Restaurant Closing Checklist

A complete closing checklist covering front of house, kitchen, bar, cash handling, and final lock-up — so nothing gets missed at the end of the night.

Check items off as your team closes down. Your progress is saved automatically on this device, and you can print or save this checklist as a PDF for your binder.

Customize this checklist for your restaurant’s equipment, policies, operating procedures, and applicable requirements.

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Front of House Closing

Stop seating per house last-seating policy
Clear, wipe down, and reset all tables and chairs
Sweep and mop dining room floors
Empty and reline all trash and recycling bins
Restock host stand and to-go supplies for tomorrow
Clean and restock restrooms
Turn off dining room music and adjust lighting

Kitchen & Back of House Closing

Store and label all leftover prep and inventory
Complete closing food safety temperature log
Clean and sanitize all prep surfaces and cutting boards
Clean grills, fryers, ovens, and cooking equipment
Sweep and mop kitchen floors, including walk-in
Empty and clean grease traps per schedule
Take out all kitchen trash and grease disposal
Turn off kitchen equipment not needed overnight
Complete or update tomorrow’s prep list

Bar Closing (If Applicable)

Count bar register and reconcile against sales
Cover and store all garnishes and mixers
Clean bar mats, wells, and speed rails
Wipe down and restock bar for tomorrow
Turn off draft systems per manufacturer guidance

Cash & POS Closing

Run end-of-day sales report from POS
Count and reconcile all cash drawers
Prepare bank deposit per house policy
Log any voids, comps, or discrepancies for review
Close out all POS terminals for the day

HVAC / Energy

Set HVAC/thermostat to the restaurant’s approved after-hours setting; turn off only if restaurant policy specifically requires shutdown
Confirm appropriate kitchen ventilation/exhaust shutdown according to restaurant procedure
Turn off nonessential fans where applicable
Confirm exterior doors and windows are fully closed
Check thermostat for obvious alerts or issues and record problems for the next manager
Confirm HVAC is left in the restaurant’s approved overnight state

Digital Displays, Music & Guest-Facing Devices — Closing (If Applicable)

End or hand off the active waitlist/reservation session per restaurant procedure; confirm no unresolved guest entries remain where applicable
Plug in the waitlist/reservation device, clean it per restaurant procedure, and return it to its assigned charging/storage location
Stop TV/digital display content and turn off displays and digital menu boards or set them to the approved after-hours state; return remotes to their assigned location
Stop music/audio playback and turn the system off or set it to the approved after-hours state
Charge and store delivery tablets, kiosks, paging devices, and other guest-facing devices per restaurant procedure
Do not log out of waitlist/reservation or other shared devices unless restaurant policy requires it
Record unresolved device, network, or app issues for the next manager

Final Manager Walkthrough & Lock-Up

Walk the full building to confirm all tasks are complete
Confirm all equipment that should be off is off
Set alarm system per house procedure
Lock all doors and windows
Leave notes for tomorrow’s opening manager

Front of House Closing

Kitchen & Back of House Closing

Bar Closing (If Applicable)

Cash & POS Closing

HVAC / Energy

Guest Ordering Tablets / Charging (If Applicable)

Digital Displays, Music & Guest-Facing Devices — Closing (If Applicable)

Final Manager Walkthrough & Lock-Up

Restaurant Ops Desk

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