Restaurant Payroll Processing Checklist

Bi-weekly payroll run for a full-service restaurant — covers tipped wage reconciliation, overtime and 80/20 review, tax withholding, and post-run filings. Run by the GM or bookkeeper using Toast Payroll, 7shifts, or R365.

5 sections 22 steps

Pre-Payroll Preparation

Pull and approve timecards in 7shifts
Reconcile declared tips against POS credit-card tips
Sync new hires and terminations to payroll
Confirm tip-credit notice on file for new tipped staff
Flag overtime and 80/20 side-work exceptions

Tip & Wage Calculation

Calculate gross wages by pay rate and hours
Apply state tip credit where allowed
Run tip pool distribution per house policy
Verify tipped employees clear minimum wage
Apply taxes, garnishments, and benefit deductions

Manager Review and Approval

Review the pre-process payroll register
Compare labor cost percentage to weekly target
GM sign-off on the payroll run
Document any wage corrections needed

Payroll Submission

Submit payroll to Toast Payroll or Gusto
Confirm direct deposit ACH file transmitted
Distribute pay stubs to staff via the employee portal
Cut paper checks for non-direct-deposit staff

Tax Filings and Record Keeping

File 941 deposit through EFTPS
Submit state withholding and SUTA deposits
Post payroll journal entry to R365
Archive payroll register for the four-year retention window

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Sections 5

Steps 22

Category Restaurant

Price Free to start

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