One of the biggest challenges that Covid has had on the foodservice industry is what many are referring to as the “theatre of cleaning.” More than anything, the Pandemic has completely revolutionized the mindset of customers when it comes to safety and cleanliness.
A waiter spraying down a table with a generic bottle of disinfectant and a dirty rag wouldn’t have warranted a second glance before. Today’s elevated standards have shed a light on the traditional approaches deeming them outdated, unsanitary and, in many cases, spell the death for a business. Thankfully, Hoffmaster’s new Bio-Shield disposables, a line of antimicrobial-protected linen replacements, placemats and traymats, offer restaurateurs a way to address this issue.
As outdoor dining winds down and the industry moves indoors special attention is now being paid to new protocols and best practices. “The biggest change that has come with Covid has to do with the way that patrons now approach their dining experience,” said Andy Romjue, president of Hoffmaster Foodservice. “Traditionally, the food would be the number one reason a patron would choose to frequent a restaurant. Now, the cleanliness of the restaurant rates as high, if not higher, than the quality of the food being served. Running a successful restaurant is now directly correlated with how clean of an atmosphere an operator can maintain within their business. This is where our Bio-Shield products come in.”
As many restaurants look to move away from linen, Bio-Shield napkin products are the perfect replacement, as they’re not only cleaner, but disposable as well. If bacteria were to land on a Bio-Shield product, the technology would stop bacteria such as E. coli, staph, salmonella, listeria and more from growing or replicating to products used to enjoy a meal. This leads to dining patrons feeling safer in a business, as they don’t have to worry about things like their linen napkins being reused and harboring potentially dangerous bacteria. The Bio-Shield line creates peace of mind so that a customer’s imagination doesn’t run wild and they will continue to return.
With their wide array of Bio-Shield products, Hoffmaster stands ready to aid every segment of the foodservice industry. From napkins and placemats for restaurants, to traymats and guest towels for schools and healthcare facilities, Hoffmaster aims to usher in this new era of cleanliness and safety regardless of industry.
“We’re adding this line not necessarily as a replacement for our existing lines, but as an upgrade for folks that are deeply concerned about providing their patrons with an experience that is as clean and safe as possible,” said Romjue. Although products like these can simply seem like an optional upgrade, this tends not to be the case in the eyes of a customer. If presented with a choice between two restaurants, customers will likely choose the one that goes out of its way to keep their safety in mind. They feel that the regard a business has for safety is indicative of its regard for their customers and employees.
2020 has presented the industry with new sanitation options, some of which are expensive and out of reach for restaurants that are operating on vastly reduced revenue, but Hoffmaster has taken this into consideration. “Our Bio-Shield products will only be a 15 to 20 percent up-charge based on the specific item one is looking to replace. Furthermore, we will still offer our previous lines at the usual prices, so businesses can slowly transition to our products at a pace they can manage,” stated Romjue.
Although acclimating to an entirely new customer mindset can seem daunting, Hoffmaster’s president is optimistic about the future. “The key is training. Operators are going to have to re-train their employees to not only follow the mandated guidelines, but to go even further beyond. This is because, for a restaurant to succeed, they need to set themselves apart somehow. If a restaurant can make it clear to their patrons that they are going above and beyond the minimum to create a safe environment, customers will repay that goodwill by going out of their way to support that business. Although there is a lot of work to be done, the path is clear.”
For over 70 years, Hoffmaster has led the industry in producing the most complete line of specialty disposable tabletop products, and it doesn’t plan on stopping anytime soon. In a time when their customers need them now more than ever, Hoffmaster will continue to provide. Those who are interested in Bio-Shield products can visit the Hoffmaster website for samples and more information.
