New Restaurant Technology Checklist

Plan • Install • Test • Open

New Restaurant Technology Checklist

Use this checklist to plan the technology side of a restaurant opening before the last-minute rush. Work through POS, payments, internet, printers, kitchen routing, website, menus, phone service, supplies and opening-day testing in one place.

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Tip: check items on-screen as you work. For a paper copy, use your browser's Print function and choose Print or Save as PDF.

Quick Answer

Do not treat restaurant technology as a one-week installation project. Decide the major systems early, confirm who is responsible for each task, install and configure before staff training, then test the complete order-to-payment-to-kitchen workflow before opening day.

Recommended Planning Order

Work Backward From Opening Day

The exact schedule varies by project, but this sequence helps keep major technology decisions from becoming last-minute emergencies.

Early Planning

Choose POS direction, processing approach, internet service, network needs and the basic website/menu plan.

Before Installation

Finalize equipment quantities, cabling, printer locations, menu data, payment devices and vendor responsibilities.

Before Training

Configure POS, payments, printers, kitchen routing, users, reports, website information and phone routing.

Before Opening

Run full transactions, test failures and exceptions, train staff and stock backup supplies.

One Rule That Prevents Confusion

Write Down Who Owns Every Technology Task

Do not assume the POS company is handling the network, the processor is programming the menu, or the internet provider is installing restaurant Wi-Fi correctly. For each item below, assign an owner and a due date.

Master Checklist

Restaurant Technology Setup Checklist

Check each item as it is completed. If something does not apply to your restaurant, mark it complete and note why.

1. POS System

Plan the order-entry system around the way your restaurant actually serves customers.

Choose the POS platform or system direction.
Confirm the number of fixed terminals needed.
Decide whether handheld POS devices are needed.
Confirm cash drawers, customer displays and accessories.
Collect the final menu, prices, taxes and modifiers.
Build employee roles, manager permissions and logins.
Confirm reporting and end-of-day procedures.
Document POS support contact information.

Owner: POS provider / restaurant manager
Complete by: Before staff training

2. Payment Processing

Processing approval and payment hardware should be ready early enough for real transaction testing.

Select the payment-processing approach.
Complete merchant-account or processing paperwork.
Confirm payment terminals/readers and quantities.
Confirm POS-to-payment integration.
Test chip payments.
Test contactless payments.
Review tips, voids, refunds and settlement.
Save processor/payment support contacts.

Owner: Processor / POS provider / owner
Complete by: Before opening-week testing

3. Internet, Network & Wi-Fi

Install the network before the POS so critical devices are not being configured on a temporary connection.

Order business internet service.
Confirm modem/router/firewall equipment.
Plan wired network drops for stationary devices.
Plan Wi-Fi access-point locations.
Separate guest Wi-Fi from business systems.
Test Wi-Fi coverage throughout the restaurant.
Confirm how handheld devices stay connected.
Create an internet-outage procedure.

Owner: ISP / network installer / IT provider
Complete by: Before POS installation

4. Kitchen Printers & KDS

Every menu item should know where it needs to go after the order is entered.

Identify each kitchen/bar prep station.
Choose printer, KDS or combined workflow.
Place kitchen printers/displays where staff can use them safely.
Configure item routing by station.
Test modifiers and special instructions.
Test dine-in, takeout and online orders.
Record exact printer model numbers.
Stock the correct paper and ribbons.

Owner: POS provider / kitchen manager
Complete by: Before staff training

5. Receipt & Counter Hardware

Verify every counter device and keep replacement supplies available.

Install receipt printers where needed.
Confirm cash-drawer connections.
Install customer displays if used.
Confirm barcode scanners or scales if applicable.
Label cables, power supplies and network connections.
Keep spare receipt paper available.
Keep critical replacement cables/adapters available.

Owner: POS installer / manager
Complete by: Before opening-week test

6. Website, Menu & Online Presence

Customers should be able to find accurate information before opening day.

Secure the business domain name.
Publish a mobile-friendly website or opening page.
Verify address, phone number and hours.
Publish the current menu and pricing.
Test contact, reservation or order links.
Set up QR-menu links if used.
Confirm online-ordering links or integrations.
Check the site on a phone before launch.

Owner: Website provider / restaurant owner
Complete by: Before public opening announcement

7. Phone, Reviews & Customer Contact

Plan how customers reach the restaurant and how staff handles calls and feedback.

Activate the main business phone number.
Set business-hours call routing.
Record voicemail or after-hours greeting.
Confirm who receives important calls/messages.
Verify Google Business Profile information.
Save the business review link.
Prepare QR/NFC review access if used.
Decide who responds to customer reviews and inquiries.

Owner: Phone provider / marketing / manager
Complete by: Before opening

8. Staff, Access & Security

Technology is only ready when staff can use it correctly and access is controlled.

Create individual staff logins where supported.
Limit manager-only functions appropriately.
Train staff on normal order/payment workflow.
Train managers on refunds, voids and corrections.
Document opening and closing procedures.
Store passwords securely.
Remove temporary installer/test accounts when no longer needed.
Post vendor support contacts where managers can find them.

Owner: General manager / owner
Complete by: Before first staff shift

Final Test

Run a Full Opening-Day Technology Test

Do not test each device separately and assume the restaurant is ready. Simulate real customer transactions from start to finish.

Order Test

Enter a normal order.
Add modifiers and special instructions.
Send items to multiple prep stations.
Void or correct an item.

Payment Test

Complete a chip transaction.
Complete a contactless transaction.
Test tips if used.
Run a refund or void procedure.

Kitchen Test

Verify every item routes correctly.
Check modifiers and notes.
Test takeout/online-order workflow.
Confirm printers/KDS recover after restart.

Network Test

Walk the restaurant with handhelds.
Test guest Wi-Fi separately.
Restart a network device if appropriate.
Review the outage procedure.

Website & Phone Test

Call the main business number.
Test voicemail/after-hours routing.
Open the website on a phone.
Test QR, menu and order links.

Closing Test

Run end-of-day reports.
Review settlement procedures.
Check cash-drawer process.
Confirm managers know who to call for help.

After Opening

The Checklist Does Not End on Day One

Use the first few weeks to catch workflow problems while they are still easy to correct.

First Week Review

Ask staff where order entry is slowing them down.
Review printer/KDS routing problems.
Review payment or settlement questions.
Check internet/Wi-Fi reliability during rush periods.

First Month Review

Review sales and labor reports being used by management.
Remove unused menu buttons or permissions.
Restock paper, ribbons and essential supplies.
Update website/menu information that changed after launch.

Need Help Coordinating the Pieces?

Tell RH Now What You Are Opening

Share your business type, current or expected volume, existing POS/payment provider if any, and which areas you need help with. RH Now can review POS hardware, payment processing, internet/phone needs, website design, menu design, QR menus, reviews/NFC, CRM/software and supplies as one project.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Restaurant Technology Checklist FAQ

How early should I start planning restaurant technology?

Start major decisions as early as practical. Internet service, POS selection, processing approval, cabling and equipment availability can all affect timing, and each system may depend on another being ready first.

Should the POS be installed before the internet and network?

Usually the permanent network should be ready first. That lets POS terminals, printers and payment devices be configured on the environment they will actually use instead of a temporary connection.

Who should manage the restaurant technology project?

Assign one internal owner even if several vendors are involved. That person should track responsibilities, deadlines, contacts and testing so tasks do not fall between vendors.

What should be tested before opening day?

Test the complete workflow: order entry, modifiers, payment, kitchen routing, receipt, reporting, phone calls, website links and the response to common mistakes or outages.

How much spare POS paper should I keep?

Keep enough receipt and kitchen paper for normal operations plus a reasonable backup supply. The exact amount depends on volume and delivery lead time. Record exact printer models so replacements are easy to match.

Can I print this checklist?

Yes. Use your browser's Print command. The page includes a print-friendly layout so you can print it or save it as a PDF.

Restaurant Startup Technology Series

Continue Your Restaurant Technology Plan

Use the full RH Now series to move between the major technology decisions involved in opening or upgrading a restaurant.

1. Startup & Technology Hub 2. Restaurant POS System Guide 3. New Restaurant Technology Checklist 4. Restaurant Internet & Wi-Fi Guide 5. Restaurant Payment Processing Guide 6. Printers & Kitchen Technology Guide 7. Website & Online Presence Guide 8. Startup Technology Cost Guide

← Previous: Restaurant POS System Guide Next: Restaurant Internet & Wi-Fi Guide →

Reviewed by RH Now • Last reviewed: October 9, 2026

This checklist focuses on restaurant technology planning. Construction, electrical work, network cabling, permits, licensing, food safety, accessibility and other requirements may require qualified professionals or local authorities.