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Taking inventory is a pain, but there are two ways to effectively reduce that pain.
The first and most effective is using a perpetual inventory system like BinWise Pro. It automates everything—from counting to analysis.
The second and less effective way is using an inventory sheet template (like our own Google sheets inventory template) or you can learn how to make an inventory sheet yourself. And that’s why you’re here today.
Here you’ll find free inventory spreadsheet templates for a variety of uses. These can help offset the cost to open a bar or restaurant.
General inventory tracking spreadsheet? Check.
Wine inventory spreadsheet? You know it.
Bar inventory spreadsheet? Yep.
Restaurant inventory spreadsheet? Better believe it.
So, let’s get to it. Here are some simple inventory templates and sheets to make your life easier.
Bar Inventory Template
Should You Use a Bar Inventory Spreadsheet?
Depending on the size of your beverage program, counting and organizing inventory can take a lot of time. For some restaurants and bars, it can even take an entire day or more. Knowing this, why wouldn’t you want to find ways to save time taking inventory?
If you’re a busy beverage or bar manager, bar and restaurant inventory spreadsheet templates are a good option. When you want to get the inventory process over with quickly.
What's more, they're convenient, cost-effective, and easy to use.
All you have to do is download a bar inventory spreadsheet, fill in all of your program’s information, then get to counting! Having a record of your inventory helps determine cost percentages and generate historical inventory reports.
If you want to become a great bar manager, we've got advice for that too.
Anatomy of a Bar Inventory Template
In order to keep the inventory counting process running smoothly, you need to make sure your spreadsheet is organized. Information should be entered consistently throughout the document. This will make it easier to read and compare data in the future.
Before you begin using a bar inventory spreadsheet, make sure the document consists of the following columns:
- Product brand or name
- Format (liquor bottle sizes, beer keg sizes, etc.)
- Starting inventory, received inventory, ending inventory
- Cost of Goods Sold (COGS)—both by individual unit and total
Free Liquor Inventory Sheet
When you download our liquor inventory spreadsheet for restaurants and bars, you’ll be able to print as many as you like. It’s a printable liquor inventory sheet!
It has sections for beer, wine, and liquor. That makes it a perfect general bar inventory sheet.
Digital Liquor Inventory Sheets
You can also use this Excel bar inventory spreadsheet if you'd prefer to fill the spreadsheet out on a computer. Just download it and open it in Google Sheets or Microsoft Excel. It’s a CSV file. You can edit it to your heart’s content.
Simple Inventory Template (General)
If you’re looking for a simple inventory template that can handle anything, you can get that from our download, too. It’s a free simple inventory sheet that can be used for literally anything.
What Can Our General Inventory Sheet Template Be Used for?
This inventory sheet template can be used for:
- All bar, restaurant, and hospitality inventories
- All retail inventories
- Maintenance and industrial inventories
- Personal inventories at home (collectibles, books, etc.)
When we say anything, we mean anything.
In addition to getting a free, printable PDF inventory, you can download our Excel inventory tracker. It’s a CSV file, so you can open it in both Excel and Google Sheets.
Inventory Spreadsheet Example
Here’s an inventory spreadsheet example from our download pack:
If you’re not interested in downloading a free inventory tracking spreadsheet, follow the model of the inventory spreadsheet example above.
Restaurant Inventory Sheet
When you download our printable inventory templates, you’ll get a beautiful free restaurant inventory sheet PDF.
Both include categories for meat/seafood, produce, grocery, and dairy.
Wine Inventory Spreadsheet
Looking for a restaurant wine inventory spreadsheet? It’s your lucky day because it’s included in our free inventory sheet template download (see below).
It has categories for red and white, along with columns for format, count, and cost. It operates a lot like our other spreadsheets, it’s just specifically made for taking wine inventory.
Of course, if you’re looking for an editable CSV you can download our wine inventory spreadsheet file.
Download Our Free Inventory Tracking Spreadsheets
There you go! Click the above and you’ll be able to download all four of our simple inventory sheets.
How to Use an Inventory Tracking Spreadsheet
Here are a few tips for using an inventory sheet template. We use alcohol in our examples, but there's more than just bar inventory spreadsheets here.
So, whether you’re using it as a bar inventory spreadsheet, a wine inventory spreadsheet, a restaurant inventory spreadsheet, or anything else, these tips will help you get the most out of them.
- Choose an inventory period and be consistent. Pick an inventory period (weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly) and stick to it. Remember to always take your inventory at the same time. Preferably when your restaurant or bar is closed, and count your bottles in the same order from left to right. Skipping inventory counts may lead you to discover what happens when alcohol expires.
- Stay organized. Use the same spreadsheet template each time you do inventory, and keep both digital and hard copies of reports.
- Train your staff. Teach your employees how to count inventory using your spreadsheet. Make sure they are familiar with the rule of tenths and can identify shrink (spillage, breakage, theft via overpouring, or comps). For even more effectiveness, put all this information in your bar training manual.
- Create a transfer log. Know exactly where your products are by tracking when a bottle is moved from your cellar, storage room, or warehousing to the bar. You don't want to have an inaccurate count and end up with too little or excess inventory.
- Use a digital beverage inventory management solution. A bar inventory software like BinWise Pro makes counting bottles easy
When it comes to developing an inventory action plan, you will have some trial and error. Before settling into a routine, take time to think about what has worked well for you in the past. Also, analyze what processes can be improved. You should also put together a comprehensive bar supplies list.
Doing so can help you identify your program’s weak points, and better optimize the process going forward.
Counting bottles and estimating inventory usage are necessary parts of taking bar inventory. If you want to run a successful and profitable beverage program. But there are ways you can make liquor inventory easier, faster, and less overwhelming. Try to track the alcohol levels in open bottles and understand how many shots in a handle.
Using a free inventory template is one. Using an end-to-end beverage inventory platform like BinWise Pro is another. Bars and restaurants across the globe rely on BinWise to help them take quick, efficient, accurate inventories and crunch all the numbers to make profitable decisions. It even comes with access to a free barcode scanner app for inventory.
Book a demo and we’ll tell you all about it.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bar and Restaurant Inventory Spreadsheets
How do I make a bar inventory sheet?
Start at the front bar. Count the bottles the way they're positioned. If needed, organize them into alphabetical order on your spreadsheet when you finish. Divide them into categories (whiskey, vodka, tequila, etc.), then list the alcohol's name and bottle size.
Also include areas on your spreadsheet for your back bar, storeroom, walk-in, and other areas of your bar where you keep alcohol. You want to create the lists in an easy flow that matches your routine for counting inventory.
What is an inventory template?
An inventory template is a file, usually a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet, that includes multiple columns for listing data about your products, whether wholesale products, finished goods inventory, or both.
Does Microsoft Excel have an inventory template?
Yes, Excel has an inventory template that you can customize to include details and data about your products.
Related Articles
To learn more, check out the following articles from our blog:
How to Do Bar Inventory: Bar Inventory Basics