant safely and on time, with food held at safe temperatures and every station ready before the first guest arrives.
Scope
Applies to the opening manager and opening staff on every shift that opens the restaurant.
Responsibilities
Opening manager · Opening cook · Opening server
Equipment & PPE
Keys and alarm code · Calibrated probe thermometer · Sanitizer test strips · Opening checklist and temperature log

Procedure

  1. 1

    Unlock and disarm

    Enter through the staff door, disarm the alarm and lock the door behind you until opening time.

    Caution: Never open alone if your site requires two people at opening.

  2. 2

    Check cooler and freezer temperatures

    Read each cooler and freezer thermometer and record the readings on the temperature log.

    Caution: If a cooler reads above your food safety limit, tell the manager before using any food from it.

  3. 3

    Turn on the kitchen line

    Switch on hoods, then ovens, grills and fryers so they reach temperature before service.

    Caution: Turn on the hood before any cooking equipment.

  4. 4

    Set up sanitizer buckets

    Fill sanitizer buckets at each station and check the strength with a test strip.

  5. 5

    Prepare the dining room and restrooms

    Wipe tables and menus, set place settings, and check that restrooms are clean and stocked.

  6. 6

    Start up the POS and payment devices

    Turn on the POS terminals and card readers, count the cash drawer and confirm it matches the starting amount.

  7. 7

    Hold the pre-shift briefing

    Review specials, items that are out, reservations and any equipment issues with the team.

  8. 8

    Unlock the front door

    Turn on the open sign and unlock the front door at opening time, then sign the opening checklist.

Notes

  • Keep the completed temperature log and opening checklist for the period your health code requires.
  • Report any failed check to the general manager the same day.

Turn this SOP into a training video

Each step becomes a short clip showing the action, with the step text alongside, for new staff to watch before their first shift.

See a video storyboard

Frequently asked questions

What should a restaurant SOP include?
A purpose, who it applies to, the people responsible, the equipment needed, numbered steps in the order they are done, safety notes on risky steps, and what records to keep.
Which restaurant SOPs should I write first?
Start with the routines that repeat every shift and carry food safety risk: opening, closing, receiving deliveries, cooling, and hand washing.
Can I turn this SOP into a training video?
Yes. Generate your SOP, then turn it into a video where every step has its own clip with the step text shown alongside.

New to SOPs? Read how to write an SOP

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