Everyone knows that a restaurant's food is the most important thing about it. But how will anyone know if the food at your restaurant is good if they never go there? When it comes to a deep clean, most restaurant owners only think about the kitchen.
But if you want to run a successful business, you should also clean the front entrance every once in a while.
One of the best ways to make a good first impression and get people into your restaurant is to power wash the front entrance. Let's make a list of the parts of the outside of your restaurant that need this kind of care.
Signs
If you have a sign in front of your restaurant, this represents who you are and it's highly likely that potential customers will see it first when they walk or drive by. Because of this, it is very important that it stays clean and professional. Every three months should be more than enough to clean it.
Unless the sign is electrical, a light power wash every so often should be enough. But if your sign has electrical wiring, it's best to call a pro to help you figure out how to clean it. So, you can avoid any damage that isn't necessary.
Gum and Sticky Candy Removal
When you power wash the front entrance of your restaurant, it's important to remember to also clean the sidewalk in front of your restaurant.
Getting rid of old gum from the path that leads to your restaurant is a great way to make it look better from the street. Over time, gum turns into black and grey spots that don't look good in your restaurant. Getting rid of gum is also a great way to get ahead of the competition.
If your restaurant is the only one on the block with clean, gum-free sidewalks, that will show that you care the most about giving your customers the best service.
You, or your team, can do this yourselves, but the fact is, without proper training and equipment you can actually make the problem worse.
Most of the time, it's best to hire professional washers to do this job. They will be able to clean up any gum marks that people leave behind. But you should be careful when choosing a service provider because not everyone can power wash with hot water (necessary for proper gum removal).
The actual building
We have all seen THAT building. You know the one; covered in mold, dirt and grime that's an eyesore to everyone. It can definitely change the minds of potential customers. You don't have to do clean all that often. If the walls in front of the restaurant are starting to fade, get dirty, and show signs of stains, or even mold, a quick wash will help.
You shouldn't do this until you know that the problem is clear. So, walls with lighter paint will probably need to be power washed more often than walls with darker paint. The outside of your building should only need to be washed once a year to look clean and inviting. And don't just look at the front of the building, thing about what your customers can see when they walk by from any angle. Look at everything from the perspective of your customer and ask yourself what you can do to make your establishment more inviting.
Grease marks
When grease gets on the sidewalk in front of your restaurant, it leaves stains almost right away. But this doesn't just make your restaurant look less interesting. It also makes bugs come. We think that any restaurant owner would agree that the last thing they want people to see when they walk up to their restaurant is a cockroach. All of this trouble can be easily avoided, though, if you have a professional cleaning service power wash the outside of your restaurant and the sidewalk often enough. In general, grease stains should be cleaned every three months. But the need will depend on what kind of food you are serving.
Awnings
If you fail to clean them regularly, your restaurant's awnings can quickly become dusty and dirty. And this doesn't make a restaurant look good. Restaurant owners and managers commonly overlook awnings. But ones that are clean will help your business. A gentle power wash every few months should be fine. However, there is also no need to be shy about doing it even more often.
When you move your business, it's important to power-wash the awnings. If you're going to move your restaurant soon but keep the awnings that are already there, you need to clean them well. As we’ve mentioned, it’s common for owners to neglect their awnings, and you don’t know when the last time yours were cleaned was. For example, if you want to move your restaurant from one place in Texas to another, you can hire commercial movers to help you while you figure out what to do with the front entrance of your new restaurant. These professionals can handle moving everything while you schedule and complete a cleaning crew to help with the awnings.
Windows
Dirty and smudged windows are the first thing that tells a potential customer that a restaurant doesn't take care of its place. Because they are so noticeable, this first impression will quickly lead your customers to start looking for other problems with your restaurant. Since it's such an important part of the job, it won't hurt to take a little extra time to clean the windows when you're power washing the front entrance of your restaurant.
Patios/Outdoor Eating Areas
If you have a patio in front of your restaurant where people can eat outside, it needs to look nice. And keeping your outdoor dining area clean is the best way to make it look nice and make people want to eat there. Patios get dirty really fast. People walk all over them all the time, and all kinds of bad weather make them dirty. Additionally, visitors cover them with spills every day. A good power wash is a great way to get rid of both big and small pieces of debris left over from these events.
To conclude
As the owner or manager of a restaurant, you might want to keep the front door clean as a way to attract customers. Power washing all areas of your restaurant, not just the front entrance, is a simple but effective way to make a positive first impression. It will catch people's attention and give your food a chance to make them want to come back. Make sure that when you or a cleaning service power wash your restaurant, you cover all the important areas. Don't forget that this is your investment, so do everything you can to make sure it pays off. If you would like help with any of this, give Cornerstone Commercial Services a call today! 1-800-274-3905