Simplify Management with 6 Restaurant Policies & Procedures

Key takeaways

• Restaurant policies and procedures create structure, consistency, and compliance across teams and shifts.
• Core policy areas include health and safety, employee conduct, reservations, payments, alcohol service, and legal requirements.
• Common mistakes include vague language, outdated documents, and failure to train or track compliance.
• Tools like Operandio turn static policies into live, trackable processes — with digital SOPs, training access, and built-in health and safety inspection software.

Running a restaurant without clear policies and procedures is like trying to cook without a recipe — things might come together eventually, but not without wasted time, confusion, and a few preventable fires (literal or otherwise!).

This guide breaks down the essential restaurant policies and procedures you need to run a smoother, safer, and more consistent operation. From staff conduct and customer service to food safety compliance, training, and legal compliance, we’ll show you how to set clear standards your team can actually follow — and how tools like Operandio make implementation effortless.

What are restaurant policies and procedures?

Restaurant policies and procedures are the foundation for consistent, compliant, and high-performing operations. 

Policies outline your expectations — the rules and standards that guide decisions and behaviour. 

Procedures, on the other hand, explain exactly how tasks should be carried out to meet those expectations.

Together, they turn your goals into daily action — whether that’s delivering great customer service, maintaining food safety, or managing staff effectively. Without clear policies and procedures, teams are left guessing — which leads to mistakes, inefficiencies, and risk.

6 types of restaurant policies and procedures

Having the right policies and procedures in place creates consistency, protects your team, and delivers a reliable customer experience. From staff conduct to food safety, these six categories cover the essential systems every restaurant needs to operate smoothly and stay compliant.

1. Health and safety procedures

Health and safety procedures ensure your staff and customers are protected every day. From food safety to emergency protocols, these guidelines help prevent accidents, reduce liability, and keep your venue inspection-ready.

Food safety

Procedures should be in place to ensure that all food served in the restaurant is safe to eat. This includes guidelines for food handling, storage, cooking, and serving. Staff should be trained on proper food handling practices, such as washing hands frequently, using gloves and hairnets, and ensuring that food is cooked to the appropriate temperature.

Hygiene practices

The restaurant should have policies in place to ensure that staff maintain high levels of personal hygiene. This includes guidelines for hand washing, using clean utensils and equipment, and wearing appropriate clothing. Staff should also be trained on how to recognize and respond to signs of illness.

Cleaning protocols

The restaurant should have procedures in place for regular cleaning and sanitising of all surfaces and equipment. This includes guidelines for cleaning and sanitising food preparation areas, kitchen equipment, and dining areas. Staff should also be trained on how to properly use cleaning chemicals and equipment.

Emergency procedures

The restaurant should have procedures in place for responding to emergencies such as fires, floods, or medical emergencies. Staff should be trained on how to respond to different types of emergencies, and it should be regularly reviewed and updated.

Allergen management

Procedures should be in place to manage allergens and prevent cross-contamination. This includes guidelines for identifying allergens in menu items, handling and storing allergenic ingredients separately, and communicating allergen information to customers.

Workplace safety

Procedures should be in place to ensure that the workplace is safe for employees. This includes safety guidelines for lifting heavy objects, using equipment safely, and preventing slips, trips, and falls.

Training and education

All staff should receive regular training on health and safety procedures to ensure that they are following best practices and staying up-to-date with any changes in regulations. A clearly written restaurant training manual can help reinforce these expectations and serve as a go-to reference for new and existing team members.

2. Employee Policies and Procedures

Clear expectations lead to better performance. A restaurant should also have policies and procedures in place that govern employee behaviour. These are typically outlined in a digital employee handbook or policy manual, designed to promote professionalism, teamwork, and a positive work environment.

Dress code

A dress code policy should outline the appropriate attire for employees, including guidelines for uniforms, hair, and personal grooming. The dress code should be enforced consistently to ensure that all employees present a professional appearance.

Employee conduct

A policy on employee conduct should outline the expectations for behaviour in the workplace, including guidelines for communication, respect, and conflict resolution. The policy should also outline the consequences for violating the policy, which may include verbal or written warnings, suspension, or termination.

Communication protocols

A communication policy should outline the appropriate channels for communication in the workplace, including guidelines for email, phone, and in-person communication. The policy should also outline the expectations for timeliness and professionalism in communication.

Customer Service Policies

Customer service policies are critical to ensuring a positive customer experience in a restaurant. These policies provide guidelines for employees on how to interact with customers and handle a variety of situations that may arise. Below are some of the key areas that customer service policies should address:

Greeting customers

A customer service policy should outline the expectations for how employees should greet customers. This may include guidelines for using a friendly and welcoming tone, making eye contact, and introducing oneself.

Handling complaints

A policy for handling customer complaints should provide guidelines for how to handle situations where a customer is unhappy with their experience. This may include steps for listening to the customer’s concerns, offering solutions to address the issue, and following up to ensure that the customer is satisfied.

Accommodating special requests

A policy for accommodating special requests should provide guidelines for how to handle requests for dietary restrictions, special seating arrangements, or other requests that may require special attention. This may include guidelines for how to communicate with the kitchen and other staff to ensure that the request is accommodated.

3. Reservation and Seating Policies

Whether it’s managing no-shows or accommodating large groups, seating and reservation procedures keep service flowing and customer expectations in check — especially during peak times.

Reservation policies

Restaurants should establish clear policies for making and cancelling reservations. This may include requiring credit card information for reservations, enforcing cancellation policies to discourage no-shows, and limiting the size of groups that can be accommodated.

Handling no-shows

To discourage no-shows, restaurants may implement policies such as requiring a deposit or prepayment for reservations, or charging a fee for no-shows. However, it is also important to handle no-shows with empathy and professionalism, as there may be legitimate reasons for a customer not showing up.

Managing wait times

Restaurants should have clear policies for managing wait times, such as providing accurate wait time estimates to customers, offering seating options such as a bar or waiting area, and providing updates on wait times.

Many restaurant apps for owners now include built-in tools to manage reservations, track no-shows, and communicate wait times to guests in real time — streamlining the entire front-of-house experience.

Accommodating large groups

Restaurants should establish policies for accommodating large groups, such as requiring a deposit or pre-order for large parties, designating a specific area of the restaurant for large groups, and having a point person to coordinate with the group leader.

Having a clear daily opening checklist can help ensure staff are prepared for reservation blocks, large parties, and expected peak times.

4. Payment and Check-out Procedures

Smooth, secure payment processes leave a lasting impression. These policies help ensure accuracy at the register, prevent fraud, and streamline service for guests and staff alike.

Billing customers

• Ensure that customers receive an accurate and itemised bill. 
• This may include policies for handling split checks or adding gratuity to large groups.

Handling cash and credit card payments

• Establish procedures for handling cash and credit card payments, such as reconciling the cash register, balancing the cash drawer, and verifying credit card transactions.
• Using tools to automate restaurant billing and payment processes — like POS integrations or digital tipping systems — can reduce manual errors, speed up service, and simplify end-of-day reconciliations.

Managing tips

• Implement clear policies for managing tips, such as distributing tips fairly among staff, reporting tips accurately for tax purposes, and ensuring compliance with local laws and regulations.

5. Alcohol Service Policies

Responsible alcohol service is crucial in the restaurant industry to ensure the safety and well-being of customers, and to comply with relevant laws and regulations. These procedures should be clearly documented as part of your broader restaurant standards, helping staff stay consistent and accountable during every shift.

ID checking

Implement policies and procedures for checking IDs to verify that customers are of legal drinking age. Staff should be trained on how to properly check IDs, what forms of identification are acceptable, and how to handle situations where a customer does not have valid identification.

Monitoring customer behaviour

Train staff to monitor customers for signs of intoxication or impairment, and to stop serving alcohol to customers who appear to be intoxicated. Staff should also be trained on how to handle difficult or confrontational customers.

Limiting alcohol service

Establish policies for limiting alcohol service, such as limiting the number of drinks served per customer, prohibiting shots or doubles, or stopping alcohol service at a certain time.

Offering alternative beverages

Offer a variety of non-alcoholic beverages, such as mocktails, to customers who may not wish to consume alcohol.

Compliance with regulations

Ensure that all staff are trained on relevant laws and regulations regarding responsible alcohol service, including serving hours, blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limits, and the consequences of violating these regulations.

6. Legal and Regulatory Requirements

From food safety to licensing and tax, these are the non-negotiables. Staying across legal obligations helps you avoid fines, reduce risk, and run your business with confidence.

Some of the key legal and regulatory requirements that restaurants must comply with include:

Food safety regulations

• Restaurants must comply with strict food safety regulations to ensure the safety and quality of the food they serve. 
• These regulations cover everything from food handling and storage to cooking temperatures and cleanliness standards.

Labour laws

• Restaurants must comply with labour laws that govern employee wages, working hours, and working conditions. 
• These laws include minimum wage laws, overtime laws, and anti-discrimination laws.

Licensing requirements

• Restaurants must obtain the necessary licences and permits to operate legally. 
• These may include food service permits, liquor licences, and zoning permits.

Tax regulations

• Restaurants must comply with tax regulations at the federal, state, and local levels. 
• This may include collecting and remitting sales tax, payroll taxes, and income taxes.

Environmental regulations

• Restaurants must comply with environmental regulations that govern the use and disposal of hazardous materials, waste management, and energy usage.

Accessibility regulations

• Restaurants must comply with accessibility regulations to ensure that their facilities are accessible to individuals with disabilities.

Why are restaurant policies and procedures important?

Restaurant policies and procedures do more than just create order — they create confidence. 

For staff, they eliminate guesswork and reduce stress. 

For customers, they provide a consistent, reliable experience. And for managers, they minimise risk, ensure compliance, and create the conditions for better performance.

Whether it’s managing safety, service, or team behaviour, clear procedures help keep everyone on the same page. They’re also essential for meeting legal and regulatory obligations, reducing the risk of fines or reputational damage. 

In short, if you want to run a restaurant that’s smooth, safe, and scalable — it starts with the right systems.

Common mistakes to avoid when creating policies

Even well-meaning procedures can fall flat if they’re unclear, outdated, or poorly implemented. Here are some common pitfalls to watch out for when building or updating your restaurant policies and procedures:

• Writing policies that are too vague or too complex for staff to follow
• Failing to align procedures with current legal or food safety standards
• Not including input from managers or frontline staff during development
• Overlooking digital access — policies buried in paper manuals are often forgotten
• Not scheduling regular reviews or updates as operations evolve
• Neglecting onboarding — policies are only useful if your team knows them
• Missing critical areas like allergen protocols or walk-in cooler food storage

Tools to implement restaurant policies and procedures

Even the best procedures fall apart without the right restaurant tools to support them. Paper manuals get ignored, staff forget key steps, and updates get lost in the shuffle. The right software helps you document, distribute, and track policies in real time — so nothing gets missed.

Operandio: Best overall

Operandio helps restaurants turn their policies and procedures into live, trackable workflows. Whether you’re managing food safety tasks, staff conduct protocols, or onboarding guides, Operandio centralises everything in one place — so your team always knows what to do and how to do it.

Key features

• Digital SOPs and procedure checklists

Convert every policy into step-by-step digital procedures that your team can follow — and check off in real time. From food prep to safety drills, everything becomes trackable, auditable, and repeatable across shifts and locations.

• Built-in knowledge base

Store your restaurant policies, handbooks, and compliance guides in Operandio’s searchable knowledge base, so staff can access answers on the floor without having to ask or guess. It’s like having your operations manual in their pocket.

• Task assignment and progress tracking

Assign policies and related tasks to staff, track completion, and automate reminders for recurring procedures. Managers can instantly see what’s been done — and what hasn’t — across every location.

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Where Operandio shines

• Live procedure tracking: Know in real time which policies are being followed
• All-in-one platform: Combine SOPs, training, and compliance in one system
• Multi-site consistency: Keep procedures aligned across locations and teams

Where Operandio falls short

• Less useful for small venues: Smaller teams may not need all features

Customer reviews

Operandio has a 4.9 rating on the popular review site Capterra. Here are some of what our customers have had to say about us…

“Overall very happy the staff have adapted well to using the software. It’s having eyes on the business when you are not there. At a glance can see where staff are at with managing time critical tasks. No cons really feel it is a great product easy to use.” – Anthony E, Capterra review

“As a supplier of temperature monitoring equipment we have integrated our system into “Operandio” making the work required for compliance a piece of cake ! Our clients are loving the no more written paperwork along with the fact “it actually gets done” so when the health inspector turns up they know its real and not made up ! instead of the old way ( different colour pens, left hand writing etc and numbers just made up ) The software is running well, everytime we need a change its done quickly and efficiently, so no negatives so far ! keep up the good work” – Steve P., Capterra review

Who Operandio is best for

• Multi-location operators: Keep procedures consistent across every venue
• Ops and compliance managers: Know exactly what’s being done — and by whom
• Training-focused teams: Empower staff with easy access to live SOPs and guides

Jolt

Jolt is an operations management tool designed for restaurants and retail businesses. It helps streamline daily tasks through digital checklists, employee scheduling, and simple training tools. Restaurants can use Jolt to build basic routines, assign responsibilities, and collect time-stamped task data.

Key strengths

• Customisable checklists for opening, closing, and cleaning routines
• Employee scheduling and time tracking
• Training modules for onboarding and basic task instruction

Good fit for:

Restaurants looking for a light operational tool to help manage day-to-day workflows, especially those focused on shift readiness and scheduling.

Jolt is a solid tool for basic team routines, but restaurants needing a centralised system for SOPs, policy documentation, and multi-location accountability may find Operandio offers more long-term structure.

3. 7shifts

7shifts is a popular platform focused on labour management and team communication for restaurants. It streamlines staff scheduling, shift swaps, and team messaging — all from a central dashboard. While it doesn’t manage SOPs, it helps support smoother team coordination.

Key strengths

• Drag-and-drop scheduling with labour cost forecasting
• Integrated team messaging and announcements
• Simple mobile access for staff to manage shifts

Good fit for:

Restaurants looking to improve communication and simplify staff scheduling.

7shifts helps with who’s working and when — but if you’re looking to manage how tasks are done through documented procedures and training, Operandio offers the structure you’ll need.

Simplify restaurant policies and procedures with Operandio

Restaurant success doesn’t just come down to great food — it comes down to repeatable systems. When your team knows exactly what’s expected and how to follow through, you create consistency, reduce risk, and improve the overall guest experience.

From digital SOPs to health and safety inspection software, Operandio gives you the tools to turn your policies into action — across every shift, every site, and every team member.

Ready to make restaurant management easier?
Book your free demo and start building a smarter, safer operation today.