Open and close out your restaurant project

Know which approvals remain open

Ask your team to list the final approvals needed for this location and type of work. Keep the document or agency status that confirms each one.

For facilities under Los Angeles County Environmental Health, its published procedure calls for local building approvals before the final Health plan-check inspection. Confirm the sequence with the responsible agencies for your site.

• Name the owner of each remaining approval.
• Record correction work and reinspection dates.
• Confirm the health agency responsible for your address.

Test the equipment and collect the records

Arrange equipment demonstrations with the people who will operate and maintain it. Confirm what testing and startup documents are included in your agreements.

Create a punch list: a written list of unfinished or defective items. Give each item an owner and completion date, and record how completion will be checked.

• Collect equipment manuals and warranty contacts.
• Record keys, controls and shutoff locations.
• Keep final drawings and inspection records together.

Keep opening readiness separate from final billing

A space can look finished while approvals or equipment issues remain unresolved. Ask the responsible agencies and professionals to confirm what is needed before operation.

Reconcile final contract amounts and unresolved work using the agreement and qualified advice. Do not treat a payment, a landlord walkthrough or a planned opening date as permission to operate.

• Review the final account and approved changes.
• Identify outstanding releases or other requested records.
• Assign operational items such as staff preparation separately.

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