How to Make an Opening and Closing Checklists for Food Trucks

Food Truck Opening and Closing Checklist Guide

Setting up and closing down a food truck for each shift is a lot of work. There are a lot of small tasks to keep track of, each of which helps to keep the business running smoothly. 

That’s why food truck owners know the importance of streamlining day-to-day operations using checklists.

Food trucks can use opening and closing checklists to take some of the stress out of delegating tasks. Many food service businesses use checklists to train staff, keep employees on task, and maintain food safety standards.

Checklists can be divided into sections for cleaning, stocking, and cash management. Each list can compile items in the order they should be completed. And, you can delegate daily, weekly, and monthly tasks for cleaning and maintenance using checklists.

In this article, you will learn about how to use checklists effectively in your food truck by building comprehensive lists and training staff to use them during every shift. In the end, we provide samples of checklists for each station in your food truck.

What is an Opening and Closing Checklist?

Opening and closing checklists collect all the key tasks that your food truck’s staff complete at the start and end of each shift. Opening checklists set up the food truck to operate smoothly throughout the shift. Closing checklists ensure that closing staff doesn’t forget any critical cleaning and restocking tasks. 

Managers, cooks, and cashiers can use checklists to keep them working efficiently. And they can remind workers of tasks that help to reduce food waste.

Why do you need a checklist before opening and closing a food truck?

Checklists are a great way to account for human error and keep workers on task. They help to keep productivity up since employees won’t have to guess about what to work on next. And they can help to ensure your food truck stays clean and up to health code standards.

Easier training

Training new staff members using checklists just makes sense. Checklists can make it easier to get new hires up to speed on the food truck’s policies and procedures. Trainers can use checklists to make sure they explain everything new hires need to know. And, new employees won’t have to rely on memory to know what needs to be done.

Team accountability

Checklists are great for food truck managers, helping them to keep employees on task and cut down on time spent delegating tasks. Even with small food truck teams, checklists can save everyone valuable time. Checklists simplify dividing tasks evenly among team members and give staff a way to hold each other accountable for their work.

Ensures cleanliness standards

Cleanliness is a necessity in the food service industry. Food trucks have to comply with all food safety regulations and checklists help to ensure that staff completes all of the crucial cleaning tasks. And, in small spaces like food trucks, checklists can help to keep ingredients, utensils, equipment, and supplies organized for easy access.

Reduces mistakes

During busy shifts, food trucks must be able to operate efficiently. Opening and closing checklists ensure that the staff on each shift are setting themselves–and their coworkers–up for success. Forgetting to stock a certain ingredient or the right supplies can result in time-consuming mistakes. Checklists help to reduce those costly mistakes.

Increases efficiency

Checklists can help to train staff, keep the truck clean and organized, and reduce mistakes which can all increase the overall efficiency–and profitability–of the business. When cleaning and stocking tasks are completed on time, the whole staff can work smoothly through a shift. Checklists help to eliminate time-consuming guesswork and make it easier to complete all tasks.

Tips for creating and implementing your food truck opening and closing checklists

Brainstorm tasks

Start the process of writing your food truck’s opening and closing checklists by brainstorming all the tasks that need to be completed by each shift. List everything beyond serving customers and fulfilling orders on these checklists. It can be helpful to create a checklist for each station of the food truck. You can also divide each list by the kind of task–grouping cleaning tasks and stocking tasks, for example. You might create separate checklists for daily, weekly, and monthly cleaning tasks, as well.

Consult your team

Once you have a good first draft of the checklists, ask your team to look over the lists. The employees that work in your food truck are likely aware of necessary tasks that you might overlook. They can help you to make a realistic plan for cleaning every surface and hidden corner of the food truck.

Use a template

Checklists often work best when they are written with easy–to–read, precise language so that anyone can use the checklists. There are templates available for each station of the food truck, including kitchen operations. Templates can help you to build clear and comprehensive opening and closing checklists for your food truck.

Train the team

Train your staff to use the checklists you create to complete their tasks during every shift. Some team members might feel that they can complete everything from memory. But, you can stress the importance of checklists helping them to remember all the tasks when they are tired or distracted from busy shifts. Make several copies of the checklists and laminate them so that they are reusable with dry-erase markers.

Update often

As your food truck grows and changes, you’ll likely need to add and remove items from your opening and closing checklists. Each time you make a change, train the staff to complete new tasks properly. And, make sure that your team is working with the most recent versions of the checklists. That way, everyone will be working from up-to-date policies an

Types of Opening and Closing Checklists

Opening and closing checklists for each station in the food truck help delegate tasks to the right team member. List tasks in the order they should be completed and divide each list by types of tasks, such as cleaning and stocking. The checklists below can help you to start building your food truck’s checklists.

Related Resources

• Restaurant Opening and Closing Checklist

• Bar Opening and Closing Checklist

• Bakery Opening and Closing Checklist

• Brewery Opening and Closing Checklist

• Coffee Shop Opening and Closing Checklist

• Catering Company Opening and Closing Checklist