Your grand opening plan, from six weeks out to day one
You've signed the lease and the fit-out is nearly done, but the opening day itself still has no plan. This prompt turns your date and budget into a grand opening plan with a week-by-week countdown, a soft launch, people to invite, an opening-day run sheet and a way to turn first-day visitors into regulars.
The prompt
- Make a grand opening plan for my new [TYPE OF BUSINESS], [BUSINESS NAME], at [ADDRESS]. Opening date: [OPENING DATE]. Budget for the opening: [BUDGET]. Team size: [TEAM SIZE]. Ideas I like: [IDEAS]. Give me: a 6-week countdown checklist (permits and inspections to double-check, signage, Google Business Profile, social posts, local press and bloggers to contact, neighbor businesses), a soft launch for friends and family a few days before, an opening-day run sheet hour by hour with who does what, 3 opening offers with their cost, and a 2-week follow-up to bring people back. Find 5 local media, community groups or event listings to contact, with links. Write the invite email and a short press note. Deliver a PDF plus an Excel checklist with owners and dates.
What to change
- [TYPE OF BUSINESS]: E.g. "bakery", "yoga studio", "barbershop", "bike repair shop".
- [BUSINESS NAME]: E.g. "Rise & Crumb".
- [ADDRESS]: The street and town, so your agent can find local media and neighbors.
- [OPENING DATE]: Day and date, e.g. "Saturday 14 March". Weekends usually draw more people.
- [BUDGET]: E.g. "$1,500 for the opening". Include giveaways, decorations and printing.
- [TEAM SIZE]: How many people work on the day, e.g. "me and 3 staff, plus 2 friends".
- [IDEAS]: E.g. "ribbon cutting with the mayor, free samples, live music", or "no ideas yet".
Example result
- Rise & Crumb Bakery: grand opening plan
- Opening Saturday 14 March. Budget 1,500 (illustrative split below).
- 6-week countdown
- • Week -6: confirm health inspection and signage permits with the city. Claim and complete your Google Business Profile with photos and hours
- • Week -5: order exterior banner ("Opening 14 March") and A-frame sign. Start Instagram with behind-the-scenes posts twice a week
- • Week -4: visit 10 neighboring businesses with a coupon for their staff. Contact local food bloggers and the neighborhood newsletter
- • Week -3: send the press note to local news sites and event listings. Order printed bags and loyalty cards
- • Week -2: soft launch planning, staff training, test every recipe at full volume
- • Week -1: friends and family soft launch (Wednesday and Thursday), fix problems, final social countdown
- Opening-day run sheet
- • 6:00 bake first batches. 7:30 team briefing, roles on the whiteboard
- • 8:00 doors open. First 50 customers get a free mini croissant
- • 10:00 ribbon cutting with neighbors and the local councillor (invited)
- • 11:00 to 13:00 tasting table outside, one person handing out loyalty cards
- • 14:00 restock check, photos for Instagram
- • 17:00 close, count stock, thank-you post
- Opening offers
- • Free mini croissant for the first 50 (cost about 40)
- • Loyalty card with 2 stamps already on it
- • 10% off for neighbors' staff for the first month
- Budget split
- Banner and signs 350, printing 250, samples and giveaways 400, balloons and decor 150, boosted local post 200, buffer 150.
- 2-week follow-up
- • Post a thank-you with photos the same evening
- • Email everyone who signed up with a "come back this week" offer
- • Ask happy regulars for a Google review in week 2
- Invite email (short)
- Subject: You're invited: Rise & Crumb opens 14 March
- We're opening our doors on Elm Street on Saturday 14 March at 8 am. Come for a warm croissant, meet the team and see the ovens. The first 50 guests get a treat on us.
How to do it with todo.is
- Copy the prompt and fill in your business, date, budget and ideas.
- Send it in todo.is or message it to your agent on WhatsApp or Telegram.
- Your agent researches local contacts with links and returns a PDF plan plus an Excel checklist.
- Ask it to set weekly reminders for each countdown step, or to write the social posts for week -1.
Tips for a better result
- Do a soft launch. A quiet day with friends shows you what breaks before the crowd arrives.
- Check inspections and permits early. A missing sign-off is the most common reason openings slip.
- Invite your neighbors first. Nearby shop staff become regulars and send people your way.
- Collect emails or loyalty sign-ups on the day. A grand opening without follow-up is a one-day spike.
grand opening plan: FAQ
- How far ahead should I plan a grand opening? Six to eight weeks is comfortable for most small businesses. It leaves time for permits, signage, press and a soft launch.
- What day is best for a grand opening? Many shops pick a Friday or Saturday when local foot traffic is highest. Avoid clashing with big local events unless you can join them.
- Should I do a soft opening first? Yes, if you can. A few days of limited hours or friends-only service lets your team practise and fix problems before the big day.
- Can todo.is send the invitations? Your agent writes the invite and can save Gmail drafts if Google is connected. It asks for your OK before sending any email.
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