When we moved to Prescott, we were thrilled with the abundant choices of great places to eat in the Quad Cities area. Every time I think that we have sampled all the best eateries, we come across another great place. We love being able to entertain our out-of-town friends and relatives when they come to visit, by going out to eat. The hardest part is deciding which of our favorites to go to.
Besides the obvious things we look for in our favorites, like great recipes, ambiance and location, cost and value for the dollar, paramount on the list is the feeling you get when you go in. Contributing to that great feeling is cleanliness.
In the eyes of a new customer, that first impression is very important. It doesn’t matter how a place is decorated if it appears dirty. As the customers enter, how does it look, feel and smell? Does the hostess stand have clutter? Are the chair pads stained? Is there dust on the window ledges, fixtures or lampshades? Is the aroma only that of wonderful food? Is there dirty carpet or floors that need attention from a professional floor care expert? Every detail is important for that first impression.
Of even more importance is the cleanliness of the kitchen itself. Customers get an indication of how clean a kitchen is by looking at the dining area. Restaurant owners and managers need to put themselves in the customer’s shoes and step up their game on taking cleaning as a priority to ensure a good dining experience.
Some important areas for them to consider:
- Windows, so customers can enjoy the view
- Clean carpet, tile and grout
- Blinds, sills and window coverings
- Doors and walls and all touch areas
- Restrooms
Bob Horowitz of USA Today writes, “Walk into a clean restaurant restroom, and all’s good. Walk into a dirty one, and there’s hell to pay. Some 50 percent of restaurant patrons who have a negative experience with a bathroom — from dirty toilets to grimy soap dispenses to bad odors — will blab about it to friends and family, according to a recent survey by Harris Interactive for SCA Tissue North America. Even more seriously, it’s gonna cost business. Nearly three in 10 consumers surveyed said there are no second chances with dirty restrooms — and they would never return to the restaurant again.”
More and more people are turning to social networks and online reviews regarding their experience in an establishment. If someone walks into a restaurant that is unclean, they may very well post their observations online.
A daily cleaning checklist for employees and ongoing professional cleaning is crucial to the health and safety of a restaurant’s customers, its employees and its overall success. QCBN
By Lucy Leyva
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