Checklist template

Winter readiness and exterior maintenance for quick-service restaurants

A ready-to-use checklist with 103 items in 6 sections, covering Parking lot and walkways, Drive-thru lane, Entrances and vestibules, Heating and building envelope, Snow contractor and logs, Emergency and closure preparedness. Use it as-is in Bindy, or adapt it to your own standards in minutes.

  • 6 Sections
  • 103 Items
  • 87 Yes / No checks
  • 6 Scored ratings
  • 117 Points

Use this template How audits work

1. Parking lot and walkways 17 items

  1. The parking lot is plowed and free of accumulated snow Yes / No 1 pt
  2. Walkways from the parking lot to the entrances are cleared to bare pavement Yes / No 1 pt
  3. Walkways and entrances are salted or sanded and free of ice Yes / No 1 pt
  4. Accessible parking spaces and their access aisles are cleared first and kept clear Yes / No 1 pt
  5. Curb ramps are free of snow and ice Yes / No 1 pt
  6. Snow is piled away from sight lines, fire hydrants, accessible spaces and pedestrian routes Yes / No 1 pt
  7. Snow piles do not drain across walkways where meltwater can refreeze Yes / No 1 pt
  8. Catch basins and drains are clear so meltwater can drain Yes / No 1 pt
  9. Pavement is free of potholes and heaved sections that create trip hazards Yes / No 1 pt
  10. Parking lot lines and accessible space markings are visible when the surface is clear Yes / No 1 pt
  11. Parking lot and walkway lighting is fully working for early darkness Yes / No 1 pt
  12. Fire lanes and the fire department connection are clear of snow Yes / No 1 pt
  13. Sidewalks along the property line are cleared as required by the municipal bylaw Yes / No 1 pt
  14. Bins of salt or ice melt and a scoop are placed at each entrance Yes / No 1 pt
  15. Shovels, ice scrapers and a spreader are available and in good condition Yes / No 1 pt
  16. Quantity of salt or ice melt on hand (bags) Number
  17. Condition of walkways at the time of the visit Rating
    • Bare and dry 5 pts
    • Cleared with minor residue 4 pts
    • Slippery patches 2 pts
    • Snow or ice covered 1 pt

2. Drive-thru lane 16 items

  1. The drive-thru lane is plowed to its full width from entry to exit Yes / No 1 pt
  2. The drive-thru lane is salted or sanded and free of ice, especially at the order point and windows Yes / No 1 pt
  3. The area under the drive-thru windows is free of ice from drips and spilled drinks Yes / No 1 pt
  4. Snow banks do not block the view of the menu board or the order confirmation screen Yes / No 1 pt
  5. The menu board, speaker post and order screen are clear of snow and ice Yes / No 1 pt
  6. The speaker and microphone work clearly in cold weather Yes / No 1 pt
  7. Menu board lighting and screens are fully working Yes / No 1 pt
  8. Vehicle detection loops or sensors work when the lane is snow covered Yes / No 1 pt
  9. Clearance bars and bollards are visible and undamaged by plows Yes / No 1 pt
  10. Drive-thru windows open, close and seal properly Yes / No 1 pt
  11. Air curtains or heaters at the drive-thru windows are working Yes / No 1 pt
  12. Drive-thru staff have cold-weather uniform items available Yes / No 1 pt
  13. The escape or bypass lane is cleared where one exists Yes / No 1 pt
  14. Parking spaces for waiting orders are cleared and their signs are visible Yes / No 1 pt
  15. Outdoor temperature at the time of the visit (°C) Number
  16. Condition of the drive-thru lane surface Rating
    • Bare 5 pts
    • Cleared with minor residue 4 pts
    • Slippery patches 2 pts
    • Snow or ice covered 1 pt

3. Entrances and vestibules 16 items

  1. Winter entrance mats are in place, lie flat and are long enough to dry footwear Yes / No 1 pt
  2. Entrance mats are changed or extracted before they become saturated Yes / No 1 pt
  3. Floors inside the entrances are dry and free of slush Yes / No 1 pt
  4. Wet floor signs are placed at the entrances during snow and slush conditions Yes / No 1 pt
  5. A mop and bucket or floor scrubber is assigned to the entrances during peak periods Yes / No 1 pt
  6. Entrance doors close fully and door closers work in cold and wind Yes / No 1 pt
  7. Door weatherstripping and sweeps are intact with no visible gaps Yes / No 1 pt
  8. Automatic door openers and accessible push buttons work and are free of ice Yes / No 1 pt
  9. Vestibule heaters are working Yes / No 1 pt
  10. Door thresholds are free of ice build-up Yes / No 1 pt
  11. Door glass is clean and free of salt residue Yes / No 1 pt
  12. Roof edges, canopies and signs above entrances are free of hanging icicles and snow overhang Yes / No 1 pt
  13. Caution signs or barriers are placed below areas where ice or snow could fall Yes / No 1 pt
  14. Exterior garbage containers at the entrances are accessible and not buried or frozen shut Yes / No 1 pt
  15. The frequency of entrance floor checks is increased and recorded during storms Yes / No 1 pt
  16. Condition of the entrance floors Rating
    • Dry and clean 5 pts
    • Damp but controlled 3 pts
    • Wet or slushy 1 pt

4. Heating and building envelope 19 items

  1. The heating system was serviced before the start of the heating season Yes / No 1 pt
  2. Date of the last heating system service Date
  3. Furnace or rooftop unit filters have been changed for the season Yes / No 1 pt
  4. The dining room temperature is comfortable for customers Yes / No 1 pt
  5. Dining room temperature (°C) Number
  6. Thermostats are set according to the company standard and are locked or protected Yes / No 1 pt
  7. Rooftop units, exhaust fans and make-up air units are clear of snow Yes / No 1 pt
  8. Make-up air is heated and balanced so doors are not hard to open and cold drafts are limited Yes / No 1 pt
  9. Roof drains and gutters are clear and heat tracing is working where installed Yes / No 1 pt
  10. The roof snow load is monitored and a removal contractor is identified Yes / No 1 pt
  11. Water pipes in unheated spaces, exterior walls and vestibules are insulated or heat traced Yes / No 1 pt
  12. Exterior hose bibs are shut off and drained Yes / No 1 pt
  13. The irrigation system has been winterized where one exists Yes / No 1 pt
  14. The outdoor patio is closed and furniture is stored or secured Yes / No 1 pt
  15. The back door closes and seals properly after deliveries Yes / No 1 pt
  16. The grease and waste enclosure gates open freely and the area is cleared for haulers Yes / No 1 pt
  17. Outdoor grease containers and interceptors are accessible for winter service Yes / No 1 pt
  18. Walk-in cooler and freezer condensing units located outdoors are clear of snow and ice Yes / No 1 pt
  19. Presence of drafts or cold spots in the dining room Rating
    • None 5 pts
    • Minor near the doors 3 pts
    • Significant 1 pt

5. Snow contractor and logs 17 items

  1. A signed snow and ice removal contract is in place for the season Yes / No 1 pt
  2. The contract states the snowfall trigger depth and the response time Yes / No 1 pt
  3. The contract covers the drive-thru lane, walkways and accessible spaces Yes / No 1 pt
  4. The contractor's liability insurance certificate is current and on file Yes / No 1 pt
  5. The contractor's emergency contact numbers are posted for all shifts Yes / No 1 pt
  6. The contractor completes a service log for every visit Yes / No 1 pt
  7. Site staff record their own shovelling and salting in a snow and ice log with dates and times Yes / No 1 pt
  8. The snow and ice log is up to date for the current week Yes / No 1 pt
  9. Slip and fall incidents are documented with photos and the surface condition at the time Yes / No 1 pt
  10. Contractor performance issues are reported to head office or the franchisee Yes / No 1 pt
  11. Snow is hauled off site when storage areas on the property are full Yes / No 1 pt
  12. Plow damage to curbs, signs and landscaping is reported and repaired Yes / No 1 pt
  13. Name of the snow removal contractor Short text
  14. Snowfall trigger depth in the contract (cm) Number
  15. Number of slip and fall incidents reported this season Number
  16. Date of the last contractor service visit Date
  17. Contractor performance this season Rating
    • Reliable and on time 5 pts
    • Occasional delays 3 pts
    • Frequent delays or poor quality 1 pt

6. Emergency and closure preparedness 18 items

  1. A severe weather procedure is available and known by shift managers Yes / No 1 pt
  2. The criteria and the approval needed to close or reduce hours during a storm are documented Yes / No 1 pt
  3. Employee contact lists are current for weather-related schedule changes Yes / No 1 pt
  4. A procedure exists for employees who cannot travel safely during a storm Yes / No 1 pt
  5. A power outage procedure covers food safety, including monitoring and discard rules Yes / No 1 pt
  6. Flashlights or emergency lighting are available and working Yes / No 1 pt
  7. Emergency exit doors are cleared of snow on the outside and open fully Yes / No 1 pt
  8. Emergency exit lights and signs are working Yes / No 1 pt
  9. Carbon monoxide detectors are installed and working where gas equipment is used Yes / No 1 pt
  10. Gas meters and regulators are clear of snow and ice Yes / No 1 pt
  11. A backup supply of ice melt is on site ahead of forecast storms Yes / No 1 pt
  12. Delivery schedules and stock levels are adjusted ahead of forecast storms Yes / No 1 pt
  13. Online ordering and delivery platforms are updated when hours change because of weather Yes / No 1 pt
  14. The frozen pipe and water leak procedure includes the location of the main water shut-off Yes / No 1 pt
  15. Shift managers know the location of the main water and gas shut-offs Yes / No 1 pt
  16. Name of the manager on duty Short text
  17. Overall winter readiness of this site Rating
    • Ready 5 pts
    • Minor gaps 3 pts
    • Not ready 1 pt
  18. Corrective actions required Comments

About this template

This checklist is part of the Bindy template library. Yes / No checks score 1 point when met; ratings score the points shown for each option. The overall score is the percentage of points earned, with N/A answers excluded. In Bindy you can add photos, assign corrective actions, require sign-off and compare results across sites.

Categories

Related templates

← All templates

Brand standards

At every site, every time

Start Free Contact us