What to complete before opening your restaurant

Confirm the approval record for your location

Ask the responsible Building, Health and Fire contacts which final documents or permissions apply. Record their status rather than relying on a verbal statement that the space is done.

An existing restaurant or a change of operator can have its own process. Confirm the requirements for your proposed operation with the responsible health agency.

• List each applicable approval and who obtains it.
• Record outstanding corrections and follow-up visits.
• Keep written permission and permit records accessible.

Make sure the installed space is ready to use

Arrange demonstrations of equipment, controls and maintenance needs. Ask your team to identify any required testing or startup records that are still missing.

Walk the space with the contractor and keep a punch list of unfinished or defective work. Separate items affecting safe operation or approvals from ordinary remaining handover tasks.

• Collect manuals, warranty information and service contacts.
• Check agreed equipment and system demonstrations.
• Assign each punch-list item and completion date.

Finish the construction account and operating handoff

Review the final account against the agreement and approved changes with appropriate advice. Keep unresolved work, documents and payment questions visible until they are resolved.

Staff preparation, food-safety requirements and business permissions are distinct from construction completion. Assign these operational tasks to the business team and confirm requirements with the responsible agencies.

• Reconcile contract amounts and changes.
• Collect agreed closeout records and requested releases.
• Confirm the opening decision with the responsible team.

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