By Briana Hilton, Contributor
Most Americans express how important visible cleanliness is, whether dining indoors (93%), outdoors (92%), or when ordering takeout (92%), according to a P&G Professional survey that highlighted sentiments and preferences surrounding cleanliness as the pandemic impacted perceptions of restaurants.
Furthermore, four out of five (82%) said they lose their appetite when they see grease or dirt at a restaurant, underlining the importance of upholding proper hygiene across the board. For restaurant owners and managers, setting the stage for a positive workplace culture surrounding cleanliness is key in doing so.
Embracing the Restaurant Cleanliness Basics
Regardless of where your restaurant stands, embracing the basics surrounding food and personal hygiene is always a fantastic idea. Not only will this work to refresh everyone’s memory, but it will help to solidify a positive culture on the subject.
One LinkedIn article notes that assessing your current situation can help identify strengths and weaknesses present within your own establishment, which will tell you where improvement is needed. Regular and professional training on sanitation, food, and personal hygiene is imperative among restaurant staff, with online options making it easy to gauge your team’s expertise.
While a surprise visit from the health inspector can stress the importance of cleanliness, it's equally as crucial to develop a positive and mindful attitude surrounding cleanliness in order to ensure it’s ingrained in your business’ mission. Making it a goal among team members to uphold everyone to the proper standards, for example, helps establish a positive workplace culture surrounding health and hygiene, thus setting the foundation for a clean and safe restaurant environment.
Encouraging your employees to take sick days when needed is just one way to do this, however, even reinforcing the basics in a positive way — like avoiding cross-contamination via proper food storage or even hand washing — can be done on a daily basis. The installation of signs, for instance, can provide a silent reminder to employees to wash their hands, and should be placed both in the bathroom and in the kitchen areas.
A 2020 article from the National Restaurant Association details the importance of personal hygiene for National Food Safety Month, which is applicable to any establishment, pandemic or not.
“Reinforce good hand hygiene with your staff members,” said Larry Lynch, the National Restaurant Association’s senior vice president of Certifications & Operations. In addition to noting that everyone must wash their hands frequently, Lynch adds: “Hand sanitizers are good to have, but they’re never a replacement for a vigorous 20-second hand washing.”
He further advises emphasizing the importance of proper handwashing techniques, rather than putting restrictions on the time needed to do so.
Considering the Guest’s Perspective
When aiming to instill a culture of cleanliness, asking your staff to consider the customer’s perspective surrounding the matter can be a game changer in terms of gaining new insight surrounding hygiene. This involves taking into consideration the details that a customer typically interacts with during their restaurant experience — like the bathroom.
Eat This, Not That addresses several telltale signs that a restaurant isn’t as clean as it should be, according to experts. “If you want to know how much an establishment takes hygiene and cleanliness seriously, go to the bathroom. It should smell neutral or, better yet, like disinfectant or cleaning solution. The paper goods and soap should be well stocked, and the floor should be clean,” said Paul Kushner, bartender and founder of My Bartender. “If that bathroom is out of supplies, the floor is sticky or it smells of urine, I’d wager the kitchen isn’t kept clean either.”
Chris Mecker, professional chef turned culinary educator, notes that what sits on restaurant tables can also give away the true cleanliness of an establishment. “Condiments that are missing caps, have crusty caps, or are not refilled. Additionally, sticky or splotchy menus can be a sign that things are not cleaned routinely.”
Long story short, if things outside of the kitchen are not clean, a customer can gain some level of insight regarding the state of the kitchen. Valuing your customer’s opinion regarding the restaurant’s service extends well beyond how the meal tasted, with implementing surveys proving to be a great way to receive feedback.
However, when aiming to improve and uphold sanitation standards, adding new questions to the survey regarding the cleanliness of seating areas, bathrooms, etc. will effectively ensure that any negative opinions can be taken into consideration.
When Maintenance Goes Overlooked
Preventing pests in your restaurant can be a continuous effort, with proper hygiene and regular pest management endeavors working in tandem to provide a roach and rat-free environment. However, it’s imperative to take into account that regularly scheduled maintenance can work to prevent other issues — including mold. Mold exposure has the potential to cause both health issues and structural damage.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) explains that mold produces allergens and irritants. If mold or its spores are touched or inhaled, the EPA notes that an allergic reaction could occur, with allergic responses including hay fever-type symptoms like sneezing and red eyes.
Regarding long-term impacts, research suggests a link between mold exposure and the development of chronic respiratory conditions. Mold growth can also lead to compromised infrastructure by causing rot, decay, and damage to building materials, not to mention it can have an impact on property value as well. It’s imperative to address mold growth as soon as possible, mold and damp can be prevented through regular inspections, maintenance, and adequate ventilation.
Cleanliness is a must for any restaurant, though proper hygiene and sanitation should go beyond going through the motions and waiting for the health inspector to show up. By ingraining a positive workplace culture surrounding health and hygiene, you can effectively work to create a business that puts both worker and customer safety at the forefront of the mission.
