Coffee Shop · Free Template · ~10 steps
Coffee Shop Morning Opening Procedure
A cafe owner who wants every opener to set up the shop the same way and have the first espresso ready before the morning rush.
Free SOP template — copy it, adapt it, or generate a custom version for your business in 5 minutes
Who it's for
Opening baristas, AM shift leads, owners.
When to run it
Every operating day, 60 minutes before doors open.
Before you start
- •Manager keys + alarm code
- •Yesterday's close checklist for verification
- •Daily prep list
- •Espresso machine + grinder both functional from last night
The procedure
Step-by-step, in order. Each step has the action and the reason it matters.
- 1
Unlock and disarm 60 minutes before open
60 minutes is non-negotiable for a cafe with espresso. The machine needs the full warm-up time. 45 minutes is too tight.
- 2
Power on espresso machine — first thing
Espresso machine on before anything else. It needs 30+ minutes to reach proper brew temperature. Skip this and the first 10 shots of the morning are out of spec.
Why: Cold machine pulls produce sour, under-extracted shots. Customers don't know why their latte tastes off — they just don't come back.
- 3
Power on grinder, brewer, hot water tower
Grinder, batch brewer, hot water dispenser, milk steamer. Everything else takes less time than the espresso machine, but turn them on now so they're ready.
- 4
Start the first batch brew
Standard batch — your daily blend, full carafe. This is the coffee that's ready when you unlock the door, not the espresso.
- 5
Pull and date pastries
Pastries from the walk-in to the case. Date stickers updated. Anything from yesterday gets the discount tag or goes in the waste log.
- 6
Stock cups, lids, sleeves, stir sticks
Every size cup, every lid, every sleeve, every stir stick. Stocked at the bar where the barista actually works. Restocking mid-rush kills the line.
- 7
Calibrate espresso — dial-in shot
Once the machine is hot, pull a test shot. 18g in, 36g out, 25-30 seconds. Adjust grind if off. Repeat until on spec. Document the grind setting on the daily log.
Why: The dial-in shot is the difference between a cafe that serves great coffee and one that serves random coffee. Drill this every morning.
- 8
Set up the bar — milk, syrups, sanitizer
Milk pitchers cold and ready. Syrups topped. Sanitizer bucket fresh. Steam wand purged.
- 9
Walk the front of house
Floor swept. Tables wiped. Bathroom checked. Music on. Lights at the right level.
- 10
Unlock the door at the posted time
Not before. The first customer is usually a regular and they expect the consistency.
Verify when done
- ☐Espresso machine fully warmed and dialed in
- ☐First batch of brew coffee ready at unlock
- ☐Pastry case stocked and dated
- ☐Grind setting documented on the daily log
Common mistakes
- ✕Powering on the espresso machine 'when I get to it' — has to be first
- ✕Skipping the dial-in because 'the grind didn't change overnight' (it did, humidity moved it)
- ✕Restocking the bar at 7:30 instead of before unlock
Trainer notes
The dial-in shot is the single most important step in the entire opening. Train new openers on the dial-in for a full week before letting them solo. Bad dial-in = bad coffee = bad day.
Common questions
Who should run the coffee shop morning opening procedure?
Opening baristas, AM shift leads, owners.
When should this coffee shop procedure be run?
Every operating day, 60 minutes before doors open.
How many steps does the coffee shop morning opening procedure have?
10 steps. The procedure starts with "Unlock and disarm 60 minutes before open" and ends with "Unlock the door at the posted time". Each step in between has the action and the reason it matters.
What's the most common mistake when running this procedure?
Powering on the espresso machine 'when I get to it' — has to be first. The dial-in shot is the single most important step in the entire opening. Train new openers on the dial-in for a full week before letting them solo. Bad dial-in = bad coffee = bad day.
Can I get a custom version written for my coffee shop business?
Yes. TalkNDone generates a custom SOP from your voice or text description in about 5 minutes — written using your team's words, your equipment, and your specific procedure. $49 one-time, free preview before you pay, no subscription. Start at talkndone.com.
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