Restaurant start-up checklist 

You've decided to follow your dreams and open a restaurant, which is no ordinary task. What do you need to know? What preparations need to be made?

The Restaurant Start-Up Checklist is designed to help you create and implement your recipe for success. For general information on business start-up, consult our Business Start-Up Checklist.

• Business start-up checklist

  When you're setting up your business, you need to ensure that all of your bases are covered. Consider the following steps as you navigate through the business start-up phase.

Bon appétit!

Knowing the restaurant industry

As a restaurateur, you need to know your industry, customers and suppliers inside-out. Your marketing strategy will be as crucial to your success as the items on your menu. Use these resources to help develop your knowledge base and become an expert.

• Research – Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Association

  Read about current trends and statistics in the food service industry.

• Canadian Industry Statistics – Food Services and Drinking Places (NAICS 722)

  Access information on the number of establishments, gross domestic product (GDP), labour productivity, capital investment and company directories for the food service and drinking place industry.

• Demographics

  Get data that sheds light on population characteristics such as location, age, income, education level, and more.

• Marketing basics for the restaurant and foodservice industry

  Find marketing tips, promotional ideas and advertising articles straight from the Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Association.

• Nutrition information for foods sold in restaurants and food service establishments

  Find out about the voluntary guidelines from the Canadian Food and Restaurant Association for providing nutrition information to your customers.

• Buying a business

  What you need to know before purchasing an existing business.

• Franchising

  Learn more about buying a franchise as an option for starting a business.

Designing and setting up your restaurant

Whether you build your restaurant from the ground up or you plan to buy an existing one, you need to have a very organized, functional set-up. From the appetizers you serve, to the chairs on which your patrons will sit, you will need to have every detail in place. Setting up your restaurant's exterior, dining area, kitchen and menu requires significant time and attention to detail.

• Menu Design

  Design your menu to attract customers and market your restaurant.

• Menu costing

  Learn how to set your menu prices to maximize profits.

• Design

  Set up the interior and exterior of your restaurant to balance functionality with ambience.

• Restaurant kitchens

  Set up your restaurant's kitchen to make it efficient, safe and functional.

• Stock control and inventory

  Explore various stock control techniques and learn how to develop a suitable inventory system for your company.

• Finding and managing suppliers

  The supplies you rely on to run your business need to be managed efficiently. Find suppliers to fill the many needs of your business.

Complying with restaurant rules and regulations

You will find that the restaurant industry has a number of specific regulations. From storing and preparing food to serving alcoholic beverages, you need to have your house in order before you open your doors. Explore these regulations and guidelines early on in the planning process.

• Permits and licences

  Use our search tool to find out what permits and licences your business may need from the federal, provincial and municipal governments.

• Human resources regulations

  Understand your obligations and responsibilities as an employer with regards to hiring, labour standards, wages, employment equity, maternity and parental leave, and more.

• Sales taxes on food and beverages

  Find out how sales taxes apply to food service meals in each province and territory.

• Reporting gratuities: Employment income not reported on a T4 slip

  Find out how to report tips/gratuities for income tax purposes.

• Liquor service training regulations across Canada

  Planning to serve liquor in your establishment? Find out what training regulations apply in your region.

• Liquor Service Training Program
  Applies only to: Yukon

  Find out how you and your employees can be trained to responsibly serve alcoholic beverages in the Yukon.

• National Food Safety Training Program

  Learn about the Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Association's food safety training courses offered across the country.

• Food Safety

  Access information on food safety, including food/product recalls, food safety training, food allergies and how-to guides on responding and handling specific safety issues.

Red Seal Trade certification in the restaurant industry

Red Seal Trade certification is available for certain occupations in the foodservice industry. You may want to consider these qualifications when you are staffing your restaurant.

• Red Seal Program

  Find out more about trades that are designated under the Red Seal Program. This program is recognized as an interprovincial standard of excellence.

Additional Resources

Whether you are just starting out or are an experienced entrepreneur who's been in business for years, you can never be too informed when it comes to your business.

• Contact the Canada Business Network

  The Canada Business Network has centres across the country that offer guidance, information and resources to help make your journey in business a successful one.

• Business support organizations

  You don't become an expert business manager overnight. Seeking the advice of peers, professional business counsellors and coaches can help you transition from new business owner to experienced entrepreneur.

• Business start-up checklist

  When you're setting up your business, you need to ensure that all of your bases are covered. Consider the following steps as you navigate through the business start-up phase.