There are many flooring options for restaurant owners looking to either open or remodel a new establishment.  Factors to consider include: safety, budget, durability and appearance.  Cleanliness is the most critical aspect of the flooring.  Should the staff be responsible for cleaning the floor or is it wiser to hire a kitchen cleaning service that specializes in floor janitorial services?

Flooring should flow with the restaurant’s theme.   Picking a pattern or color that is versatile with any décor is a good idea. 

Ceramic tile is the most common flooring used in restaurants.  Tiles must be of a commercial grade to avoid slips.   It is easy to clean and maintain and stands up to foot traffic.  Sealing the grout lines correctly will ensure that water will not seep under the tiles.  Tiles can then pop up and will need to be replaced.  Spills are quick and easy to clean as needed.  Installation costs can be expensive.

Carpeting should also be commercial grade.  As with ceramic tile, carpet is slip resistant.  Carpets are a little harder to clean and unlike ceramic tile, the whole carpet would need to be replaced when damaged.  However, carpets have the ability to absorb spills and is cheaper to install than other flooring options. Tile carpets are a good compromise between the two.

Laminate flooring provides the look of hardwood floors without the cost or maintenance.  Installation costs are comparable to ceramic tile.  Commercial grade is a must for slip resistance.

Vinyl flooring is easy to install and easy to clean since there are no divets or grout lines. Vinyl flooring does not stand up as well to the daily wear and tear of the restaurant business and will need to be replaced sooner than other flooring options.

Concrete is probably the least expensive flooring option since most floors are made from concrete.  Concrete can be easily stained to match any décor.

Restaurant floors should be cleaned thoroughly once a day with quick clean ups as needed throughout the day.   Snow, rain and dirty locations need to be taken in account when setting up a cleaning schedule.  A deep clean should be performed once a week.  Emmaculate Reflections can assist with floor care janitorial services.

Mats are a great way to eliminate the amount of dirt that is tracked into the restaurant.  They should be placed at all entryways.  Cleaning equipment should be replaced frequently and proper cleaning chemicals should always be used.  Chemicals should be made for the exact flooring to ensure the best cleaning.  Staff training is critical in keeping clean floors.  Make sure they are aware of where all cleaning supplies are stored and proper techniques for cleaning at the end of the shift, day and in between clean-ups. 

Contact Emmaculate Reflections for all kitchen cleaning service and restaurant cleaning service needs.  They will ensure that your kitchen, dining areas and floors are “emmaculatley” cleaned.

Wedding and graduation season is quickly approaching and it is important to make a celebration reservation quickly.  It is easy to fall in love with a location but do not make hasty decisions.  There are several factors to consider before reserving a banquet hall or country club for the big event.

1. Budget is a huge factor. Read all contracts including the fine print for cancellation fees, deposit and payment deadlines.  Ask about promotional packages and discounts and if there are any other events scheduled for the same day.  Be prepared for a crowd throughout the facility and to be able to hear music, etc. from other parties that are booked. 
2. Location of the venue should be accessible for everyone.  A downtown location may not be conducive for guests due to a lack of parking and parking costs.
3.  Consider the size of needed space for all guests, tables, DJ, band and other activities.  Typically between 10-20% of invited guests do not attend.  The number will vary depending on the amount of out of town friends and family invited.  A space that is either too big or too small takes away from the intimate feel of the event. 
4. Decorations are a huge part of special events.  Finding a venue that fits the style and colors of the host is ideal in keeping the decorations costs to a minimum.  Many places have a vast selection of table linens and chair covers that can be worked into the event theme.  Discuss the decoration rules with the sales director.
5. Catering can encompass at least 50% of event budgets.  Hotels and country clubs usually have on-site kitchens for catering.  Schedule a time for taste testing and ask if there are menu accommodations for those with dietary restrictions and kid friendly entrees.  Also, take a tour of the kitchen to make sure the kitchen is clean.  Use the finger test to determine if the surface area is clean.  Look in corners on floor for dust, dirt and debris.  Open the refrigerators and other storage units.  Make sure that the only entities in the kitchen are of the human race.  A clean and healthy kitchen will make for a safe and yummy event!
6. A clean bathroom is appealing for guests.  Visit all facilities that will be available to your guests.  Follow the same tips for reviewing the kitchen.  Do not settle on a venue that is gross and unsanitary.
7. Outlets and/or equipment are vital for a DJ, band, photographer and videographer.  Provide them with the logistics of the room and contact number of the sales director or your contact at the venue.
8. Inside venues with outside options are desirable.   Have a backup plan in case Mother Nature decides not to cooperate.  Ask if the main room will accommodate those guests and activities that will be moved inside.

The most important part of the day is to relax and try to enjoy the event.  Hiccups will happen so take them in stride. 

Have you ever walked into a restroom at a restaurant to discover an employee on cleaning duty?  Maybe they were wearing latex gloves, perhaps they were not.  Was it the end of their shift or were they returning to the kitchen or serving?  Did they wash their hands with soap and water?  Did they use hand sanitizer?

A big part of owning a restaurant is keeping a tidy restroom.  A bad potty experience has the potential to ruin a perfectly good evening for a paying customer.  For owners and managers, assigning restroom cleaning services to employees can be equivalent to opening Pandora’s Box.   

Most job seekers who apply for a server position are not applying to clean bathrooms.  It is a big task to be considered “other duties as assigned”.  Honesty is always the best policy and it should be discussed during an interview.  Showing the applicant a cleaning schedule and assurance that proper cleaning training will be provided indicates that the owner does not take this task lightly.  The applicant is aware ahead of time what is expected so there are no surprises when they arrive for their shift.

 Employees cleaning bathrooms can lead to low morale and frankly more money wasted.  Low morale can lead to poor work performance, avoidable over time expenses and unhappy diners.  If an employee is bitter about cleaning duty, they may not perform a thorough cleaning, may not exercise all safety requirements (including washing hands) or retaliate against their employer in other ways.  This means that the restaurant is not as clean as it should be (and customers WILL notice), injuries and illness of coworkers or customers are likely to occur and it will either take the employee longer to complete their shift because they either do not care or someone has to work more to ensure all shift duties are completed.

Detailed bathroom cleaning guidelines should be Included with the Restaurant Cleaning Checklist (as discussed in a previous blog).  Establish step by step procedures so there is continuity with each person cleaning.  Indicate exactly which products are to be used and where, when the trash is to be taken out, where cleaning products are stored, etc. 

The cleaning schedule needs to be fair.  All employees should be assigned an equal amount of turns.  Consideration must be given to who is going to clean the men’s bathroom and who will clean the women’s.

Cleaning should not be used as a punishment tool but could be an incentive reward for any in-house contests such as cross selling or the most compliments for a time period.  No cleaning duties for a week or shift or whatever works for the restaurant.

Some restaurant owners opt to outsource their cleaning duties so employees can focus on running the business rather than becoming a cleaning crew.  Regardless of who is responsible for cleaning, have a plan in place for messy situations which can arise at any time!

A good, clean kitchen is essential in the food industry but some of those cleaning chemicals can be harmful to humans and Mother Earth. Green products are a great way to avoid health and environmental issues without compromising cleanliness. With so many “green cleaning” products in the market, reading labels is the key to finding the right product for your restaurant.

The most common side effects of traditional cleaning supplies in people include: asthma, allergies, respiratory problems, headaches, dizziness and fatigue. Cancer, reproductive disorders, major organ damage and permanent eye damage have also been reported. Tips for purchasing kitchen cleaning supplies:

•  Neutral pH products contain little to no amounts of corrosive or strongly irritating   substances (chlorine bleach and ammonia).
• Low VOC content (Volatile organic compounds)
• Fragrances
•  Limited amounts of
• diethanolamine (DEA) – Dishwashing and laundry soap
•  triethanolamine (TEA) – Liquid laundry detergents, dishwashing liquids, general cleaners, hand cleaners and polishes
• alkylphenol ethoxylates (APE’s) – All-purpose cleaners and stain remover

No matter what cleaners are used, safety precautions are recommended:

• Wear protective items such as latex gloves, safety glasses, etc.
• DO NOT mix chemicals either directly or indirectly
• Open windows and doors to ventilate
• Read all recommendations on product labels
• Take note of signal words, Danger, Warning, or Caution
•  Conduct training for employees
•  Keep MSDS information accessible (Material Safety Data Sheets)

 In addition to emitting fumes, many cleaning supplies make their way into nearby water ways after processing at municipal treatment plants. Many of these chemicals are broken down into harmless particles; however, APEs, which include nonylphenol ethoxylates and octylphenol ethoxylates , become more toxic. The health of fish, wildlife and plants are threatened.

Biodegradable chemicals and packaging are essential to protecting Mother Earth. A few suggestions are listed below:

•  Plant based chemicals rather than petroleum based
• Recyclable packing – #2 inside the recycling triangle or PETE, #1
• Dispose of all packing as directed
• Refillable bottles
• Education – Federal and local rules and regulations
• Purchase products that are certified by Green Seal and ASTM.

Converting to a “green” cleaning style is an ever changing process. Begin with baby steps like using better cleaning equipment such as doormats at entryways, microfiber mops and cloths, high filtration vacuums and reviewing and/or adjusting the current Cleaning Checklist. Beware of advertisements that state “environmentally safe”, “environmentally friendly”, or “eco-safe” with no other details. Without specifics, it is very difficult to compare products to ensure the best product for purchase. Cleaning products with the DfE label have been thoroughly researched and approved by the EPA.

Green cleaners are comparably priced with traditional cleaning supplies and “going green” may actually save restaurants money. Restrooms with touchless controls can reduce the amount of cleaning supplies used and avoid cross contamination throughout the restaurant. Also, Manufacturers that use recyclable materials in packaging are purchasing fewer raw materials which reduce their cost. These cost savings are then passed on to the consumer.

One of the most important aspects of running a restaurant is maintaining kitchen and dining room cleanliness.  Not only will this allow owners to remain within the state of health department’s regulations and guidelines; it reduces the risk of food related illnesses.  A clean commercial kitchen ensures the safety of both staff and guests.

When cleaning a restaurant, management will usually develop two types of
lists.  A “restaurant cleaning checklist” and a “restaurant cleaning schedule”.

A restaurant cleaning checklist is a collection of tasks that are required to
be performed daily, weekly, and monthly, depending on the specific task.  The lighter and manageable duties are typically carried out daily by staff and workers.  The more difficult and complex cleaning tasks can be outsourced by a professional cleaning company.

The basic components of a restaurant cleaning checklist can be found within a
restaurant cleaning schedule.

What are the basic components to a restaurant cleaning checklist?

Cleaning Food Preparation Station
The food prepping stations are the more critical areas to keep clean. These areas
are known to contain the most bacteria due to the excessive handling of raw
foods such as poultry, shellfish, and eggs.  It is important for these hot spots to be cleaned as often as possible. Using disinfectants and bleaches are the best defense against these germs and bacteria.

Cleaning Dishes/Utensils
Cleaning the dishes, silverware, and other cutlery items should be
incorporated nonstop throughout a restaurant shift. This task is generally
carried out by an assigned employee at the general utility station. This is
another place where germs and bacteria can spread if not cleaned properly. Hot
soapy water and sanitizer is the best option for the cleanest dishes.

Cleaning Walls
Areas on walls subject to food splatter need to be wiped down consistently.
These areas are found by beverage stations, fryers, and food prep tables. A
disinfectant spray and sponge are effective ways to remedy such messes.

Cleaning Floors
Floors need attention multiple times during a restaurant shift. Small
spills call for spot mopping throughout a shift. Heavy duty floor mopping
should be conducted twice a day, opening and closing time.  Floors should always remain clean and dry.

Cleaning Appliances
All appliances should be wiped down with a disinfectant soap, making sure
to not overlook all the nooks and crevices of smaller machines. Coffee makers
and beverage dispensers are major hot spots for bacteria buildup.

Cleaning Other Areas
Cutting boards, dish towels and rags, trash cans, kitchen hoods, exhaust
fans, coolers, and filters, grease traps, ac vents, bathrooms, dining tables,
refilling consumables, interior and exterior windows, and floor mats are all
areas that require a spot on the checklist as well.

A restaurant cleaning schedule is a way to ensure all necessary cleaning
tasks are being performed accurately. The schedule dictates what is to be
cleaned, when it’s to be cleaned, how it’s to be cleaned, by whom will it be
cleaned, precautions to take, who is responsible in ensuring the tasks have
been completed, and where related cleaning materials are located.

Restaurant cleaning schedules and checklists are imperative in ensuring
that daily, weekly, and monthly tasks are carried out with proper execution and
frequency.

For more information, please contact Emmaculate Reflections Restaurant and Kitchen Cleaning Services for Restaurants, Hotels, and Country Clubs.

Emmaculate Reflections restaurant cleaning services, kitchen cleaning services, hotel cleaning services and country club cleaning services is now on Google+! Come join our circles! If you are like us and don’t know a lot about how Google+ works or even what it is, this post is for you.

What is Google+?

Google+ is the newest key player in the social media network game. It is Google’s attempt at controlling its own niche in the social media market.

How do I use Google+?
Circles-
Google+ focuses on Circles- that is networks of different people and organizations connected to a profile. The default circles are labeled Friends, Acquaintances, Work etc., but custom circles can also be created. This concept allows you to target a certain circle with your information and exclude others. The platform allows you to be as inclusive or exclusive as you want.

Other Components-
Hangout- Hangout allows Google+ users to chat using a live video format. The difference between Hangout and most other video chat programs- Hangout offers free group chat (more than two individuals can participate).

Huddle- The Huddle program hosts group chat sessions and is also available for use on mobile devices. This feature allows users to communicate with each other more than one at a time. For instance, if you are trying to coordinate evening plans with a group of friends, you would include your friends circle in your Huddle chat and discuss options with everyone at the same time.

Sparks- Sparks will generate and eventually suggest interesting internet content for you to watch, read or share. See something that you like? Click the “Add Interest” button to let Sparks know. Sparks will use the items that you show interest in to suggest other videos, articles and pictures.

Who uses Google+? What is the market?

Check out this awesome infographic for more information about exactly who is using Google+ right now.

Can I connect with Emmaculate Reflections restaurant cleaning services on any other social media network?

Yes! Emmaculate Reflections restaurant cleaning services uses a variety of other social media platforms including Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Merchant Circle, FourSquare and LinkedIn. Follow us on Twitter right now and we will follow you back. Be sure to connect with us to stay updated on blog posts, promotions  and other news about Emmaculate Reflections kitchen cleaning services.

In business for 28 years Emmaculate Reflections restaurant cleaning services is the expert in restaurant cleaning services. Find out how we can clean your restaurant “emmaculately”. Please contact us for more information about the nightly cleaning services of Emmaculate Reflections.

Don't let your restaurant get this dirty. Contact Emmaculate Reflections restaurant cleaning services first.

If your restaurant is dirty, customers will notice. You may even receive a bad review. And with today’s internet age, it is likely your restaurant will end up blacklisted online under someone’s list of dirty restaurants.  Currently, there is an emphasis in the news and in online blogs about the theme “dirty dining”.

1. Check out this Dateline investigation of fast food cleanliness. In this Dateline episode, dateline inspects 100 locations of each of the top fast food chains in the United States. Fast food is quick and easy, but apparently it’s not always best to choose speediness over cleanliness. This piece includes a written article as well as exclusive video footage. Cleanest of the top ten: Taco Bell. Dirtiest: Burger King. Out of 100 Burger King locations that were inspected, 241 critical violations were amassed.
2. Watch the ABC Action News segment called “Dirty Dining.” This feature segment reveals the dirtiest local restaurants in your area. Every month, the segment concludes with a list of the dirtiest restaurants for that month. These stories emphasize the importance of local restaurant cleanliness.
3. South Florida ABC Affiliate Local 10 has a similar news feature segment; except Local 10 also has a resident expert on restaurant cleanliness. Former independent blogger Jeff Weinsier reports on local restaurant inspection failures and other dirty dining topics. Initially, Weinsier ran his own blog called “Dirty Dining” where he ranted about the uncleanliness of local restaurants. Now he blogs the same stuff for Local 10 and has a pretty large following of readers in his Restaurant Report Card.
4. For a more community response to restaurant uncleanliness, check out community forums like this Gayot dirty restaurant forum. Forums are a place where people from anywhere in cyberspace can discuss any particular topic. This particular forum is maintained by an administrator who controls the content. But the discussion so far ranges from bad restaurant cleanliness experiences to whether certain types of food should be served in restaurants.

The point is, if your restaurant is dirty, your customers will notice. Some may even specifically target you in an online review, list you as dirty or if your restaurant is dirty enough, report you to a local news segment. Keep your restaurant clean to avoid deteriorating your restaurant’s public image.

Consider a professional restaurant cleaning service like Emmaculate Reflections restaurant cleaning services, kitchen cleaning services, hotel cleaning services and country club cleaning services. Contact us to begin construction of your customized nightly cleaning service checklist. Or continue to learn about our cleaning services through social media. We are on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Merchant Circle, FourSquare and LinkedIn.

Should restaurants be required to post health department letter grades publicly?

The government and more importantly consumers take restaurant health inspections very seriously.  That’s why we at Emmaculate Reflections restaurant cleaning services, kitchen cleaning services, hotel cleaning services and country club cleaning services have dedicated the last two blog posts to discussing health department standards for restaurants and other food service providers.

Here are five more critical violations in the food service industry according to the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation.

1. Prohibit the presence of insects and rodents by keeping your restaurant clean (35a). Insects, rodents and other pests are attracted to food and food residue. Here is another reason to keep your restaurant clean. It is important to keep areas like the dining room and kitchen free of clutter and sanitized at all times to avoid encroaching pests and maintain the safety of your customers.
2. Restrict any personnel with infections from areas where they may contact food products (11). If you don’t want to spread disease to your customers, understand that employees will get sick and encourage or mandate time off for recovery.
3. All food products must be obtained from an approved source (01a). It’s basic restaurant management, but it’s also a good reminder. Know where your food products come from; how they are produced and manufactured. You cannot sell just any food to the public.
4. Enforce strict employee sanitation regulations (12a). Go beyond the presence of a mere sign in your restaurant that orders employees to wash their hands. Find a way to monitor employee cleanliness (within reason) and be sure to tell your customers how much you care about proper sanitation.
5. Food contact surfaces should be clean and sanitized at all times (22). Want to ensure that your restaurant is left perfectly clean every night? Look in to the restaurant cleaning services of Emmaculate Reflections restaurant cleaning services. Your customers will appreciate any extra measures you take to promote restaurant cleanliness.

To read more about critical violations of the food service industry, view the website of Florida’s Department of Business and Professional Regulation.

Or to find out more about the customized nightly cleaning services of Emmaculate Reflections kitchen cleaning services, contact us. We can also be reached through various social media websites such as Twitter, Facebook, FourSquare and Merchant Circle. Come connect with us.

The government and more importantly consumers take restaurant health inspections very seriously.  That’s why we at Emmaculate Reflections restaurant cleaning services, kitchen cleaning services, hotel cleaning services and country club cleaning services are dedicating the next two blog posts to discussing health department standards for restaurants and other food service providers.

 In Florida, the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation is responsible for regulating restaurant health standards. Because Emmaculate Reflections was founded in Florida, these blog posts will only be discussing Florida regulations as described by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation. Still, health regulations are fairly similar across the states and we tried to select regulations that would be common among different states.  

The ignorance of any of the following regulations will be classified as a critical violation by the State of Florida.

1. Employee Training Verification (53b)- All restaurant employees must be properly trained to follow restaurant health regulations. They must be certified and maintain their certifications in response to updated information. This will protect your customers, your employees and your restaurant’s image.
2. All toxic substances must be properly stored and labeled (41a-41b)- Misuse of toxic substances may also be classified as a critical violation. This will prevent contamination of any food products, cooking utensils or appliances during the meal preparation process.
3. Current license properly displayed. Not only does this license serve as your permission to operate a restaurant or food service provider, it also gives your company more credibility with customers.

There is currently an ongoing debate about whether restaurants should be required to publicly display a health department letter grade. One Washington Post article sparked the debate and today, the debate continues online, but no action has been taken to mandate any letter-grade system.

An important part of food service inspections is restaurant cleanliness. If you need a restaurant cleaning service, check out the nightly customized cleaning service package of Emmaculate Reflections kitchen cleaning services. Contact our sales department for more information.

Also, to learn about our promotions and to read more blog posts, come network with us on Facebook, Twitter, Merchant Circle, Four Square and LinkedIn.

Remember, 2012 is the “Year of the Customer” at Emmaculate Reflections. This means we encourage customer involvement and we want to hear your feedback. If you have any suggestions for our restaurant cleaning services, contact us or post below. 

Is your restaurant’s budget tight this year? Here are the top three ways to save money while maintaining your restaurant’s classy atmosphere and ambiance.

1. Looking for some new furniture or décor for your restaurant? Shop at local thrift stores. Local thrift stores like Habitat for Humanity thrift stores often provide a variety of used furniture pieces and sometimes even antiques at a bargain price. Even if the furniture is damaged or stained, many times furniture can be refurbished and stains can be removed. Not only that, local thrift stores are known for giving back to the community. So pick up some furniture for your restaurant at a great price and give back to the community at the same time.
2. Hire an aspiring artist to decorate your restaurant walls. The artist may discount or even donate the artwork to market their name, especially if your restaurant is popular. In other areas as well, trading services or products with local businesses can be more affordable.
3. Believe it or not, hiring a restaurant cleaning service to clean your restaurant nightly will save you money and stimulate business. Don’t waste your money by paying your in-house employees to clean your restaurant after the night shift. This will lead to tired, disgruntled employees who clean at a mediocre level. Instead, check out some restaurant cleaning services to see if a nightly cleaning service would be more appropriate for your restaurant. The services are professional, prompt and will leave your restaurant sparkling for the next business day.

   Look no further for a restaurant cleaning service. Check out the customized cleaning services of Emmaculate Reflections restaurant cleaning services, kitchen cleaning services, hotel cleaning services and country club cleaning services. We offer affordable nightly cleaning services that are sure to clean your restaurant “emmaculately”.

   In business for over twenty-eight years, Emmaculate Reflections knows how to clean restaurants. We offer a customized cleaning service package tailored to the specific needs of your restaurant. Contact our sales department to find out more about your customized cleaning service package today.

   To find out about our promotions, updates and read more blog posts, connect with us on our various social media sites. We are currently located on Facebook, Twitter, Merchant Circle, FourSquare and LinkedIn.