What do inspectors look for in a restaurant?

Inspectors check that restaurants comply with food safety rules. Violations of food safety rules carry point values, and a restaurant’s score corresponds to a letter grade. The lower the score, the better the grade. Learn more about how a restaurant is scored and graded.

How often are restaurants inspected in New York City?

You can find health inspection results for New York City’s 27,000 restaurants on ABCEats, the City’s restaurant inspection lookup tool. The Health Department conducts unannounced inspections of restaurants at least once a year. Inspectors check that restaurants comply with food safety rules.

How to influence a restaurant health inspection report?

Offer the inspector any food or beverage. Be cordial and pleasant, but anything beyond that could be misinterpreted as bribery to influence the inspection report. After the restaurant health inspection is completed, your operation will be given a score.

How are points calculated in a restaurant inspection?

Inspectors check for compliance in food handling, food temperature, personal hygiene and vermin control. Each violation of a regulation gets a certain number of points. At the end of the inspection, the inspector totals the points and this number is the restaurant’s inspection score — the lower the score, the better the grade.

When does a restaurant need a health inspection?

Before a new restaurant opens, it must pass an initial health inspection. To arrange a health inspections, contact your local health department at least 30 days prior to opening. During this visit, the health inspector will most likely focus on your equipment and food storage.

What do you need to know before opening a restaurant?

Before you open your restaurant, you’ll want to establish some basic food items that your menu will feature. Deciding what will be on your menu is important when figuring out the equipment you need, the staff you will hire, and the crowd you hope to draw.

Do you need a license to open a restaurant?

You must obtain certain permits and licenses before opening the doors of your restaurant, including a health permit, a liquor licence and a music copyright licence. Most health permits will only be granted after the restaurant passes a health inspection.

What to look for in a restaurant employee?

For both front- and back-of-house staff, look for candidates with prior experience and a supreme ability to multitask and to work quickly and efficiently. All employees should work well with others and be able to stay calm under pressure. Front-of-house staff in particular should exude exceptional social skills.