Nov '25 • Franchise Operations
✅ Franchise Construction Management Checklist
For Opening a New Franchise or Restaurant Location
This checklist covers each stage from site approval through opening day, ensuring that the franchisee and franchisor remain aligned, compliant, and on schedule.
SECTION 1 — Pre-Construction Phase
✔ Site Approval & Due Diligence
- ☐ Submit site for franchisor approval
- ☐ Conduct demographic & traffic analysis
- ☐ Verify zoning and permitted use
- ☐ Conduct site walk with franchisor representative
- ☐ Confirm visibility, access, and parking
- ☐ Obtain landlord approval for franchise use
- ☐ Evaluate nearby competitors
- ☐ Conduct environmental assessments (if required)
✔ Lease Negotiation & Signing
- ☐ Review LOI (Letter of Intent)
- ☐ Negotiate lease terms with franchisor input
- ☐ Confirm rent, CAM charges, TI allowances
- ☐ Sign lease with required franchise addenda
- ☐ Submit final executed lease to franchisor
✔ Architectural & Engineering Planning
- ☐ Obtain franchisor-approved architects/designers
- ☐ Prepare architectural drawings
- ☐ Mechanical, electrical, plumbing (MEP) plans
- ☐ Seating layout & workflow optimization
- ☐ Submit drawings for franchisor approval
- ☐ Receive architectural review feedback
- ☐ Apply for building permits
SECTION 2 — Vendor & Contractor Selection
✔ Contractor Bidding Process
- ☐ Request bids from approved general contractors
- ☐ Conduct walkthroughs for estimate accuracy
- ☐ Evaluate timelines, budget, references
- ☐ Confirm contractor insurance & licensing
- ☐ Select and finalize general contractor
✔ Equipment & Vendor Coordination
- ☐ Franchise-required equipment list provided
- ☐ Obtain quotes from approved vendors
- ☐ Order kitchen equipment (POS, refrigeration, ovens, etc.)
- ☐ Order signage (interior/exterior)
- ☐ Confirm lead times and delivery schedule
- ☐ Coordinate installation timeline with contractor
SECTION 3 — Permits & Regulatory Requirements
✔ Permits & Approvals
- ☐ Submit building permit application
- ☐ Submit signage permit application
- ☐ Apply for health department approval
- ☐ Apply for fire suppression approval
- ☐ Apply for liquor license (if applicable)
- ☐ ADA compliance review
- ☐ Grease trap and ventilation approval (restaurants)
✔ Inspections
- ☐ Pre-construction site inspection
- ☐ Structural/mechanical inspection
- ☐ Fire suppression inspection
- ☐ Health department pre-opening inspection
- ☐ Final building inspection
- ☐ Certificate of Occupancy (CO) obtained
SECTION 4 — Construction Phase
✔ Construction Kickoff
- ☐ Kickoff call with franchisor + GC + franchisee
- ☐ Review construction timeline & milestones
- ☐ Approve construction schedule
- ☐ Weekly progress reporting schedule set
✔ During Construction
- ☐ Demo completed (if applicable)
- ☐ Rough plumbing completed
- ☐ Electrical & HVAC completed
- ☐ Walls framed, drywall installation
- ☐ Flooring installed
- ☐ Kitchen build-out
- ☐ Fire suppression and hood installation
- ☐ Walk-in cooler/freezer installation
- ☐ Bathroom buildout (ADA-compliant)
- ☐ Painting and finish work
- ☐ Furniture, fixtures & equipment (FF&E) installed
- ☐ Exterior signage installed
✔ Franchise Reviews & Check-Ins
- ☐ Weekly construction update calls
- ☐ Photo reports submitted
- ☐ Budget tracking & variance reviews
- ☐ Franchise rep site visit (if required)
SECTION 5 — Pre-Opening Setup
✔ Technology & Systems Setup
- ☐ POS systems installed & tested
- ☐ Internet, phone lines, and Wi-Fi activated
- ☐ Security cameras & alarm systems installed
- ☐ Inventory management software setup
- ☐ Kitchen display systems (KDS) tested
✔ Operational Equipment Setup
- ☐ Install smallwares and utensils
- ☐ Stock initial inventory
- ☐ Test kitchen equipment
- ☐ Install furniture/fixtures
- ☐ Place interior décor
- ☐ Trash/recycling setup complete
✔ Health & Safety Finalization
- ☐ Complete cleaning and sanitation
- ☐ Final walk-through with GC
- ☐ Temperature checks on equipment
- ☐ Fire extinguishers and emergency systems installed
SECTION 6 — Training & Soft Launch
✔ Training & Staffing
- ☐ Staff hiring complete
- ☐ Manager certified through franchisor training
- ☐ Team completes operations training
- ☐ In-store hands-on training with franchisor
- ☐ Final competency evaluations
✔ Marketing & Grand Opening
- ☐ Local marketing plan finalized
- ☐ Grand opening date scheduled
- ☐ Social media announcements
- ☐ Press release created (if required)
- ☐ Flyers, banners, and promotions ready
- ☐ Pre-opening community outreach
✔ Soft Opening
- ☐ Conduct test service / mock shifts
- ☐ Address operational issues
- ☐ Collect customer feedback
- ☐ Make adjustments before opening day
SECTION 7 — Finalization & Opening Day
✔ Pre-Opening Checklist
- ☐ All inspections passed
- ☐ Certificate of Occupancy received
- ☐ All equipment functioning
- ☐ Staff trained and ready
- ☐ Store cleaned and staged
- ☐ Inventory stocked
- ☐ Safety and sanitation completed
- ☐ Front-of-house and back-of-house setup complete
✔ Grand Opening
- ☐ Franchisor representative onsite
- ☐ Launch marketing executed
- ☐ Monitor sales and customer flow
- ☐ Support staff coaching team throughout the day
- ☐ Celebrate opening milestone 🎉
SECTION 8 — Post-Opening Follow-Up
✔ First 30 Days
- ☐ Weekly check-in calls
- ☐ Resolve initial operational issues
- ☐ Conduct first financial review
- ☐ Monitor staffing and scheduling
- ☐ Review KPIs (labor %, food cost, sales trends)
✔ First 90 Days
- ☐ Field visit by franchise business coach
- ☐ Quality assurance review
- ☐ Evaluate marketing results
- ☐ Confirm ongoing vendor relationships
- ☐ Adjust operations to ensure profitability
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✅ Franchise Construction Management Checklist
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