Get a new store's team trained and ready before opening day. Build your opening training once, assign it automatically to everyone who joins the new Location, and track readiness from one report.
✅ Before you start: Admins set up Locations, training, and Automations in the Opus dashboard.
Managers track the Locations they manage in Reporting, and your team completes training in the Opus Training app.
Table of Contents:
Build Your Opening Training
Most opening programs combine two kinds of training:
New Hire Onboarding: your story, policies, and safety basics, for everyone on the team.
Role-Based Training: the daily tasks of each position, like setting up a station or running the register.
Build each as a Module, with Courses for what team members learn on their phones and Check-ins for the skills a Manager signs off in person.
If you already train new hires in Opus, reuse those Modules. Add an opening Module only for what's new, like pre-opening procedures or a soft-opening run-through. Tailored training improves performance and ensures every team is prepared.
🎯 Example: A New Store Opening Module with Courses on Station Readiness, Pre-Opening Checklist, and Safety Procedures, followed by an Opening Day Role Play Check-in.
➡️ Learn more:
How to Build Effective Training in Opus: how to build a Module around one learning outcome.
Getting Started: New Hire Onboarding: what to include in onboarding training.
Getting Started: Role-Based Training: how to train each position on its daily tasks.
Choose How to Deliver It
Pick the approach that fits how many trainers you have. You can use both across openings, or within one.
Trainer-Led Training
This works best when you can send trainers to the new store and want the team to learn together.
Before training days: assign the onboarding Module so team members arrive with the basics done.
On training days: trainers coach each station in person and sign off Check-ins as team members are ready.
After each day: review the new Location in Reporting to see who's behind before the next session.
🐔 Looking for inspiration? Big Chicken used a trainer-led approach with self-paced materials and cut their training time from 10 days to 7, streamlining the process across multiple openings. Read how Big Chicken plans new restaurant openings on the Opus blog.
Self-Paced Training
This works best when trainers are limited, or team members start on different days.
Pre-work: team members complete Courses in the Opus Training app at their own pace, with quiz questions to check understanding.
Hands-on practice: the store's Managers or shift leads show key tasks on the floor.
Sign-off: a Manager completes each Check-in once the team member can do the task on their own.
☕ See it for yourself! Clutch Coffee needed a way to flexibly track training relying solely on their Managers and shift leads. See how Clutch Coffee used Check-ins for engagement and accountability on the Opus blog.
💡 Opening several stores at once? Send trainers to the stores that need them most, and run self-paced training at the rest.
Set Up the New Location
Add the new store as a Location under People > Locations, and place it in its Brand, Region, or Franchise so its results sit alongside your other stores. Then invite the opening team and its Managers to that Location.
➡️ Learn more:
How to Create & Manage Locations, Brands, Franchises and Regions: how to add a Location and group it.
How to Invite a Trainee: ways to get your team into Opus.
How to Invite a Manager: how to add the store's Managers.
Assign Training Automatically
Set up an Automation on each opening Module that includes the new Location, so every team member who joins it gets the training without you assigning it by hand. Pair the Location with a Role, or with All Trainees, to choose who gets each Module.
To run Modules in order, like onboarding first and role training a few days later, use a Path.
➡️ Learn more:
How to Assign Courses and Modules in Opus: one-time assignments and Automations, step by step.
Paths Overview: how to line up Modules in sequence.
Confirm Skills with Check-ins
Add a Check-in for each hands-on skill the team needs before opening day. An Admin or Manager watches the task in person and signs off when the team member has it.
For work the store repeats every shift, like opening and closing, schedule a Checklist for the new Location.
➡️ Learn more:
How to Create & Assign a Check-in: how to build a Check-in and add it to a Module.
Getting Started: Skill Validation: how to confirm skills in person.
Getting Started: Checklists: how to run daily operations with Checklists.
Track Readiness by Location
Go to Reporting, open the Location tab, and choose the new Location. You'll see its Adoption, Assignment completion, and Trainee engagement, plus a completion grid of who's behind on which Module.
To compare several openings side by side, go to Reporting > Assignments by location.
➡️ Learn more:
Reporting: Location Tab: what each stat means and what Managers see.
Completion Grids Overview: how to filter and export completion grids.
FAQ
What if I'm still hiring while the team trains?
An Automation that includes the new Location also assigns training to team members who join later, so late hires start on the same Modules. Pair them with an experienced team member to catch up on hands-on sessions.
Do I need a separate Module for each new store?
No. Add the new Location to the Automations on your existing Modules, and every store trains on the same content.
Why do I need to customize training materials for my stores?
Each store operates differently depending on location, customer preferences, and staff experience. Tailoring your training content ensures it fits your store's unique needs. For example, you might need extra focus on managing high-traffic times, training on special menu items, or addressing the specific customer base. Customized training helps your team feel more prepared and confident, leading to better performance.
Can Managers see their new store's progress?
Yes. Managers see the Location tab in Reporting for the Locations they manage.
Can I mix trainer-led and self-paced training?
Yes. Many businesses send trainers to some stores and run self-paced training at others, especially when several stores open at once.
What if I need to fast-track training?
Start with the skills the team needs on opening day, like guest interactions, safety, and key operating tasks. Confirm those with Check-ins first.
How long does NSO training take?
It depends, but most training lasts 2-4 weeks.
How many trainers do I need?
If using trainers, aim for 1 trainer per 4-5 team members per store. For self-paced options, you'll need engaged Managers at each location to oversee progress.