Restaurant Inventory Checklist

Controlling food inventory is a critical aspect of your restaurant operation. Using your menu as your guide, your inventory checklist is unique to your restaurant and is an important planning tool. It allows you buy just the ingredients you need – and avoid costly food waste.

Here are a few other ways a solid restaurant inventory checklist helps you be successful long-term:

You’ll be able to determine a schedule of what to buy when

Each ingredient has a unique shelf life, storage requirements, availability and demand. It might not make sense to get pounds of pasta delivered as regularly as fresh tomatoes. The checklist helps you set a smart delivery schedule that keeps ingredients rotating so they’re at their freshest and are on hand when needed.

You’ll know which suppliers to work with

Some ingredients are easily ordered from wholesale food suppliers, while others are best sourced from local farms, markets, fishmongers, or butchers. Knowing your ingredients list, how much of each item you’ll need, and how quickly you’ll need it, will factor into your vendor selection.

You always have cleaning and service items on hand

Don’t forget to stock up on supplies like disinfectant cleaners, dish soap, napkins, and toilet paper. Budget accordingly, and have a plan to replace these items when they’re depleted.