As more restaurants and hotels install self-service kiosks for quick meal ordering and check-in, the concern over the cleanliness of these surfaces should not be ignored. In November 2018, a leading fast-casual restaurant chain came under fire for lapses in cleanliness; kiosks in eight different locations in England were covered in fecal bacteria, as well as staphylococcus, listeria, Klebsiella, and proteus bacteria.
Despite bacteria being invisible to the naked eye, it presents a risk to customer safety. By focusing on cleanliness throughout an entire facility, managers will have greater peace of mind about the customer experience and brand reputation.
Follow these best practices for achieving a top-to-bottom clean in your establishment:
- Train employees about the value of clean. When employees grasp the “why” around cleaning, they will be more likely to conduct the necessary tasks. Whether this employee works in a kitchen area, at a check-in desk or in the housekeeping department, make sure he or she understands the importance of cleaning – it promotes health and safety for customers and employees, improves image and directly supports the business.
- Regularly use disinfectants on high-touch surfaces. Using the right chemical is essential for ensuring cleanliness, especially on surfaces that many people touch throughout the day. Use a fast-acting disinfectant to quickly but thoroughly clean surfaces like touch-screen kiosks and counters.
- Increase cleaning frequency during an influx of business. A lunchtime rush at a restaurant and spring vacation crowds at a hotel provide an opportunity for higher profits, but also for more germs to spread. Unfortunately, cleaning may take a back seat when business picks up. Make sure your employees know that cleaning frequency needs to increase during these busy times and make necessary tools and products easily accessible so that they can quickly address spaces like dining areas, restrooms and lobbies.
- Keep hygiene essentials well stocked. Keeping your restrooms properly stocked with items like hand soap, sanitizer and paper towels will encourage guests to perform hand washing. In turn, this can reduce the spread of germs throughout your business. Consider a soap and sanitizer dispenser that can switch from touchless to manual mode, so that if the batteries run down, guests can still access the product.
Restaurants and hotels must ensure that high-touch surfaces like touch-screen kiosks, tables and counters and door handles are given the proper attention when it comes to cleaning. By prioritizing cleanliness, you can help reduce the spread of bacteria and better protect your customers and guests.
For more information about solutions that support cleanliness in your business, contact your Diversey representative.
