Simple Guide: List of Things to Do Before Opening a Restaurant

Dreaming of your own restaurant? The list of things to do before opening a restaurant can feel big, but don’t worry! This guide breaks it into easy steps. It uses tips from real restaurant owners and experts. Whether you’re new to this or coming from another business, you’ll learn how to avoid mistakes, save time, and succeed. Let’s start!

Why Planning Is Key for New Restaurant Owners

Opening a restaurant isn’t just about cooking yummy food. It’s a big job that needs planning. About 6 out of 10 new restaurants close in their first year because of bad planning. But you can do better! Plan your ideas, money, rules, and daily work. A good restaurant opening checklist helps you stay on track and lowers risks.

Many new owners are excited but miss important steps. For example, people on Reddit’s¹ restaurant owner group say costs add up fast, and picking the wrong spot can hurt your business. Blogs like Toast’s give simple checklists for new owners. Use these tips to make your plan. Good planning turns problems into wins.

Pick Your Restaurant Idea

Start by choosing what your restaurant will be. This is the first step in your restaurant opening plan. Decide what food you’ll serve. Will it be burgers, pizza, or something special like vegan tacos?

Steps to follow:

• Learn who your customers are with a target market analysis.
• Check out other restaurants nearby with a competitor analysis.
• Write down your restaurant’s goal and style to guide your menu and look.

Tips:

• Talk to friends or mentors about your idea.
• Try your food at a pop-up event to see what people think.
• Think about a cool name and logo early.

Example: A baker might sell cakes at home first, then open a shop. Learn more at How to Start a Small Business.

Challenge: Don’t rush. A weak idea can confuse customers. Good news: Many restaurants tweak their idea later, so start simple.

Write a Simple Business Plan

Next, make a restaurant business plan checklist. This is like a map for your restaurant. It shows your goals, plans, and money needs. It also helps you get money from others.

What to include:

1. Short summary: Explain your idea and goals.
2. Market info: Look at trends, like more people ordering takeout.
3. Money plan: Guess how much you’ll spend and earn.
4. Daily work: List how your restaurant will run.

Tips:

• Use free online templates to make it easy.
• Add a feasibility study to check if your idea works.
• Ask for help if you’re new to this.

Fact: A good plan can make it 30% easier to get money. Check How to Write a Business Plan for help.

Good news: Numbers can be scary, but start with guesses and fix them later.

Find Money and Know Your Costs

Money is super important. You need to know your restaurant startup costs. A small restaurant might need $100,000, while a big one could need millions. Costs include rent, kitchen tools, workers, and ads.

Ways to get money:

• Loans: Try bank or SBA loans.
• Crowdfunding: Ask people online to support you.
• Investors: Show your idea to people with money. See How to Find Investors for a Startup with No Money.
• Your savings: Use your own money to start small.

Tips:

• Save extra money for surprises, like repairs.
• Use online tools to guess cost projection.
• Look for grants to open a restaurant.

Example: Some owners start with pop-ups to show their idea works before getting money. See Startup Funding Options for First-Time Entrepreneurs.

Reddit tip: Costs are always more than you think. Save extra!

Good news: There are lots of ways to get money, like grants. Check How to Build a Startup with No Money.

Choose a Great Location

Where your restaurant is matters a lot. Pick a spot with lots of people walking by, easy parking, and the right feel for your restaurant opening checklist.

Steps:

1. Check zoning laws to make sure you’re allowed to open there.
2. Look at rent and how big the space is.
3. Plan a floor plan design so customers and workers move easily.

Tips:

• Work with someone who knows business spaces.
• Make sure people can see your restaurant.
• Think about tables and chairs for seating layout.

Example: A Reddit user said a bad spot meant fewer customers, even with great food.

Helpful links: For green ideas, see Sustainable Packaging Ideas for Small Businesses or How to Register a Small Business Online in USA.

Challenge: Good spots cost more, but they bring more people.

Get Your Permits

You must follow the law. A restaurant licensing checklist makes sure you have all the right papers. Rules are different everywhere, but you’ll need some common ones.

Permits you need:

• Business registration and a number called EIN.
• Food service licenses and food safety certification.
• A liquor license if you sell alcohol.
• A health department inspection to make sure your place is safe.

Tips:

• Start early because some permits take a long time.
• Get a lawyer to help with tricky rules.
• Check what your city needs.

Fact: Missing permits can cost you $10,000 or more in fines.

Example: The Toast blog² says permit costs change by state.

More info: What Do You Need to Open a Restaurant.

Good news: Once you have permits, you’re ready to go!

Make a Tasty Menu

Your menu is what makes people come back. Use menu engineering to make it yummy and make money.

Steps:

1. Think of food ideas that fit your restaurant.
2. Test your recipes with friends or at events.
3. Set prices based on food cost projection and what others charge.

Tips:

• Don’t make too many dishes—it’s hard to manage.
• Add drinks because they make more money.
• Make your menu look nice and clear.

Example: A special dish, like a unique dessert, can make you stand out.

Helpful link: Learn about pricing in What is Marketing and How Does It Help a Business.

Challenge: Too many dishes can slow down your kitchen.

Buy Tools and Tech

You need the right stuff to run your restaurant. Your restaurant equipment list includes kitchen tools, tables, and a system to take orders.

What to get:

• Kitchen gear: Things like ovens and fridges.
• Tech: A POS system for payments.
• Furniture: Tables and chairs that match your style.

Tips:

• Buy used stuff to save money.
• Pick tech that can grow with you.
• Shop around for good deals.

Fact: A good POS system can make sales 20% faster.

Example: Reddit users like vendors like Fintech for drinks.

Helpful links: Check Best Business Phone Systems for Small Businesses in 2025 or Apex Fintech Solutions.

Good news: Start with the basics and add more later.

Hire and Train Your Team

Your workers make your restaurant special. A restaurant staff hiring plan helps you find good cooks, servers, and managers.

Steps:

1. Put job ads on sites like Indeed.
2. Talk to people to find the right fit.
3. Teach them about food safety and how to help customers.

Tips:

• Pay well to keep workers happy.
• Make an employee handbook so everyone knows the rules.
• Ask current workers to suggest friends.

Fact: Restaurants lose 8 out of 10 workers, so keep them happy.

Quote: “Hire people who love the job,” says a chef on Reddit.

Helpful link: Learn about paying workers at How to Do Payroll for Small Business.

Challenge: Finding good workers takes time, so start early.

Set Up Daily Work and Suppliers

Your restaurant needs to run smoothly. Focus on inventory management, suppliers, and daily tasks.

Steps:

1. Find vendor contracts for food and drinks.
2. Track what you have with a computer or paper.
3. Make a cleaning plan.

Tips:

• Get deals by buying a lot from suppliers.
• Use apps to track supplies.
• Have extra suppliers in case one doesn’t work out.

Example: Some owners use paper, but computers are faster.

Helpful link: Keep money in check with How to Manage Cash Flow in a Small Business.

Plan Your Marketing

Tell people about your restaurant before you open. A restaurant marketing plan gets people excited.

Grand opening checklist:

• Share pictures on Instagram.
• Give discounts for the first week.
• Work with nearby stores to tell people.

Tips:

• Use social media marketing for restaurants to find local people.
• Make a simple website.
• Collect emails for news and deals.

Fact: Good ads can fill your restaurant 30% faster.

Helpful links: Try SEO Tips for Local Restaurant Businesses or Free Marketing Strategies for Small Businesses.

Example: A soft opening with friends helps you practice.

Plan Your Opening Days

Start with a restaurant soft opening guide to test everything. Then have a big grand opening.

Steps:

1. Invite friends and family for a test run.
2. Fix problems you find.
3. Have a fun grand opening promotions party.

Tips:

• Use feedback to make things better.
• Add music or freebies for fun.
• Keep your first dollar as a memory.

Helpful link: Plan ads with Marketing Strategies for Local Small Businesses.

Know the Risks

Restaurants can be tough. Reddit users talk about operational complexity and money problems.

Tips:

• Read books like “The E-Myth” for tips.
• Start small to test your idea.
• Watch your money closely.

Helpful link: Avoid mistakes with Why 90% of Startups Fail and How to Avoid It.

Good news: Planning helps you handle risks.

List of Things to Do Before Opening a Restaurant: Quick Checklist

Here’s your restaurant opening checklist:

1. Pick your idea and goal.
2. Write a business plan.
3. Find funding sources and know costs.
4. Pick a good spot.
5. Get permits needed to open a restaurant.
6. Make a great menu.
7. Buy tools and tech.
8. Hire and train workers.
9. Set up suppliers and work.
10. Plan ads and opening days.

This list of things to do before opening a restaurant keeps you ready.

FAQs

1. What do I need to do before opening a restaurant?

You need to pick an idea, make a business plan, find money, choose a spot, get permits needed to open a restaurant, create a menu, buy tools, hire workers, set up work, and plan ads. Use a restaurant opening checklist to stay on track.

2. How much money do I need for a small restaurant?

A small restaurant might need $100,000 to $300,000 for rent, tools, permits, and workers. Use a cost projection tool and check funding sources like loans. See How to Build a Startup with No Money.

3. What permits do I need for a restaurant?

You need business registration, an EIN, food service licenses, a health department inspection, and maybe a liquor license. Check your city’s rules and start early. See What Do You Need to Open a Restaurant.

4. How do I tell people about my restaurant before opening?

Use a restaurant marketing plan with social media, local deals, and a soft opening. Share on Instagram, give discounts, and make a website. Check SEO Tips for Local Restaurant Businesses.

5. What are the big risks of opening a restaurant?

Risks include high costs, bad spots, and tough daily work. Reddit users say plan for cost projection and be realistic. Test small to avoid problems. See Why 90% of Startups Fail and How to Avoid It.

Conclusion

This list of things to do before opening a restaurant gives you an easy plan to succeed. From picking your idea to opening day, each step helps you build a strong business. Follow these steps to avoid trouble and make your dream real. What part of your restaurant are you most excited about? Tell us in the comments!

References

1. Reddit Thread: Real tips from owners on planning and risks. In Order To-Do List of Starting a Restaurant – Great for new owners wanting clear steps. ↩︎
2. Toast Blog: Easy checklist with helpful tools. What Do You Need to Open a Restaurant – Perfect for beginners needing simple advice. ↩︎