Set up a standard restaurant operations process for 2023

The restaurant industry is one of the fastest-growing sectors. However, COVID-19 has significantly impacted this industry. This is the time for managers to sit down, assess the situation, and improve their restaurant’s processes to take more solid steps post-pandemic. Let’s explore a standard restaurant operating procedure with 1Office to achieve the highest efficiency!

What is a restaurant operating procedure?

First, before we look at how to set up a restaurant procedure, let’s get a general overview of what this process entails.

A restaurant operating procedure consists of the principles that restaurant staff must follow. To put it more simply, it’s the entire process from welcoming a customer until they leave.

Each restaurant has its own unique procedure, tailored to its product type and market. There is no one-size-fits-all formula for all restaurants. A procedure is only truly effective when it genuinely fits your restaurant’s business model.

For determining effectiveness and standards in the quality improvement process, the 6 Sigma method is widely used by organizations to measure the difference in performance before and after improvements. To apply the 6 Sigma process effectively, please read more:

As 1Office mentioned above, there is no single, unchangeable procedure that applies to every restaurant. However, this procedure must still be built on certain principles. 

Before Opening Hours

You need to understand the following steps to ensure you are fully prepared before the restaurant opens. 

Step 1: Check if all equipment and ingredients are fully prepared. Depending on the specific facilities of each restaurant, the equipment to be prepared will vary. The manager and head chef are responsible for the ingredients. This stage must be completed before opening time. 

This check helps the restaurant ensure there will be no incidents during operation. 

Step 2: Staff briefing. This helps align attitude, posture, and attire, as well as communicate any new requirements for the day. Additionally, if the restaurant has a reservation service, this is a good time to announce bookings and boost morale for the entire team.

During Opening Hours

During this time, a restaurant needs to focus on four key areas: how to greet customers and take orders, how to serve food, and how to see customers off. Each restaurant has a different service style. However, this is the stage of direct contact with customers and it determines their experience. Good staff and service will leave a lasting impression on customers. 

During opening hours, the manager needs to be agile in managing all issues that arise in the following stages: 

• How to greet customers?
• How to take customer orders?
• How to serve food? Is it according to regulations?
• What should be done when seeing customers off to make the best impression?

Before Closing

Step 1: Cleaning 

Step 2: Check and note down necessary tasks

If you are starting a restaurant business, you need to grasp the basic procedures mentioned above. Additionally, pay attention to the quality of your food and service to attract more customers!