In today’s article, I’m going to discuss some of the more boring aspects of running a business with employees.

One of the easiest ways to ensure your booth opens/closes smoothly, no matter who’s working, is to create a standard checklist. Lists must be clearly posted at the booth with established steps for opening and closing. An example of this checklist is as follows:

Opening

1. Arrive thirty minutes before they open.

2. Turn on the air conditioner.

3. Make sure the outside is clean and chairs are in place.

4. Make sure signs and lights are clean and in place.

5. Clean the interior/exterior, refrigerator, freezer and ice crusher

A. Clean counters

B. Clean up trash outside

C. Clean and dry the chairs.

5. Mop the floor

6. Restock any supplies, including cups, spoons, napkins, and other supplies.

7. Check ice and syrup for the day.

8. Make sure you have enough change for the day.

9. Notify management of anything that needs to be restocked.

10. Turn on any signal.

11. If you expect immediate customers, be sure to keep the ice warm.

when you close

1. Turn off all signage

2. Clean EVERYTHING.

A. clean all surfaces inside the mount

B. Clean ice shaver

C. Clean all the bottles

D. Clean refrigerators and freezers.

E. Clean tables and chairs if they are sticky.

6. Call owner for any inventory needs

9. Take out the garbage

11. Sweep and mop

12. Turn everything off and lock EVERYTHING.

14. DOUBLE CHECK THAT YOU HAVE BLOCKED EVERYTHING!

This is just an example checklist that was used in a previous snow cone booth of mine. You may have completely different needs, but the main point is to make it clear and obvious what your employees need to handle. You want to be as transparent and direct as possible. This will avoid misunderstandings and make it clear what you expect. You want to be fair to them by making your expectations clear and avoid having your employees complain that instructions were not given.

A snow cone stand isn’t complicated, but it’s still a business. It is always good practice to standardize repetitive processes as much as possible and provide a manual or checklist to ensure your standards are applied. This is more important than anything else if you don’t plan on regularly working the daily opening and closing hours of your booth.