Restaurant operators must make cleanliness and sanitation a top priority. You could be fined or even closed if your restaurant isn’t clean and safe. A dirty restaurant can also be a breeding ground for food-borne illnesses. Customers who get food poisoning from a restaurant can cause damage to their reputations and loss of profits.

Bottom line: A dirty restaurant can be bad for your bottom line.

Restaurant owners have a responsibility to maintain a clean restaurant. It’s not difficult. It’s all about organization, consistency, planning, and a little elbow grease. This checklist will help keep your restaurant spotless from the front to the back.

Keep Your House Clean

Daily Cleaning Checklist

• Clean fryers
• All surfaces should be cleaned (don’t forget to clean the cutting boards)
• Grills: Brush or scour
• Empty sanitizing bins
• All rags can be used directly in the laundry
• All chef’s coats and aprons should be washed
• Sanitize meat/cheese slicers
• Before food can be stored in the refrigerator, it must be covered with airtight tape and labeled.
• All floors, including the walk-ins, should be swept and mopped
• Wipe down the exterior surfaces of the ice machine
• Grease traps should be cleaned
• Clean hood filters in a dishwasher
• Tinfoil liners for grills and ranges can be replaced
• All trash and recyclables must be disposed of
• Wash floor mats
• Steam tables that are clean and empty
• Sanitize sinks, faucets, soda guns
• Correctly dispose of oil and grease

Weekly Cleaning Checklist

• Follow manufacturer’s instructions to clean ovens
• Reach-in refrigerators and coolers must be empty, cleaned, and sanitized
• Clean coffee machines
• Use drain cleaner to clean floor drains
• Wash the walls

Monthly Cleaning Checklist

• Grease buildup can be dealt with by washing behind fryers, flattops, stoves, ovens and stoves. Don’t forget that grease buildup can cause fire hazards and be unsanitary.
• Freezers that are empty and clean
• Clean the ice container, and then sanitize it.
• Wash ceilings
• Make sure your equipment is sharp. Are the oven and thermometers calibrated correctly?
• It would be best if you inspected for rodent or pest droppings. Pest control should be contacted immediately if you find any.

Keeping Front of House Clear

Daily Cleaning Checklist

• Use clean, sanitized rags to wash all surfaces (bars, tabletops, chairs and booths).
• Make sure to clean and sanitize the restrooms.
• Clean and mop floors
• Disinfect condiment dispensers
• Check menus for cleanliness

Weekly Cleaning Checklist

• Dust (blinds and ceiling fans, dust on walls, picture frames, etc
• Clean chair legs and table legs
• Clean baseboards

It’s not difficult to maintain a restaurant clean. Please keep track of the tasks and divide them up. You should not be responsible for the cleanliness of your restaurant and make sanitation a priority.