Kitchen Startup Order List
Everything to buy so the kitchen works on day one — dishware, coffee, water, consumables, cleaning, and a plan to restock.
Kitchen Startup Order List
This is where a lot of openings feel unfinished. You can have desks and Wi-Fi, but if there are no mugs, trash bags, soap, paper towels, or coffee, people notice immediately. You don’t need a perfect hospitality program for day one — you need enough basics that people can get water and coffee, throw out trash, clean up, and find where things live.
How to use it
- Order in Days 3–5 so it arrives before opening — and confirm you have somewhere to store it.
- Right-size quantities to day-one headcount, not the eventual full office.
- Check building rules first (some restrict appliances, water lines, or compost).
- Set up the reorder plan before opening (below) or the office slowly breaks after.
The order — by category
Dishware: plates · bowls · mugs · glasses · reusable water bottles (optional) Flatware: forks · knives · spoons · serving utensils Coffee & tea: coffee · tea · filters or pods · sweeteners · milk/creamer · stir sticks · cups (if disposables needed) Water: dispenser or filter · replacement filters · cups/glasses · backup bottles (if needed) Consumables: paper towels · napkins · dish soap · dishwasher pods · sponges · trash bags · recycling bags · compost bags (if applicable) Cleaning: surface cleaner · disinfecting wipes · broom · dustpan · vacuum · mop · gloves Hospitality: snacks · fruit (optional) · serving trays · labels · first-day catering (optional) Storage: bins · drawer organizers · pantry shelving · labels
The reorder plan (decide before opening)
- Who checks inventory, and how often?
- Where are backup supplies stored?
- What’s the reorder threshold (reorder when down to ___)?
- Who approves purchases?
- What vendor or platform do we use?
Keep the first version simple: one person checks, one person approves, one place stores backups.
Tip
Build a small “opening morning” sub-kit and set it aside: coffee made, water stocked, trash liners in, soap and paper towels in the restrooms. The first thing people do in a new office is look for coffee and a trash can — make sure both are obviously there.