First and foremost, on the mind of every restaurateur and foodservice operator since the onset of Covid, has been sanitization.
While this may have seemed a relatively simple aspect to manage at first with the use of pre-pandemic protocols, many business owners quickly realized that managing health and safety would now require a fresh new approach.
Basic sanitation of the kitchen and topical cleaning before closing and as tables turned simply is not enough.
Now factors like transparency, constant front-of-house cleaning, and advanced staff knowledge all play equally large roles, and missteps in any of these areas could spell disaster.
Fortunately, Imperial Dade, the nation’s leading distributor of packaging and janitorial supplies, has unveiled HyProtection Zone, a new program designed to train restaurant staff to more effectively implement sanitization protocols in their establishments.
“Many restaurants are doing their best to follow health and safety protocols, but simply lack the knowledge base to effectively utilize the resources they have at their disposal,” noted Imperial Dade’s Vice President of Marketing Laura Craven, “Fortunately, at Imperial Dade, we have that knowledge, so that’s where we come in.”
Whereas simply wiping down tables with tabletop sanitizer was sufficient in the past, this is no longer the case with Covid.
Now, factors such as dwell time, touchpoints, and disinfectant efficacies all play a role.
“These are just a few of the topics we cover during the Imperial Dade Cleaning Institute for restaurants,” Craven continued.
“When we come into the restaurant and address the staff, we briefly cover terminology, the virus itself and how it is transmitted, and the difference between cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting.
We discuss the proper use of personal protective equipment like masks, gloves, and eye protection.
After that, we demonstrate the proper procedures to clean and then disinfect high-touch surfaces throughout the restaurant.”
For businesses who think they might have trouble budgeting for HyProtection Zone due to the current state of their revenue streams, Imperial Dade has anticipated this issue and solves it in two ways.
First, saving money is a core part of the HyProtection Zone program. Not only will Imperial Dade’s consultants improve protocols, they will also identify current practices and products that are inefficient and replace them with cost-effective alternatives.
“Although owners may have to invest in additional cleaning supplies initially, they will soon realize that the efficiencies and compliance benefits of implementing the HyProtection Zone program are worth it and can be cost neutral,” claimed Craven.
“Second, in support of the restaurant and foodservice industry, Imperial Dade is offering initial consulting services completely free.
“We believe in paying it forward,” says Craven. “What’s most important right now is insulating these businesses against potential violations or illness outbreaks with a goal of keeping operators and customers safe.”
Imperial Dade’s Cleaning Institute actually pre-dates the COVID-19 pandemic. The Jersey City, NJ based distributor has had a long-term commitment to educating customers on cleaning and safety practices.
“At the end of the day, Covid has changed this industry by creating a heightened awareness for safety and health, and it has provided people with a deeper understanding of cleaning for health is important,” emphasized Craven.
“Such a notion transcends this pandemic, and is something that has altered our industry permanently. Before, people simply cleaned for appearance. Now, people understand that cleaning isn’t just theatre, and they have seen what poor cleaning standards lead to.
This awareness, on both the customer and operator side, is here to stay, and for good reason. Spending a little extra now to get the jump on this health and safety renaissance will pay dividends for a long time to come,” Craven concluded.
Interested restaurateurs can work through their existing Imperial Dade representative. New customers can contact Laura Craven directly at 305-805-2716 and she will answer questions herself or pair interested parties with appropriate personnel. They can also visit the company’s website.
Founded in 1935, Imperial Dade serves more than 60,000 customers across the United States and Puerto Rico. Since CEO Robert Tillis and President Jason Tillis assumed their roles in 2007, the company has grown both organically and through acquisitions to become a leader in the disposable food service and janitorial supplies industry.
