Complete digital checklist for opening a restaurant in Toronto. Covers Google, menus, social media, and local media outreach.
You have your lease signed, your kitchen planned, and your concept dialed in. Now you need to get your restaurant online before opening day, and ideally well before.
This checklist covers the digital presence side of opening a restaurant in Toronto. Not the permits, not the construction, not the staffing. Just the things that determine whether customers can find you, see your menu, and decide to visit on day one.
This is the single most important thing you will do online. When someone searches "new restaurant near me" or "restaurants in [your neighbourhood]," Google Business Profile is what shows up.
Go to business.google.com and create your listing. Even if your restaurant is not open yet, you can set it up as "opening soon." Fill in:
You will verify the listing through a video walkthrough of your space. Google has moved away from postcards and now uses video verification for most new businesses.
Toronto updated its restaurant and bar licensing and zoning rules effective January 1, 2025. You need a business licence from the City of Toronto for food service establishments. The application process is handled through the City's online portal.
Key steps:
Ontario liquor licence applications typically require a public notice period. Plan for this to take 6 to 8 weeks.
Even a single-page website is better than no website. It should include:
You can use Squarespace, Wix, or a simple WordPress site. If budget is extremely tight, your Google Business Profile and Instagram page can serve as your web presence for the first few weeks.
Your printed menus can wait until closer to opening. But your digital menu should be ready early because you will need it for Google, social media, press outreach, and soft opening invitations.
Create a hosted digital menu with your planned items, prices, and descriptions. This gives you:
You can use EasyMenus to build a free digital menu in under 15 minutes. It includes a QR code, 150 themes, and dietary filters. Update it from your phone as your menu evolves during the weeks before opening.
Build your opening day menu freeInstagram is the most important social platform for restaurants in Toronto. Create your account and start posting:
Create a Facebook page as well. Many Toronto neighbourhoods have active community Facebook groups where restaurant openings generate genuine interest.
Beyond Google, claim your restaurant on:
Make sure your name, address, and phone number (NAP) are identical across every platform. Inconsistencies confuse search engines and hurt your ranking.
If you plan to offer delivery or takeout:
Toronto has a strong food media scene. BlogTO, Toronto Life, and Eat North all cover new restaurant openings. Local food Instagram accounts like @tikiboytoronto, @blogto_food, and neighbourhood-specific accounts are worth reaching out to.
Send a brief email with:
Keep it short. Food writers and bloggers get dozens of pitches. A clear, specific email with good visuals stands out.
If you have not done this already, add your menu items directly to your Google listing. You can also link your hosted digital menu URL.
For a step-by-step guide: How to Add Your Restaurant Menu to Google Business Profile
If you are using a digital menu, print QR code table cards. You can do this at home on cardstock or order professional cards from a local print shop. Budget 5 to 7 business days for a professional print order.
Include a simple instruction on the card: "Scan for our menu" or "View our full menu and specials."
Invite friends, family, and neighbours for a soft opening. This is your chance to test everything before the public arrives:
Fix anything that breaks during the soft opening. It is much better to find problems with 30 friendly guests than with 100 paying customers.
Share photos, stories, and updates. Tag your location so neighbourhood searches pick up your content. Encourage customers to leave Google reviews (politely, after a positive experience).
Check that your listing shows the correct hours, menu, and photos. Respond to any questions that come through your Google profile. If a customer leaves a review during opening week, respond to it within 24 hours.
Opening week always involves last-minute menu changes. Items that do not sell, items that sell out faster than expected, prices that need adjusting. This is where a digital menu pays for itself. Update from your phone in 30 seconds. No reprinting, no waiting.
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