Checklist template

Seasonal and holiday decor for restaurants

A ready-to-use checklist with 114 items in 6 sections, covering Decor standards, Installation, Safety, Promotional tie-in, Maintenance, Removal. Use it as-is in InspectLoop, or adapt it to your own standards in minutes.

  • 6 Sections
  • 114 Items
  • 101 Yes / No checks
  • 6 Scored ratings
  • 131 Points

Use this template How audits work

1. Decor standards 21 items

  1. The company decor guideline for the current season is available at the restaurant Yes / No 1 pt
  2. Every decoration on display comes from the company decor kit or the approved supplier list Yes / No 1 pt
  3. No decoration brought from home by employees is on display Yes / No 1 pt
  4. Decor follows the color palette of the guideline for the season Yes / No 1 pt
  5. Decor keeps to the themes allowed by the guideline (for example winter or harvest themes) Yes / No 1 pt
  6. No decoration shows another company's brand or an unlicensed character Yes / No 1 pt
  7. Decor is placed only in the zones the guideline allows (entrance, host stand, windows, back bar) Yes / No 1 pt
  8. No decoration is in the kitchen or in food preparation areas Yes / No 1 pt
  9. No decoration is on or above the salad bar, the beverage station or the condiment counter Yes / No 1 pt
  10. Decor does not cover menu boards, brand signs or required postings (permits, allergen notices) Yes / No 1 pt
  11. Window decor leaves the view from outside to the register clear Yes / No 1 pt
  12. Table decor is low enough for seated guests to see each other across the table Yes / No 1 pt
  13. Table decor leaves room for a full place setting Yes / No 1 pt
  14. The approved seasonal playlist is playing, where the company provides one Yes / No 1 pt
  15. No scented decoration (candles, potpourri, scented pine cones) is used in the dining room Yes / No 1 pt
  16. No glitter, loose confetti or artificial snow that can shed onto tables is used Yes / No 1 pt
  17. Decor went up no earlier than the start date in the company calendar Yes / No 1 pt
  18. Date the current decor was installed Date
  19. Seasonal items worn by employees (hats, sweaters, pins) follow the uniform guideline for the season Yes / No 1 pt
  20. Source of the decor on display Choice
    • Company kit only
    • Approved local purchase
    • Mix of approved and unapproved
  21. Compliance of the decor with the company guideline Rating
    • Fully compliant 5 pts
    • Minor departures 3 pts
    • Largely off-guideline 1 pt

2. Installation 20 items

  1. Decor was installed outside opening hours or in an area closed to guests Yes / No 1 pt
  2. A step ladder with intact feet, rungs and spreader bars is available on site for hanging decor Yes / No 1 pt
  3. Decor is hung with removable hooks or clips, with no nails, staples or tape on finished surfaces Yes / No 1 pt
  4. Hanging decor is clear of ceiling fans and air diffusers Yes / No 1 pt
  5. Hanging decor over walkways is at least 7 ft (2.1 m) above the floor Yes / No 1 pt
  6. Garlands and banners are fastened at both ends Yes / No 1 pt
  7. The seasonal tree or other large floor piece does not tip when pushed lightly Yes / No 1 pt
  8. Large floor pieces are outside the servers' path between the kitchen and the dining room Yes / No 1 pt
  9. Window clings are applied straight, on the inside of the glass Yes / No 1 pt
  10. Exterior decor (wreaths, planters, light strings) is fastened against wind Yes / No 1 pt
  11. Exterior seasonal lights are on a timer that follows the hours of the building sign Yes / No 1 pt
  12. Cords are routed along walls or behind fixtures, out of guests' sight Yes / No 1 pt
  13. The layout matches the photo or diagram of the guideline Yes / No 1 pt
  14. No seat or table was removed for decor without the approval of the district manager Yes / No 1 pt
  15. Decor does not block the host's view of the front door Yes / No 1 pt
  16. Decor does not obstruct server stations or point-of-sale terminals Yes / No 1 pt
  17. Decor on the back bar does not block the bartender's reach to bottles or glassware Yes / No 1 pt
  18. A photo of the completed installation was sent to the district manager or uploaded as instructed Yes / No 1 pt
  19. Labor hours used to install the decor Number
  20. Workmanship of the installation Rating
    • Neat and secure 5 pts
    • Secure but untidy 3 pts
    • Loose or improvised 1 pt

3. Safety 20 items

  1. Decor does not block or hide any exit door Yes / No 1 pt
  2. Every exit sign is fully visible from the dining room Yes / No 1 pt
  3. Exit paths keep their full width Yes / No 1 pt
  4. Nothing hangs from sprinkler heads or sprinkler pipes Yes / No 1 pt
  5. Decor is below the sprinkler clearance required by the local fire code (commonly 18 in / 45 cm) Yes / No 1 pt
  6. Fire extinguishers, pull stations and alarm strobes are not covered Yes / No 1 pt
  7. Fabric, garlands and artificial trees carry a flame-retardant label or certificate, as required by the local fire code or company policy Yes / No 1 pt
  8. No open-flame candle is used as decor Yes / No 1 pt
  9. Light strings carry the mark of a recognized testing laboratory (UL, CSA, ETL) Yes / No 1 pt
  10. Light strings used outside are rated for outdoor use Yes / No 1 pt
  11. No more light strings are connected end to end than the maker's label allows Yes / No 1 pt
  12. No extension cord runs across a walkway, under a mat or through a doorway Yes / No 1 pt
  13. Cords and plugs are free of fraying, cracks and exposed wire Yes / No 1 pt
  14. Switching off decorative lights is a task on the closing checklist Yes / No 1 pt
  15. No decoration is within 3 ft (0.9 m) of a fireplace, heat lamp, patio heater or cooking equipment Yes / No 1 pt
  16. No live cut tree or cut greenery is used indoors unless the local fire authority allows it Yes / No 1 pt
  17. No glass ornament hangs above tables or within children's reach Yes / No 1 pt
  18. Seasonal mats and floor pieces at the entrance lie flat, with no raised edge Yes / No 1 pt
  19. Decor does not narrow the route to accessible seating or the accessible restroom Yes / No 1 pt
  20. Fire and trip safety of the decor Rating
    • No hazard found 5 pts
    • Minor hazard corrected during the visit 3 pts
    • Hazard remains 1 pt

4. Promotional tie-in 17 items

  1. Seasonal menu or limited-time-offer signs went up on the date of the marketing calendar Yes / No 1 pt
  2. Every seasonal menu item shown on the signs is available today Yes / No 1 pt
  3. Seasonal menu items unavailable at the time of the visit Number
  4. A seasonal menu insert or table tent is on every table Yes / No 1 pt
  5. The decor theme matches the artwork of the current seasonal promotion (same season, same colors) Yes / No 1 pt
  6. The seasonal gift card display is set up per the planogram Yes / No 1 pt
  7. Holiday opening hours are posted on the front door Yes / No 1 pt
  8. Holiday catering, party booking or pre-order materials are displayed at the entrance or the register Yes / No 1 pt
  9. An employee asked could describe the seasonal menu items Yes / No 1 pt
  10. Seasonal cups or packaging are in use where the company supplied them Yes / No 1 pt
  11. Packaging from the previous season is no longer handed to guests Yes / No 1 pt
  12. The seasonal charity campaign (toy drive, food drive) uses the approved collection box and sign Yes / No 1 pt
  13. The collection box is within sight of a staffed position Yes / No 1 pt
  14. The seasonal beverage or dessert display at the bar or counter is built per the guideline Yes / No 1 pt
  15. Digital menu boards show the seasonal content scheduled for today Yes / No 1 pt
  16. The drive-thru seasonal sign is installed where the restaurant has a drive-thru Yes / No 1 pt
  17. Link between the decor and the seasonal promotion Rating
    • Decor and promotion fully in place 5 pts
    • Decor up but promotion incomplete 3 pts
    • No seasonal promotion visible 1 pt

5. Maintenance 16 items

  1. A daily check of the decor is a task on the opening checklist Yes / No 1 pt
  2. Every light string is fully lit, with no dead section Yes / No 1 pt
  3. Battery-operated candles and ornaments are working Yes / No 1 pt
  4. Decor is free of dust Yes / No 1 pt
  5. The floor under the tree and garlands is free of fallen ornaments and needles Yes / No 1 pt
  6. Window clings and painted windows are intact, with no peeling Yes / No 1 pt
  7. Damaged or faded pieces have been removed from display Yes / No 1 pt
  8. Spare bulbs, batteries and hooks are kept on site Yes / No 1 pt
  9. Live plants used as decor (poinsettias, mums) are watered, with no wilted plant on display Yes / No 1 pt
  10. Pumpkins, gourds and hay bales show no rot or mold Yes / No 1 pt
  11. No fruit flies or other pests are present around natural decor Yes / No 1 pt
  12. Exterior decor is intact after the last wind, rain or snow Yes / No 1 pt
  13. Table decor is wiped when the table is cleaned Yes / No 1 pt
  14. The floor behind and under floor pieces is cleaned on the regular schedule Yes / No 1 pt
  15. An employee is named as responsible for the upkeep of the decor Yes / No 1 pt
  16. Condition of the decor at the time of the visit Rating
    • Fresh and complete 5 pts
    • Some pieces tired or missing 3 pts
    • Worn or neglected 1 pt

6. Removal 20 items

  1. The removal date is entered in the restaurant's calendar Yes / No 1 pt
  2. Scheduled removal date of the current decor Date
  3. Decor of the previous season was fully removed before this one went up Yes / No 1 pt
  4. No hooks, tape or cling residue from the previous season remain on walls or windows Yes / No 1 pt
  5. No sign or table tent of the previous season remains on display Yes / No 1 pt
  6. Removal is scheduled outside guest hours Yes / No 1 pt
  7. Light strings are wound on reels or cards for storage Yes / No 1 pt
  8. Decor is stored in bins labeled by season Yes / No 1 pt
  9. Decor bins are stored away from food, packaging and single-use items Yes / No 1 pt
  10. No decor is stored in the electrical room or in front of the electrical panel Yes / No 1 pt
  11. The decor kit was inventoried at the last removal, with missing and damaged pieces listed Yes / No 1 pt
  12. Replacement pieces were ordered from the list before this season Yes / No 1 pt
  13. Damaged light strings were discarded rather than stored Yes / No 1 pt
  14. Batteries are removed from decorations before storage Yes / No 1 pt
  15. Walls and windows were cleaned after the last removal Yes / No 1 pt
  16. Seasonal buttons of the previous season have been removed from the point-of-sale system Yes / No 1 pt
  17. Rented or returnable decor was returned by the date of the rental agreement Yes / No 1 pt
  18. Name of the manager on duty Short text
  19. Overall standard of seasonal decor Rating
    • On brand, safe and well kept 5 pts
    • Acceptable with corrections needed 3 pts
    • Not acceptable 1 pt
  20. Corrective actions required Comments

About this template

This checklist is part of the InspectLoop 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 InspectLoop you can add photos, assign corrective actions, require sign-off and compare results across sites.

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