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Checklist 10 of 10
Opening Day & First 90 Days
Survive the opening, build the foundation, establish the rhythms.
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Opening day readiness — 24 hours before
All team members confirmed for opening day — backup contacts identified
Full inventory count completed — all items fully stocked
POS system tested end-to-end including payment processing
All equipment tested and confirmed fully operational
Manual backup process for POS identified (paper receipts, manual log)
All key emergency phone numbers saved (franchisor tech, suppliers, landlord)
Opening day schedule posted and reviewed by all team members
Team briefed on opening day expectations, roles, and emergency protocols
All signage, uniforms, and brand materials are in place
Space is clean, organized, stocked, and ready for customers
Opening day operations
Opening procedures followed per the operations manual — every step
Manager or owner physically present on-site for the full opening day
POS backup process activated immediately if any system issue occurs
Franchisor notified that doors are open (if required by agreement)
Customer count tracked throughout the day
Team performance observed and noted for follow-up coaching
Operational gaps identified for immediate correction
Revenue and transaction count reconciled at close of day
First two weeks
Soft opening period fully utilized before high-volume grand opening push
Operational issues from Day 1 identified and corrected before grand opening
Grand opening marketing push activated after soft opening confirmation
First franchise business consultant (FBC) check-in call completed
First P&L or financial report reviewed
Staffing gaps or performance issues addressed quickly and directly
Customer feedback tracked and reviewed daily
Franchisor's opening support team actively and proactively engaged
First 30 days — operations
Operations manual followed precisely — zero modifications
Daily opening and closing checklists executed consistently every day
Inventory management system operating — weekly counts completed
Waste and COGS tracking active from Day 1
Labor scheduling based on projected volume — not convenience or habit
Overtime tracked weekly and actively controlled
Team training gaps identified and addressed with documented coaching
All required franchisor reports submitted on time and accurately
Franchisor tech support contacted promptly for any unresolved system issues
First 30 days — financial
P&L reviewed for the first full operating period
COGS percentage calculated and compared to system benchmark
Labor cost percentage calculated and compared to system benchmark
Actual revenue compared to opening projections
Working capital reserve confirmed intact — not being drawn upon
Payroll processed accurately and on time every cycle
First royalty payment processed correctly and on time
First marketing fund contribution processed correctly
Days 30–90 — building the foundation
Core team has stabilized — key staff identified and actively developed
Underperforming employees addressed with clear feedback or released
Operational systems running consistently without owner in every task
Customer regulars beginning to develop — tracked and recognized
Local marketing consistently executed — beyond just grand opening activity
Google Business Profile actively managed — all reviews responded to
Relationship with FBC is active, honest, and productive
First regional peer meeting or franchisee network call attended
90-day financial review completed — trajectory assessed honestly
Break-even timeline revised based on real operating data
Year 1 plan adjusted based on actual vs. projected performance
Ongoing operations rhythms — establish by Day 90
Weekly P&L review scheduled and non-negotiable — no exceptions
Weekly labor cost review against system benchmark
Weekly inventory count completed on a consistent day
Monthly financial review with accountant scheduled and kept
Monthly FBC call or visit scheduled and confirmed
Quarterly self-audit against operations manual standards
Annual franchise convention or regional meeting registered
Exit strategy thinking begun — building with a future sale in mind
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Pre-Opening Preparation