Cafe Closing Checklist
Daily cafe closing SOP to shut down espresso equipment, store food safely, clean the space, and reconcile cash.
- Estimated time
- 25 min
- Frequency
- daily
- Business type
- cafe
- Category
- closing
- Role
- manager
- Role
- barista
- Role
- shift lead
Purpose
Close the cafe safely and prepare it for the next service day.
Complete this cafe closing checklist after the last customer leaves. Clean the espresso machine, store or discard perishables, reconcile the register, and secure the building.
End of Service
Confirm guest service has ended.
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Last orders served and guests departed
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Dining area cleared and wiped down
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Pastry case emptied or items stored
Beverage Shutdown
Clean and shut down coffee equipment.
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Espresso machine backflushed and wiped down
-
Grinders emptied or beans stored airtight
-
Open milk discarded, cartons refrigerated
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Shutdown notes or equipment issues (optional)
Note
Cleaning
Sanitize the cafe before closing.
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Counters and beverage station sanitized
-
Floors swept and mopped
-
All trash removed
Cash & Security
Reconcile sales and secure the cafe.
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POS system closed
Pass / Fail
-
Cash drawer counted and balanced
-
All doors locked and alarm set
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who should complete the cafe closing checklist?
- The closing manager or shift lead completes this checklist. A manager must sign off before staff leave.
- How should the espresso machine be cleaned at closing?
- Backflush with cleaner, wipe group heads and steam wands, and empty the drip tray. Follow your machine manufacturer's daily cleaning SOP.
- What happens to unsold pastries?
- Discard or donate per your cafe's food waste policy. Never leave perishable items in the pastry case overnight.
- Should milk be discarded at closing?
- Yes. Discard open milk pitchers and return unopened cartons to refrigeration. Date all stored milk for the next opening shift.
- How is this different from a coffee shop closing checklist?
- This cafe closing SOP includes pastry case and food prep shutdown steps that beverage-only coffee shops may not need.