Restaurant Closing Checklist

Cover front of house, back of house, cash, cleaning, and security — every shift, in order.

Checklist steps

  1. Stop seating guests

    Lock the front door at posted closing time. Continue serving seated guests.

  2. Cash out servers

    Run server reports, collect tips, reconcile cash drawers against POS reports.

  3. Wipe and reset every table

    Sanitize tables, replace condiments, reset placemats and silverware for opening.

  4. Clean kitchen line

    Wipe down stations, scrape and clean grills, sanitize prep surfaces. Empty grease traps if scheduled.

  5. Restock and rotate cold and dry storage

    FIFO rotation. Note any items below par on the prep list.

  6. Sweep and mop all floors

    Front of house, kitchen, and entry. Place wet floor signs.

  7. Take out trash and break down boxes

    Lock the dumpster. Confirm grease bin is secured.

  8. Lock the safe and drop the deposit

    Count cash twice, log into safe log, prepare deposit slip if applicable.

  9. Arm alarm and lock all doors

    Check back door, walk-ins, and front. Set alarm only after final exit.

Frequently asked questions

How long does a typical restaurant close take?

Most quick-service close in 45 minutes; full-service typically takes 75–120 minutes after last guest.

Who signs off on the close?

The closing manager. Their initials go on the checklist before the alarm is armed.

Can I customize this checklist?

Yes — save it into Lemplates, edit any step, and assign roles per station.