Top Five Factors to Consider When Purchasing a Portfolio of Cleaning Products

With inflation on the rise and an overall decrease in restaurant workers in the U.S., restaurants owners have a lot to consider when purchasing their cleaning portfolio. According to recent findings by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, inflation has affected restaurant businesses by increasing operating costs by as much as 11.7 percent this year alone. More importantly, stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic, customers have expressed a heightened awareness to the cleanliness of their favorite restaurants. According to one survey, 93 percent of Americans believe that cleanliness is important when going to a restaurant for indoor dining. Finding the right supplier to meet the needs of your business and customers isn’t easy; these are five factors that owners and operators should consider when stocking up on cleaning supplies. 

1) Efficiency: Doing More with Less

Having the products and supplies to get the job done right is at the heart of what every owner and operator is looking for. Consider dishwashing, one of the most important jobs in any restaurant, which consists of a lot of manual labor and challenges. Re-washing items is necessary more often than desired. But more isn’t always more. More time + more cleaning solution = less productivity. When owners and operators purchase products that do more with less – think, a dishwashing soap that gets dishes, pans, silverware and glasses clean on the first time – owners/operators are saving money, while dishwashers can save time and enable the back of house to be more efficient. Having the right products for your workers can offer more solutions and less confusion when it’s time to clean. 

2) Variety: Breadth of Products 

Another consideration when choosing your cleaning portfolio is to assess breadth of products in a given line. This means considering whether your supplier or brand-of-choice provides a variety of cleaning solutions. Some suppliers specialize in specific lines of products, i.e., floor/table cleaners. By contrast, identifying a single supplier that can provide numerous brands and products, across functionalities, streamlines the process of training employees, ordering products and managing supplies. Choosing the right supplier can make an owner’s life easier and free up the brain space to spend more time focusing on growing the business. 

3) Innovation: Aiming for Superiority 

As a restaurateur, you know that the ability to develop your restaurant by innovating and implementing best practices is a sign of healthy growth. The same goes for your cleaning supplier. New product launches and formula upgrades indicate that your supplier is investing in product superiority, making their products the best. This should matter to you because it enables you to ensure you are consistently using best-in-class products that deliver irresistible performance. Keep an eye on your supplier’s innovations to ensure that they are doing the work on their end to keep your business working efficiently, while providing a clean that you can trust. 

4) Effectiveness: Products You Trust

Another factor to consider when purchasing your cleaning portfolio is product efficacy. You wouldn’t buy a product that doesn’t work or make the lives of your employees easier. And you should have as much confidence in your cleaning products as you do in your employees. 

When trying a new cleaning product for their restaurant, P&G research has found two-thirds of restaurant owners typically base their purchase decisions on experience or trial and error. Bringing in time-tested and reliable cleaning products takes the guesswork out of having to choose new ones. 

5) Name Recognition: Heritage Brands Consumers Know

According to one study, one in three diners would pay more for a meal if they knew the business was using a personally recognizable and trusted brand of cleaning products[2]. By purchasing products that are known and trusted by consumers, you can bring that level of clean and sanitization to your business. 

It’s hard to beat the value that comes from coupling efficiency, variety, innovation, effectiveness and heritage brands. Products that check all of these boxes make businesses better, so invest in yours.