EMPLOYEES

• Validate employee health and readiness to work, check if any employee has been out of the country in the past 2 weeks or has been sick at all
• Confirm readiness to return to work and new availability (many businesses have adjusted hours, employees may have adjusted availability as well)
• Communicate Re-Opening schedules as soon as possible with team members
• Print and post schedules as soon as possible, ideally online
• Schedule team member limiting overlap and providing consistent schedules for employee satisfaction and for your guests
• Schedule two team members to complete pre-opening checklist together for safety

CUSTOMERS

• Keep customers informed on any updates through direct email, and/or social media
• Connect with customers and update them on extra measures take to clean/sanitize your business
• Ensure customers are aware of online ordering processes for delivery and take-out
• Update website as needed and ensure it is easy to use
• Offer a re-opening and loyalty special if possible to thank customers for being patient and supporting your business

INVENTORY

• Count all inventory and prepare orders for any stock needed
• Forecast sales and items needed for re-open including any extra items needed for delivery and take-out
• Check all expiry dates and ensure proper rotation of items using FIFO (First-In, First-Out)
• Verify inventory count and records
• Record any waste, shrink or losses – account for damaged/out of date/spoiled during closure – donate what you can to local foodbanks
• Communicate re-opening schedule and any adjusted hours to suppliers and vendors – update product orders and delivery schedules.

STORE EXTERIOR

• Clean all areas outside the store for a great first impression
• Sweep sidewalks, dust ledges, windex and sanitize store windows and doors.
• Ensure building is clean and well lit – no lights out
• Parking lot free of debris, clean and swept
• Check garbage and recycling area and call vendors for pick-up if needed, ensure organized
• Landscaping is refreshed and maintained – no garbage in planters or gardens
• Ensures all signage is cleaned and up to date
• NOW OPEN signage and hours represent new or adjusted hours

Main café and restaurant areas

• Detail sweep and mop all dining areas, moving all furniture and fixtures
• Clean light fixtures and replace burnt out bulbs
• Sanitize doors, knobs and handrails and create schedule for regular cleaning
• Dust all merchandise displays, shelving, ledges and surfaces
• Check that all fixtures, floors, walls, windows, and surfaces are clean and well maintained.
• Before restocking product, review updated merchandising guides/promotional materials.
• Ensure merchandisers/team members are scheduled to set up displays and equipment prior to open
• Stock shelves and displays and ensure is visually appealing and easy to shop for customers
• Verify product pricing and ensure sale items are red-stickered with proper signage
• Update menus and signage to reflect current promotions and inventory – as well as any products out of stock