Generally, it takes about one hour to complete all that needs to be done to be ready to open. Since it takes time to heat water and food, these items should be done first. Then, while everything is heating, the other task can be done. The following is a general list of tasks in an approximate order of execution:

1. Plug in the Bunn hot water heaters.
2. Pour correct levels of water into warmers, coffee makers, etc., and turn on the heat.
1. Cheese / Chili / BBQ Warmer – pour about 2 in. of water into the reservoir in which the pot sets.  The settings these warmers should be set on high until food temperature is above 140⁰ F. After that, they should be turned down, unless it is necessary to continually add to the supply (as in a busy football game). The health department requires that all hot foods be held at temperature of 140⁰ F or above.
2. Coffee Maker – holds approximately 3 canisters of water. Place an empty canister under water outlet of machine, and when water runs out – it is full.
3. Hot Chocolate Machine – fill with water to about 2 in below top. This will give room to add chocolate mix.
4. Hot Dog Warming Oven – top of hot dog machine. Pour water in reservoir under tray.
3. Thaw any foods which need to be thawed.  Use the microwave for frozen chili, BBQ, etc. Wieners thaw well in water. Buns and pretzels will usually thaw at room temperature or under warming light.
4. Fill warming pots with food – Cheese, chili, BBQ, etc. Use crock pot liners.
5. Load the hot dog machine. Temperature should normally be set on high to start. Sometimes, if opening is a while off, the temperature can be set lower. Wieners are already cooked, but should be heated thoroughly (greater than 140⁰ F), and kept hot until served. Depending on size of crowd anticipated, it might be necessary to prepare several batches of hot dogs. If this is the case, any cooked wieners can be placed in buns, wrapped and place in the warming oven over the machine.
6. Set out one of each candy in the display racks. 
7. If hot chocolate is being served, mix chocolate mix into water, and stir well until dissolved. The machine will keep it stirred after that.
8. Prepare nacho trays and Frito chili pie trays. Keep warm under warming light.
9. Set out trays of mustard, ketchup, mayonnaise, and relish at all serving windows.
10. Fill napkin dispensers.  Do not over-fill.
11. Set out cups filled with sporks.  They must be positioned with the handles pointed up.
12. Check syrup BIBs to be sure there is enough product on line, and turn on CO₂.
13. Check temperature for cheese, chili, BBQ, and Hot Dogs.  It must be at above 140⁰ F.
14. Arrange money boxes so that each window has access to one.
15. Wipe counters at all serving windows, inside and outside with cleaner, then with sanitizing solution.