When your front of house (FOH) looks clean but customers or staff start noticing issues, it might mean your cleaning schedule needs a check. Look for signs like tasks being skipped, complaints about cleanliness, or visible dirt on supposedly clean surfaces. These are red flags that your current system isn't keeping up.
Common misunderstanding: If no one complains, the cleaning must be fine.
Just because guests aren't voicing complaints doesn't mean all is well. Regularly check high-traffic areas and touchpoints yourself. Small signs like sticky menus or dusty seats can indicate bigger issues.
Common misunderstanding: A checklist is completed, so everything must be clean.
Even if a checklist is marked as complete, it doesn't guarantee the tasks were done properly. Regular spot checks and following up on the quality of completed tasks are crucial to ensure standards are maintained.
Managers need to be proactive when cleaning tasks are missed or not up to standard. Start by discussing the issue with the responsible staff to understand why it happened. Was it a lack of time, resources, or understanding? Then, retrain or clarify the task as needed and monitor to ensure improvement.
Common misunderstanding: It’s enough to just remind staff to do better next time.
Simply reminding staff isn't effective without addressing the root cause of the missed task. Provide additional training or resources if needed, and adjust schedules to give staff enough time to complete their tasks.
Common misunderstanding: Only retrain staff when there are repeated mistakes.
Addressing issues at the first sign of trouble can prevent bad habits from taking hold. Immediate feedback and correction help maintain high standards and show the importance of each task.
If you notice a drop in hygiene standards, immediate corrective actions are necessary. These might include re-cleaning the area, retraining the staff member involved, and reviewing and possibly revising the cleaning schedule to prevent future lapses. Ensure all tools and supplies are available and in good condition to support the staff's cleaning efforts.
Common misunderstanding: Corrective actions are only about fixing the immediate problem.
While immediate fixes are necessary, long-term solutions like adjusting the cleaning schedule or increasing training sessions are also important to prevent future issues.
Common misunderstanding: Punishing staff will improve cleaning standards.
Punishment can create a negative atmosphere and may not address the underlying issues. Focus on support, training, and providing the right tools for the job to improve standards effectively.
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Weekly cleaning tasks to maintain cleanliness and hygiene in the front of house (FOH) of a restaurant include: deep vacuuming of carpets, scrubbing hard floors, dusting light fittings, cleaning skirting boards, and wiping down furniture. It is also important to clean high-touch areas like chair legs and bar stools. Schedule these tasks during quieter periods or when the restaurant is closed for efficient cleaning without disrupting service.
Monthly cleaning tasks in a restaurant's front of house are important for maintaining a professional appearance and ensuring long-term cleanliness.
After each guest, it is important to reset the area promptly to ensure cleanliness.
A comprehensive daily FOH cleaning checklist should include: wiping down the host stand and resetting menus, cleaning POS equipment, polishing door glass and handles, checking and cleaning toilets with necessary supplies, restocking napkins, condiments, and tabletop items, vacuuming or mopping key walkways and under tables, emptying bins and cleaning bin lids, and spot-cleaning walls, door frames, and baseboards. This ensures the front of house is welcoming and hygienic for guests.
To encourage a culture of pride in front-of-house cleaning, it's crucial to make staff feel valued and show how their efforts contribute to the restaurant's success.
Assigning cleaning tasks to specific roles is crucial to ensure all tasks are completed consistently and efficiently.
To clearly write FOH cleaning tasks, it's important to provide specific and detailed instructions to avoid confusion and ensure consistency in cleaning standards.
To prioritise Front of House (FOH) cleaning tasks effectively, begin by identifying areas most visible to guests or those that could pose hygiene risks.