Menu Launch Checklist (kitchen, FOH & marketing)

{ "Title": "Menu Launch Checklist — Kitchen, FOH & Marketing", "IntroductionHtml": "

Use this interactive checklist to coordinate a clear, accountable launch. Complete tasks, record owners and dates, capture initial feedback and early KPIs, and save the launch plan so your location (or other locations) can reuse and adapt it.

", "SubmitLabel": "Save Launch Plan", "SuccessMessage": "Launch plan saved. Use this record to monitor first-week KPIs and follow up on open items.", "DataType": "menu_launch_checklist_submission", "SchemaVersion": "1.0", "Fields": [ { "Key": "prelaunch_tasks", "FieldType": "checkbox", "Label": "Pre-launch tasks — check when complete", "HelpText": "Complete these before the staff walk-through or final tasting. Use the notes field below to name the owner and due date for any unchecked item.", "Options": [ { "Value": "recipes_finalized", "Label": "Finalize recipe cards & portions (including photos)" }, { "Value": "costed_in_pos", "Label": "Cost each new/changed item in POS and costing system" }, { "Value": "pos_setup", "Label": "Update POS items, modifiers, pricing and combo rules" }, { "Value": "supplier_confirm", "Label": "Confirm supplier availability & delivery windows" }, { "Value": "prep_par_levels", "Label": "Set prep schedules, par levels and prep lists" }, { "Value": "staff_training_sched", "Label": "Schedule kitchen & FOH training sessions" }, { "Value": "taste_test", "Label": "Conduct QA taste test and plating check" }, { "Value": "print_menus_signage", "Label": "Order/print menus, table tents, and signage" }, { "Value": "online_menu_update", "Label": "Update online menus and delivery channels" }, { "Value": "marketing_plan_ready", "Label": "Finalize marketing and promotion timing" } ] }, { "Key": "prelaunch_notes", "FieldType": "textarea", "Label": "Pre-launch notes (owners, due dates, open risks)", "HelpText": "Record who is responsible for each open item, target completion date, and any supply or training risks." }, { "Key": "launchday_tasks", "FieldType": "checkbox", "Label": "Launch-day tasks — check when complete", "HelpText": "Use this checklist on launch day. Assign a launch lead and a manager-on-duty for issues.", "Options": [ { "Value": "briefing_all_staff", "Label": "Hold staff briefing before service" }, { "Value": "expediter_ready", "Label": "Assign expediter / QA station" }, { "Value": "menu_signage_live", "Label": "Place printed signage and table tents" }, { "Value": "pos_final_verify", "Label": "Verify POS item appearance and modifiers" }, { "Value": "specials_training", "Label": "FOH can explain new items and allergens" }, { "Value": "kitchen_runners", "Label": "Confirm extra runners for first service" }, { "Value": "guest_feedback_qr", "Label": "Activate guest feedback QR or comment card" }, { "Value": "manager_onfloor", "Label": "Manager monitoring service and quality" } ] }, { "Key": "launchday_manager", "FieldType": "text", "Label": "Launch-day manager & contact", "HelpText": "Who is the primary contact and who backs them up? Include phone/extension." }, { "Key": "firstweek_tasks", "FieldType": "checkbox", "Label": "First-week follow-up tasks", "HelpText": "Use these to capture issues and stabilize operations after launch.", "Options": [ { "Value": "daily_debriefs", "Label": "Hold daily debriefs for first 3 days" }, { "Value": "waste_tracking", "Label": "Track additional waste and spoilage per item" }, { "Value": "portion_audit", "Label": "Random portion and plating audits" }, { "Value": "sales_mix_check", "Label": "Review sales mix vs forecast" }, { "Value": "retrain_if_needed", "Label": "Retrain team on any frequent issues" }, { "Value": "supplier_adj", "Label": "Adjust supplier orders based on consumption" } ] }, { "Key": "feedback_plan_method", "FieldType": "select", "Label": "Primary guest feedback collection method", "HelpText": "Pick the best method for early feedback; you can combine multiple.", "Options": [ { "Value": "qr_table", "Label": "QR code on table / check" }, { "Value": "foh_intercept", "Label": "Manager or server intercepts for quick feedback" }, { "Value": "online_survey", "Label": "Follow-up email / SMS survey" }, { "Value": "comment_cards", "Label": "Printed comment cards" }, { "Value": "monitor_reviews", "Label": "Active monitoring of reviews & social" } ] }, { "Key": "feedback_questions", "FieldType": "textarea", "Label": "Suggested guest feedback prompts", "HelpText": "Short prompts work best. Example: 'What did you like most? Anything we should change? Rate your dish 1–5.'" }, { "Key": "kpi_watchlist", "FieldType": "checkbox", "Label": "KPI watchlist — select KPIs to monitor closely", "HelpText": "Track these daily for the first week to spot quality or cost issues early.", "Options": [ { "Value": "item_sales_volume", "Label": "Sales per new item (units)" }, { "Value": "food_cost_percent", "Label": "Food cost % for new items / day" }, { "Value": "waste_weight", "Label": "Waste/spoilage (lbs/kg) attributable to new items" }, { "Value": "ticket_time", "Label": "Average ticket / cook-to-ticket time" }, { "Value": "remake_rate", "Label": "Remakes / incorrect orders %" }, { "Value": "upsell_rate", "Label": "Upsell / add-on attach rate" }, { "Value": "guest_rating", "Label": "Guest satisfaction score (1–5)" } ] }, { "Key": "kpi_baseline_values", "FieldType": "textarea", "Label": "Baseline & first-week KPI notes", "HelpText": "Record baseline values and any early daily observations so you can compare trends." }, { "Key": "initial_issues_log", "FieldType": "textarea", "Label": "Initial issues log (quality, speed, supply)", "HelpText": "Describe issues, who is addressing them, and target resolution dates." }, { "Key": "sample_staff_message_kitchen", "FieldType": "textarea", "Label": "Sample kitchen message (editable)", "HelpText": "Use and adapt this sample to brief cooks: 'New menu items launch DATE. Follow recipe card EXACTLY. Plating photos are in the folder. If you see inconsistent yields or prep issues, tag MANAGER_NAME immediately.'" }, { "Key": "sample_staff_message_foh", "FieldType": "textarea", "Label": "Sample FOH message (editable)", "HelpText": "Use and adapt this sample to brief servers: 'New items launch DATE. Key allergens: LIST. Recommended upsell language: "Try the new X with Y". If a guest has questions, ask manager on duty.'" }, { "Key": "promotion_timing", "FieldType": "select", "Label": "Promotion timing & channels", "HelpText": "Coordinate timing with kitchen readiness — avoid promoting before steady production is confirmed.", "Options": [ { "Value": "soft_launch_internal", "Label": "Soft launch (internal / limited availability)" }, { "Value": "local_social", "Label": "Local social push (Instagram/Facebook)" }, { "Value": "email_blast", "Label": "Email blast to loyalty list" }, { "Value": "paid_ads", "Label": "Paid ads / promoted posts" } ] }, { "Key": "submitter_name", "FieldType": "text", "Label": "Plan prepared by (name)" }, { "Key": "submitter_email", "FieldType": "text", "Label": "Contact email" }, { "Key": "completion_confirmation", "FieldType": "yesno", "Label": "I confirm I reviewed and assigned owners for any open pre-launch items", "HelpText": "Checking yes confirms responsibilities were assigned." } ] }