In the C-store space, prioritizing a clean and organized store is essential. It is particularly crucial in foodservice, where customers expect high levels of hygiene and safety. A dirty and cluttered store can create a negative impression on customers, leading to decreased foot traffic and sales. A clean and organized store can help attract and retain customers, making them feel comfortable and confident in their decision to purchase from you.
Let’s discuss some practical solutions to streamline your business operations and prioritize cleanliness and hygiene in your daily operations.
1. Develop a Daily and Weekly Cleaning Checklist
Keeping your store clean and organized is vital to provide a positive experience for your customers. Create a daily and weekly cleaning checklist for your employees. This checklist must include tasks like sweeping and mopping floors, wiping down counters and surfaces, cleaning equipment and utensils, and rotating products.
Training your employees to follow the checklist carefully and consistently is crucial. This will ensure that all tasks are completed thoroughly and on time, which is essential for maintaining a clean and inviting environment for your customers. By following the checklist, you can prevent the buildup of dirt and grime that can compromise the safety and quality of your products.
Check out our Top Daily and Weekly Operational Best Practices guides for more tips and guidance.
2. Assign Specific Cleaning Tasks to Individual Employees
Maintaining a clean and organized workplace is crucial for employees’ health, safety, and productivity. Assign specific cleaning tasks to individual employees to ensure efficient and effective cleaning, reducing the likelihood of overlooking any duties. Establishing a culture of accountability that prioritizes cleanliness and safety for all employees while promoting teamwork is important. When a culture of accountability is in place, employees are more likely to take ownership of their assigned tasks and feel proud of maintaining a clean and organized workplace, leading to increased productivity, as a clean and safe work environment can help reduce stress and boost morale.
3. Invest in the Right Cleaning Equipment and Supplies
When you provide your team with the appropriate cleaning tools such as mops, brooms, and cleaning solutions, they can complete tasks efficiently and effectively. Using the right equipment and supplies ensures that the job is done correctly and that your equipment remains in tip-top shape.
For example, using the correct cleaning solution for your pizza oven is crucial. You can use any non-caustic degreaser to clean a Lincoln pizza oven, but for a TurboChef oven, you must only use TurboChef-approved cleaners. If you need help cleaning your oven, the Hunt Brothers® Pizza portal has informative oven-cleaning materials to make the task easier. Don’t waste any more time with ineffective cleaning methods. Check out the pizza portal today and get your oven sparkling clean!
Check out our Resources page for oven maintenance tips to keep your oven in top condition. Print them out and post them in a prominent location for your staff!
4. Train Your Employees on Proper Cleaning Techniques and Food Safety Protocols
Ensure that your employees receive regular training on proper cleaning procedures and food safety protocols to minimize the risk of contamination. This training should include information on food safety, product storage, and possible allergens. Proper training will help your employees maintain a clean and safe environment for customers and employees, decreasing the likelihood of harmful incidents.
It is crucial to consistently produce safe food that will not cause harm to your patrons. Your employees must follow food safety protocols diligently, including maintaining proper product storage. By storing food products at the correct temperature and in the right conditions, you can significantly reduce the risk of contamination and preserve the quality of your products.
We have free tools available! Account Managers (AMs) carry Sanitation Tip Guidelines and QR Code Stickers for cleaning equipment. Hang them in your store for quick reference. Ask your AM about them today!
5. Regularly Inspect Your Store
Regularly inspecting your store is crucial to maintaining cleanliness standards and ensuring that your establishment is well organized. By identifying areas that require improvement, you can take corrective action promptly. Regular inspections will also help you maintain consistency in your store’s cleanliness and organization. During their visits, your Account Manager will inspect the oven and other equipment for cleanliness and alert you or your staff to potential operational issues.
Prioritizing cleanliness in your business operations should be a top priority for any business owner. By developing a dedicated and thorough cleaning program, you can maintain a clean and safe environment for your customers and employees. This will help attract and retain customers, boost sales, and enhance your business’s reputation in the long run.
TBHC Delivers®
TBHC Delivers is the largest distributor of Hunt Brothers Pizza; we are our own business and brand. We own our trucks and follow, believe and deliver on all Hunt Brothers Pizza’s visions. TBHC Delivers builds upon the high-quality product of Hunt Brothers Pizza with value-add customer service like our 15-Point Promise.